Mikel Arteta might have no choice but to start Jakub Kiwior against Real Madrid as both Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber suffered fresh injuries during Arsenal’s 2-1 win against Fulham.
With Ben White also currently nursing a knee injury, things look far from positive for the Gunners as they prepare to take on Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Jakub Kiwior has not been in Mikel Arteta’s plans for a while and the Arsenal boss may simply have to throw him against a Real Madrid side that boast of having the best forwards in Europe — which is a worry for the North Londoners as they host Los Blancos at the Emirates Stadium next week.
Ian Wright is worried about Kiwior facing Real Madrid as he feels the Polish centre-back could emerge as a weak link for his former club.
Mikel Arteta decided not to sell Kiwior during the winter transfer window and his decision seems to have paid off as he can now rely on the 25-year-old in what is the most important game of their season.
- READ MORE: Mikel Arteta says one Arsenal player was actually not fully fit but he still started against Fulham
Mikel Arteta says Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior can’t wait to face Real Madrid
Arteta’s responsibility will be to instill some much-needed confidence in Kiwior that he has what it takes to shine for Arsenal against Real Madrid.
Tim Sherwood doubts Gabriel can face Real Madrid now and with Timber as well as White potentially ruled out as well, the Spezia centre-back might have to start and put in the performance of a lifetime.
Mikel Arteta was quizzed about how confident he is that the versatile defender will be able to perform against both Everton and Los Merengues.
Arteta revealed that Kiwior had a smile on his face after Arsenal’s victory against Fulham and he cannot wait to play against Real Madrid, saying via HaytersTV: “Well, the good thing with Jakub is that he’s been very reliable. We need him, he’s always there, he’s available and he does his job. We ask him to play as a left centre-back, as a right centre-back, as a left full-back, so he’s ready, he was with a smile on his face, he was sad for Gabby but he really wanted to play as well and he will be fine.”
Mikel Arteta also stated that apart from Kiwior, every player in the Arsenal dressing room is hoping to start against Real Madrid: “Well, if you ask the dressing room how much they want to play the next two games and the Real Madrid game, believe me, everybody wants to be on that pitch.”
Jakub Kiwior could hand Arsenal a parting gift against Real Madrid
Declan Rice has suggested that he backs Kiwior to shine against Real Madrid as he backs whichever players replace Gabriel and Timber to stand and be counted.
Rice told Optus Sport: “Yeah, it’s disappointing, obviously, I don’t know what’s happened too much to be honest with you but two of our key players injured.”
“Look, we’ve got other players who are unbelievable and we’re ready to go, no matter who we play against and whoever the manager picks will always be ready but yeah, let’s see what happens with them two but hopefully, it’s okay.”
Arsenal are ready to sell Kiwior in the summer, with Napoli interested in his signature. Bayer Leverkusen are keen on signing Kiwior as well and all signs suggest that Andrea Berta is likely to sanction his sale.
As a result, Kiwior has a chance to put himself in the shop window even further by stepping up against Real Madrid and giving Arsenal fans and Mikel Arteta a parting gift.
