Jakub Kiwior, the 24-year-old Polish defender, has been struggling to find his footing in the first team of Arsenal FC. Despite earning more playing opportunities, he has failed to capitalize on them, and his latest performance in the Carabao Cup quarterfinal against Crystal Palace was no exception.
The match got off to a disastrous start for Kiwior, who committed a horror mistake that cost his team a goal. In the third minute of the game, Kiwior failed to clear a ball, and then got outmuscled by Jean-Philippe Mateta in a one-on-one situation, resulting in the French striker scoring the opening goal. Although Arsenal managed to come back and win the game 3-2, thanks to a hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, Kiwior’s error was too egregious to ignore.
The English media was merciless in their criticism of Kiwior, with all major outlets panning his performance. Football.london, Express, Goal.com, Evening Standard, and Onefootball.com all gave Kiwior the lowest rating in the team, citing his costly mistake as the main reason.
„Błąd przy golu Matety był niewybaczalny nawet w tak śliską noc,” wrote football.london, echoing the sentiments of the other outlets. „Odzyskał równowagę i rozegrał przyzwoity mecz, ale nigdy nie wyglądał na w pełni komfortowego w starciu z Francuzem.”
The stats paint a sorry picture for Kiwior, who has struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League. According to Opta Sports, Kiwior has won only 44.4% of his aerial duels, ranking him 134th out of 180 defenders in the league. His passing accuracy stands at 82.4%, which is 124th in the league.
Kiwior’s struggles are not new, and his performances have been a subject of debate among Arsenal fans and pundits alike. Despite his physical presence, Kiwior has struggled to impose himself on the game, often looking uncomfortable against physically demanding opponents.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will face a tough decision when it comes to selecting his starting lineup for the next game. Kiwior’s mistakes have become too frequent, and the team cannot afford to carry a liability in the defense.
In the context of Polish football, Kiwior’s struggles are even more concerning. With the national team struggling to find a steady defensive partnership, Kiwior’s inconsistent form does not bode well for the White Eagles’ chances in the upcoming international break.
In conclusion, Kiwior’s nightmare performance against Crystal Palace is a stark reminder of the cutthroat nature of top-level football. The Polish defender needs to work on his game, and fast, if he wants to establish himself as a reliable option for Arsenal and the Polish national team.