Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gave a predictably coy answer when asked about imminent new signing Jakub Kiwior as a deal for the defender nears.
Polish international Kiwior is expected to become the Gunners’ second new addition of the January window after Leandro Trossard. Former Brighton star Trossard completed his £27m move to north London on Friday.
Taking questions from the media ahead of Sunday’s Premier League game against Manchester United, Arteta was quizzed on further additions. The league leaders’ advantage at the top could be cut to two points by the time they kick off, with Manchester City hosting Wolves earlier in the day.
“We cannot talk with players we haven’t finalised,” Arteta said. “When that’s the case we can announce it.”
Kiwior, who plays his club football for Spezia, has represented Poland at every age group level up to under-21, and made his senior international debut in 2022. He featured in all four of his country’s games at the 2022 World Cup as they reached the last 16, losing to eventual finalists France.
While the 22-year-old will be just their second January signing, Arsenal have been busy since the summer with more than £100m spent on new arrivals. Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Fabio Vieira were among those to arrive in the close-season, while the more recent moves come after the Gunners missed out on Mykhaylo Mudryk, with the Ukrainian winger joining Chelsea.
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As Arsenal wait for the deal for Kiwior to be announced, their manager said he hopes Trossard would be available for Sunday’s game after the deal for the Belgian was completed on Friday. “I think so,” Arteta said when asked if the new man could feature. “I think he’s good to go.”
United remain the only team to beat Arsenal in the Premier League this season. Erik ten Hag’s team won 3-1 at Old Trafford, with summer signing Antony scoring on his debut.
In welcoming Trossard to the Emirates Stadium, Arteta pointed to his new signing’s Premier League experience. The 28-year-old, who joined Brighton from Genk in 2019, has scored seven goals this season including a hat-trick against Liverpool and 25 in 116 Premier League games for the Seagulls.
“We are really happy to have him, the Spaniard said. “He’s a player we have been following for a while now and the opportunity came, and we have a necessity to find a player in the front line that is versatile enough to play in a number of positions.
“He knows the league, has experience here and he can have an immediate impact, We have to think short term, but also medium and long term, and he gives all that.”
