Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is nothing but ruthless in the pursuit of perfection at the Emirates Stadium
(Image credit: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is prepared to move on a star who's been excellent in recent times – just for an upgrade in that position.
The Spaniard certainly isn't afraid of these big calls, showing a willingness to move on players who he perceives are holding back the side tactically, regardless of how well they've been playing. Just this season, Arsenal have replaced fan-favourite Aaron Ramsdale in goal with David Raya, despite the England international having done little wrong prior to being dropped.
Kieran Tierney, too, has been sent on loan to Real Sociedad due to the Scot not being able to invert to the level that Arteta demands – and now, the Basque boss might be about to make a similar decision to move on another star.
David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale are examples of Arteta's willingness to drop favourites in search of marginal gains (Image credit: Alamy)
According to HITC, Jakub Kiwior could depart this summer, just a year and a half after arriving from Spezia in Serie A – with Ajax wonderkid Jorrel Hato wanted.
Kiwior is a left-sided centre-back by trade but with Brazilian Gabriel a near ever-present in that position and Arsenal's main options at left-back, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber all unavailable of late, the Pole has played there.
Kiwior, like Tierney, however has struggled to invert. In the 6-0 thrashing of West Ham United at the weekend, Ben White on the other side was tasked with forming the box midfield, with Kiwior forming the back three.
Kieran Tierney has been sent on loan, due to his lack of suitability to play Arteta's system (Image credit: Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Kiwior was linked with a move back to Serie A in the January transfer window, given his lack of game-time up until that point this season.
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The 23-year-old is valued by Transfermarkt at €25 million.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
