Arsenal could still sanction Jakub Kiwior's exit from the Emirates this summer in spite of his heroics against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals, Gunners journalist Charles Watts believes.
The Poland international was an unexpected success story during that 5-1 aggregate win over the reigning European champions, barely putting a foot wrong in either leg as he shone alongside William Saliba in defence.
Gooners may have understandably feared for their side's hopes of progression when Gabriel Magalhaes picked up a season-ending hamstring injury at the start of the month, especially as Kiwior has struggled to stay composed during previous - and rare - starts this season.
However, Watts - like many Gunners - happily held his hands up and lavished praise on the centre-back, telling Sports Mole: "He was brilliant, absolutely brilliant. The shaky nervous moments that did come in that game came from William Saliba. They didn't come from Kiwior. He was exceptional. His recovery pace, how calm he was on the ball.
"I was there when Gabriel got injured, and the collective groan that went around the Emirates, the realisation of that's him out of Madrid, it's going to be Kiwior or some sort of mismatched defence, you could just feel the confidence anyone had begin to drain out of them.
Watts 'suspects' Kiwior could leave Arsenal in summer transfer window
© Imago
"I was exactly the same. And I'm holding my hands up. Kiwior has exceeded my expectations and more. He deserves so much credit. Fair play to him. We'll wait and see what happens with him, whether this ends up being his last season in an Arsenal shirt. I suspect it might be.
"These performances are certainly going to do his value a lot of good in terms of Arsenal if they do get some money for him. But it also means that if he does go, he's going to go away with fond memories from Arsenal fans, especially these two nights against Real Madrid. He can be absolutely proud of his performance.
"He's going to have to continue to play like this between now and the end of the season because Arsenal obviously need him."
Barring injury, Kiwior now appears to be a nailed-on starter for the two-legged semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain, but the 25-year-old's future has understandably been called into question for some time now.
Kiwior had made just two Premier League starts this season before Gabriel suffered his devastating injury against Fulham, and the former Spezia man has long been linked with a return to Serie A with one of the league's big boys.
It was recently reported that one title-chasing Serie A side had developed a 'concrete interest' in a deal for Kiwior, whom Arsenal paid £16.7m for midway through the 2022-23 season, and his contract does not expire for another three years.
How Kiwior could 'solve a problem' by snubbing Serie A interest
© Imago
If the defender maintains his stellar form between now and the end of the season, though, Arsenal could justifiably slap a larger price tag on his head, and Watts expects the Gunners to be receptive to approaches if Kiwior makes his exit intentions clear.
"Given what Arsenal have to do and the areas they're going to prioritise, it's basically up to Kiwior for this one," he added. "If he really wants to go, it would be totally understandable, because Gabriel walks back into his team when he's fit.
"It's going to be very hard for Kiwior to get the minutes that he, as an international defender, craves and needs at this stage of his career. If he pushes for a move, then I think Arsenal will let him go if they can get good market value.
"And then they'll have to replace him. There are potential targets out there. But I think if Kiwior says he wants to stay and he's happy to stay, then that probably solves a bit of a problem for Arsenal. It just means they don't really have to worry about that position.
"They can just focus their attentions higher up the pitch, which I think we all want. It just depends on what bids come in, if he'd be happy to go to that club or if he thinks, 'you know what, I'm going to stay. I'm going to compete alongside Gabriel, Saliba.'"
Kiwior is expected to reprise his role in defence when Arsenal meet Ipswich Town in Sunday's Premier League game, and Watts also delivered his verdict on Tractor Boys striker Liam Delap potentially moving to the Emirates this summer.
Press play on the video above to listen to the full discussion between Watts and Sports Mole on Kiwior's future at Arsenal.
Ben Knapton
