Arsenal’s recent games against Bournemouth certainly haven’t been without drama, with William Saliba’s shock red card following Reiss Nelson’s superb winner a year or so ago.
Unfortunately for Arsenal, there was no such inspiration against Andoni Iraola’s side on Saturday evening, with the Gunners falling to a damaging 2-0 defeat.
Mikel Arteta’s side were fairplay poor even before William Saliba’s red card, and things were understandably difficult thereafter.
Lewis Cook made an interesting point about Arsenal after the red card, comparing their performance to going a man down against Manchester City too.
And although Arsenal might have stolen a 1-0 win were Gabriel Martinelli able to finish his golden chance, it still felt as if the visitors ultimately deserved very little from the game.
Jakub Kiwior suffers Emile Smith Rowe fate after being hooked as an Arsenal substitute
All that being said, as part of his firefighting job, Arteta decided to introduce Jakub Kiwior in place of Saliba at right centre-back, sacrificing Raheem Sterling in the process.
And unfortunately Kiwior then suffered a humiliation that no football player desires, being subbed off after coming on earlier in the game.
READ MORE: ‘Has to change’… Alan Shearer has spotted a serious problem at Arsenal after Bournemouth defeat
Kiwior entered the match in the 37th minute and then left it in the 80th, making way for Gabriel Jesus.
Incidentally, that was a fate last suffered by Emile Smith Rowe at Arsenal against Bournemouth too – the midfielder was brought off a precaution after being introduced early on after an injury in 2023.
Harping back to Kiwior and the 40 or so minutes he played, the Poland international didn’t exactly cover himself in glory either.
Kiwior’s confidence is seemingly at an all-time low, and it was his underhit back pass that ultimately caused David Raya to concede a penalty and end any chance of Arsenal making a comeback.
Arsenal need to sell Jakub Kiwior as soon as possible
For a long time it’s appeared as if Kiwior is finished at Arsenal, a player who has not reacted well to dipping in and out of the team.
Kiwior is now struggling for Poland too, a defender who needs a fresh start at a team where he’ll be an important starter.
Kiwior didn’t cost Arsenal the game against Bournemouth by any means, but his performance was another key indicator that he’s no longer equipped to help this side.
The disparity between the level of the Pole and his effective replacements, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber, is so large by this point.
And in truth it’s hard to believe that Kiwior will be trusted to start against Liverpool, when Arsenal fans will perhaps see Ben White moved into right centre-back.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
