TNT pundit says £20m Arsenal player had a ‘tough night’ v PSV

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TNT Sports pundit Lucy Ward feels that Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior had a ‘tough night’ against PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko.

Arsenal headed to Eindhoven this evening, taking on PSV in their final game of the Champions League group stage.

Mikel Arteta made a host of changes to his side but Eddie Nketiah pounced to put Arsenal 1-0 up in the Netherlands.

Arsenal couldn’t see it out though with Yorbe Vertessen curling home a superb equaliser for the hosts.

Both teams had chances to win it but it finished 1-1, with both sides advancing to the knockout stages.

Lucy Ward comments on Jakub Kiwior performance in Arsenal draw

Arsenal were a little disjointed, which was to expected given the number of changes Arteta made to his side.

There was a chance for Jakub Kiwior at left back with the Pole making his first start in the Champions League.

Primarily a centre back, Kiwior has done a job at left back at times this season but he had his hands full against PSV right winger Johan Bakayoko.

The Belgian was a tricky customer with his pace and dribbling ability, leaving TNT Sports pundit Lucy Ward to feel that Kiwior had a ‘tough night’.

Ward (12/12, 7:15pm) highlighted that £20million defender Kiwior was out of position and was having a tough time up against Bakayoko.

Ward also praised Bakayoko as a player who offered a real threat, but wanted to see more consistent end product from him.

“Kiwior has had a tough night at left back,” said Ward. “It’s not his natural position and Bakayoko has been running at him as well.”

“He does a lot of good work outside the box but I want to see something at the end of it – can he get a better shot, can he get an assist? He’s really positive though, the young man on the right-hand side,” she added.

Tottenham will surely have watched Bakayoko display

Bakayoko has been turning heads for a while now, hitting three goals and eight assists in 15 Eredivisie games this season.

The 20-year-old is quick and tricky, and already finds himself on the radar of Premier League clubs.

Sky Sports reported in November that Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Bakayoko, joining Brentford in the race.

Tottenham would have surely seized the chance to see Bakayoko in action against one of the Premier League’s top sides.

Spurs scouts would surely have been impressed and Kiwior won’t want to face him again in a hurry.