Arsenal debutant Jakub Kiwior labelled ’embarrassing’ for ducking at corner before Sporting Lisbon equaliser in Europa League tie
Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior has been called ’embarrassing’ for dodging the Sporting Lisbon equalizer on his Gunners debut.
The £22million signing in January finally got his first start from Mikel Arteta in the club’s Europa League round of 16 first leg in Portugal.
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Kiwior made his Arsenal debut in the Europa League game against Sporting
Arsenal took the lead in the 22nd minute through William Saliba, who nodded the ball as he completed a Fabio Vieira corner from the right.
But the visitors conceded an almost identical goal just 12 minutes later when Goncalo Inacio headed home from within six meters of Sporting’s set piece.
And ex-West Ham striker Dean Ashton didn’t hold back with his analysis of Kiwior, insisting he needs to be bolder when attacking the ball.
Speaking on the commentary for talkSPORT 2, Ashton said: “It’s a copy of the Arsenal goal.
“A brilliant left footed inswing corner, Matt Turner, very similar [Sporting goalkeeper Antonio] Adan did absolutely nothing, feet rooted in place and drifts into Inacio.
“No one picked it up, Kiwior ducked under it, which is embarrassing I have to say.
Kiwior ducked when the corner came, allowing Inacio to corner home
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“And Inacio just headed it in – led it into the far corner – miserable defense against Arsenal.”
Co-commentator Jim Proudfoot added, “Neither Kiwior nor Turner covered themselves in glory there.”
Ashton then explained: “It’s just very sloppy on the defensive end, two mistakes, one being the keeper not having the guts to just come out and deal with it when it’s on your six-yard line.
“It wasn’t even like he was being pressured by an attacker who was above him.
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Kiwior was described as “embarrassing” by Ashton
“And then at Kiwior, he crouches under it with his head going back into his shell, and then we all know that face when you flinch and turn around and something’s coming at you very quickly.
“And instead of turning around and trying to tackle the ball, he jerks away – that’s embarrassing.”
Arsenal legend Martin Keown also criticized Kiwior, saying of his opinion for BT Sport: “Kiwior needs to do more.
“Because when I play with this goalkeeper, I think I have to direct more things.”
Ex-England international Rachel Brown-Finnis commented: “Matt Turner did not master his area at all on the Sporting Lisbon goal.
“Jakub Kiwior isn’t helping by ducking out of the way, but it would suggest he got a call.
“Turner has to come out and clack with everyone and clear the ball. He has done nothing to give his defenders confidence.”