There was disappointment for Jakub Kiwior on Saturday, with the Arsenal defender’s Poland side becoming the first team to be eliminated from Euro 2024.
The goalless draw between France and Netherlands on Friday evening meant that Poland cannot finish third in their group following their defeats to the World Cup finalists and Austria.
Austria ran out 3-1 winners, with two goals in the second-half proving to be decisive.
Jakub Kiwior once again started for his country, with the 24-year-old lining up as part of a back three.
How Polish media reacted to Jakub Kiwior’s performance
Whoscored shows that he boasted the worst pass completion success rate of the three starting centre-backs, but he did also manage to make three clearances and two interceptions.
Arsenal fans probably feel that they have not yet seen the best of Kiwior since his arrival at the Emirates in the 2023 January transfer window, with the former Spezia man often playing at left-back last season.
So they may be interested in how the Polish media have reacted to his performance against Austria.
“He started the match badly and was extremely inaccurate in the first minutes. But then, unlike his defensive teammates, he didn’t make any big mistakes,” Meczyki wrote as they gave him a rating of 4.
“He made good interventions in front of the penalty area and around it, and played alertly and confidently in defense. He’s in good shape, but he didn’t make it in time to secure Dawidowicz’s goal kick to make it 1-2,” Sport wrote, as they opted for a 3+.
Euro 2024 exit may be blessing in disguise for Arsenal star
Arsenal may be the beneficiaries from Poland’s early exit from Euro 2024, but there is also a chance that Kiwior can use the setback positively.
He faces one of the most daunting tasks in the Premier League right now – and that is trying to force his way into the side ahead of either William Saliba or Gabriel Magalhaes.
Both players are also at international tournaments this summer, and it would not be a huge surprise if they were both involved right until the very end. Both Euro 2024 and the Copa America end on July 14th.
The pair will probably get some time to rest before they then return to Arsenal, and that may present an opportunity to the Poland international.
Arsenal staff have been hugely impressed by Kiwior on the training ground since his arrival, so perhaps he can expect a few opportunities to make a statement in pre-season and possibly at the start of the new campaign. It is easy to forget now that Gabriel started last season on the bench for a few weeks.
Given the disappointment of Poland’s Euro 2024 campaign, it would not be a shock if Kiwior was raring to go upon his return to the Emirates.