Mikel Arteta could give ‘very fast’ Arsenal talent just his second Champions League start

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Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior has really come a long way for the Gunners in recent weeks.

The 24-year-old joined Arsenal just over a year ago from Spezia, and it has taken him a while to really get going at the Emirates Stadium.

Kiwior previously struggled at Arsenal, which led to some criticism and, during the January transfer window, speculation over his future.

However, the main issue seemed to be with Mikel Arteta asking him to invert. Now that this responsibility has been taken off him, we’re starting to see his true qualities.

Against Burnley at the weekend, Kiwior looked solid defensively at left-back, helped create the fourth goal with a run forward and assisted the fifth with a quick long throw.

His efforts led to Alan Shearer naming him in his latest Premier League Team of the Week, as well as good ratings from media outlets.

For instance, Charles Watts of Goal.com wrote: “Continued on from his good performances against Liverpool and West Ham.

“A player who looks full of confidence and who is loving his run in the side.”

And football.london wrote: “Did a decent job supporting the attack when called upon but his was largely a defensive brief.

“Looks so much more comfortable when he doesn’t have to invert. Grabbed an assist for Havertz’s goal too!”

Jakub Kiwior likely to start for Arsenal in Champions League trip to Porto

Now, Kiwior looks set to start in only his second Champions League game, as Arsenal face Porto at the Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday.

Even though Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu are doubts, the Poland international would likely be starting on merit anyway.

It’s great to see a player who was previously struggling now finally coming into his own.

Hopefully we’ll be seeing a lot more of the ‘very fast‘ talent contributing to Arsenal’s success in the coming years.