Jakub Kiwior’s arrival last January may not have had the fanfare of other signings, but his form is rapidly grabbing attention.

After another dominant display in Arsenal’s thrashing of Burnley, fans voiced optimism on social media about his potential impact for the club.

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Gabriel (L), Jakub Kiwior (C) and Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal celebrate after teammate Kai Havertz (not pictured) s5gduring the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Arsenal FC at Turf Moor on February 17, 2024 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
BURNLEY, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 17: Gabriel (L), Jakub Kiwior (C) and Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal celebrate after teammate Kai Havertz (not pictured) s5gduring the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Arsenal FC at Turf Moor on February 17, 2024 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

Jakub Kiwior’s latest showing in Arsenal‘s 5-0 win over Burnley continued to win over fans, with the 24-year-old garnering glowing reviews after his consistent display. Comments on social media platforms paint a picture of a player growing in stature with each match, prompting enthusiasm for his continued involvement in the squad.

Defensive solidity & growing offensive threat

West Ham United's Ghanaian midfielder #14 Mohammed Kudus (L) vies with Arsenal's Polish defender #15 Jakub Kiwior (R) during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Arsenal at the London Stadium, in London on February 11, 2024. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
West Ham United’s Ghanaian midfielder #14 Mohammed Kudus (L) vies with Arsenal’s Polish defender #15 Jakub Kiwior (R) during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Arsenal at the London Stadium, in London on February 11, 2024. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

“Solid performance, we really need him and Tomiyasu fit for the run-in,” observed one fan. This focus on Kiwior’s defensive impact was a central theme. His aerial dominance and strength earned praise, adding a new dimension to the backline.

However, his potential threat going forward wasn’t ignored: “He’s got three assists from throw-ins since Dubai…” noted another Arsenal fan, emphasising the surprising ways Kiwior can impact games as he settles into the attacking system.

Comparisons and high praise

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 11:Jakub Kiwior of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Burnley FC at Emirates Stadium on November 11, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 11:Jakub Kiwior of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Burnley FC at Emirates Stadium on November 11, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

With Zinchenko‘s eventual return, some wondered if Kiwior could earn a bigger role: “I think Kiwior might start vs Porto.” Comparisons to Ben White also emerged, suggesting his left-sided passing skills could create greater tactical flexibility.

Overall, a sense of confidence surrounds Kiwior. One fan summed it up: “Like Ben White on the left.” In just a few words, that statement speaks volumes about the belief fans have in the young defender.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw9WvfGox9k

Jakub Kiwior stats v Burnley:

Burnley's Icelandic midfielder #07 Johann Berg Gudmundsson (L) vies with Arsenal's Polish defender #15 Jakub Kiwior (R) during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor in Burnley, north-west England on February 17, 2024. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Burnley’s Icelandic midfielder #07 Johann Berg Gudmundsson (L) vies with Arsenal’s Polish defender #15 Jakub Kiwior (R) during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor in Burnley, north-west England on February 17, 2024. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Kiwior delivered a well-rounded performance, earning a 7.9 FotMob rating for his 90 minutes on the pitch.

He demonstrated great composure, completing 85% of his passes (45 out of 53 attempts). Importantly, seven of these passes went directly into the final third, contributing to the buildup of Arsenal’s attacks.

He also executed an accurate long ball, showing that he possesses the distribution skills to help the team switch play quickly. While not directly involved in scoring with no shots or goals, he assisted on one goal and also created a scoring chance. Though his direct contributions in terms of xG and xA were lower at 0.01, these stats don’t fully reflect his tactical value or his impact as he continues to settle into Arsenal’s play style.

Defensively, Kiwior exhibited strength and tenacity in duels. He won four overall, maintaining a perfect aerial duel record (winning both headers he contested). While his tackle success rate of 50% shows room for improvement, his combined interceptions, clearances, and recoveries reflect his ability to stifle opposition attacks.

Overall, Kiwior’s stats reveal a player growing in confidence and influence. His accurate passing, composure on the ball, and aerial dominance add versatility to Arsenal’s backline.

As he continues to integrate with the team, fans can expect his stats to become even more impactful for the Gunners during their push for silverware.