Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior has revealed he personally convinced manager Mikel Arteta to sanction his summer loan move to FC Porto, contradicting reports that the club was eager to sell him.
Kiwior on Arsenal Exit: “The Decision Was Entirely Mine” After Persuading Arteta
In a frank interview with TVP Sport, the 25-year-old Polish international stated that the decision to leave was entirely his own, driven by his desire for regular first-team football.
He clarified that Arsenal officials, including Arteta, were reluctant to let him go and valued him as a player.
“I laughed at those stories because it was exactly the opposite,” Kiwior said, addressing speculation about his departure.
“The club didn’t want to let me go and it took a long time for them to agree to the transfer. I was valued there; no one wanted to get rid of me .”
He added, “Arteta didn’t want me to leave for Portugal either, so I never felt unwanted.”
Faced with limited playing opportunities behind established centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, Kiwior took matters into his own hands.
He sought a direct conversation with the Gunners’ boss to explain his ambitions.
“I convinced him myself,” Kiwior stated.
“I went to talk to him and explained how I saw everything. He understood my ambitions and my desire to play, and he thanked me for how I behaved as both a person and a player.”
Following this discussion, Arteta accepted his reasoning and facilitated the move. The defender also highlighted the relentless pursuit from Porto as a key factor in his choice.
“It was FC Porto who convinced me. At one point, they were calling every day.
They fought hard and never gave up, even after several rejections from Arsenal.”
Kiwior’s move to Porto is initially a season-long loan, but the Portuguese club holds an obligation to make the transfer permanent for £23 million.
He has made an immediate impact, playing every minute of their four league games so far, with the team remaining unbeaten and yet to concede a goal with him in the side.
