Mikel Arteta 'ready' to offload forgotten Arsenal man one year after transfer

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Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta 'ready' to offload forgotten Arsenal man one year after transfer

Jakub Kiwior could leave Arsenal just a year after joining the Gunners after it emerged that Mikel Arteta won't block a move to AC Milan.

Polish defender Kiwior signed for Arsenal from Italian side Spezia last January, costing the Gunners £21million as they fought off competition from clubs such as Italian giants Milan. But with first-choice centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes maintaining their budding partnership, the 23-year-old has found minutes hard to come by, often being shifted to left-back.

Despite Arsenal suffering injuries to fellow defenders Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu, Poland international Kiwior has now been linked with a return to Italy next month. Gazzetta dello Sport claim that long-time admirers Milan have made him 'priority' ahead of the January transfer window, which for Serie A clubs opens on January 2.

Their report adds that Arsenal boss Arteta won't stand in Kiwior's way should he express his desire to join the Rossoneri. Milan would prefer a permanent transfer for the Pole but are open to the prospect of securing an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy.

Kiwior, who was subbed off after 64 minutes during Arsenal's epic 4-3 win at Luton on Tuesday, has made a total of 19 appearances since signing for the Gunners. His lack of game has prompted talk of a departure, although Arteta has high hopes.

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"He is a player that I really like, that's why I signed him," the Arsenal manager explained after Kiwior's first goal for the club in May. "He has the potential, at his age, to be great."

Get involved! Should Arsenal sell Jakub Kiwior after only one year? Let us know your stance in the comments section.

Mikel Arteta 'ready' to offload forgotten Arsenal man one year after transferJakub Kiwior is reportedly a priority target for AC Milan (GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

A saving grace for Kiwior's Arsenal career could be the injury to Tomiyasu, as the Japanese star is set to be sidelined for up to six weeks. His absence could then be extended due to Japan's part in the Asia Cup which begins on January 12.

Tomiyasu has been one of the players whom Kiwior has frequently had to compete with, particularly when jostling for the left-back spot whenever Oleksandr Zinchenko hasn't been picked to start. The former Spezia hotshot has only managed to play back-to-back 90 minutes once this season and with Milan's injury crisis at centre-back, San Siro might be the perfect place to continue his progression.

Nathan Ridley

AC Milan, Arsenal transfer news, Arsenal FC, Mikel Arteta

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