New Arsenal signing Jakub Kiwior will not start in Arsenal’s FA Cup tie away at Manchester City, journalist Charles Watts believes.
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The Polish defender arrived from Spezia earlier in the week, and has travelled with the squad to Manchester for what promises to be a tough encounter in the fourth round of the cup.
It remains to be seen how much Mikel Arteta will rotate his team, with the likes of Matt Turner, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Leandro Trossard all vying to start, but it seems that Gabriel Magalhaes will continue in the heart of defence rather than Kiwior.
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Speaking on his YouTube channel, Watts claimed that it was too soon for the 22-year-old to be thrown straight in, especially given the quality of the opposition.
“Maybe Kiwior will play for his debut? I can’t imagine it. I just think, do you really throw him in for his first game away against Manchester City at the Etihad, potentially up against Erling Haaland or even Alvarez?” He stated.
“I’m just not sure when he’s only been here for a week and getting used to his teammates. I’m not sure that’s an ideal situation to throw a player into his debut. So I personally think Gabriel will play.”
Gabriel a figure of consistency
Kiwior has clearly been signed with depth in mind, as a left-sided centre-back to cover for Gabriel.
The Brazilian has remarkably started 54 league games in a row for the Gunners, making him one of Arteta’s most important players, and the Poland International will provide much-needed depth as Arsenal aim to compete domestically and in Europe.
It is likely that Kiwior will have to wait for his full debut, which he could even make in the Europa League knockout stages in March, as Gabriel has his position in the side locked down.
