Arsenal's defensive options were handed a major boost this week with the £21million arrival of Jakub Kiwior. The former Spezia star joins as competition to Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba as the Gunners aim to win their first Premier League title in 19 years.
Mikel Arteta's side sit five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table after 19 games. After defeating Tottenham and Manchester United in their previous two fixtures, people have begun to take serious notice of the north Londoners ahead of the business end of the campaign.
Kiwior was in attendance to witness last weekend's 3-2 win over United before being confirmed as the Gunners' second signing of the month on Monday. The 22-year-old is not lacking fitness after featuring in three games this month for Spezia meaning he's in contention to make his debut in tomorrow's FA Cup trip to Manchester City.
READ MORE: Xhaka forfeit, Arteta and Odegaard battle as new Arsenal signing trains ahead of Man City clash
Speaking prior to the mouth-watering trip to the Etihad Stadium, Arteta was vocal in his praise of the latest arrival at London Colney. "He gives us more cover. We've been with three centre-backs which is very short," the Gunners boss said.
"We've been very lucky with injuries and we needed to recruit. We've done it. Jakub can play in different roles and is a versatile player and he'll strengthen the team. If there's anything else available that can make us better, we'll look at it."
As he aims to follow in the footsteps of compatriots Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski in north London, Kiwior's agent, Pawel Zimonczyk, recently revealed in an interview with Kanal Sportowy how the the move came to fruition. In the interview, Zimonczyk told the story of what Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko did for the new recruit before sealing the move.
"Kiwior's entrance into the dressing room wasn't planned, but as soon as Zinchenko saw him, he called out: 'If you're already with us, you're already with us'. I'm sure it was a cool experience for him too. After such an important win he could feel the atmosphere from the Premier League leader's dressing room.
"Zinchenko dragged Jakub into the changing room after the game against Manchester United. I think when he saw what kind of atmosphere there was, he already wanted to participate from the pitch, to enjoy Arsenal's promotion to the next round of the FA Cup."
READ NEXT:
Arsenal can repeat Leandro Trossard trick by completing two-year transfer plan to sign £22m star
Arsenal make clever £18.5m transfer move to secure Premier League title advantage over Man City
Xhaka forfeit, Arteta and Odegaard battle as new Arsenal signing trains ahead of Man City clash
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
