09 March 2023 , 16:04
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The first leg of Arsenal's Europa League round-of-16 tie against Sporting CP presents Mikel Arteta with the perfect time to hand January signing Jakub Kiwior his debut, as he is named in the Gunners starting line-up for the first time.
Purchased for £21million earlier this year, the Poland international is yet to feature for the Gunners' first team in any capacity so far. Kiwior has enjoyed one brief run-out for the Arsenal under-21 team but has been made to wait for any senior minutes.
The former Spezia central defender has been named as a substitute in seven Arsenal league fixtures so far, but Arteta has not deemed it necessary to introduce him off the bench during any of those clashes. The Gunners boss has been clear in his view that Gabriel and William Saliba are the club's first-choice centre-back pairing.
Jakub Kiwior is in line to make his Arsenal debut on Thursday nightAs a result, Kiwior has been left watching on from the sidelines. In a recent interview with the Polish FA, the 23-year-old discussed what life has been like under Arteta so far and appeared to hint at some sign of frustration over the wait for his first bow in a Gunners shirt.
"What does Mikel Arteta pay attention to? I think he pays attention to everything. I thought that if we were leading by two or three goals I would get a chance, however, I am waiting patiently. Everyone would like to play."
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It has since been confirmed that Kiwior will not have to wait any longer, with the Polish defender named as a starter for the clash against Sporting on Thursday night.
Jakub Kiwior is yet to make his Arsenal debut (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Arteta start Kiwior against Sporting on Thursday? Comment below
Excitement among the Arsenal faithful is brewing as they await their first real glimpse of Kiwior in action, with the ex-Spezia man arriving at the Emirates with a big reputation.
Fellow countryman and one of Europe's most lethal marksman Robert Lewandowski has sung Kiwior's praises previously.
In September of last year, Sempre Milan quoted Poland and Barcelona talisman Lewandowski as saying: "I noticed him [Kiwior] in the warm-up before the game and wondered who he was.
"Then, I saw him in the game and I realised that he is an extraordinary player. He has enormous potential."
Arteta seemed to issue a slightly pointed response to Kiwior's previous comments during the Spaniard's pre-match presser before the meeting with Sporting as he admitted: "Everybody wants to play.
"It’s true that we have wanted to rotate certain players but they have been injured and unavailable, and that may be the case again tomorrow.
"Sometimes it’s difficult, but players have to deserve to play the minutes and being fair in football is very difficult."