Jakub Kiwior

Jakub Piotr Kiwior (born 15 February 2000) is a Polish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Premier League club Arsenal and the Poland national team.

Jakub Kiwior
Jakub Kiwior playing for Arsenal in 2023
Personal information
Full name Jakub Piotr Kiwior[1]
Date of birth (2000-02-15) 15 February 2000
Place of birth Tychy, Poland
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Arsenal
Number 15
Youth career
0000–2016 GKS Tychy
2016–2018 Anderlecht
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2019 Železiarne Podbrezová 16 (1)
2019–2021 Žilina 46 (3)
2019–2021 → Žilina B (loan) 7 (0)
2021–2023 Spezia 39 (0)
2023– Arsenal 5 (0)
International career‡
2016 Poland U16 4 (0)
2016–2017 Poland U17 10 (3)
2017 Poland U18 4 (1)
2018 Poland U19 10 (1)
2019 Poland U20 6 (0)
2020–2022 Poland U21 15 (1)
2022– Poland 11 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:42, 14 May 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 27 March 2023

Kiwior is a product of the R.S.C. Anderlecht academy. After being unable to break into the first team, he joined FK Železiarne Podbrezová.

Kiwior represented Poland at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[3]

Club career

FK Železiarne Podbrezová

Kiwior made his Fortuna Liga debut for Železiarne Podbrezová against Nitra on 16 February 2019. Kiwior played the entirety of the 3–1 victory at pod Zoborom.[4]

MŠK Žilina

In August 2019, Kiwior's transfer to MŠK Žilina was announced.[5] He made his debut in the yellow jersey on 10 August 2019 during an away fixture against Ružomberok. While Žilina grabbed a three-goal lead in the first half, Ružomberok scored two in the second period and hence Kiwior was brought on to secure the defence, as a replacement for Lukáš Jánošík. Šošoni managed to keep the 3–2 win and remained undefeated in the league.[6]

Over a month later, in his second appearance, Kiwior had debuted in the starting-XI against ViOn Zlaté Moravce. While Žilina's defence remained unbeaten, the strikers had failed to score and then match concluded in a goal-less tie.[7] On 9 November Kiwior had recorded his first assist with Žilina. At Štadión pod Dubňom, Žilina was behind Ružomberok by two goals in the second half. Kiwior, a first-half replacement, managed to find Ján Bernát with a pass and narrow the score. Still, Žilina lost 2–1.[8]

During the season, he also made sporadic appearances for the reserves competing in 2. Liga.

During the coronavirus pandemic, as Žilina had entered liquidation to survive financially and had consequently released 17 players, Kiwior remained unaffected.[9]

Spezia Calcio
Kiwior with Spezia in 2022

On 31 August 2021, Kiwior signed for Serie A side Spezia on a four-year deal.[10] He made his debut against Inter Milan on 1 December 2021 as a starter and given away penalty for Inter after handball that converted into goal by Lautaro Martínez.[11]

Kiwior often deployed as defensive midfielder by his former manager Thiago Motta because of his ability to posses and control the ball.[12]

Arsenal

On 23 January 2023, Kiwior moved to Arsenal on a long-term contract,[13] making his debut against Sporting on 9 March 2023 in the Europa League last 16 first leg as Arsenal drew 2–2.[14] He made his home and Premier League debut as a substitute in Arsenal's 4–1 win against Crystal Palace on 19 March 2023. He was handed his first start in a 3–1 win over Chelsea in early May after erratic performances from Arsenal back line since William Saliba's injury. He then started in the next game against Newcastle, where a handball decision was overturned.[15] He helped Arsenal have a clean sheet in that match and gained compliments for his performance.[16]

International career

Kiwior made his debut as a starter for Poland against Netherlands in a 2022–23 UEFA Nations League 2–2 away draw on 11 June 2022. In November 2022, he was named in the 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He started in all four of Poland's games during the tournament.

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 14 May 2023[17]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Europe Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Železiarne Podbrezová 2018–19 Slovak Super Liga 14100——00
2019–20 Slovak 2. Liga 2000——20
Total 16100——161
Žilina 2019–20 Slovak Super Liga 13010——140
2020–21 Slovak Super Liga 30231——333
2021–22 Slovak Super Liga 3100—8[lower-alpha 1]0111
Total 46341—80584
Žilina B (loan) 2019–20 Slovak 2. Liga 40———40
2020–21 Slovak 2. Liga 30———30
Total 70———70
Spezia 2021–22 Serie A 22010——230
2022–23 Serie A 17030——200
Total 39040——430
Arsenal 2022–23 Premier League 5000—1[lower-alpha 1]060
Career total 11348100901305
  1. Appearances in UEFA Europa League

International
As of match played 27 March 2023.
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Poland
202290
202320
Total110

References
  1. "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Squad list: Poland (POL)" (PDF). FIFA. 15 November 2022. p. 21. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  2. "Jakub Kiwior". Spezia Calcio. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  3. "Znamy szeroką kadrę reprezentacji Polski na mundial w Katarze! - Reprezentacja A". PZPN - Łączy nas piłka (in Polish). Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  4. FC Nitra - FK Železiarne Podbrezová 1:3 Archived 17 February 2019 at the Wayback Machine 16 February 2019, futbalnet.sk
  5. "Jakub Piotr Kiwior prestupuje do MŠK Žilina". FK Železiarne Podbrezová (in Slovak). 3 August 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  6. "MFK Ružomberok - MŠK Žilina | 2 - 3". ulk.futbalnet.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  7. "FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce - Vráble - MŠK Žilina | 0 - 0". ulk.futbalnet.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  8. "Žilina vs. Ružomberok - 9 November 2019 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  9. s, SPORT SK, s r o & Ringier Axel Springer Slovakia a. "Zo dňa na deň sa mu rozpadol káder. Na likvidáciu MŠK Žilina reaguje aj tréner Pavol Staňo". Šport.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  10. "Ufficiale | Jakub Kiwior è un nuovo giocatore dello Spezia Calcio". Spezia Calcio (in Italian). 31 August 2021.
  11. "Jakub Kiwior zadebiutował w Serie A przeciwko Interowi. Kim jest młody piłkarz Spezii?". sport.tvp.pl (in Polish). 2 December 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  12. Seifeddine, Marcel (2 September 2022). "Jakub Kiwior: Why he is wanted by teams across Europe". Total Football Analysis. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  13. "Jakub Kiwior joins on long-term contract". Arsenal F.C. 23 January 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  14. Glendenning, Barry (9 March 2023). "Sporting v Arsenal, Europa League Last 16 First Leg". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  15. Emons, Michael (19 March 2023). "Arsenal cruise past Palace to go eight points clear". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  16. Andrews, Connor (7 May 2023). "Arsenal fans left thinking the same thing as Jakub Kiwior puts in masterclass against Newcastle". TalkSport. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  17. Jakub Kiwior at Soccerway
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