Jakub Piotr Kiwior (born 15 February 2000) is a Polish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or a left-back for Premier League club Arsenal and the Poland national team.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Jakub Piotr Kiwior[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 15 February 2000 | ||
| Place of birth | Tychy, Poland | ||
| Height | 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Centre-back, left-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Arsenal | ||
| Number | 15 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2004–2007 | PUKKS Chrzciciel Tychy | ||
| 2007–2012 | UKS Grom Tychy | ||
| 2012–2016 | GKS Tychy | ||
| 2016–2018 | Anderlecht | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2018–2019 | Železiarne Podbrezová | 16 | (1) |
| 2019–2021 | Žilina B | 7 | (0) |
| 2019–2021 | Žilina | 46 | (3) |
| 2021–2023 | Spezia | 39 | (0) |
| 2023– | Arsenal | 32 | (2) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2016 | Poland U16 | 4 | (0) |
| 2016–2017 | Poland U17 | 4 | (0) |
| 2017 | Poland U18 | 4 | (1) |
| 2018 | Poland U19 | 10 | (1) |
| 2019 | Poland U20 | 6 | (0) |
| 2020–2022 | Poland U21 | 15 | (1) |
| 2022– | Poland | 31 | (1) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:03, 23 November 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:14, 18 November 2024 (UTC) | |||
Club career
editYouth career
editKiwior began playing football as a child with PUKKS Chrzciciel Tychy, before moving to UKS Grom Tychy in 2007. In 2012, he joined the GKS Tychy where he went up their youth levels and started training with their senior team. In 2016 he moved to the academy of the Belgian club Anderlecht where he finished his development, and stayed until 2018.[3]
FK Železiarne Podbrezová
editKiwior moved to the Slovak club Železiarne Podbrezová in 2018, and made his senior and professional debut with them against Nitra in the Fortuna Liga on 16 February 2019. Kiwior played the entirety of the 3–1 victory at pod Zoborom.[4]
MŠK Žilina
editIn August 2019, Kiwior's transfer to MŠK Žilina was announced.[5] He made his debut in the yellow jersey on 10 August 2019 during an away fixture against Ružomberok. While Žilina grabbed a three-goal lead in the first half, Ružomberok scored two in the second period and hence Kiwior was brought on to secure the defence, as a replacement for Lukáš Jánošík. Šošoni managed to keep the 3–2 win and remained undefeated in the league.[6]
Over a month later, in his second appearance, Kiwior had debuted in the starting-XI against ViOn Zlaté Moravce. While Žilina's defence remained unbeaten, the strikers had failed to score and then match concluded in a goal-less tie.[7] On 9 November Kiwior had recorded his first assist with Žilina. At Štadión pod Dubňom, Žilina was behind Ružomberok by two goals in the second half. Kiwior, a first-half replacement, managed to find Ján Bernát with a pass and narrow the score. Still, Žilina lost 2–1.[8]
During the season, he also made sporadic appearances for the reserves competing in 2. Liga.
During the coronavirus pandemic, as Žilina had entered liquidation to survive financially and had consequently released 17 players, Kiwior remained unaffected.[9]
Spezia Calcio
editOn 31 August 2021, Kiwior signed for Serie A side Spezia on a four-year deal.[10] He made his debut against Inter Milan on 1 December 2021 as a starter and gave away a penalty after handball that converted into goal by Lautaro Martínez.[11]
Kiwior was often deployed as defensive midfielder by his former manager Thiago Motta because of his ability to possess and control the ball.[12]
Arsenal
edit2022–23 season
editOn 23 January 2023, Kiwior moved to Arsenal on a long-term contract.[13] He made his debut against Sporting on 9 March 2023 in the Europa League last 16 first leg as Arsenal drew 2–2.[14] He made his home and Premier League debut as a substitute in Arsenal's 4–1 win against Crystal Palace on 19 March. He was handed his first start in a 3–1 win over Chelsea in early May after erratic performances from Arsenal's back line, owing to William Saliba's absence due to injury. He then started in the next game against Newcastle United, where a handball decision was overturned.[15] He helped Arsenal maintain a clean sheet in that match and gained plaudits for his performance.[16] On the final matchday of the 2022–23 season, he scored his first goal for Arsenal in a 5–0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.[17]
International career
editOn 17 May 2022, Kiwior was called up to the Polish senior squad for two 2022–23 UEFA Nations League matches against Belgium and the Netherlands.[18] He made his debut in the latter match on 11 June 2022, which ended in a 2–2 draw.[19]
In November 2022, Kiwior was named in Poland's 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, starting in all four of Poland's matches during the tournament.[20][21][22][23][better source needed]
On 16 June 2023, Kiwior scored his first international goal in a friendly match against Germany, which Poland won 1–0.[24][25]
In June 2024, he was selected in to represent Poland in UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany.[26]
Career statistics
editClub
edit- As of match played 30 October 2024[27]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Železiarne Podbrezová | 2018–19 | Slovak Super Liga | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 14 | 1 | |||
| 2019–20 | Slovak 2. Liga | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 16 | 1 | |||||
| Žilina | 2019–20 | Slovak Super Liga | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 14 | 0 | |||
| 2020–21 | Slovak Super Liga | 30 | 2 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | 33 | 3 | ||||
| 2021–22 | Slovak Super Liga | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 8[c] | 0 | — | 11 | 1 | |||
| Total | 46 | 3 | 4 | 1 | — | 8 | 0 | — | 58 | 4 | ||||
| Žilina B (loan) | 2019–20 | Slovak 2. Liga | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 0 | ||||
| 2020–21 | Slovak 2. Liga | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 7 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 0 | ||||||
| Spezia | 2021–22 | Serie A | 22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 23 | 0 | |||
| 2022–23 | Serie A | 17 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 20 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 39 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 43 | 0 | |||||
| Arsenal | 2022–23 | Premier League | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 1[d] | 0 | — | 8 | 1 | ||
| 2023–24 | Premier League | 20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7[e] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 1 | |
| 2024–25 | Premier League | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1[e] | 0 | — | 7 | 0 | ||
| Total | 31 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 2 | ||
| Career total | 139 | 6 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 169 | 7 | ||
- ^ Includes Slovak Cup, Coppa Italia, FA Cup
- ^ Includes EFL Cup
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
- ^ Appearance in UEFA Europa League
- ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Champions League
International
edit- As of match played 18 November 2024[28]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | 2022 | 9 | 0 |
| 2023 | 10 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 12 | 0 | |
| Total | 31 | 1 | |
- Scores and results list Poland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Kiwior goal.[28]
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 June 2023 | Stadion Narodowy, Warsaw, Poland | 12 |  Germany
|
1–0 | 1–0 | Friendly |
Personal life
editKiwior announced his marriage with fiancée Claudia Kowalczyk in 2023.[29]
Honours
editArsenal
Individual
References
edit- ^ "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Squad list: Poland (POL)" (PDF). FIFA. 15 November 2022. p. 21. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
- ^ "Jakub Kiwior". Spezia Calcio. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
- ^ "Udany debiut tyszanina Jakuba Kiwiora w reprezentacji Polski". noweinfo.pl. 12 June 2022.
- ^ FC Nitra - FK Železiarne Podbrezová 1:3 Archived 17 February 2019 at the Wayback Machine 16 February 2019, futbalnet.sk
- ^ "Jakub Piotr Kiwior prestupuje do MŠK Žilina". FK Železiarne Podbrezová (in Slovak). 3 August 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "MFK Ružomberok - MŠK Žilina | 2 - 3". ulk.futbalnet.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 12 May 2020.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce - Vráble - MŠK Žilina | 0 - 0". ulk.futbalnet.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 12 May 2020.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Žilina vs. Ružomberok - 9 November 2019 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ s, SPORT SK, s r o & Ringier Axel Springer Slovakia a (4 April 2020). "Zo dňa na deň sa mu rozpadol káder. Na likvidáciu MŠK Žilina reaguje aj tréner Pavol Staňo". Šport.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 12 May 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Ufficiale | Jakub Kiwior è un nuovo giocatore dello Spezia Calcio". Spezia Calcio (in Italian). 31 August 2021.
- ^ "Jakub Kiwior zadebiutował w Serie A przeciwko Interowi. Kim jest młody piłkarz Spezii?". TVP Sport (in Polish). 2 December 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
- ^ Seifeddine, Marcel (2 September 2022). "Jakub Kiwior: Why he is wanted by teams across Europe". Total Football Analysis. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
- ^ "Jakub Kiwior joins on long-term contract". Arsenal F.C. 23 January 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ^ Glendenning, Barry (9 March 2023). "Sporting v Arsenal, Europa League Last 16 First Leg". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- ^ Emons, Michael (19 March 2023). "Arsenal cruise past Palace to go eight points clear". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
- ^ Andrews, Connor (7 May 2023). "Arsenal fans left thinking the same thing as Jakub Kiwior puts in masterclass against Newcastle". TalkSport. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
- ^ Sutcliffe, Steve (28 May 2023). "Arsenal thrash Wolves to finish season off in style". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ Nicolaides, Andreas (17 May 2022). "Liga Narodów: Michniewicz powołał kadrę na mecze z Belgią i Holandią". Radio Zet (in Polish).
- ^ Smoliński, Paweł (12 July 2022). "Reprezentacja Polski. Plan Michniewicza wypalił. Jak biało-czerwoni zagrali z Holandią?". TVP Sport (in Polish).
- ^ "Mexico vs. Poland 0–0". soccerway.com. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
- ^ "Poland vs. Saudi Arabia 2–0". soccerway.com. 26 November 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
- ^ "Poland vs. Argentina 0–2". soccerway.com. 30 November 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
- ^ "France vs. Poland 3–1". soccerway.com. 4 December 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
- ^ "Poland beat Germany 1–0 in football friendly". Radio Poland. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
- ^ "Crisis deepens for Euro 2024 hosts Germany with 1–0 loss to Poland". Reuters. 17 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
- ^ "Michał Probierz ogłosił kadrę na Euro 2024" (in Polish). Polish Football Association. 7 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ Jakub Kiwior at Soccerway
- ^ a b "Jakub Kiwior, international football player". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
- ^ "Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior marries his 'Queen of Twerking' fiancee | Goal.com". www.goal.com. 15 June 2023.
- ^ Rose, Gary (6 August 2023). "Arsenal 1–1 Manchester City (4–1 on pens): Gunners win shootout to secure Community Shield". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
- ^ a b "Zsolt Kalmár najlepším hráčom: Jedenástku sezóny ovládol bratislavský Slovan" [Zsolt Kalmár's best player: The eleventh season was dominated by the Bratislava Slav]. Športky (in Slovak). 23 May 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
External links
edit
- Jakub Kiwior at the Arsenal F.C. website
- Jakub Kiwior at Premier League
- Jakub Kiwior Archived 27 December 2021 at the Wayback Machine at the MŠK Žilina website
- Jakub Kiwior at the FK Železiarne Podbrezová website
- Jakub Kiwior at Soccerway
- Jakub Kiwior at Fortunaliga.sk (in Slovak)
- Jakub Kiwior at Futbalnet