Khvicha Kvaratskhelia may have been lining up for Arsenal against Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League defeat had things turned out differently three years ago
Arsenal’s former chief scout for Eastern Europe has revealed that the Gunners snubbed a move for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – believing he was unable to deal with a hostile crowd.
The 24-year-old has developed into one of the continent’s top wingers. He enjoyed a breakthrough tournament at Euro 2024 as minnows Georgia reached the last 16 and also played a key role as Napoli won Serie A in 2023.
He had again been impressing in Napoli’s title charge this season before being sold to Paris Saint-Germain for £68million in January. The winger has continued to star in the French capital, helping them to wrap up the Ligue 1 title, as well as reach the finals of the Coupe de France and the Champions League.
PSG defeated Arsenal in the semi-finals of the latter competition to book their ticket to Munich. Kvaratskhelia played all 180 minutes of the final four clash, providing the assist for Ousmane Dembele’s goal in the first leg.
Had things turned out differently three years ago, the Georgian may well have been lining up for the Gunners, rather than PSG. But Tomasz Pasieczny has revealed the Premier League side had concerns about his mentality.
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Pasieczny told weszlo.com: “Georgia’s youth team visited Poland, there was a qualifying tournament. My job was to pay attention to other teams, but when you saw them – Khvicha and Zuriko Davitashvili – we had long discussions with other scouts about who was better.
“Then I watched both of them in Russia, so I followed their development for a long time. He couldn’t cope with it. Every next move was bad, from start to finish. He got lost, the ball bounced off him, you could see that he had lost his confidence.
“He overcame it, but if it had continued, it would have been a problem. Being affected by a few thousand people in Kazan doesn’t lead to a good rating. Everyone knew he would be mega good, but they wondered how good.
“Whether he would be the absolute top or a bit lower. Few had any doubts that he wouldn’t be anything at all. However, at that stage I had to write how it is, draw conclusions, write where the problems are.”
Instead of Kvaratskhelia, Arsenal opted to sign Marquinhos. But the Brazilian has made just six senior appearances and is currently on loan at Cruzeiro, while Kvaratskhelia is loving life in Paris.
“I believe I’ve adapted quite well, thanks to the staff, the coaches, the club, and of course, the players. And that’s also important in life – when you’re welcomed into a team and they make you feel like you’ve been part of it for a long time,” he recently told UEFA.
“The fact that they welcomed me into the family so quickly, and that I felt genuinely happy and comfortable, definitely helps me find my place on the pitch. From the very first moments, I felt this strong support from the fans.
“Then, when I stepped onto the pitch, I felt both happy and like a great footballer. That’s all thanks to this club – they treat you in a way that makes you believe in yourself and realise your worth as a player.”
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