Ian Wright says Arsenal star is ‘proving himself’ after ‘nervous’ Champions League performance
Arsenal legend Ian Wright has single out Jakub Kiwior for special praise and believes the defender is beginning to ‘prove himself’ after a shaky performance against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Mikel Arteta has force to rely on Kiwior following a devastating สมัคร UFABET วันนี้ รับเครดิตฟรีสำหรับสมาชิกใหม่ hamstring injury to first-choice centre-half Gabriel Magalhaes, with the Brazilian ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.
Kiwior has blown hot and cold across a mixe start to his Arsenal career and there has some rumour and speculation that the 25-year-old could be on his way out of the Emirates in the summer.
But the Poland international has starte all five of Arsenal’s matches since the blow to Gabriel and did not look at all out of place at the heart of Arteta’s defence in either leg of the club’s Champions League quarter-final victory over holders Real Madrid.
Kiwior playe every minute alongside William Saliba at both the Emirates and the Bernabeu before contributing to the Gunners’ 12th clean sheet of the Premier League season in a 4-0 defeat of Ipswich on Sunday.
He is expecte to continue his run in Arsenal’s starting XI on Wednesday night when Arteta’s men play host to London rivals Crystal Palace in the top flight.
Last season, Kiwior endure a torrid time against Leroy Sane – and was taken off at half-time – as Arsenal were held to a 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie with Bayern Munich.
Legendary ex-Arsenal striker Wright was heavily critical of Kiwior at the time, but feels the centre-back has found his feet while filling in for Gabriel.
‘I think the nervousness came in the Champions League when Bayern Munich came and Leroy Sane really smoke him down that side,’ Wright said on.
‘Ever since then, he’s in and out and then for Gabriel Magalhaes to get the injury he got at that time, and Kiwior is the one that we’re depending on. Obviously, [Riccardo] Calafiori is not available.