Arsenal’s global search for talent is continuing with a look at exciting Georgian defender Nika Chanturia.
The 17-year-old centre back is in the second week of his fortnight stay with the club, and has already left a good impression on the coaching staff. A tall, composed and technical defender, he fits the bill of a classic Arsenal player, and has had no shortage of admirers.
Arsenal were offered a look at Georgia Under-17 captain Chanturia a month ago, by an agency that represents him. I understand that the club are usually against taking players based on recommendations, but he was spotted previously, and the early signs are that he might be a player for the future.
Liam Brady and new reserve team coach Terry Burton are still putting together their squads for the new season, and are on the look out for another centre back for the Under-18’s.
Second year scholar Zac Fagan has shown some promise, and has been joined by new scholars Leander Siemann and Tom Dallison.
But Arsenal are hopeful of adding a fourth option before the end of the transfer window, and have already looked at Swedish youngster Linus Wahlquist, who enjoyed a trial last month, but wasn’t seen as good enough.
Chanturia though is a highly-rated centre back with lots of ability, but securing him from Georgian side Lokomotivi Tbilisi will be tricky, given he is already in the first-team squad, and would require a work permit.
Arsenal will make a decision on Chanturia next week.
It’s good that we’re looking to invest in defenders, this is something the first team has failed to do.
The first team would rather an MD than a quality DF which is one of the reasons we almost concede as much as we score. That Chanturia is a CB makes it even better, if we can sign him, train him and move him around on loan, we should have the next Lahm on our hands, hopefully.
good stuff
Why good stuff???i bet you’ve never heard of him,like me
Any relation to georgi????
Personally, I don’t think this work permit thing makes sense for footballers. Football is a unique job and I think the UK government need to lessen the law for football players.
Arsenal has been badly burnt by this work permit laws way too many times.
Not necessarily, there are plenty of players who have been in our youth academy and have gone on to not have a career in the sport either through injury or perceived lack of ability. Admittedly not in very recent years but you don’t have to go that far back, just a couple of youth sides in fact e.g. Ryan Garry and Daniel Karbassiyoon to name two of a fair few….
The special talent permit is way too hard to get, I’ll give people that, if you have a player like Vela who was top scorer in the u17s world cup which I believe Mexico won as well, you’d think a special talent permit would be a given, but apparently not. In other cases it’s understandable however, since they can’t be seen to be favouring sporting personnel and bigger sides, as it’s not fair on the smaller sides and normal people who would love to get a chance to move to this country.
I’d love it if Arsenal could sign who ever they want on the ground that they are Arsenal but it just isn’t logical for them to allow that.
What about the RB and Lb positions i know Yennaris is good in one of those positions and there’s Angha but after that whom? to me Coquelin simply is good enough to fill in one those positions.
We have a few decent looking full backs in the youth squad, e.g. Bellerin has been playing there for the u18s and occasionally reserves, but too soon to say yet really.
In the first team we now have Sagna, Jenkinson, Yennaris, Gibbs, Santos, Miquel (has played well at LB although he’s definitely a CB prospect) and Coquelin. Plenty of cover.
Jamie, is there any source on the Linus Wahlquist issue? Wanted him to have a second go really, shame it didn’t work out for him if it’s true
hereing rumours that jon toral will be given a chance in the first team this year?
You can see Chanturia in action at the euro 2012 u17 and the Elite Round
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzNM0fH92yM
Spain Georgia – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFrEA4gmF4E&feature=related
England Georgia- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DowYZNsNDgY&feature=related
Iceland Georgia – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5zqqjXYk3A&feature=fvwrel