Jakub Kiwior could be thrown in at the deep end on his Arsenal debut as the Gunners prepare to lock horns with Manchester City on Friday night.
Robert Lewandowski is an admirer of new Arsenal signing Jakub Kiwior, labelling the defender as a ‘real player’. The 22-year-old has joined the Gunners from Spezia for a fee in the region of £ 21 million, including add-ons.
Kiwior penned a deal which keeps him at the Emirates Stadium until 2027, with the option to extend for a further year. He became the north London side’s second signing of the January transfer window, following Leandro Trossard.
And, if Lewandowski is to be believed, then Kiwior is set to be a key player for Arsenal in years to come. The duo have featured alongside one another for Poland seven times, with the last four coming at the World Cup in Qatar.
As quoted by Arsenal’s website, the Barcelona striker believes that his fellow countryman is an ‘extraordinary’ talent with ‘great potential’. Lewandowski said: “Listen to me, this is a real player. I noticed it during the warm-up before the match against the Netherlands.
“In training, it’s very difficult to see certain things. Then I saw him in the match, extraordinary. Really great potential.”
Arteta was in the market for a left-footed centre-back this month following the departure of Pablo Mari, with Gabriel Magalhaes his only option in that department. The Spaniard is pleased to welcome Kiwior to London Colney as Arsenal looks to build upon a title-winning start to the Premier League campaign.
“It’s great that Jakub is joining us,” the Gunners boss said. “He’s a young versatile defender who has shown huge potential and qualities with Spezia in Serie A, and also at the international level with Poland.
“Jakub is a player who will give us strength and quality to our defensive unit. We welcome Jakub and his family to Arsenal and look forward to working with him.”
Kiwior could make his Arsenal debut against Manchester City on Friday night in the FA Cup fourth round. Arteta has a rich history of winning the historic competition so the Spaniard will undoubtedly be keen to progress.
If the Poland international is handed a start, he’s likely to provide Gabriel with some well-earned respite. The Brazilian defender has been a pillar in the Gunners’ success this season, so Kiwior has big shoes to fill.