Journalist: Arsenal ready to push hard to sign wonderkid | OneFootball

Arsenal Step Up Andria Bartishvili Transfer Plans After Jeremy Monga Miss

Arsenal are moving with greater intent in the market for Andria Bartishvili, with attention now turning firmly towards one of the most highly regarded young attackers emerging from Georgia. Credit to Sami Mokbel of BBC Sport, who reports that the Gunners are stepping up their efforts to land the Kolkheti 1913 forward.

This development follows Arsenal missing out on Jeremy Monga, who opted to join Manchester City. In response, the recruitment operation appears to have accelerated work on alternative attacking targets, with Bartishvili now occupying a prominent place on that list. Arsenal sent recruitment specialist Marizio Micheli to watch the Georgia Under-21 international in action for Iberia 1999 against Flora in Champions League qualifying last Wednesday, a clear sign that interest has advanced beyond routine monitoring.

The teenager is currently on loan at Iberia 1999 and has quickly built a reputation as a high-upside talent. He has been described as “very special” and is being viewed in some circles as Georgia’s biggest prospect since Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Those are lofty comparisons, but they help explain why Premier League interest is intensifying.

Photo IMAGO

Arsenal Transfer Race Intensifies

Liverpool are also thought to be tracking Bartishvili, which adds urgency to Arsenal’s pursuit. After losing out on one elite young attacker, Arsenal will be keen to avoid a repeat. The possibility of integrating Bartishvili straight into the senior squad may also strengthen their pitch, particularly under Mikel Arteta, who has shown a willingness to reward youth when the level is right.

Bartishvili’s senior numbers in Georgia, 39 appearances, two goals and four assists, do not tell the full story, but they offer a useful starting point when viewed against his age and development curve. Arsenal’s internal belief may centre more on his ceiling than his current output.

Pathway Could Appeal to Georgian Talent

For any young player assessing Arsenal, the pathway matters. Max Dowman made 13 appearances across all competitions last season, underlining that opportunities can emerge for academy and youth-level talents who convince the coaching staff. That could be a persuasive factor if talks progress.

There is still work to do before any move is completed, with negotiations required between Arsenal and Kolkheti 1913. Yet the direction of travel looks increasingly clear. Arsenal have identified Andria Bartishvili as a serious target, and the coming weeks may determine whether their interest becomes one of the more intriguing youth deals of the window.

Our View

From an Arsenal supporter’s perspective, this feels like a smart and necessary reaction to missing out on Monga. The club have built a reputation for being selective in the market, so when a move like this gathers pace, it usually suggests there is genuine conviction behind the scouting. Sending a senior recruitment figure to watch Bartishvili live is the sort of detail that catches the eye.

The exciting part is not simply that Arsenal want another young attacker, it is that they appear to see a player who could bridge the gap between development signing and first-team option. That matters. Supporters have seen enough of raw prospects signed only for the long term. If Bartishvili arrives, fans will want to believe there is a realistic route into matchday squads.

There should also be some caution. Georgian football has produced outstanding talent, but stepping into Premier League demands is a very different challenge. Two goals and four assists in 39 senior matches suggest he remains a project, even if the underlying talent is obvious. Arsenal fans can be encouraged by the profile, the scouting commitment and the club’s record of trusting young players, but patience would still be essential.

Overall, this looks like the kind of proactive move Arsenal should be making, high ceiling, strong competition, and a chance to secure elite talent before the wider market fully explodes around him.

Source: Sami Mokbel of BBC Sport