Mikel Arteta set to start ‘very fast’ Arsenal player vs Porto in the Champions League

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Mikel Arteta is reportedly set to start Jakub Kiwior in Arsenal’s Champions League clash at FC Porto tomorrow evening.

Jakub Kiwior has enjoyed a run in the Arsenal side of late following injuries to Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu.

The 24-year-old has formed part of a backline that hasn’t conceded a goal in their last two Premier League games.

With Zinchenko and Tomiyasu set to miss out tomorrow night after missing training today, Kiwior is in line to keep his place at left-back. 

Kiwior set to start against Porto

The Evening Standard reports that after starting consecutive league games, Kiwior is likely to continue at left-back. 

Kiwior has started just one game in the Champions League this term, which came in the 1-1 draw at PSV. Arteta heavily rotated his side that evening after Arsenal had already secured their place as group winners.

Nevertheless, Kiwior has put in some solid displays of late and has impressed while playing as a full-back.

Zinchenko remains the first-choice at left-back due to his ability to invert and take up central positions.

Yet, Arsenal have looked solid with Kiwior and Ben White playing either side of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.

The Polish defender will be desperate to make an impression while Zinchenko is sidelined after struggling for starts since joining back in January last year.

Kiwior is blessed with decent pace and has been labelled ‘very fast’ for a defender. His speed makes him a decent option for Arteta at left-back and he’s stepped up well in Zinchenko’s absence.

Whether or not it leads to a more permanent starting role in Arteta’s side remains to be seen. But Kiwior has shown he can be trusted in recent weeks.