Arsenal confirm Jakub Kiwior transfer as Declan Rice faces defensive role
Arsenal have confirmed the permanent sale of defender Jakub Kiwior to Porto for an initial £14m, while midfielder Declan Rice has been tipped for an emergency defensive role following Ben White’s season-ending injury.
The Gunners are currently just three victories away from securing a historic Premier League and Champions League double.
Mikel Arteta’s side secured a vital 1-0 victory against West Ham on Sunday to keep their domestic title hopes alive.
White injury forces tactical rethink
The narrow triumph came at a significant cost with White sustaining an MCL injury that rules him out for the remainder of the campaign.
This absence, coupled with ongoing fitness concerns surrounding Jurrien Timber, leaves the north London club extremely short of defensive options.
Rice was temporarily deployed on the right side of the defence during the first half against the Hammers before returning to his preferred central station.
Scholes suggests permanent switch
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes believes the England international should sacrifice his midfield position for the crucial title run-in.
“Declan Rice looks like he would suit playing at right-back to me. He can play there. He’s not a big creator anyway,” Scholes told The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast.
Nicky Butt, Scholes’ former Old Trafford team-mate, compared the proposed positional shift to Roy Keane’s willingness to play in defence during his prime.
First summer departure confirmed
Away from their on-pitch injury concerns, Arsenal have quietly begun their summer transfer business.
Polish centre-back Kiwior has completed a permanent move to Portugal following a successful season-long loan spell.
The Primeira Liga side activated a purchase option last week, agreeing a fee that could eventually rise to £19m with add-ons.
Historic double in sight
Arteta must now quickly solve his defensive dilemma ahead of Monday’s crucial home fixture against Burnley.
Two further league victories would guarantee Arsenal their first domestic championship since the famous Invincibles season of 2004.
The league leaders will then travel to Budapest on May 30 to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.