Why Arsenal have moved for Polish centre-half Jakub Kiwior has been revealed, with a Sky Sports reporter hinting one regular starter in particular is now at risk.
An Arsenal move for Spezia centre-back Jakub Kiwior came out of the blue on Friday. Fabrizio Romano. David Ornstein and Gianluca Di Marzio all brought news of the Gunners coup, with Spezia due to receive around €25million (just under £22m).
Di Marzio reported Kiwior, 22, will fly to London on either Saturday or Sunday. Once landed, a medical will be undertaken and the finishing touches applied to his move. A five-and-a-half year deal will be penned, per Romano.
Mikel Arteta already has an established centre-back pairing in the form of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Furthermore, he has the reliable Ben White to call upon, as well as Rob Holding and Takehiro Tomiyasu. The latter has played primarily as a full-back since arriving, but was utilised mainly at centre-half at former club Bologna.
However, of that quintet, one thing is lacking – a left-footed back-up.
Gabriel is the only left-footer among the five and as such, has been forced to play every minute of Arsenal’s Premier League campaign thus far.
He also got the full 90 in their FA Cup victory over Oxford United, and according to Sky Sports, Gabriel will be the one most affected by the left-footed Kiwior’s arrival.
While there’s no indication he’ll be displaced as a regular starter, he could now be subject to rotation or the odd early substitution.
Kiwor to ease burden on Gabriel
Explaining why, their reporter, Sam Blitz, pointed to Bukayo Saka’s drop in form at the back end of last season. Per Blitz, Arteta has learned from Saka’s dip and is no longer content to run his younger stars especially into the ground.
“There is a reason why Arsenal want to provide competition for centre-back Gabriel,” said Blitz.
“The Brazilian defender has played every single minute for the Gunners in this Premier League season and has now played in every moment possible in all competitions since the World Cup break.
“Mikel Arteta knows that too much football on young legs can lead to dwindling displays towards the end of the campaign.
“For example, there was not enough competition for Bukayo Saka last season and he ended the campaign with zero goals and zero assists from open play in the final ten league matches.
“Kiwior has gone under the radar in Serie A and not many fans even noticed him during the World Cup, where he started every single game for Poland as they lost to France in the last-16.
“The 22-year-old does seem to fit the bill for an Arsenal defensive signing, with a wide range of passing and an ability to defend well while under pressure – as well as fitting the age profile for new recruits under Arteta.”
While Kiwior’s move has seemingly come out of nowhere, he has been a capable performer in Italy for some time.
Indeed, he ranks in the top 10 among all Serie A players this season in the possessions won in the defensive third, clearances completed and headed clearances categories.
He’s also 13th in interceptions and in the top 40 in long passes attempted.
READ MORE: Arsenal identify next attacker to sign after Trossard, as Arteta revolution continues with another Prem raid
Arsenal regular at risk following Jakub Kiwior transfer, as Sky Sports reporter reveals Arteta has learned from past mistake
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