Arsenal survived a scare to guide their place within the semi-finals of the EFL Cup following a 3-2 win over Crystal Palace.
The win secures a semi-final tie in opposition to Newcastle United with the second leg at St James’s Park, a venue the place Arsenal have already misplaced at this season.
The match was a memorable one for Brazilian ahead Gabriel Jesus, who fired a second-half hat-trick to take his tally to 4 objectives this season, all by the way within the EFL Cup. The efficiency has given Mikel Arteta a range headache forward of the Premier League journey to Selhurst Park. Does Jesus deserve to begin over Kai Havertz, who has been struggling for objectives of late?
Nevertheless, there was one efficiency in Arsenal’s quarter-final victory that has led to many followers and pundits alike calling for the participant to be dropped for the league journey to Palace after placing on a 5/10 present and making a mistake that allowed Jean-Philipe Mateta to open the scoring early on.
The Arsenal star who should now be dropped
Jakub Kiwior got here underneath fireplace for his efficiency in opposition to Crystal Palace, with Phil Costa on X claiming the Polish worldwide “is not ok” for this Arsenal aspect.
Kiwior missed a header within the early levels of the sport, which led to striker Mateta firing Palace forward and Arsenal subsequently chasing the sport.
Kiwior has made 14 appearances for the Gunners this season throughout all competitions however has but to actually set up himself as a key participant since his arrival from Spezia in January 2023.
Kiwior has solely gained 52% of his defensive actions to this point this marketing campaign and with Arsenal competing for honours on all 4 fronts, Arteta can ill-afford to have any passengers on their potential journey to glory.
Jakub Kiwior EFL Cup efficiency v Crystal Palace 24/25 |
|
---|---|
Stats |
Kiwior |
Blocked photographs |
0 |
Interceptions |
0 |
Tackles |
0 |
Dribbled previous |
1 |
Errors resulting in objective |
1 |
Floor duels gained |
50% |
Possession misplaced |
3 |
Stats through Sofascore |
The Poland defender didn’t make a single interception, block or deal with all recreation and made a evident error that led to Crystal Palace opening the scoring. On the ball, Kiwior was additionally beneath par, having misplaced possession 3 times and gained solely 50% of floor duels in the course of the match.
The efficiency will definitely have boss Arteta interested by recalling a stalwart of Arsenal’s defence this season for the subsequent crunch Premier League fixture.
The Arsenal star who ought to change Kiwior within the beginning lineup
Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes has been excellent for Arsenal this season, scoring three objectives in 14 appearances and forming a formidable partnership with fellow centre-back William Saliba.
Gabriel lately missed three video games with a knee harm but it surely appears Arsenal are determined for him to be again to full health and again within the beginning eleven as he’s a big improve on Kiwior in numerous key defensive metrics.
Gabriel Magalhaes v Jakub Kiwior season 24/25 |
||
---|---|---|
Stats (per 90) |
Gabriel |
Kiwior |
Targets |
3 |
0 |
Tackles |
11 |
4 |
Blocks |
26 |
5 |
Interceptions |
7 |
1 |
Aerials gained |
25 |
5 |
Move completion |
89.4% |
84% |
Progressive passes |
4.27 |
2.22 |
Stats through FBref |
Gabriel leads the way in which over Kiwior within the variety of tackles of gained, variety of blocks made and variety of interceptions accomplished. It’s no shock that Gabriel additionally has gained considerably extra aerial duels than his Polish colleague.
Moreover, Gabriel has proven his risk from set-pieces this season, already powering three objectives and has helped to construct Arsenal assaults from the again with the next go completion and extra progressive passes by means of the strains.

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It’s clear to Arteta and Arsenal followers alike that the Gunners can afford no extra slip-ups if they’re to win their first title in over 20 years – Gabriel returning to the aspect in opposition to Crystal Palace might go an extended approach to making certain that does not occur.

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