Mikel Arteta must now seriously consider cashing in on one in-demand Arsenal star in order to fund deal for Euro 2024 revelation.
If Mikel Arteta wants to improve certain areas of his squad this summer, then Arsenal will need to offload players in order to make room for new arrivals.
Whilst signing a central midfielder to support Declan Rice is now the priority for Arsenal, and the Gunners are chasing a striker, Arteta is also keen to bolster his defensive ranks.
Specifically, Arsenal are on the hunt for a left-back, but cover in the heart of the rearguard would also be useful, especially considering Takehiro Tomiyasu’s injury record and the fact that Ben White and Jurrien Timber are most likely to be deployed on the flanks of the back four.
Arteta appreciates versatility in his players, and now seems to be eyeing up a player who can operate comfortably as both a centre-back and left-back.
Jakub Kiwior often fulfilled this function for Arsenal last season. Although he is naturally a centre-back, the vast majority of his game time came as a makeshift left-back. In general, he did well in this role, though his limitations became increasingly obvious as time went on.
Why Arsenal need to sell Jakub Kiwior this summer
As a full-back, Kiwior lacks attacking impetus. This stymied the Gunners’ ability to create and attack up the left-hand-side of the pitch, with Gabriel Martinelli’s form suffering as a consequence.
On top of that, against elite level opposition such as Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Kiwior came unstuck defensively. He served an important role for the team last season, but as he is unlikely to ever establish himself as a regular starter in his preferred position due to the presence of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, and hampers the team goings forwards as a left-back, Arteta may well feel that an upgrade for the 26-year-old can be sourced.
What’s more, there is a demand for the 26-cap Poland international. Clubs in Serie A are keen to bring Kiwior back to Italian football. At this stage in his career, the former Spezia man needs to be playing regularly, and ideally as a centre-back, so this is a move that would make sense for him too.
At the very least, Arsenal ought to be looking to turn a small profit on the £21 million they paid to sign Kiwior in the January of 2023.
Arteta would then be able to reinvest these funds, and is currently eyeing up a move for Riccardo Calafiori.
Kiwior could be key to Arsenal signing Riccardo Calafiori
As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, speaking on his own official YouTube channel: “Arsenal are informed of the situation of Calafiori. Arsenal already had some contacts, but still not club-to-club negotiation. So, let’s see what happens there with Riccardo Calafiori, but for sure, Chelsea and Arsenal are interested. Let’s see if some other club will jump into the race. Remember that Juventus have the green light from the player but not from Bologna.”
The funds raised from Kiwior’s sale could be used in a move to sign the 22-year-old Bologna star. However, Arsenal may need to act faster than this chain of events would allow, given Juventus’ own interest in the player.
It is unsurprising to see Calafiori in such demand. He shone at Euro 2024, in an otherwise lacklustre Italy side. His versatility is also a bonus, as he can play as either a centre-back or a left-back. Certainly, in the latter role, he wold have more to offer Arsenal than Kiwior.
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