Arsenal are in the market for a new number nine this summer, someone who is quite capable to take Gabriel Jesus’ place in the squad following his links away from North London and that is where Georges Mikautadze comes into picture…
There are obvious similarities to Gabriel Jesus given both are ball-to-feet profiles who thrive on movement rather than aerial presence, but Mikautadze runs the channels considerably better than Jesus does. And in this report we break down exactly what he offers in possession, out of possession, and how he could realistically slot into Mikel Arteta’s system at N5.
Scouting Georges Mikautadze at Arsenal
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### Passing and combination play
His combination play would translate particularly well to Arsenal. One of his best actions is the wall pass: he drops a few yards with his back to goal, draws a centre-back out of the defensive line, plays a sharp one-touch pass with either foot, and immediately spins forward into the space he has just created.
He only completes 12.84 passes per 90 at 75.5% accuracy, but that low volume needs context given Villarreal averaged just 44.5% possession last season. More importantly, there is genuine purpose behind his touches. He still produced 1.19 key passes per 90 and 0.30 big chances created per 90, seven across the season, which ranks in the 87th percentile. He eventually recorded six assists from 2.49 xA, ranking in the 64th percentile for progressive passes and 69th for key passes among La Liga strikers, while also comfortable switching play and occasionally using trivelas.
His Champions League creativity dropped significantly by comparison, recording zero assists from 0.10 xA and just 0.23 key passes per 90 across 396 minutes, though Villarreal finished 35th of 36 teams in that competition, which offers some context for the decline.
### Movement and dribbling
The real appeal comes from what happens after he releases the ball. Mikautadze regularly looks to immediately attack beyond the defender. His double movements are excellent, using shoulder drops and subtle body manipulation to shift a centre-back before accelerating into blindside runs. He is also brilliant at decelerating and cutting back into newly created space once a defender’s momentum has carried them away.
He particularly favours the channels between centre-back and full-back, with a clear preference for the left-hand side. This constantly gives the opposing centre-back a decision to make: follow him and vacate the central lane, or hold position and allow Mikautadze to receive or run into the channel unchecked. His excellent half-turn, close control and shorter carries make him genuinely dangerous once he receives possession in that area.
In La Liga last season, he recorded 1.36 successful dribbles per 90 (82nd percentile), won 1.91 fouls per 90 (77th percentile) and had 5.95 touches in the opposition box per 90 (79th percentile) despite averaging just 33.12 touches overall. His progressive carrying numbers are less spectacular at the 56th percentile, but the eye test suggests he is particularly threatening when given open space to attack in transition.
### Shooting profile
None of this roaming movement removes him as a central scoring threat. Of his 65 shots last season, 34 came from central areas and nine of his 13 goals were scored from there. He also took 53 of his 65 attempts inside the box and scored 12 of his 13 goals from inside it.
His finishing is one of the strongest arguments for the fit in Arteta’s system. He scored 13 non-penalty goals from 11.42 xG, an overperformance of +1.58, averaging 0.55 goals per 90 and ranking in the 93rd percentile for non-penalty xG among La Liga centre-forwards. His 20% conversion rate compares favourably to Jesus (16%), Havertz (11%) and Julián Álvarez (15%) in this dataset, though Viktor Gyökeres sits higher at 25%.
His shot placement is genuinely impressive. He put 32 of his 65 shots on target, a 49% rate, and those shots on target increased his expected goals from 7.95 to 15.16 expected goals on target, roughly 0.24 xG to 0.48 xGOT per effort on target, indicating supremely strong placement.
His near-zero backlift technique allows him to release snap shots before defenders can set themselves. His hip rotation and ball-striking mechanics allow him to finish across goal from either side with either foot. He is right-foot dominant, taking 47 of 65 shots with his right, but took 14 of 65 with his left, suggesting functional two-footedness. He also offers penalty value despite taking none for Villarreal last season, with Transfermarkt currently listing his career penalty record at 26 from 28, a 93% conversion rate.
### Physicality
At 5ft 9in and 71kg, Mikautadze is poor aerially, winning just 0.43 aerial duels per 90 (13th percentile) at a 23.3% success rate (10th percentile). He cannot be used as a long-ball outlet against Premier League centre-backs.
Despite that aerial weakness, he holds his own on the ground, winning 51% of ground duels. His stocky frame, strong core and low centre of gravity allow him to shield possession effectively, though Jesus is considerably stronger physically. Mikautadze relies more heavily on agility and acceleration. His 32.2kmph Champions League top speed is not elite, but his first few yards are explosive, supported by an average of 14.32 sprints and 295m of sprint distance per 90.
### Defensive concern
The major concern is his output out of possession. Statistically, he is unappealing: he averages just 0.77 defensive contributions per 90 (4th percentile), 0.26 tackles (6th percentile), 0.21 interceptions (47th percentile), 0.43 possessions won in the final third (38th percentile) and 1.70 recoveries (18th percentile).
The eye test supports the concerning data. He often screens passing lanes rather than pressing aggressively, rarely tracks back with intensity, and does not consistently seek physical engagements. This is where the Jesus comparison ends: Jesus embraces pressing moments, while Mikautadze behaves more like a luxury forward without the ball, even if his finishing is considerably more clinical.
Crucially, and rather surprisingly, the defensive concerns are not down to a lack of physical tools. His strong acceleration, agility and ground strength suggest he could be an effective presser if he chose to be. He simply does not press with the frequency or intensity Arteta currently demands from his designated pressers. At 25, Arteta would almost certainly have to work to change his defensive behaviour.
That is the central trade-off with Georges Mikautadze. In possession, he offers intelligent dropping movement, strong wall passing, effective channel running, strong blindside movement, carrying ability, creativity and highly efficient finishing. Out of possession, he would need to fundamentally transform his work rate to survive within Arsenal’s pressing system.
### How Georges Mikautadze tactically fits in possession at Arsenal
In Arsenal’s 3-2-5 on ball shape, Mikautadze would not operate as a fixed central striker. His role would be far more fluid, regularly dropping away from the defensive line before attacking the space his own movement creates.
His strongest action, the wall pass, could work particularly well here. He could drop towards midfield, draw a centre-back with him, play a sharp one-touch pass into Bruno Guimarães, Ødegaard or a winger, then immediately spin and attack beyond the defensive line. This gives Arsenal another way of disrupting settled defensive shapes without asking Mikautadze to physically occupy centre-backs directly.
His preference for the left channel could also create useful rotations with Tzolis and Calafiori. Mikautadze could drift between the centre-back and right-back, receive on the half-turn or combine before carrying infield. If the centre-back follows him, Tzolis or another central runner such as Calafiori could attack the space he vacates. If the defender stays, Mikautadze can receive freely between the lines and turn. There is a risk this creates a one-sided attacking mindset with the right-hand side becoming isolated, which he would need to counter by making near-post runs on the right and aggressively attacking central lanes once he drags the opposing right-sided centre-back over to the left.
An added consideration is that Arsenal’s wingers would need to stay wide to create the central space Mikautadze relies on, avoiding forcing him to operate directly against a settled and physically imposing centre-back. Crucially, he would still need to return centrally once an attack develops, giving Arsenal the connectivity of a fluid number nine without completely sacrificing penalty box presence the way Jesus sometimes does when he roams too far.
### How can Mikel Arteta use Georges Mikautadze out of possession
Arsenal could protect Mikautadze defensively within a 4-4-2 mid-block rather than asking him to lead an aggressive pressing system. He would stay alongside Ødegaard in the first line of press, with Tzolis and Saka dropping into midfield next to Bruno Guimarães and Rice, pressing only when necessary.
The key would be simplifying his role. Instead of constantly chasing centre-backs, he would mainly screen passing lanes into midfield, protect central areas, and jump forward only on specific pressing triggers. That suits his existing tendencies: blocking lanes, guiding play and engaging selectively rather than pressing with intensity.
Ødegaard would naturally be the more aggressive presser between the two, jumping onto centre-backs and forcing play in a specific direction to set up triggers, while Mikautadze stays narrow to cover central lanes. His acceleration should still help him recover loose touches or intercept passes when needed.
The trade-off is clear: Arsenal would lose some front-line pressing intensity and could allow opponents more comfort in the first phase of their build-up. If the first line of press is beaten, Mikautadze also offers limited recovery work, meaning Bruno Guimarães, Rice and the back line would need to carry a greater share of the defensive burden. This is a theoretical framework rather than a permanent solution, and the honest conclusion is that Mikautadze can only truly work at Arsenal if he seriously improves his defensive work rate.
