Arsenal legends Patrick Vieira and Cesc Fabregas have agreed in their verdict of Jakub Kiwior as Mikel Arteta hands the defender his first Premier League start. The Gunners are hoping to return to the top of the Premier League table with a win against a struggling Chelsea side at the Emirates Stadium.
Kiwior replaced Rob Holding in the starting XI as Arteta made three changes to his first team, with Leandro Trossard and Jorginho coming in for Gabriel Martinelli and Thomas Partey. William Saliba is still sidelined with a back injury as he struggles in his recovery.
The Frenchman has been absent since Arsenal suffered a shock exit from the Europa League following a penalty shootout defeat against Sporting CP. Kiwior was signed in the January transfer window after completing a £17.5million move to north London from Spezia.
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Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Fabregas believes Kiwior will be a great player for the Gunners moving forward and highlighted his key strengths that will benefit Arteta's side tonight. Fabregas told Sky Sports: "It’s a good call to have because apparently from what I heard the boy is working really hard and training really well.
"He’s very fast and he’s young. You also need him for next year, like Saliba when he went on loan, so now he needs games to know the players, to get to know each other, and I’m sure he will be an important player for the club."
Vieira agreed with Fabregas' verdict on Arteta's decision to start Kiwior against Chelsea and believes a change had to be made in defence after the City defeat. The Arsenal legend said: "I think losing Saliba was a big one for them because he was giving them his physical presence.
"Against City, against Haaland, it was really difficult for the two centre backs and losing him was the start of Arsenal losing games and conceding goals. I think when you’re coming through, a player coming through into a team like that conceding goals, it’s a big moment for him [Kiwior] and a big game, so hopefully he will do well for Arsenal."
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