'It's certainly nice' - Arsenal defender welcomes AC Milan and Roma links amid exit talk

Martin Macdonald

• 25 Jan 2024 10:51 CST
• 3 min read

Jakub Kiwior has revealed in a Polish interview that he is glad that interest has been shown in him by Serie A clubs such as AC Milan and Roma and also stated that he would like more playing time.

The Arsenal defender has only made four Premier League starts this season - 16 appearances overall - and has largely been a peripheral figure since joining from Italian side Spezia last January.

He has occasionally filled in at left back for Mikel Arteta’s side but has not yet consistently managed to nail down a starting spot in Arsenal’s XI in his preferred centre-back position.

His extended spells on the sidelines have led to reports of a return to Italy, where he played for two seasons with Spezia.

Arsenal were persuaded to pay around €25 million to secure the Poland international’s services last January but things haven’t gone according to plan for the 23-year-old over the last 12 months.

“I would definitely like to play more, but I don't feel like I lack experience,” he told Polish outlet Super Express when asked whether he should have gained more experience in Serie A before jumping to the Premier League.

When informed of interest from the likes of AC Milan and Roma, the stopper responded: “It's certainly nice and I'm glad that there is interest in me, but I’m focussing on the present.

“Besides, there have been no talks with me yet.”

Kiwior own goal hell versus Liverpool

Kiwior has had to make do with a bit-part in the Premier League and starts predominantly when Arsenal play in the domestic cups.

He made two starts in the League Cup this season, against Brentford and West Ham United, and one in the FA Cup, where the Gunners lost in the third round versus Liverpool.

He gave up the crucial first goal against the Reds at the Emirates, turning a Trent Alexander-Arnold cross into his own net after 80 minutes in a game Liverpool went on to win 2-0.

Kiwior was hauled off by Arteta shortly after, cutting a downcast figure on the Arsenal bench, and endured hefty criticism on social media in the aftermath.