Arteta must REJECT transfer interest to retain Arsenal's most underrated player

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 12 Mar 2024 18:09 GMT
• 3 min read

With Arsenal engrossed in a major title battle with Manchester City and Liverpool, Oleksandr Zinchenko’s recent injury was certainly ill-timed.

The Ukraine international returned off the bench against Brentford on Saturday, but he had missed the previous five matches in all competitions through a calf injury - something that had also troubled him earlier this campaign.

In his absence, Mikel Arteta turned to Jakub Kiwior - a player who has rarely featured since his move from Spezia last January.

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The Polish defender was signed as a back-up for Gabriel Magalhaes in the left-centre-back slot, however the majority of his minutes at Arsenal have come at left-back, with the Brazilian rarely missing.

With Kiwior featuring very sporadically during the early weeks of the season, rumours of a return to Serie A have been extremely prevalent, with AC Milan among the clubs keen on bringing him back to Italy.

However, the 24-year-old has proven his worth in Zinchenko’s absence over the past few weeks and Arteta simply can’t afford to sell him.

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Why Arsenal must keep Jakub Kiwior

Chelsea’s Levi Colwill and Man City’s Josko Gvardiol have both struggled to adapt to life at left-back this season, but Kiwior looks at home in that position, despite the fact he is naturally a centre-back.

His inclusion in the starting XI has coincided with Arsenal’s imperious run of form in the Premier League, with Kiwior starring during emphatic wins over West Ham United, Burnley, Newcastle United and Sheffield United. He also started the 2-1 victory against Brentford on Saturday.

There are a queue of Serie A clubs keen on signing Kiwior this summer and while Arsenal may entertain offers for their Polish star, Arteta must do everything in his power to retain his most underrated star.

Kiwior hasn’t received many plaudits during Arsenal’s recent run of form, but he’s been ever-present at left-back, enabling those around him to shine. The 24-year-old also has one goal and two assists in his past four Premier League appearances and he may have overtaken Zinchenko as Arsenal’s best left-back.

Interest may be rife this summer, but Arteta must keep hold of Kiwior.