Jakub Kiwior has given a detailed account of how his summer move from Arsenal to FC Porto really unfolded, and made clear it was his decision, not Mikel Arteta’s.
Speaking to TVP Sport, the Polish defender insisted that contrary to some reports, Arsenal wanted to keep him. “I laughed at those stories because it was exactly the opposite,” he said.
“The club didn’t want to let me go and it took a long time for them to agree to the transfer. I was valued there; no one wanted to get rid of me. Arteta didn’t want me to leave for Portugal either, so I never felt unwanted. The decision to leave was entirely mine. I wanted to play, but with Gabriel and Saliba ahead of me, the chances were small,” he revealed.
Kiwior said he personally approached Arteta to explain his situation. “I convinced him myself. I went to talk to him and explained how I saw everything. He understood my ambitions and my desire to play, and he thanked me for how I behaved as both a person and a player.”
According to Kiwior, the process accelerated once Arteta recognised his professionalism. “He accepted my reasoning, spoke with the sporting director, and things moved quickly after that,” the defender added.
The 25-year-old also revealed that Porto’s persistence played a decisive role in the deal. “It was FC Porto who convinced me. At one point, they were calling every day. They fought hard and never gave up, even after several rejections from Arsenal. They showed how much they cared, so I decided to bet on them,” Kiwior said.
“I had many offers, but when I saw Jan Bednarek had joined, I told myself: if it works out, it will be great, and it really is.”
Now settled in Portugal, Kiwior praised both the club’s traditions and the influence of coach Francesco Farioli. “Coming from Arsenal, you don’t expect a huge wow effect, but we visited the museum, met club legends and watched films about Porto’s history. I realised I’d joined a truly great club,” he said.
“Farioli goes into incredible tactical detail. When negotiations were ongoing, I already started watching Porto’s games. Sometimes you see his drawings on the board and think it’s impossible to execute, but then you watch the video and it works. He pays attention to every tiny detail.”, he added.
Finally, the defender dismissed the idea that leaving the Premier League meant taking a step backwards. “I don’t see it that way. FC Porto and Arsenal have a lot in common. Great clubs, big ambitions, amazing fans and stadiums, and strong traditions,” he explained. “It wasn’t hard to say goodbye to London, especially thinking of the sporting opportunities. And yes, the weather helped too, it rains far less here! I wanted a better climate for my wife and our two dogs. We can spend more time outdoors by the ocean. The water’s cold for now, but one day I’ll go for a swim.”, he concluded.
