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Arsenal’s Players of the Season

By on May 22, 2024

Declan Rice Bukayo Saka Arsenal

Irrespective of Arsenal’s final league position at the end of the season, Gunners fans can genuinely claim that it’s been a successful campaign. The club has proved that 2022/23 was no fluke, and that they can challenge Manchester City at the top of the Premier League on a consistent basis.

Arsenal also impressed in Europe, and this positive season has been highlighted by some stunning individual performances. Mikel Arteta has built a solid squad, but there are several standout players worthy of mention as 2023/24 draws to a close.

Gunning for the Title

Based on this season’s results, those who know how to bet on soccer will understand that Arsenal will be among the favorites for the EPL title next term. In each of the last two campaigns, the North London club has offered the only genuine challenge to Manchester City’s dominance, and there is no reason to see that situation changing soon.

It’s been a particularly impressive run, as the Gunners do not have the spending power of City or Chelsea. The club has made some big-money signings, however, and their biggest deal involves a player who has delivered some exceptional individual performances at the Emirates.

Money Well Spent

Arsenal smashed their club transfer record when they signed Declan Rice from West Ham United last summer. The England defensive midfielder joined for an initial fee of £100 million, and fans will agree that he was worth every penny.

The player hasn’t missed a Premier League match all season, and he’s been effective right across the pitch. Seven goals in his first 37 league games is an impressive return for a defensive midfielder, and there are suggestions that the manager may push Rice further forward next term.

Rice is one of two Arsenal squad members in the running for the PFA Player of the Year, and a win in this category would be well deserved.

Leading by Example

Club captain Martin Odegaard is the second Arsenal player to be nominated for the PFA’s main award. The skipper has enjoyed another effective campaign in the heart of midfield, and it’s great to see him getting recognition for his efforts.

The Norwegian international has only missed three Premier League matches in 2023/24, and the ability of Arteta to name a settled squad has been a big factor in the club’s success. He’s another player who makes useful scoring contributions, and Martin Odegaard has found the net eleven times in all competitions.

Youth Charge

Two further Arsenal players have been nominated for this season’s Young Player of the Year award. Followers of the club and the English national team will not be surprised to see Bukayo Saka included in the list. The winger continues to improve, and while the Gunners’ main strikers have struggled to find the net, Saka will finish the season as the club’s leading scorer.

William Saliba is the other Arsenal nominee. Having joined the club in 2019, the defender spent some time on loan back in his native France, but has since made the center back position his own. Saliba is a calm influence in the heart of the Gunners’ defense, and he’s another player to have impressed in this successful campaign.

Solid at the Back

Arsenal fans were surprised to see the club take Brentford goalkeeper David Raya on loan for the whole of the 2023/24 season. The former number one, England stopper Aaron Ramsdale, looked to have established himself, and was included in the team of the year last term.

Anyone who knows how to bet on soccer will understand that a team needs to keep improving. Clearly Mikel Arteta saw Raya as an upgrade, and he’s justified that faith. His stats are impressive, and the keeper has kept 16 clean sheets in his first 31 Premier League games for Arsenal.

Also happening in the summer transfer window, manager Mikel Arteta will likely move, a permanent deal for David Raya will be the club’s first piece of business.

Those who understand how to bet on soccer will know that Arsenal are the team to watch over the next two seasons. They are the only side capable of challenging Manchester City for major honors. While each of the players on this list has delivered impressive individual performances, the lack of a prolific striker has held the Gunners back to an extent.

In the summer transfer window, it’s likely that manager Mikel Arteta will move for a recognized frontman, and there are several top targets linked with a switch to the Emirates. If Arsenal can land the right player, they may well be favorites for that Premier League title, while becoming a force in Europe.

Those discussions will determine Arsenal’s effectiveness next term, but for now, the players on this list have helped produce another memorable season for the fans.