Mikel Arteta praises ‘exceptional’ Arsenal star who ‘deserves’ the headlines, but he could leave in the transfer window

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Mikel Arteta believes one of his Arsenal players deserves a lot of credit for his recent form.

It’s been a fascinating season for the Gunners, as despite a lacklustre feel to the campaign, Arsenal are second in the Premier League and are in the Champions League semi-final. 

Though Arsenal’s recent decline has sounded alarm bells, Arteta will look to take positives from the 2024/25 calendar, which still has the capacity to end in major silverware. 

First, the Gunners must overcome Paris Saint-Germain, a second-leg tie at the Parc des Princes that will be difficult, even more so as a result of the dropping individual form of several players.

• READ MORE: PSG vs Arsenal: How to watch Champions League semi-final second leg, live stream, team news and more

Mikel Arteta calls for Jakub Kiwior praise

Captain Martin Odegaard has received harsh criticism for his stale performances of late. 

Against PSG, Odegaard was scolded for failing to offer a threat, and he wasn’t the only one, as Jurrien Timber also struggled. 

Arsenal aren’t concerned about Odegaard’s form, nor is Arteta, who, instead of seeing the negatives around the squad at present, has drawn attention to how some individuals have stepped up. 

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Arsenal manager singled out Jakub Kiwior, who he believes deserves ‘a lot of credit’ for coming into the starting XI at a difficult time. 

“He [Kiwior] deserves a lot of credit because he hasn’t played too much throughout many months and suddenly he has been thrown into the most difficult context.

“At the highest level, playing against the best opponents when you haven’t had the physical rhythm or the confidence to do it, and I think he’s been exceptional.”

Kiwior’s performances against Real Madrid were high points in his Arsenal career, coming into the side to replace the injured Gabriel Magalhaes. 

Losing Gabriel at this stage of the season was a nightmare for Arteta, but the Pole has so far ensured that any panic has been kept at bay.

Kiwior has stepped up for Arsenal amid transfer interest

Though Kiwior stepping up is a positive for Arsenal, it’s also rather bittersweet.

It’s understood that Kiwior would like to return to Italy in the summer transfer window, as he seeks consistent game time at the top level. 

In the Poland international’s defence, it’s no more than he deserves, showing his worth in the latter stages of the Champions League against some remarkable opponents.

Italian giants such as Juventus have shown interest in Kiwior, as have Napoli, with the 25-year-old turning heads overseas.

What Arteta decides to do with the centre-back in the summer remains to be seen, but for now, the manager has called for additional respect to be put on his name.