Andria Bartishvili, whose summer transfer to Arsenal has been agreed, will miss the rest of 2026 with ligament damage in his right ankle, and the Evening Standard reports that the 17-year-old may be out for as long as three months.

Statement confirms ligament damage

The injury occurred while the attacker was playing for Iberia 1999, the Conference League side he is currently loaned to from Kolkheti 1913. Reports in Georgia, cited by the Evening Standard, indicate he will not feature again this calendar year.

A statement posted on Instagram said an MRI had confirmed "high-quality damage to the ATFL (Anterior Talo-Fibular Ligament)". The same statement added: "Andria will be able to complete several stages of treatment and complete rehabilitation before the end of the season."

Loan spell interrupted

Bartishvili has spent 2026 with Iberia 1999, scoring twice in 17 league appearances and featuring in two Conference League matches this season. A product of the Dinamo Tbilisi academy, he first appeared at senior level when he was two days beyond his 16th birthday.

In total he has 24 youth international appearances and nine goals.

Arsenal's agreement

The Evening Standard reports the fee to Kolkheti 1913 was just under £4million, with the player tied to a five-year deal.

FIFA rules on youth transfers prevent the move from being completed until he turns 18. Bartishvili reaches that age in March 2027, after the January window closes, so he is not due in north London until next summer.

Photo: Martin Addison via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0, resized.