Jakub Kiwior sets the record straight on his departure from Arsenal, citing his desire to play as the main reason for his move to Porto.
Jakub Kiwior has revealed the truth behind his summer exit from Arsenal, and it may surprise many fans.
The Poland international joined Porto on loan with an obligation to buy, but he has now disclosed that Arsenal did not want to let him go.
In fact, the club and manager Mikel Arteta were only convinced to agree to the transfer after Kiwior made it clear that he wanted to leave in search of regular playing time.
Kiwior’s decision to leave Arsenal was a personal one, driven by his desire to play more regularly.
With William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes ahead of him in the pecking order, Kiwior knew that his chances of starting were slim. “I wanted to play, but with Gabriel and Saliba ahead of me, the chances were small,” he explained.
Despite the speculation surrounding his departure, Kiwior has praised Arsenal and Arteta, saying that he felt valued and wanted at the club.
“The club didn’t want to let me go and it took a long time for them to agree to the transfer,” he said. “Arteta didn’t want me to leave for Portugal either, so I never felt unwanted.”
Kiwior’s move to Porto has proven to be a successful one, with the defender becoming an undisputed starter for the Primeira Liga giants.
Arsenal, on the other hand, will benefit from his exit in the long term, with Porto obliged to sign him for €17 million. The fee could rise to up to €27 million, depending on certain conditions.
The arrival of Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie in central defense made it clear that Kiwior’s opportunities at Arsenal would be limited. His departure has allowed him to pursue a new challenge and establish himself as a regular starter.
Kiwior’s performances in the second half of last season had raised hopes that he could stake a claim for a starting role at Arsenal. However, with Saliba and Gabriel ahead of him, it was always going to be tough for him to get regular playing time.
In the end, Kiwior’s desire to play and grow as a player led him to make the difficult decision to leave Arsenal. While it may have been a surprise to some, it’s clear that Kiwior is determined to make the most of his opportunity at Porto.
