Kiwior Discloses Conversation with Arteta That Resulted in His Exit: Arsenal Was Reluctant to Let Me Go

Former Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior has shared insights into his conversation with manager Mikel Arteta that facilitated his departure.

Misleading Reports!

This summer, Kiwior joined Porto on a season-long loan that includes a buy option. Initial reports indicated that Arsenal was eager to offload the Polish international to pave the way for new acquisitions.

However, the defender has now dispelled these claims, stating that Arteta was actually keen on retaining him following several strong performances from the previous season.

“I found that information amusing because it was completely the opposite,” Kiwior expressed to Polish broadcaster TVP Sport.

“Arsenal was not interested in letting me leave London and resisted any transfer discussions for quite some time. I was appreciated for my capabilities as a player. No one wanted to see me go.

“The club was reluctant to let me leave, and the agreement for my transfer took a considerable amount of time. I felt valued, and no one sought to push me out.

“Arteta also wished for me to remain rather than move to Portugal, so I never felt unwanted. The choice to depart was entirely mine. I wanted playing time, but with Gabriel and Saliba ahead of me, the chances were limited.”

Gaining Approval from Arteta

The 25-year-old emphasized that his departure wasn’t a forced decision; rather, he needed to persuade Arteta to allow him to leave for the opportunity to gain meaningful experience outside of North London. Kiwior’s performances have been notable, contributing to his team’s record of no goals conceded while he has been on the pitch in the Portuguese league.

“I had to persuade him (Arteta) myself. I approached him and articulated my perspective on the situation.

“He recognized my ambitions and my eagerness to play, and he expressed gratitude for how I carried myself both as a person and as a player.

“He acknowledged my reasoning, met with the sporting director, and the process progressed swiftly after that.”