Arsenal’s decision to let Jakub Kiwior join FC Porto on a loan-to-buy deal is already being scrutinised after the defender produced a commanding display in Europe. The Poland international has slotted seamlessly into Porto’s backline, forming a strong partnership with compatriot Jan Bednarek. Together, they have helped the Dragons to three consecutive clean sheets since his arrival.
On Thursday night, Porto sealed a 1-0 victory over Red Bull Salzburg in the Europa League. For Kiwior, it was arguably his best performance to date, with Polish and Portuguese outlets hailing him for his composure, defensive awareness and distribution. Meczyki.pl labelled the clash “the toughest test” so far for the Polish duo — one they passed with flying colours.
Kiwior’s flawless night against Salzburg
The numbers underline just how dominant the 25-year-old was:
| Stat (vs Salzburg) | Jakub Kiwior |
|---|---|
| Duels Won | 100% |
| Tackles Won | 100% |
| Passes Completed | 100 |
| Pass Accuracy | 93% |
| Clean Sheets | 3 in 3 games |
source: Meczyki.pl & A Bola – 25 September 2025
Commentator Marcin Gazda described it as “a flawless performance by the Polish defenders,” while A Bola awarded him a 7/10 rating — the joint highest on the pitch. The Portuguese outlet praised his intensity and awareness alongside Bednarek, noting how the duo consistently blocked Salzburg’s path to goal.
Kiwior himself was modest in his post-match interview with Sport TV, saying: “It was a great night because we won, but it was a very difficult game. We’re very happy with the victory. We played as a team and won in the last minute.”
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William believes Arsenal may come to regret sanctioning Kiwior’s departure:
“Kiwior was never given an extended run at Arsenal, but what we’re seeing at Porto is a defender growing in confidence with every match. His partnership with Bednarek already looks stable, and the statistics from Salzburg — 100 passes completed, perfect tackling, clean sheet — show why Porto moved quickly to secure him.”
He added: “Arsenal’s centre-back depth is strong, but should injuries hit, fans may question why Kiwior wasn’t kept as cover. If Porto trigger the buy clause, the Gunners could be left wondering if they let a long-term defensive asset slip away too soon.”
Key Insights
- Jakub Kiwior has kept three clean sheets in his first three games for Porto.
- Produced a flawless performance in a 1-0 Europa League win over Salzburg.
- Won 100% of his duels and tackles, completed 100 passes at 93% accuracy.
- Polish and Portuguese media praised his partnership with Jan Bednarek.
- Arsenal may regret letting him go on a loan-to-buy deal this summer.
What’s Next for Kiwior and Arsenal?
Kiwior looks set to cement his place as a regular starter for Porto in both the Europa League and domestic competition. If his form continues, Porto are expected to exercise their option to buy, which could make his departure from Arsenal permanent as early as 2026.
For the Gunners, the decision will be judged in hindsight. If Mikel Arteta’s side avoid defensive injury crises, the exit will be seen as a sensible squad-trimming move. But if defensive depth becomes an issue later this season, fans may look back at Kiwior’s flawless European nights with frustration.
👉 Should Arsenal have kept Jakub Kiwior as defensive cover, or was letting him leave the right decision?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 26 Sep 2025 10:50
They've good backups for Saliba and Gabriel - Mosquera and Hincapie (if I write his name correctly).
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