Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich was an interesting tactical battle, and Mikel Arteta may realise he made a huge mistake in his team selection.
Arteta and Thomas Tuchel went head-to-head in their Champions League quarter-final first-leg tie, and whilst the Arsenal boss helped spare his side’s blushes with excellent substitute decisions which led to the equalising goal, the Gunners may have secured a win if he selected a different starting XI.
Jakub Kiwior was selected at left-back, replacing Oleksandr Zinchenko, who had started the previous two league matches, whilst Takehiro Tomiyasu was an unused substitute.
The Poland International featured heavily in recent months whilst the other options were injured, but it was mooted that he would then take a backseat role during the run-in. However, he did start, but was substituted at half-time after a disastrous display, and Arteta’s decision to throw him into the deep end has now been questioned.
Mikel Arteta questioned over decision to start Jakub Kiwior in Arsenal draw vs Bayern Munich
Speaking on Gunnerblog on YouTube, journalist James McNicholas questioned why Kiwior started when there were two better left-back options on the bench.
“I was very surprised that Jakub Kiwior played at left-back,” he stated.
“I know he’s done well until now, but he struggled a bit in the Man City game. I think that shows that maybe this very highest level in that position, he’s not quite there yet.
“I would have started Tomiyasu. I can only assume Tomiyasu is not fully fit, because I can’t make sense of him not playing otherwise, and we saw Kiwior struggle particularly against Sane in that early period.”
Arteta must now be cautious over Jakub Kiwior in Arsenal run-in
Kiwior did provide a solid option at left-back after initially struggling, but it took Ben White changing his role to invert from the right to make it viable.
With Zinchenko and Tomiyasu now fit, Arteta has either an option who provides more on the ball than anyone else, with Zinchenko performing superbly when he replaced Kiwior against Bayern, or a more defensively solid, and intelligent option in Tomiysasu.
If both stay fit until the end of the season, then Kiwior should arguably not start a single game, or at the very least, be used sparingly as a left-back. It is still clear that the 23-year-old is more suited to a role in the centre, and whilst he is a strong rotational option, he is not a player who Arteta should be throwing into the biggest games just yet, given his relative lack of experience compared to the alternatives.
