Arsenal warned over PSG’s ‘new George Best’ bidding to end their Champions League dream

EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal lock horns with PSG in the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday night and winger winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been earmarked as a serious threat for the French side ahead of the first leg

Gareth Southgate lauded him as the “new George Best” and he is the biggest threat to Arsenal’s Champions League hopes. Paris Saint Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is a throwback to yesteryear with his socks round his ankles, dribbling ability and remarkable control with both feet.

Kvaratskhelia has spearheaded PSG ’s run to the semi finals and he is a national hero in his native Georgia and already regarded as one of the best in the world by the English coach who knows him inside out.

David Webb, who is part of Georgia boss Willy Sagnol’s coaching staff, said: “I didn’t realise just how good he was until I saw him train. Technically so good. Such a good person, too. Very humble and you wouldn’t know that he is regarded as the superstar of the group.

“I think the move to PSG has taken his game even further. For me, he’s in the top five in the world. He’s getting better and is up there with the likes of Mo Salah, Vinicius Jr, Bukayo Saka, Rodrygo and Raphinha. Rafael Leao at AC Milan. He’s in that elite crop.

“During the Euros, Gareth Southgate dropped me a message to say good luck and he said: ‘Dave, I really like your winger!’ He said he’s such a throwback. I asked him who he reminded him of and he said George Best.

READ MORE: Five things that have changed since Arsenal beat PSG as Mikel Arteta faces new challengeREAD MORE: Arsenal news: Myles Lewis-Skelly left ‘shocked’ as Atletico Madrid eye Gunners star

“I was a bit young to see George Best but knowing little bits, I can see that style, the way he plays, so dynamic, so skilful, you don’t know which way he will go and he’s two-footed. I heard Rio Ferdinand reference Chris Waddle during commentary in the Villa game.

“He’s got those qualities and it almost looks like he belongs from a different era and he’s such a talent. He really suits PSG because he is so good on the counter, they are good on the counter and they are so strong in midfield that it allows the front three to really attack. He’s more right footed, but is so comfortable on either foot. The wingers switch a lot, the whole front three is interchangeable and that makes it so difficult to defend against.

“He has a thirst to learn, he’s always the last off the training ground whether that’s practising his shooting, one-v-ones or his free kicks. He is already one of the best but wants to get even better.”

Kvaratskhelia, who moved to Paris from Napoli for £60m in January, has already helped PSG see off Aston Villa and Liverpool this season and Webb believes Arsenal must get a result at the Emirates to stand a real chance of reaching the final.

Webb said: “I think it’s going to be super tight because Arsenal were so good against Real Madrid. But I think it all depends on the first leg because PSG at home are very, very strong. If Arsenal can take a lead then it will be interesting but if PSG I can’t see them losing at home.”

Webb, 47, is a fascinating character as he became an academy coach after not making it as a player and his career journey has taken him from the likes of Crystal Palace, Millwall, Southampton, Bournemouth, Tottenham and now Tbilisi.

He helped identify Wilfried Zaha as a kid, learned from both Eddie Howe and Mauricio Pochettino on the way while his time at Spurs saw him work alongside a huge bank of young talent in Justin Cochrane, Kieran McKenna and Matty Wells.

It was a meeting with ex-France and star Sagnol at a game which opened the door to the Georgia adventure. Georgia created history last summer in their first major tournament by reaching the knock-out stage of the Euros after stunning Portugal 2-0. They lost to eventual winners Spain.

Webb added: “We are national heroes: the coaches, staff, the players and the aim is to repeat it again with World Cup qualification. The Euros was an incredible milestone and moment because we exceeded expectations by getting out of the Group.

“It was like a victory parade after the Euros, going through Tbilisi on the bus with 60,000 or 70,000 people and it’s a moment that I will never forget and will always be so proud of.

“I didn’t know much about Georgia before I met Willy but we just got on. His wife’s English, we’d meet up and always kept in touch. Just like with Eddie and Mauricio, you can see why he is so good at what he does and you can always learn from the best people.”

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.