Classy Kiwior making mark at Arsenal in unfamiliar role

Jakub Kiwior has been quietly excellent for Arsenal in recent weeks.

Establishing himself in the starting XI at left-back, the 24-year-old has defended well and registered four goal contributions in his last six games.

His emergence this year has been seriously impressive after a quiet start to his career in North London.

Ahead of the Gunners' clash with Brentford, we take a closer look at the Poland international.

Remarkable run

Kiwior has started Arsenal's previous five matches in all competitions after replacing Oleksandr Zinchenko at half-time of last month's 3-1 win over Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta's side have conceded just two goals in that period, scoring a staggering 21.

Kiwior has contributed at both ends of the pitch, regularly venturing forward down the left flank but not at the expense of his defensive duties.

And there has been a particularly nice balance to the back four, with Kiwior and Ben White as full-backs alongside the formidable centre-back partnership of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba.

No Arsenal player has completed more clearances per 90 minutes than Kiwior (2.8) in the Premier League this term.

He also ranks first among his team-mates for assists per 90 (0.38), ahead of talisman Bukayo Saka (0.33) — albeit from a smaller sample size.

It is clear, though, that Kiwior is making Arsenal a better team at both ends of the pitch.

Rise to prominence

Kiwior was a relatively low-key addition in January last year.

Signed from Spezia for £20million, he made seven starts in the Premier League towards the end of the last season.

At the beginning of the current campaign, Kiwior was seen as more of a fringe player who could provide cover at centre-back.

But things have changed now following his eye-catching recent performances in a slightly unnatural role.

Arteta said: "We have made it difficult for him [Kiwior] for two reasons.

"One because he hasn't played that many minutes and secondly because we've asked him to play in a position that he's never played in before. 

"It is like pulling William Saliba into full-back and saying 'tomorrow, perform and do what we have to do.'

"I think he has adapted really well and he is playing better and better, you can tell that he is earning confidence and physically he is better.

"He understands the role much better and he has been really good."

Upcoming challenges

Kiwior has had to be patient since making the move to the Emirates.

Plenty would have expected the defender to remain on the periphery for a side chasing silverware but he has adapted expertly to play an important role.

The aim for Arsenal's No15 will now be to remain consistent and keep Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu — both currently injured — out of the XI.

And there are bigger tests to come for the Pole, including a potentially season-defining trip to Manchester City later this month.

However, there is no suggestion Kiwior will be unable to cope with the added pressure — given his assured performances over the last few weeks for a Gunners side brimming with confidence.