It was just a matter of time when Jakub Kiwior would become Arsenal’s new signing. The problem was the work permit, and when that was resolved, the transfer of the Polish stopper to the Emirates was finally made official. With the 25 million euros paid to Spezia, Kiwior became the fifth most expensive defender in the history of the Gunners – ahead of only Ben White (58,500,000), Shkodran Mustafi (41,000,000), William Saliba (30,000,000) and Gabriel Magalhaes (26,000,000).💬 “It’s huge for me that Arsenal were interested and that I’m able to be here.”We’re so happy to have you here, Jakub 🙌— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 23, 2023 There was a lot of talk in the media about Arsenal’s ‘short bench’ in their title bid, but so far, especially after Gabriel Jesus injury, director Edu and coach Mikel Arteta proved that they were right (again). Still, it doesn’t mean that they won’t strengthen when they feel the opportunity is right, and they felt that now is the time to buy the Pole, after they secured Leandro Trossard first. The Spanish expert will be able to use him as a natural stopper, but also in the positions of left back and defensive midfielder.“It’s great that Jakub is joining us. He’s a young versatile defender who has shown huge potential and qualities with Spezia in Serie A, and also at international level with Poland. Jakub is a player who will give us strength and quality to our defensive unit. We welcome Jakub and his family to Arsenal and look forward to working with him” said Arteta upon the player’s arrival.Arteta eager to bring in a fellow Basque but the deal will not go that smoothlyIn a short time, Kiwior managed to make a journey from Slovakia’s Žilina to Italy and now England. Spezia bought him for 2,200,000 euros a year and a half ago, and only 43 matches in Serie A club, (no goals, no assists) were enough for the Gunners to splash the cash and pay much bigger amount than two million. And off course, Paolo Maldini recognized the quality and potential of the Pole, but as usual, Milan did not offer enough money.##NAJAVA_MECA_6971601##
