Arsenal's Jakub Kiwior finally starting to come into his own

Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior has fitted in seamlessly as cover for the injured Gabriel.

We often hear in professional sports that when you are given an opportunity, you have to take it, as you don't know when you're getting another one, and for Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior, he's taken his with both hands.

Having been on the edge of the Gunners first team, having played 18 games in all competitions, the hamstring injury to fellow central defender Gabriel opened a door for Kiwior to show what he is made of with a handful of games left in the season.

In the six games Jakub has played, one could make the case that he's improved in each game and when we factor in that he looked defensively solid and assured with the ball at his feet in BOTH legs against Real Madrid in the Champions League, shows a player who is starting to find his feet in north London.

Kiwior giving Arteta food for thought

Thought to be one of the players to be moved on in the summer to help raise funds for a transfer splurge, what Kiwior has done in his six games as a starter will give Arteta second thoughts as to whether or not he'll sell him in a couple of months.

“I feel very good on the pitch with everyone because we have a great relationship and we talk a lot with each other,” Kiwior said via arsenal.com. “We're prepared no matter who the opponent is. We live very well on and off the pitch, so I feel I have a good connection with anyone on the pitch, it doesn't matter who I'm playing with."

In his six games, Kiwior's defensive work has earned the most plaudits has he has slipped in alongside William Saliba and they've only conceded five goals, with Saliba's errors costing the Gunners.

But against Crystal Palace in a 2-2 draw, another element of Jakub's game came to light, as his superb header just minutes into the game was well-taken.

It was perhaps the exclamation mark on his recent form that has seen him grow in confidence and stature in the heart of Arteta's defense.

Kiwior looked certain to be sold in the summer, now we aren't so sure. But if he is, with each passing game, his value goes up, and we think Arteta might be smart to keep the Polish international around.

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