Arsenal supporters have showered praise on Jakub Kiwior following his composed and commanding performance in the Gunners’ hard-fought 1-0 victory over Newcastle United on Sunday, May 18. The win not only secured all three points but also confirmed Arsenal’s second-place finish in the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.
With key defender Gabriel Magalhães sidelined due to injury, Mikel Arteta turned to Kiwior to fill the gap at the heart of the backline — and the Polish international rose to the occasion with a performance that belied his role as a “backup.”
The Gunners had to weather sustained pressure from Newcastle, who registered 14 shots during the match. But thanks to Kiwior’s assured presence in defense alongside William Saliba, Arsenal were able to preserve a clean sheet in a tightly contested encounter at the Emirates.
Fans quickly took to social media to recognize his impact. One supporter on X (formerly Twitter) wrote:
“There’s no debate anymore. Kiwior is not a backup, he’s a solution. Whether it’s covering Gabriel or Saliba, he plays like he’s owned the shirt for years.”
The 24-year-old’s reading of the game, ability to play out from the back, and calmness under pressure have impressed both fans and pundits alike. His versatility — capable of playing both at center-back and left-back — has become a vital asset in Arteta’s squad depth as the Gunners look to compete on multiple fronts next season.
With performances like this, Kiwior is no longer just a squad option — he’s making a compelling case to be considered a first-team regular at the Emirates.
