Arsenal’s 2023/24 report card: Rating how each player performed

• Tweet
• Pin It

For the second consecutive season, Arsenal pushed Manchester City all the way in the Premier League title race but fell just short of wrestling the trophy away from the Etihad Stadium. Having fallen away during the final games last year, we took it to the last day of the 2023/24 season. However, Man City’s win over West Ham on the final day ensured they finished two points above Arsenal on 91 points.

We can be proud of our efforts though, as Arsenal amassed 89 points and won a record 28 of our 38 league games. Mikel Arteta’s side boasted the league’s best defence having conceded just 29 times, while we were the second top scorers with 91 goals – behind City’s 96. We finished with the joint best goal difference along with the champions so we’ve certainly closed the gap.

Fans holding Arsenal tickets know fine margins ultimately cost Arsenal the title with just a one-game swing enough to clinch the trophy for the first time in 20 years. After such a positive campaign, there were plenty of impressive performers in the Arsenal squad. Let’s take a look at how each of the first team performed and grade them:

Goalkeepers

David Raya 8/10: Arsenal’s No.1 recovered from a sloppy start to the season to finish with the Golden Glove Award. He made some silly mistakes along the way, but there is no doubt he’s earned the right to be Arsenal’s first choice goalkeeper and his loan is expected to be made permanent this summer.

Aaron Ramsdale 5/10: Lost the first team shirt to Raya after just three games in a controversial move by Arteta. Failed to take his opportunity when called upon, and made a shocking error in the game against Brentford. Will most likely leave this summer.

Defenders

Ben White 9/10: Arguably Arsenal’s most consistent performer. Never let the team down and continued to forge an excellent understanding with Bukayo Saka down the right flank. Mr Reliable.

William Saliba 9/10: An outstanding campaign from the Frenchman. Growing into one of the best centre-backs in the world. Arsenal are fortunate to have him and he was the foundation of our excellent defensive record.

Gabriel Magalhaes 9/10: Also outstanding all season. After being axed in the first three games amid reported interest from Saudi Arabia, Gabriel regained his first team place and was superb alongside Saliba at the heart of Arsenal’s back line.

Takehiro Tomiyasu 7/10: Terrific when fit, but his injury problems are a concern. His versatility is a huge asset and filled in well at left-back during the closing weeks of the season.

Oleksandr Zinchenko 5/10: Hugely disappointing campaign. He went from an integral part of Arteta’s starting eleven to bench warmer in the space of a few months. His defensive vulnerabilities were exposed again and it seems Arteta’s has had enough.

Jacub Kiwior 6.5/10: Forced his way into the team at left-back with some solid displays, but a shocking performance against Bayern Munich in the Champions League saw him dropped.

Jurrien Timber N/A: Looked outstanding in pre-season following his move last summer. But a cruel ACL injury on the opening weekend ruled him out for the vast majority of the campaign. Returned to make a promising cameo on the last game of the season. Hopefully he’ll be an important player for Arsenal next year.

Cedric Soares 4/10: Barely played and has finally been released after his contract expired.

Midfielders

Declan Rice 9/10: Outstanding debut campaign from the England international. Fully justified his £105m price-tag and showed that he’s more than just a defensive midfielder. Rice was given license to get forward by Arteta and he chipped in with some important goals and assists. Vital player for us already.

Martin Odegaard 9/10: Arguably the best playmaker in Europe. The skipper was excellent last season and was the hub of all our creative play. Finished the campaign with 11 goals and 11 assists in all competitions. Leadership skills have also improved.

Thomas Partey 6.5/10: Another frustrating season for the Ghanaian. Very good when he returned to fitness late on, but persistent injury issues hampered him throughout the season. He’s such an important player for us when fit but he just can’t be relied upon.

Jorginho 7/10: Stepped up in Partey’s absence to provide some experience in midfield. Was particularly impressive in some big games and Arsenal look a better team when he’s controlling things in the middle of the park.

Fabio Vieira 4.5/10: A really frustrating season as injury issues prevented him from having much of an impact. Showed flashes of his quality when given the chance but Arteta didn’t trust him during the closing stages of the season when he returned to fitness, which isn’t a good sign for his future at the club.

Emile Smith Rowe 5/10: Very similar season for Smith Rowe. Continued to suffer from niggling injuries but even when he was fully fit, he barely played. Was given just three starts in the league all season [two against Sheffield United and Luton]. Showed signs of his potential but never really kicked on or took his opportunities with both hands. Will be interesting to see if he leaves this summer.

Mo Elneny 4/10: Barely played any minutes but is a popular member of the squad behind the scenes. Will leave the club this summer when his contract runs out.

Forward

Bukayo Saka 9/10: Another excellent season from our Star Boy. Once again Arsenal’s main threat in the final third, contributing 20 goals and 14 assists. Showed up in the big games again with some important goals/assists against our main rivals.

Kai Havertz 8/10: A really tough start following his move from Chelsea as he didn’t work in midfield. However, a different player when he was given his chance up front. Was excellent during the second half of the season and finished up with 13 goals and 7 assists in 37 league appearances.

Gabriel Martinelli 6/10: Was Arsenal’s top scorer in the league in 2022/23 with 15, but was a shadow of that player last season with just 6 goals in 35 appearances. Lost his place to Trossard during the final weeks. Really needs to regain his confidence and get back to his best next year.

Gabriel Jesus 5/10: A really disappointing campaign. Hampered by a niggling knee injury but Jesus’s goal return was poor last season with just 4 in 27 league games. Lost his place to Havertz and doesn’t appear to have a future as Arsenal’s first choice No.9.

Leandro Trossard 8.5/10: Outstanding end to the season and his vital goals kept us in the title race. Scored 17 goals in just 22 starts, and fully deserved to oust Martinelli from the left-wing. An excellent squad player.

Eddie Nketiah 4.5/10: Strange season. Was an important player in the first half of the campaign and scored a hat-trick against Sheffield United. But struggled after that game and barely played during the final months. Not sure if something has gone on behind the scenes or if Arteta has lost faith, but a move is likely this summer for Nketiah.

Reiss Nelson 4.5/10: Managed to make 23 appearances across all competition but the vast majority came as a substitute. You can tell he has quality and he tries hard, but no goals and only two assists [in Europe] means we need an upgrade in the summer.

• Tweet
• Pin It