One Arsenal defender could now be prised away from the Emirates Stadium this summer amid interest from a Serie A club.
There is now doubt over the future of Jakub Kiwior at Arsenal.
The Polish defender made an important contribution for the Gunners this season. He did not begin the campaign as a regular starter, but when injuries took their toll he was called upon to fill-in at left-back on an extended basis.
Despite being a centre-back by trade, Kiwior generally impressed in this role. Around the turn of the year, the 24-year-old made six consecutive Premier League starts. In total, he made 20 appearances in the top flight of English football this season, and was also trusted in some big Champions League fixtures.
Has Jakub Kiwior shown all he can offer Arsenal?
It was in one of these continental clashes that he came somewhat unstuck. Against Bayern Munich he struggled to cope with the pace and directness offered by Leroy Sane in the first-leg. Prior to that Champions League quarter-final encounter, it had been said that Kiwior had done enough to become Arsenal’s first-choice left-back. In truth, though, against the very best opposition, his weaknesses in this unfamiliar role can be exposed.
On top of that, he offers very little as an attacking outlet in that full-back role. Whilst Kiwior deserves credit for the job he did as an auxiliary option in Mikel Arteta’s hour of need, his limitations have now become obvious.
AC Milan show interest in Arsenal ace Jakub Kiwior
Of course, it is unfair to judge Kiwior too harshly given he is not playing in his preferred role. He is unlikely to ever get regular game time in the heart of the Arsenal rearguard either, barring in the event of injury, due to the form of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
As such, the £21 million former Spezia man may be keen to leave the Emirates Stadium in search of more regular game time as a centre-back elsewhere.
A return to the Italian top flight could be on the cards. According to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, as quoted by Caught Offside, whilst Arteta is keen to keep Kiwior, his stance on the player’s future could be swayed if an “important” offer arrives form AC Milan, who are thought to be keen on the player.
A move may well be in Kiwior’s best interests, but he offers valuable squad depth at Arsenal, so Arteta will surely only let him go if an offer that is too good to refuse is tabled.