Arsenal-Bound Wonderkid Suffers Ligament Damage Ahead of Move

Future Arsenal signing Andria Bartishvili has suffered ankle ligament damage, according to his current club Iberia 1999.

The injury was first reported by Geo Team, who revealed the 17-year-old is set to be sidelined for two to three months.

Iberia have since confirmed the blow, revealing that an MRI scan had shown damage to the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL).

'Andria Bartishvili's MRI research has confirmed high-grade damage to the ATFL (Anterior Talo-Fibular Ligament), Andria will be able to complete several stages of treatment and complete rehabilitation before the end of the season.'

The ATFL is the most commonly injured ligament in the ankle, and damage usually occurs when the foot rolls inwards. Recovery times vary depending on the severity, with more serious cases requiring a structured rehabilitation programme to restore strength and stability before a return to training.

The injury is not expected to affect his move to north London, however. Arsenal announced an agreement to sign Bartishvili in September, with the deal set to be completed in July 2027, once he has turned 18. Under FIFA rules, clubs cannot complete international transfers for players under 18, so Bartishvili has stayed in Georgia until he turns an adult.

Born in March 2009, Bartishvili came through the academy at Dinamo Tbilisi before joining Kolkheti 1913 for the 2025 season, where he made 18 appearances. He then moved to Iberia 1999 on a year-long loan in January 2026, and he has made 25 appearances in all competitions this year, scoring twice in the league.

Primarily an attacking midfielder who can also operate on the left wing, Bartishvili has drawn comparisons with fellow Georgian Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. He attracted interest from a number of clubs across Europe before agreeing to join Arsenal.

He has also progressed quickly through Georgia's youth teams. He has scored seven goals in 15 appearances for the under-17s and two in five for the Under-19s, and he made his under-21 debut against Latvia in March, aged just 16.

Bartishvili is part of a wider push by Arsenal to secure young talent early. Irish youngster Victor Ozhianvuna is due to join from Shamrock Rovers when he turns 18 in January, whilst the club have also completed various signings from other Premier League 2 clubs.

Those additions sit alongside a group of academy graduates who have already broken into the first-team picture under Mikel Arteta. Max Dowman, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Marli Salmon have all featured this season, and Ceadach O'Neill made his competitive debut in the Carabao Cup at Fleetwood Town last week.

Bartishvili's arrival will also add to a growing Georgian presence in European football. Georgia reached their first major tournament at Euro 2024, and players such as Kvaratskhelia and Giorgi Mamardashvili have since established themselves at elite clubs.

With eight months before his move, Arsenal will expect him to be fully fit by the time he arrives at London Colney next summer