Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich saw the Gunners show a level of defensive vulnerability not seen in recent Premier League games.
Mikel Arteta’s side were in the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 14 years, and with the Gunners unbeaten in the league in 2024, they were the favourites to beat an out-of-form Bayern Munich side at the Emirates Stadium.
However, there may have been some underestimation of the quality of Bayern’s attack, and Arsenal threw away a lead by gifting Serge Gnabry and Harry Kane goals in the first half.
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Former Manchester City star Leroy Sane also caused Arsenal nightmares with his speed, and left-back Jakub Kiwior was substituted at half time as he could not cope with him.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright has now criticised the way Kiwior attempted to defend against the Germany winger, having been beaten by him on several occasions.
Ian Wright criticises Jakub Kiwior for role in Arsenal draw vs Bayern Munich
Speaking on the Wrighty’s House Podcast, Wright bemoaned the way Kiwior attempted to stop Sane, and claimed that the Poland International was out of his depth.
“Jakub Kiwior was getting cooked by Leroy Sane, let’s have that right,” he stated.
“He was scared of him. I was a little bit disappointed with Kiwior. He was stuck between, ‘Do I go all the way in or do I drop off of him.’
“Act like you’re going to get tight then drop off, let him get the touch so then he’s either going to have to knock it past you and you’ve got half a chance of getting something on it… or foul him!”
Jakub Kiwior was out of his depth at left back in Arsenal draw vs Bayern Munich
Kiwior has impressed at times since taking an increased role in the team, having started at left-back in most of Arsenal’s remarkable league run whilst Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu were absent.
However, it is clear that his best position is still in the centre of defence, and Kiwior could not play an inverted role like Zinchenko usually does.
An opponent like Bayern Munich, and Sane, was perhaps too much too soon for Kiwior, who looked out of his depth before being replaced by Zinchenko at half time, and it was a mistake from Arteta to throw him into a Champions League knockout tie ahead of the much more experienced Ukrainian.