Jakub Kiwior’s £22 million move to Premier League leaders Arsenal is a source of ‘pride’ for Serie A outfit Spezia, sporting director Stefano Melissano tells DAZN as the Poland international prepares to put pen to paper at the Emirates.
The difference, between time-honoured rivals Arsenal and Man United, was as clear as day. When Erik ten Hag looked to his bench in search of attacking additions, he saw teenager Alejandro Garnacho and a 21-year-old in Facundo Pellistri who has played just six minutes of football for the Manchester giants.
Arteta, in contrast, could call upon a £27 million Belgium international who arrived at Arsenal on the back of an outstanding run of form at Brighton and Hove Albion. Leandro Trossard made a real impact in the dying stages of Sunday’s dramatic 3-2 triumph too; Eddie Nketiah’s late-winner feeling like one major step closer to immortality.
Trossard was brought in to add some much-needed strength-in-depth to Arteta’s formerly thin frontline. And the hope will be that Kiwior can make a similar impact at the other end of the pitch.
Arsenal are close to signing Jakub Kiwior from Serie A outfit Spezia
Kiwior, a left-footed centre-half, will give Arteta something he didn’t have before; Genuine cover and competition for Gabriel Magalhaes at the back. The 22-year-old Pole will sign a five-and-a-half year deal at the Emirates; Turning turned down Atletico Madrid, RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund, Brentford and Leicester City in favour of the Premier pacesetters (TMW).
“Kiwior ‘s transfer to Arsenal? It is (source of) a pride for everyone; from the club to the player,” says Melissano, who’s Spezia side will make a huge profit on a man who joined from MSK Zilina in 2021.
“We are proud and happy that Jakub will have this experience at one of the world’s top ten clubs. We’ve lost an excellent player and youngster, but we are still Spezia. We will continue to have our identity.
“We’re happy. Our transfer market was the result of work planned in the previous months. Now, we have to fix something (following Kiwior’s exit).”
Kiwior, labelled an ‘extraordinary’ talent by Poland team-mate Robert Lewandowski, was in the crowd as Arsenal edged a resurgent but Casemiro-less Man United in a blood-and-thunder throwback of a fixture in North London.
Arsenal are now five points clear of Pep Guardiola’s Man City, with a game in hand.
Attention will now turn at the Emirates to bringing in Real Valladolid starlet Ivan Fresneda; One of Europe’s most exciting young full-backs.
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