Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Jake Stokes

Robert Lewandowski gives Arsenal transfer green light as dream Mikel Arteta window takes shape

Robert Lewandowski is an admirer of new Arsenal signing Jakub Kiwior, labelling the defender as a 'real player'. The 22-year-old has joined the Gunners from Spezia for a fee in the region of £21million, including add-ons.

Kiwior penned a deal which keeps him at the Emirates Stadium until 2027, with the option to extend for a further year. He became the north London side's second signing of the January transfer window, following Leandro Trossard.

And, if Lewandowski is to be believed, then Kiwior is set to be a key player for Arsenal in years to come. The duo have featured alongside one another for Poland seven times, with the last four coming at the World Cup in Qatar.

READ MORE: Arsenal handed key Rafael Leao January boost as AC Milan chase Newcastle transfer replacement

As quoted by Arsenal’s website, the Barcelona striker believes that his fellow countryman is an 'extraordinary' talent with 'great potential'. Lewandowski said: "Listen to me, this is a real player. I noticed it during the warm-up before the match against the Netherlands.

"In training, it’s very difficult to see certain things. Then I saw him in the match, extraordinary. Really great potential."

Arteta was in the market for a left-footed centre-back this month following the departure of Pablo Mari, with Gabriel Magalhaes his only option in that department. The Spaniard is pleased to welcome Kiwior to London Colney as Arsenal look to build upon a title-winning start to the Premier League campaign.

"It’s great that Jakub is joining us," the Gunners boss said. "He’s a young versatile defender who has shown huge potential and qualities with Spezia in Serie A, and also at international level with Poland.

"Jakub is a player who will give us strength and quality to our defensive unit. We welcome Jakub and his family to Arsenal and look forward to working with him."

Kiwior could make his Arsenal debut against Manchester City on Friday night in the FA Cup fourth round. Arteta has a rich history of winning the historic competition so the Spaniard will undoubtedly be keen to progress.

If the Poland international is handed a start, he's likely to provide Gabriel some well-earned respite. The Brazilian defender has been a pillar in the Gunners' success this season, so Kiwior has big shoes to fill.

READ NEXT:

Arsenal’s Man Utd win was three years in the making as Mikel Arteta tactics exposed Antony

Arsenal can complete £17.6m transfer to bolster Premier League title bid and avoid Chelsea repeat

Five players on notice after Edu and Arsenal's January transfer plans are complete

Find the footballs on the football.london website to win cash prize, vouchers and TV worth £3,000

Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.