Unveiling Jakub Kiwior: Arsenal's Rising Star Shares his Journey, Competing for Arteta's Favor

Nine months have passed since Jakub Kiwior joined Arsenal, but reflecting on his astonishing £20m transfer from Spezia, where he left behind a Serie A relegation struggle to embark on a Premier League title pursuit, continues to fill the reserved centre-back with glee. Speaking to We in a tranquil corner of the team's training facility, he expresses, "The excitement was palpable from the start — even when I first heard the rumors of their interest in me. That alone meant the world to me. Subsequently, signing the contract brought me immense joy."

Prior to his official move, he experienced even greater happiness when he received an invitation to witness an exhilarating match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium. This captivating spectacle provided him with a firsthand glimpse of what awaited him. Following the game, Oleksandr Zinchenko warmly embraced him and declared, "If you are already with us, you are already with us." Kiwior, beaming with joy, reminisces, "The emotions were soaring during that moment as well. I felt immense happiness for being fortunate enough to partake in that experience."

The signing came as a surprise to almost everyone, except for Arsenal who had been closely monitoring him. Kiwior, a 23-year-old player with high potential but a relatively unknown reputation, had only recently made his debut for Poland six months prior. Prior to joining Spezia in 2021, he had been playing for Zilina in Slovakia.

Because of his lack of familiarity with the English language and his relative inexperience, Mikel Arteta decided to gradually integrate Kiwior into the team. As a result, Kiwior had to wait for two months before being given the opportunity to make his debut.

"I was eager to get playing time right away, but I was advised to remain calm and allow myself time to adjust," he states, speaking through an interpreter while he continues his language learning endeavors.

"Those two months carried immense significance for me. It signified a major transition. I simply dedicated myself to staying focused during training sessions and adapting to my new surroundings. Eventually, the playing time arrived, making that period extremely valuable."

Playing in the Europa League for the first time in March, he subsequently made brief appearances against Crystal Palace and Liverpool. However, it was on his full Premier League debut that he truly shone, contributing to Arsenal's 3-1 victory over Chelsea, which briefly revived their title aspirations. "While every match holds significance, performing impressively against Chelsea provided me with the motivation to persistently strive and improve," he affirms.

Scoring my first goal in the final match against Wolves was also a significant moment. Despite already being in the lead, it holds importance to mark your first goal for a club. Additionally, making a favorable impression on Arteta was crucial. "I personally admire him as a player, which is why I chose to bring him on board," expressed the Arsenal manager in May. "Considering his young age, he possesses immense potential to become exceptional."

Arteta is not the only one who holds Kiwior in high regard. Robert Lewandowski, his fellow Poland teammate, praised his "exceptional" talent when he received his first international call-up last year. Kiwior's consistent growth at Arsenal guarantees that he will have a more prominent role this season. However, he remains humble despite the praise. In one of his initial interviews as an Arsenal player, his reserved and shy nature shines through. Yet, there is also a resilient determination within him.

He appreciates Arteta's positive comments and acknowledges that they boost his confidence. However, he is cautious not to dwell on them excessively, knowing that they can also have a negative impact. This mindset will undoubtedly benefit him under a manager who prioritizes continuous growth, and the admiration between them is mutual.

"I echo the sentiment shared by other players about the exemplary relationship and exceptional cooperation we have with him," he expresses.

"He possesses a remarkable ability to effectively communicate his intentions. Furthermore, even if I were inclined to express any criticism, there is simply nothing negative to mention."

Kiwior has been greatly impressed by the Spaniard's meticulousness, which includes the inspiring, team-building speeches witnessed in the All or Nothing documentary two seasons ago.

"It's a stark contrast from what I was accustomed to," he explains. "Since coming here, it's the first time I've witnessed such a impactful pre-match gathering. It's definitely a refreshing change."

"I was astonished by the possibility of something like this - the ability of a coach to develop innovative concepts that could shape our mindset towards the game through a myriad of competitions and challenges, enabling us to concentrate wholeheartedly. Kiwior exemplifies this notion flawlessly. Despite constantly battling to secure a starting position in Arsenal's defense, he never illustrates any signs of frustration regarding his sporadic playing time; instead, he displays a resolute determination to capitalize on his opportunities."

We boast an exceptional group of players, engaging in a highly competitive environment. Nonetheless, I take delight in participating alongside such accomplished individuals. Even if I am not chosen for the starting lineup, I exert maximum effort.

Bringing assistance to the team always brings me joy, thereby I do not view the competition negatively.

Most of Kiwior's appearances thus far have primarily been in central defence. However, his exceptional tactical acumen enables him to adeptly take on the role of an inverted left-back when necessary. Notably, during his time at Spezia, his remarkable proficiency in playing with the ball led to his deployment in central midfield.

His appeal to Arsenal was greatly influenced by his versatility, which was one of the first qualities highlighted by Arteta upon his arrival. Kiwior, on the other hand, is willing to contribute to the team in any position he is assigned.

"I believe my preferred and strongest position is at centre-back, but ultimately it is the coach who determines my role on the field. I always have clarity about my position before each match. However, it is not a major concern for me anymore. What matters most is that I am enjoying playing and as long as I get playing time, I am content."

Kiwior is unfazed by the possibility of playing more frequently. His journey to the top, which took him through various countries, taught him the value of patience and determination. This experience has shaped his resilient mindset as he prepares to take on this new challenge in England. Despite being only 23 years old, Kiwior has already played in five different countries. He initially moved from Poland to Belgium to join Anderlecht's academy as a teenager. Later, he ventured to Slovakia in pursuit of regular playing time and eventually secured a transfer to Spezia three years later.

"It was crucial for me to experience various leagues during my early years as a player," he remarks. "Undoubtedly, being part of a first-team at such a tender age came with immense expectations, allowing me to acquire invaluable knowledge and skills."

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Jakub Kiwior is relishing the competition for places at Arsenal

Arriving here was no easy task. Arsenal stands as one of the most esteemed clubs worldwide, and the privilege to play for them cannot be overstated. Nonetheless, my previous ventures hold immense significance as well. I owe gratitude to all the clubs I had the opportunity to represent.

His tenure in Serie A, renowned as a proving ground for aspiring defenders, proved to be exceptionally enriching. "It provided invaluable guidance, not solely within training sessions, but also during the actual matches. Partaking in that brand of football on a weekly basis bestowed upon me the greatest lesson a defender could ever hope for."

Having spent 18 months there, he never anticipated that his next opportunity would come at such a prestigious club. Kiwior doesn't recall actually dreaming about it, but he remained dedicated and is pleased to have accomplished his goal.

Currently, his main priority is to cement his place in the Arsenal team and assist them in surpassing their previous season's performance. "Every player is eager to compete and secure three points in each match," he explains. "Last year, we were at the top of the table. This time, we aspire to maintain that position until the very end."

Jakub Kiwior, the talented centre-back with a soft-spoken demeanor that perfectly complements his skills, is fully prepared to contribute.

Catch the live broadcast of the Everton vs Arsenal match on We Premier League starting at 4pm this Sunday, with kick-off scheduled for 4.30pm.