Arsenal were involved in three major incomings this January window, as Mikel Arteta welcomed some key additions in the hope it will propel them ever closer to the Premier League title.

The way in which they went about their business was markedly different to the brash and overbearing plan Chelsea undertook, in which they spent a total of £318.7m whilst breaking the English transfer record with a move for Enzo Fernandez.

Another of their significant outlays was to secure the signing of Benoit Badiashile for a £35m fee, despite the French defender being a relative unknown.

The former AS Monaco mountain had impressed in Ligue 1, but hardly warranted the price tag that the Blues eventually settled on.

It arguably marks far worse value than the Gunners' £20m acquisition of Jakub Kiwior, who also joined this month.

The Polish centre-back signed from Spezia as a ball-playing asset with phenomenal defensive statistics. Such was his importance to the Italian outfit, he was dubbed "untouchable" by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano in November of 2022.

His qualities are best outlined through his 85% pass accuracy combined with 1.3 tackles, 1.4 interceptions and four clearances per game, via Sofascore.

When compared to Badiashile, who arguably played in a far better side, the gulf in quality is not so apparent as to outline a £15m disparity in prices. The Frenchman himself recorded 3.5 clearances per game, but could only manage 0.9 tackles and 1.5 interceptions, as per Sofascore.

What also sets them apart is the reasons for their signing, as Chelsea desperately seek someone around whom they can rebuild their defence around. As such, their new man enters under intense pressure, and despite impressing in his two matches so far, is bound to falter eventually.

Meanwhile, Kiwior enters a pressure-free environment, where he can provide ample cover for William Saliba and Gabriel, who have both shone this season.

Should the Pole be called upon, he boasts more than enough quality to compensate but does not shoulder the whole defensive burden at his new club.

The 6 foot 2 titan is poised to have a fine career ahead of him, and with the magic Arteta has already worked on his squad, there is reason to believe the 22-year-old can also benefit.

He boasts all the attributes needed to succeed, and the perfect environment to continue growing. Meanwhile, Badiashile joins a team under construction, and therefore will likely remain a work in progress for some time.