Sources say Arsenal won’t ‘hold back’ player Mikel Arteta ‘loves’ from January transfer exit

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Arsenal may well have to accept departures in the upcoming January transfer window. 

Mikel Arteta will look at the winter transfer market as an opportunity to strengthen his Arsenal squad further.

The Spanish coach and sporting director Edu Gaspar have made smart use of the winter market in the past, with Jorginho and Leandro Trossard both having arrived at the Emirates Stadium in a previous January window. 

However, this January may also result in a departure as well. Whilst Arteta is determined to protect his squad depth ahead of what looks to be another Premier League title race, he will be equally keen to preserve squad harmony, which may mean letting players depart in search of more regular game time elsewhere. 

One such player who now seems likely to make way midway through this campaign is Jakub Kiwior.

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Arsenal to accept Jakub Kiwior January transfer exit

Kiwior joined the Gunners from Italian outfit Spezia in January 2023. However, due to the form of those ahead of him in the pecking order, the Polish defender has never been able to nail down a regular starting berth of his own.

Despite being highly thought of at Arsenal, the 24-year-old is now ready to seek pastures new in search of regular football.

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, speaking exclusively to Arsenal Insider: “Arteta loves him, the club loves him, as a player. They just can’t give him the minutes he wants.

“He knows when he does go he’s going to be first choice at some big Italian club, because he’s got a huge amount of respect in Italy. I have heard of a few Premier League clubs looking at him as well, but I expect Kiwior to go in January.

“They know they can’t hold him back for much longer, they know what a good player they’ve got… He’s a bit part player, but he’s better than that. That’s what they believe.”

Should Mikel Arteta let Kiwior go?

There was transfer interest in Kiwior in the recent summer transfer window, but the Gunners were able to retain his services. 

However, so far this season, he has only been afforded two brief Premier League cameos off the bench, a solitary substitute appearance in the Champions League, and a start against Bolton Wanderers in an EFL Cup clash.

If Kiwior is no longer happy at Arsenal, and few could blame him for wanting more game time, then the best thing to do for all involved is let him depart.