17-year-old wonderkid travelling to London for Arsenal medical
Highly-rated Georgian teenager Andria Bartishvili is travelling to London to undergo an Arsenal medical ahead of completing his move to the Premier League champions.
Georgian outlet Geo Team reports that the 17-year-old is on his way to England, with his medical scheduled to take place this week before he signs a five-year contract.
— Geo Team (@Geo__team) September 2, 2026
— LONDON is waiting for ANDRIA
Andria Bartishvili is currently on his way to London to undergo his medical with AFC.
And then… a five-year contract with the English champions for 17 y.o Georgian Gempic.twitter.com/WhIafuE7Ak
Fabrizio Romano has corroborated the latest development, reporting that Bartishvili is travelling to London after Arsenal reached an agreement for his signing last week.
However, the attacking midfielder will not immediately become part of Arsenal’s squad and is instead expected to officially join the club in June 2027, when he will be 18.
That arrangement allows Bartishvili to continue his development in Georgia before making the significant transition to English football next summer.
The teenager is currently playing for Iberia 1999 and has already accumulated senior experience despite his age.
Bartishvili has made 16 appearances in the Georgian top flight this season, scoring twice, while he has also featured during Iberia’s European qualifying campaign.
The midfielder appeared in Champions League qualifying this summer before playing twice in the Europa League qualifiers, accumulating valuable experience against senior opposition.
Bartishvili initially developed in Dinamo Tbilisi’s academy before moving to Kolkheti 1913, where his senior breakthrough arrived last year.
He made his Erovnuli Liga debut in April 2025 at just 16 years and two days, becoming the youngest player to appear in the Georgian top flight during that season.
His performances at youth level have also generated significant attention in Georgia, where comparisons have been drawn with Paris Saint-Germain star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Bartishvili was named Georgia’s best under-17 player in 2025 and has already progressed to under-21 international football despite being several years younger than most players at that level.
The versatile youngster predominantly operates as an attacking midfielder but is also capable of playing in wider positions.
His anticipated arrival continues Arsenal’s strategy of recruiting emerging talent before their valuations increase substantially.
The Gunners have invested heavily in their academy pathway and have recently seen teenagers Max Dowman and Marli Salmon establish themselves around Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s senior squad.
Bartishvili must first successfully complete his medical and the remaining formalities, but his journey to London represents another significant step towards finalising the agreement.
Should everything proceed as expected, Arsenal will secure one of Georgian football’s most highly-rated prospects before welcoming him permanently next summer.
The post 17-year-old wonderkid travelling to London for Arsenal medical first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.
