Mikel Arteta Reveals One Player Who Will Replace Injured Gabriel Magalhães

Mikel Arteta has commended Jakub Kiwior for his dependability and versatility, emphasizing his ability to step into various defensive roles whenever required.

 Arteta said, “The good thing with Jakub Kiwior is that he’s been very reliable. Every time we need him, he’s always there, he’s available & he does his job. We ask him to play as a left centre-back, right centre-back, left full-back — he’s ready, he’s got a smile on his face.” 

This praise comes as Kiwior continues to demonstrate his readiness to adapt to any position in the defense, a quality that has been especially valuable as Arsenal grapples with injuries to key players.

Kiwior’s adaptability has been crucial as the team faces significant injury challenges, particularly in defense. With players like Gabriel Magalhães, Jurrien Timber, Ben White, and Riccardo Calafiori sidelined, Arsenal has been forced to rely on Kiwior’s versatility. Gabriel’s recent hamstring injury, which requires surgery, will keep him out for the remainder of the season, further highlighting the importance of Kiwior's readiness to fill in at any position in the backline.

Arteta has also previously acknowledged the difficulties of adjusting to new roles, particularly when players are asked to step into positions they are less familiar with. He compared Kiwior’s situation to that of William Saliba, who would face similar challenges if asked to play as a full-back. Despite these challenges, Kiwior has shown remarkable adaptability, a trait that Arteta greatly values.