PSV Eindhoven coach Peter Bosz believes Johan Bakayoko got the better of Jakub Kiwior during Tuesday’s 1-1 Champions League group-stage draw with Arsenal in the Netherlands.
There was a moment, midway through the second-half, which rather summed up how Jakub Kiwior’s day was going.
Johan Bakayoko, with his first touch, simply chipped the ball over the Arsenal defender’s head before galloping into the wide open space Kiwior had left in behind.
In the Poland international’s defence, he is a centre-half playing out of position against one of Europe’s most exciting young wingers. But still, with his Arsenal future uncertain heading into the January window, the sight of Kiwior being torn limb from limb by the buccaneering Bakayoko will not do his hopes of a bigger role under Mikel Arteta any favours.
Jakub Kiwior struggles as Arsenal draw with PSV
“Johan is only 20-years-old,” Bosz tells FC Update. “It is always wonderful to see what kind of face he walks off the field with.
“I also thought he played really amazingly. If you saw the one-on-one actions with the left-back (Kiwior), he was clearly in charge. He just played a great game.”
The £20 million signing from Spezia has endured a difficult 12 months under Arteta. The sight of Kiwior filling in at left-back is a reflection of the fact that he has failed to oust Gabriel Magalhaes in the centre, making only his sixth start in all competitions this season in Eindhoven as Yorbe Vertessen cancelled out Eddie Nketiah’s well-taken opener late in the first-half.
Kiwior is likely to be offered a return to Italy during the January window. AC Milan and Fiorentina are among those keen, and one former Poland international believes that a mid-season change of scenery may be for the best.
Serie A return on the cards
“He is considered the leader of our defence for the national team. No wonder, because he has great potential,” Piotr Czachowski tells TVP Sport.
“His club situation is not the best. At Spezia, he was an outstanding player. And, for him to be like that again, he has to return to the pitch for good. A loan is necessary because the competition at Arsenal is very difficult. The minutes played do not indicate that he will make constant progress.”
“If he has played so few minutes at this stage of the season, he should go on loan. The Arsenal defender seems subdued. His head is lowered, the eyes move to the side. This is sad and worrying ahead of the March play-offs.
“To be confident, he must play more.”
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