We are all currently living in Mikel Arteta’s world. The oft-maligned Spainard is just three matches away from having the ultimate last laugh, winning an elite double that would automatically elevate him into the pantheon of Arsenal greats.
Arsenal- the only club to ever go invincible in an English domestic campaign- are looking to become the first side to lift Big Ears without defeat since the new league phase began. I thought this would be a good time to look at the key players behind Arsenals’ jaw-dropping success.
5. Viktor Gyokeres (Swe)
Around New Year’s, Arsenal’s marquee summer signing would have been a strong contender for their worst signing of the season. The Swede looked sluggish and unsure of himself, with a touch right out of the Lukaku playbook. But he has blossomed in the 2nd half of the campaign, coming to grips with the physicality of the league and all that entails. He has scored 21 goals in all competitions this season (the first Arsenal player to register 20+ goals in their debut season since Alexis Sanchez). More importantly, he seems to understand his role under Arteta more now, harrying and occupying defenders to create space for the likes of Saka and Eze.
4. Declan Rice (Eng)
I know this position will trigger some of the Rice aficionados out there. I just think there are a few people that have been slightly more crucial to Arsenal’s success. Rice has been an integral part of Arteta-ball, using his dead-ball precision to power Arsenal’s set-piece dominance. He has also been the beating heart of the Arsenal engine room, splitting duties between the 8 and 6 roles (he will always be a 6 to me). Why isn’t he further up this list? I think he has fallen victim to Arteta’s incessant need for control as the season has progressed, having less of an influence than he did in the more freewheeling early portion of the season. I still think he doesn’t do quite enough with the ball to be worthy of Ballon d’Or consideration. But that’s just me.
3. Gabriel (Bra)
Yes, I know it’s a tad controversial to put Gabi behind central defensive partner Sailba. The Brazilian- perhaps more than any other player- has set the tone for Arsenal’s supreme season, commanding both boxes with the casual disdain of a Third World dictator. He has seven goal involvements in this year’s Premier League campaign (not to mention countless last-minute blocks and interventions). The stats back Gabriel up, as he is only the 6th defender in Premier League history to register 200 FPL points. My only reservation? You could make an argument that he was fortunate to escape more bans over the course of the season (Erling Haaland would attest to that). I also don’t particularly like all the kidology in the set-piece routines (refs went soft on the Gunners this year). Still, Gabi has been a man-mountain and needs a place on this list.
2. William Saliba (Fra)
I have said it before, and I will say it again: Saliba is the Ferdinand to Gabi’s Vidic. For boxing fans, Saliba is the Ali to Gabi’s Frazier. People will argue that Saliba doesn’t have as many ‘Maximus’ moments (those epic moments that look great on the back of a newspaper). The truth is he doesn’t need to throw his body on the line as much because he’s very rarely out of position. The sleek Frenchman commands the area with aristocratic grace, launching quick counterattacks with defence-splitting passes (look at the ball to Gyokeres at the weekend).
1. David Raya (Spa)
My pick for Arsenal Player of the Season is the last line in the most efficient defence in European football: David Raya. The Spaniard has been a revelation this campaign, mostly ironing out the pesky howlers that prevented some Arsenal fans- likely Ramsdale lovers- from fully embracing him. He notched up his 18th clean sheet of the season against West Ham, making several crucial late saves to preserve Arsenal’s tenuous lead. Some will bauk at me choosing a keeper who is largely inactive between the sticks. But I think it takes a specific kind of temperament to remain alert after spending much of the game as a spectator. Raya always seems ready for what the game will throw at him.
