ESPN pundit says £20m player has now completely transformed everything for Arsenal

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ESPN pundit Craig Burley has said Jakub Kiwior’s recent run out for Arsenal has been key to the north London side’s change of fortunes in the Premier League.

The Polish international replaced Oleksandr Zinechenko at halftime in Arsenal’s 3-1 win against Liverpool earlier this month, with Kiwior since playing every minute for the Gunners at left-back.

The change has resulted in Arsenal conceding just one goal in the Premier League with Mikel Arteta’s side scoring 15 goals in their last three games, with Kiwior grabbing one last night against Newcastle United.

And speaking on ESPN FC, pundit Burley has pointed out that Kiwior’s performances and role in this Arsenal system has been influential in the Gunners’ Premier League form, with the north London side firmly in the Premier League title race.

Burley said: “Kiwior coming in for Zinchenko, it’s kind of stopped that, ’Oh, let’s go and sort of flaff about in the middle with the extra [player]’, he’s more of a natural full-back.

“So, they’ve all of a sudden got White on one side, Kiwior on the other and they’ve got four guys, who yeah they’ll get forward but guess what? They want to defend as well. And that’s given them some stability at the back.”

Jakub Kiwior looks perfect at left-back for Arsenal

After scoring an own goal against Liverpool in the FA Cup, few Arsenal fans would have predicted Kiwior to become one of the key reasons behind the Gunners’ Premier League title push.

The £20m signing from Spezia last year has really grown into his own in the left-back position, an incredible feat considering the options Arsenal now have for the role.

Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu and the returning Jurrien Timber all have a claim to make for starting at left-back, yet it’s Kiwior who looks best-suited for the role for Arsenal.

Indeed, the former Serie A star has the quality to retain his place in the starting XI for the remainder of the season, and the fear of being dropped could spur Kiwior on to improve his form even more for Arsenal.