Arsenal’s Jakub Kiwior reacts to Jan Bednarek’s ‘new chapter’ message amid exit links
Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior could follow the same path as international team mate Jan Bednarek as the Gunners prepare for the Polish international’s departure.
Mikel Arteta’s side have made a positive start to pre-season recording victories against AC Milan and Newcastle United in Asia.
The Gunners have signed six new players to their squad including the much anticipated arrival of Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres in a deal worth over £60million.
Arsenal could now turn to selling players with Kiwior’s future uncertain, with the 25-year-old attracting attention from Juventus and the defender wanting to be guaranteed more minutes on the pitch.
Kiwior replacement already known
Valencia centre-back Cristhian Mosquera has joined Arsenal this summer as a potential Kiwiror replacement, although the departure of Takehiro Tomiyasu meant Arteta needed to sign a new defender.
Kiwior could follow compatriot Bednarek in starting a “new chapter” elsewhere, as the former Southampton defender put it on his Instagram account after signing for Porto.
Bednarek shared an image in a Porto home shirt with a message to his new club after eight seasons with Saints.
He made over 200 appearances for the club, helping Southampton to promotion back to the Premier League before their immediate return to the second tier.
Arteta waiting on injury verdict to star
Football Insider Verdict
Kiwior is one of a few Arsenal players who are linked with a move away from North London as they search for regular playing time elsewhere amid the options Arteta has at his disposal.
The Pole played a key part at the back end of the last campaign for Arteta, standing in for injured Gabriel at centre-back.
| Apperances | 30 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 2 |
Gabriel and William Saliba though are Arteta’s first choice centre-back partnership and with Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber alongside Mosquera as versatile back-up options, Kiwior could find opportunities limited to cup competitions.
Arsenal and Calafiori though are waiting nervously on an injury picked up by the Italian in the pre-season win over Newcastle, when the 23-year-old had to be substituted at half-time.
A potential Kiwior departure may not be sanctioned until the verdict on Calafiori’s injury is fully known.
Arteta is also set to lose left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko with the Ukrainian a target for AC Milan.