Manager’s verdict on £23m Arsenal transfer decision after ‘difficult’ admission
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Arsenal were very busy on transfer deadline day to round off an eventful summer, signing one player and allowing several others to leave the club either permanently or on loan
Jakub Kiwior’s former manager Pavol Stano has backed the Polish defender’s decision to leave Arsenal for Porto. The Gunners star completed a deadline day move to the Dragao, initially on loan, with Porto holding an obligation to buy him for £23million at the end of the season.
Stano was manager of Zilina when Kiwior broke through at the club, earning himself a move to Spezia, from where he joined Arsenal. The 47-year-old boss is now back in charge of the Slovakian side, and has given his verdict on the player’s next move.
“His main goal is to play more, to be more present on the pitch. FC Porto seems like the right choice for Kiwior,” Stano is quoted as saying by O Jogo (via Sport Witness).
“It will be a safe transition for someone who never needs to adapt or recover. His mental strength is always there. As I played in the Champions League against FC Porto, I know that Kiwior will love the club, the stadium and the city.”
He added: “I think Porto are signing a centre-back, but with his knowledge, he can also be a good left-back when needed. These are the positions where he can fit in.”
READ MORE: Arsenal fans left fuming over Max Dowman incident during England U19 gameREAD MORE: Chelsea star wanted by Arsenal this summer reveals why he turned down transfer
Kiwior has spoken about the move during the international break. “It was difficult to say goodbye to Arsenal because I didn’t know when it would actually happen,” he said, explaining he only learned the move was going ahead when an update arrived on social media.
“If I had known the exact day in advance, I would have had time to prepare. In the last three days there, I didn’t know which would truly be my last.
The 25-year-old has yet to make his Porto debut, but has been in action for his country during the September international break. He played the full 90 minutes for Poland in the Netherlands, where Matty Cash earned Jan Urban’s side a valuable point in a 1-1 draw.
A defeat against Finland in June puts increased pressure on Sunday night’s reverse fixture as World Cup qualification continues. The two teams are locked together on seven points going into the game, with the Oranje also on seven but having played one game fewer.
When Kiwior joins up with his new club, Porto have some big games on the horizon as they look to build on four wins from four in the Primeira Liga. A Europa League opener against Red Bull Salzburg awaits on September 25, with a huge league game against Benfica on the horizon in early October.
“I was really looking forward to getting here and discovering everything about the club,” Kiwior said. “This isn’t the best of times, because we’re on international break, and I have to wait another week to meet the fans and understand the atmosphere.”
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