In 2022, Arsenal made a decision that would come back to haunt them, opting not to pursue Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, one of the brightest talents in world football, and instead signing Brazilian winger Marquinhos. While Kvaratskhelia has since emerged as a key player for Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal’s gamble on Marquinhos has not paid off, leaving fans and pundits alike questioning the club’s scouting decisions.
At the time, Kvaratskhelia was still playing for Rubin Kazan in Russia before making a brief stop at Dinamo Batumi. It was there that his potential began to catch the eye of scouts across Europe, and within a year, he made a £11 million move to Serie A club Napoli. His rise in Italy was nothing short of meteoric, with Kvaratskhelia playing an integral role in Napoli’s title-winning season and cementing his reputation as one of the most exciting young talents in Europe. In 2025, he was transferred to PSG for £70 million, a testament to his undeniable ability.
However, during his time in Russia, Kvaratskhelia struggled in certain matches, and it was this inconsistency that led to concerns from Arsenal’s scouting team. Former Arsenal scout Tomasz Pasieczny revealed that despite Kvaratskhelia’s obvious talent, his mentality was a major worry. In particular, Pasieczny recalled a match against Dynamo Moscow where the Georgian winger was clearly off his game. He became frustrated, with his performance marred by misplaced passes and a lack of confidence.
“Every next move was bad, from start to finish,” Pasieczny admitted, noting that Kvaratskhelia had difficulty handling the pressure in a less-than-ideal environment in Kazan. While Pasieczny acknowledged the winger’s clear technical abilities, he was concerned about Kvaratskhelia’s ability to cope with pressure, a concern that loomed large when Arsenal evaluated him as a potential signing.
At the same time, Arsenal was targeting Marquinhos, a young Brazilian winger from São Paulo. The move was seen as a safer bet, as Marquinhos had impressed in Brazil, but the reality of his impact in North London has been disappointing. Despite expectations, he has struggled to find a place in the Arsenal squad. With only six senior appearances to his name, Marquinhos has failed to make a significant impact, leading to loan spells at various clubs, including Norwich City, Nantes, and Fluminense, before he eventually found himself on loan at Cruzeiro.
The contrast in fortunes between Kvaratskhelia and Marquinhos highlights the extent to which Arsenal’s decision to bypass the Georgian winger has been called into question. While Kvaratskhelia has gone on to play a crucial role for PSG and is now gearing up to feature in the Champions League final against Inter Milan, Arsenal are left reflecting on what could have been. The missed opportunity to secure one of the brightest wingers in world football stands in stark contrast to Marquinhos’ unremarkable spell at the club.
Kvaratskhelia’s rise is a testament to his growth and maturity, overcoming early setbacks and proving that his technical ability far outweighed the doubts about his mentality. Now playing on the biggest stages, including Champions League semifinals, his progression only makes Arsenal’s decision to overlook him more painful. As the club reflects on the mistakes of the past, the missed opportunity to sign Kvaratskhelia becomes ever more glaring.
In hindsight, Kvaratskhelia’s signing would have been a major coup for Arsenal, but instead, they are left pondering what could have been, while the talented winger continues to shine elsewhere.
