Mikel Arteta favours versatility. If you can cover a number of roles then you'll immediately work your way into his good books.
Ben White, Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu are the standout examples on the Arsenal books. Each can cover at least two defensive roles without the lofty standards at the Emirates dropping, though fans are yet to really see Timber at his best following a serious knee injury sustained on the opening weekend of the campaign.
Jakub Kiwior is another is excelling in his newfound role, and one that he struggled in earlier in the campaign. When the Poland international replaced Oleksandr Zinchenko at the break in the 3-1 win over Liverpool at the start of the month, many anticipated a repeat of his horror performance against the Reds in the FA Cup to kick off 2024. Kiwior returned a WhoScored.com rating of just 5.33 as Arsenal fell to a third successive defeat in all competitions.
Their winter break came at the perfect time for Arteta's side as they regrouped. However, when Zinchenko came off at the break against Liverpool at the start of February, the expectation was that Jurgen Klopp's side would target the former Spezia man as they sought to capitalise upon Gabriel Magalhaes' first half own goal.
Yet Kiwior stood firm, ending the game with an assist for good measure as he turned provider for Leandro Trossard late on to put the result beyond doubt.
Since his return to the XI, Kiwior hasn't really put a foot wrong. The likes of William Saliba and Gabriel draw the praise, yet the 24-year-old hasn't looked out of place at left-back, which is a far cry from his showings in the position earlier in the campaign.
Indeed, six of Kiwior's seven league starts this season have come at left-back, and prior to the
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