Arsenal fans have been reminded of one of the most painful transfer decisions of the Edu Gaspar era a decision that continues to look worse with every passing season.
While Edu deserves credit for helping rebuild Arsenal alongside Mikel Arteta, his spell as sporting director was far from flawless. Some recruitment calls proved costly, and few mistakes feel as significant as the one made back in 2022.
Edu Gaspar’s time at Arsenal was a mixed legacy defined by smart squad-building in some areas, but undermined by missed opportunities that elite clubs simply cannot afford.
A Cruel Reminder From 2022
In 2022, Arsenal had the chance to sign a little-known winger from Georgia named Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The club had monitored him closely and discussed a potential move, but ultimately chose a different path.
Instead of pushing forward for Kvaratskhelia, Arsenal opted to sign Marquinhos, while Napoli secured the Georgian for a fee of around £10 million — a deal that now looks like one of the bargains of the decade.
Fast forward to today, and Kvaratskhelia is widely regarded as one of the best wingers in world football.
From £10m Gamble to Global Star
Since leaving Dinamo Batumi, Kvaratskhelia’s rise has been extraordinary. Still just 24 years old, he has already won:
Two Serie A titles
The UEFA Champions League
Ligue 1
The UEFA Super Cup
His performances have pushed his CIES market value to €91 million, placing him among the most valuable players in Europe.
For context, Declan Rice, Arsenal’s record signing, is valued at €81.9 million — highlighting just how elite Kvaratskhelia has become.
Why This One Hurts More Than Most
Edu made several questionable transfer calls during his time at Arsenal, including short-term fixes that failed to move the club forward. But the Kvaratskhelia miss stands out for one reason: Arsenal saw him early and still walked away.
The contrast is even harsher when compared to Marquinhos, who never came close to delivering at the same level and has since faded from first-team contention.
This wasn’t just bad luck — it was a missed opportunity that could have transformed Arsenal’s attack for years.
Was This Edu’s Worst Arsenal Mistake?
Looking back, it’s hard to ignore how different Arsenal’s trajectory could have been with Kvaratskhelia in the squad. At £10m, the risk was minimal. The reward, as Napoli discovered, was enormous.
