Arsenal should use Jakub Kiwior in a clever swap deal to sign £66m striker - opinion
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So far this month, Arsenal have been reluctant to lose Jakub Kiwior given that Mikel Arteta is counting on the centre-back as back up for Gabriel Magalhaes.
However, Arteta shared some interesting words at his Arsenal press conference before Dinamo Zagreb.
The Arsenal manager admitted that playing Thomas Partey as a right-back wasn't his preference against Aston Villa, but stated that Jurrien Timber was his only option to play right centre-back, causing the reshuffle.
Of course, Kiwior was on the bench, and he didn't play a single minute in the game.
And whilst Kiwior is a left-footer who prefers to play on that side of the centre-back duo, he's surely well enough equipped to cope on the right, that's if Arteta still fully trusts the defender.
Jakub Kiwior could be Arsenal’s secret weapon to signing Dusan Vlahovic
Either way, it could be time for Arsenal to take a gamble in January and include Kiwior in a swap deal for Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic.
It's understood that the Italians are still interested in Kiwior this month given that Juventus are hunting for two centre-backs.
READ MORE:Arsenal targeting £42m player who is having a 'disaster' season if they sell Jorginho this month
Thus far, Arsenal have rejected any approach from Juventus for Kiwior, but it might be best for the Gunners to now change their tune.
Vlahovic is free to leave Juventus for the right price this month given their own pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain's Randal Kolo Muani.
And if Arsenal were able to include Kiwior in a deal for Vlahovic, it would surely be a deal that suited both parties.
Arsenal have been interested in the £67m striker for a long time now, who has scored 12 goals in 25 appearances this season.
On Arsenal's end, a permanent transfer would surely also need to involve a significant amount of cash, but that shouldn't be an issue for the north Londoners.
Alternatively, if a permanent swap is too complicated this month, then the two clubs might be best to swap the two on loan, perhaps including an obligation to buy.
Arsenal can’t wait to sign Benjamin Sesko in the summer
In terms of Arsenal losing Kiwior, Arteta would still have Riccardo Calafiori available to cover for Gabriel at left centre-back.
Calafiori returned to training recently, and given his versatility, Arteta could even call on Timber in the position, were the Gunners subject to another injury crisis.
READ MORE: The four key players Arsenal are expecting to return from injury in coming weeks
Clearly, there's room for Arsenal to wiggle in terms of using Kiwior as a makeweight to secure a deal for Vlahovic this month.
Perhaps some at Arsenal would prefer to wait for a deal for Benjamin Sesko in the summer, who is seen as a more long-term target.
But there's no denying that Vlahovic could transform Arsenal's season right now, making much better use of the next six-months.
In addition, Sesko rejected Arsenal once before, and it shouldn't be seen as a certainty that he would be more receptive to a deal this coming summer.
