Jakub Kiwior, the Polish defender, has finally received the recognition he deserves from the British media after his impressive performance in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League. The 22-year-old player had been waiting for over a month to return to the team’s starting lineup, and he took full advantage of the opportunity presented to him.
With William Saliba out injured, Kiwior stepped up to the plate and played the entire 90 minutes of the match alongside Gabriel Magalhaes as the right center-back. His performance was praised by many British media outlets, with some rating him as high as 7 out of 10.
According to The Sun, Kiwior „saved Jurrien Timber from disaster” in the 33rd minute, preventing Dinamo Zagreb from creating a scoring opportunity. Daily Express described his performance as „very solid,” adding that he looked „comfortable on the ball.” Givemesport.com praised Kiwior’s overall performance, noting that he was „very solid for most of the game, although he had a few nervy moments in defense.”
Not all media outlets were as generous with their praise, however. Daily Mail rated Kiwior’s performance as 6 out of 10, describing him as „nervy” and highlighting a mistake he made in the 33rd minute that almost led to a Dinamo Zagreb goal. London Evening Standard and Goal.com also gave Kiwior a rating of 6, noting that he had a few shaky moments but overall performed well.
Despite these criticisms, Kiwior’s performance was a significant improvement from his previous outings, and it’s clear that he has been working hard to prove himself to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. As Paininthearsenal.com noted, Kiwior’s performance was „not enough to convince Arteta of his value, but he didn’t do anything wrong either.”
Kiwior’s stats this season are impressive, with 15 appearances for Arsenal and two assists to his name. While he has yet to score a goal, his solid defensive performances have been crucial to Arsenal’s success in the Champions League.
In conclusion, Kiwior’s performance against Dinamo Zagreb was a testament to his hard work and determination. While he still has areas to improve, he has undoubtedly proven himself as a reliable and capable defender for Arsenal.
Key Stats:
* 15 appearances for Arsenal this season
* 2 assists this season
* 90 minutes played against Dinamo Zagreb
* Rated 7 out of 10 by The Sun, Daily Express, and Givemesport.com
* Rated 6 out of 10 by Daily Mail, London Evening Standard, and Goal.com