The race to sign Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior is heating up.
There is a great deal of interest in Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior, with the January transfer window set to open in a matter of days.
Despite the Gunners’ stance apparently being that the defender is not for sale, there is still a growing number of clubs keeping tabs on him.
According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, as well as Serie A outfits AC Milan, Roma, Napoli, and Lazio, Arsenal’s Premier League rivals Brentford have now emerged as contenders for the 23-year-old’s signature.
Of course, it makes sense that a number of Italian clubs would hold an interest in Kiwior, as he is a known quantity in Serie A. The Poland international impressed for Spezia, prior to making his £20 million switch to the Emirates Stadium in the last January transfer window.
He would also likely fit in well at Brentford. Thomas Frank’s side are well-organised, and his rearguard play a compact brand of football which would suit Kiwior. The player’s impressive passing range could also come to the fore, as he would have the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, and Ivan Toney to target with long balls.
However, none of that is to say that Arsenal will sanction the player’s departure this winter.
Should Arsenal let Jakub Kiwior go?
Kiwior is not a nailed-on starter for the north London club. As a centre-back, he must play second fiddle to both William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. Whilst he can also play as a left-back, he remains behind Oleksandr Zinchenko in the pecking order for that position too.
Even with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber out of action due to injury, Kiwior will find that his game time is fairly limited. However, it precisely because that pair have been sidelined that Mikel Arteta cannot afford to let Kiwior go at this time.
As things stand, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Saliba, Gabriel, Ben White, and Cedric Soares are the only fit senior defenders at the club. Considering Arteta clearly has no faith in Cedric, that list might as well be five names long.
Due to this, Kiwior will get game time in the coming weeks and months, and in crucial matches, too. Now is his time to step up and prove that he belongs at this level and can really contribute positively for the Gunners.
Arsenal’s January focus needs to be on acquiring defenders. Letting a perfectly serviceable defensive option leave the club simply makes no sense.
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