The PSG mayhem that showed Arsenal summer transfer is essential | OneFootball

One performance in Champions League semi-final first-leg defeat highlighted why new signing is key

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It was part of a blistering opening 20 minutes from Kvaratskhelia, who gave Timber more problems than any other winger this season.

Timber committed three fouls on Kvaratskhelia in those first 20 minutes and it is hard to remember a time when the Dutchman has struggled as much as he did on Tuesday.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia joined PSG for £60m in January and starred against Arsenal on Tuesday

Getty Images

For Arsenal fans, the sight of Kvaratskhelia causing mayhem on the left flank must have felt worse given the fact he only joined PSG in January.

That was a time when the Gunners were desperately looking for attacking reinforcements of their own and, at around £60million, Kvaratskhelia looks like money well spent by PSG.

Arsenal were never credited with an interest in the Georgian, who was set on a move to PSG from Napoli because of their long-term desire to sign him.

Indeed, ever since Luis Enrique was appointed in the summer of 2023 he has been pushing for the French champions to sign Kvaratskhelia. Watching the 24-year-old on Tuesday, it was not hard to see why.

Kvaratskhelia was a real threat, primarily due to his ability to dribble with the ball and beat his opposite man. He was happy to do the ugly stuff too, and no player won possession more times than him.

In truth, Kvaratskhelia looked like the perfect fit for this Arsenal team - a direct winger who can beat a man, but is also happy to work hard defensively.

But more than anything, his performance reinforced the need for the Gunners to bring in a new wide player this summer.

Mikel Arteta needs to bolster his forward line this summer

REUTERS

Arsenal have been hit hard by injuries in attack this season, and the loss of Kai Havertz was felt on Tuesday because he proved so effective when the Gunners beat PSG 2-0 in October.

Havertz scored the opening goal that night and his ability to link the play, while acting as focal point, was key to the success Arteta’s side had.

Even if they missed Havertz, Arsenal still looked short on attacking options in the first leg against PSG.

The fact they missed having Mikel Merino, a midfielder by trade, up top underlines that. As does the fact that Arteta’s first substitute was to bring on right-back Ben White in the 83rd minute.

The only attacking replacement Arteta made was in the 91st minute, when Ethan Nwaneri came on for Martin Odegaard.

That was in stark contrast to PSG who, even though they were leading, were able to bring on Bradley Barcola and Goncalo Ramos.

Both players could have scored late on and, if either of them had, it would have arguably dealt a fatal blow to Arsenal’s hopes of reaching the Champions League final.

Arsenal lack the attacking depth that PSG have and, as much Kvaratskhelia would be a perfect fit, the same could be said for someone like Desire Doue.

Arsenal cannot afford to let another transfer window pass where the firepower on offer to Arteta is not bolstered

The 19-year-old moved to PSG last summer from Rennes for £43m and, like Kvaratskhelia, that will not sit well with Arsenal fans, who for the past 18 months have been calling for the club to sign a new forward.

Doue, as with Kvaratskhelia, would have certainly raised the competition for the wide positions at Arsenal and all Tuesday has done is underlined the need for the Gunners to invest this summer.

The club cannot afford to let another transfer window pass where the firepower on offer to Arteta is not bolstered - certainly not when it feels like Arsenal are so close to getting over the line in their quest to win major trophies.