Jakub Kiwior has firmly dismissed reports claiming Mikel Arteta wanted him out of Arsenal, insisting the truth was quite the opposite. The Polish defender, who recently completed a move to FC Porto, made it clear that his decision to leave North London was entirely his own, driven by a hunger for regular game time.
“That’s false,” Kiwior said in an interview, addressing the swirling transfer rumours. “I laughed at those stories because it was exactly the opposite. I was valued there; no one wanted to get rid of me. Arteta didn’t want me to leave for Portugal either, so I never felt unwanted. The decision to leave was entirely mine. I wanted to play, but with Gabriel and Saliba ahead of me, the chances were small.”
Despite being highly regarded by Arteta and the Arsenal staff, Kiwior admitted that his ambitions for consistent minutes on the pitch led to an honest conversation with the manager. The 24-year-old defender revealed he personally approached Arteta to explain his perspective and push for the move.
“I convinced him myself. I went to talk to him and explained how I saw everything,” Kiwior shared. “He understood my ambitions and my desire to play, and he thanked me for how I behaved as both a person and a player. He accepted my reasoning, spoke with the sporting director, and things moved quickly after that.”
But how did Kiwior come to the conclusion that he wanted to head over to Porto?
While Arsenal were reluctant to part ways with the Polish international, FC Porto’s determination eventually turned Kiwior’s head. The Portuguese giants made it clear they wanted him, and weren’t taking no for an answer.
“It was FC Porto who convinced me,” Kiwior admitted. “At one point, they were calling every day. They fought hard and never gave up, even after several rejections from Arsenal. They showed how much they cared, so I decided to bet on them.”
Kiwior’s comments not only silence the speculation surrounding his Arsenal exit but also highlight the professionalism between player and manager. His move to Porto marks a fresh start, one driven by ambition, not rejection.
