It’s hard to suggest that there is any weakness in Mikel Arteta’s ranks, given that this is an Arsenal side soaring towards the Premier League title and still screaming for the treble.
However, if there is one area for the Gunners to work on, it is on the flanks, with Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard all having endured poor campaigns, with just 14 goals in the league.
The North London side are aiming for glory anyway, but despite a stellar showing in terms of goalscoring from substitutes, there’s still a nagging feeling that this team is looking for a game-changer, a maverick, a match-winner.
Most goals scored by a sub – 25/26 PL | ||
|---|---|---|
club | I made a subwoofer | record |
arsenal | 134 | 11 |
villa | 144 | 9 |
brighton | 144 | 9 |
Fulham | 146 | 9 |
burnley | 138 | 8 |
bournemouth | 140 | 8 |
They appear to need a player who can thrive in Arteta’s well-established system, yet also boasts individual genius who can win games almost on his own. Kvitya Kvaratskheria, anyone?
Latest news on Arsenal’s acquisition of Kvaratschelia
There were seasons without a striker being signed until Victor Goqueres made his breakthrough at the Emirates in the summer, but the club’s hierarchy were willing to wait and only jump into the market when the right opportunity presented itself.
The north London side have not signed a true left-winger since signing Leandro Trossard in 2023, so there is a good chance that such patience will pay off again this summer.
Now might be the time to correct that. Reports this week revealed that the Gunners are indeed considering a move for Paris Saint-Germain’s speedy superstar Kvaratskheria.
Reassuringly, the Georgian speedster’s camp are said to be open to the move, despite having only arrived from Napoli 14 months ago, before winning the Champions League in May.
The stumbling block, of course, will be PSG’s desire to take a hard line on any sale, but there are also suggestions that Arsenal will make their front line their priority when it comes to reinforcements this summer.
Former Napoli golden boy Kvaratscheria has reached a whole new level in Paris, scoring 35 goals and assisting in just 69 games in Ligue 1, and could be the missing piece the Gunners desperately need.
That said, one factor to keep in mind is whether Arteta and his team investing heavily in such a wide range of roles could hinder the development of potential future stars.
Arsenal have already set their sights on Kvaratschelia to the Emirates
The 16-year-old pair of Max Dauman and Marli Salmon have both grabbed the spotlight in the recent FA Cup clash against Mansfield, but even 24-year-old Bukayo Saka feels like the elder statesman in Arteta’s side given the young players currently emerging.
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Arsenal, looking for another young star, have made an offer to sign the impressive young forward.
Dauman will undoubtedly be the poster child for Arsenal’s long-term project, but the Gunners have already announced a two-tier move and will likely have competition on the wing for some time to come.
In fact, it was reported in December that north Londoners had secured the capture of a pair of teenagers, twin brothers Edwin and Holger, who are due to move to the UK in summer 2027, once they turn 18.
Currently only 16 years old, this is something of a gamble as far as Arsenal are concerned, but the brothers, especially Edwin on the wing, show potential to be real stars of the future.
Despite being the more attack-minded player of the pair and usually playing on the opposite flank, he can boast plenty of similarities with Kvaratskhelia, who has showcased his own maverick and relentless qualities at youth level thus far.
This was also noted by analyst and Como scout Ben Mattinson, with the respected official praising Edwin’s own game-changing ability and dribbling ability, whether as a winger or a No. 10.
“(He’s) very skilful and always uses his sense to deceive defenders and make smart passes. He has the ability to manage the game and create something out of nothing.”
These traits match Kuvaratsjería’s skill set very well, and Quintero, who currently plays for Independiente del Valle, demonstrated these qualities at last year’s U17 CONMEBOL Championship, scoring two goals in just five games for Ecuador and averaging an impressive 5.7 successful dribbles per game.
Brazil and Argentina may be the best producers of South American talent, but Ecuador shouldn’t be ignored either, as the rise of Moises Caicedo proves.
Similarly, Kvaratskhelia’s own rise to the top of the European game, having endured spells in his home country and in Russia before breaking out in Italy, is further reason for encouragement.
The 25-year-old is currently the benchmark for elite wingers, but if Quintero’s early development is anything to go by, he could soon become Arsenal’s own attacking sensation.
2027 can’t come soon enough.
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