It’s that time of year again, the season is coming to a close and at the time of writing, Arsenal can very much still end up 23/24 Premier League champions for the first time in 20 years. Although, they need to rely on dropped points from Manchester City.
Whilst another trophyless season seems the most likely outcome, that doesn’t totally tell the full story. Mikel Arteta’s side are on course to achieve their second highest Premier League points tally, whilst keeping the most clean sheets in the league.
It’s been a strong campaign, but how do each of the players rank individually? Here’s my season player ratings for every Arsenal men’s first team player for the 2023/24 season.
DAVID RAYA: 7/10
Eyebrows were raised when Arsenal signed Brentford goalkeeper David Raya for an initial loan with an option to buy for £27 million, and even more so when the Spaniard won the no.1 place between the sticks from Aaron Ramsdale
Raya has made mistakes at times, but he has been mostly impressive, and the fact that the debate between him and Ramsdale has gone quiet shows that he has done a good job in North London so far. His penalty shootout heroics in the RO16 Champions League tie with FC Porto proving to be the highlight.
AARON RAMSDALE: 5/10
Very few, including Aaron Ramsdale himself, would’ve predicted how this season has gone for the Englishman.
All seemed fine until gameweek six where Arsenal travelled to Everton, where new signing David Raya started with Ramsdale dropped to the bench and the Spanish stopper has started all but two Premier League outings since, where he wasn’t able to play against parent club Brentford.
As a result it’s difficult to rate Ramsdale’s season, but it’s certainly not one he’ll look back on fondly.
BEN WHITE: 8/10
The beauty of Ben White is that his campaign this season is very similar to last. Once again, he’s been remarkably consistent on the right flank for Arsenal. Always being fit, strong defensively but also contributing going forwards with assists and the odd goal too.
Throw in the odd shithousery and it’s not hard to see why he’s become such a fan favourite in N5.
CEDRIC SOARES: N/A
The portuguese has barely featured this season as his contract winds down in North London
TAKEHIRO TOMIYASU: 7/10
It’s been another campaign of injury frustration at times for Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, however whenever he has played he’s been solid.
Tomiyasu rarely puts a foot wrong at both left-back and right-back. Versatile and dependable, every team needs a Tomiyasu and Arsenal are lucky to have him
JAKUB KIWIOR: 7/10
Polish defender Jakub Kiwior has had an interesting season. After an initial slow start, an excellent second half performance at left-back in the home win against Liverpool paved the way for a really strong run in the team in the left hand side of the defence as he played a major part in Arsenal’s eleven game unbeaten run which lasted from January to early April.
He’s proven to be a very strong squad option for Mikel Arteta’s side and a potential bargain too.
WILLIAM SALIBA: 8/10
It takes a special type of centre-back to be seen as one of the best in one of football’s toughest postions at the age of just 22 but William Saliba is exactly that.
His excellent first season in London last year has been followed up by an equally – if not better – season this time out as he continues to assert himself as one of Mikel Arteta’s best and most important players at the heart of Arsenal’s defence.
OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO: 4/10
It’s been a disappointing season for Ukrainian captain Oleksandr Zinchenko in his second campaign in North London.
Injures have seen him out for periods of the season and when he has played he’s failed to properly impress in too many occasions which have seen him lose his place in Arsenal’s starting XI and it’s hard to see him winning that place back any time soon
GABRIEL MAGALHÃES: 9/10
It really has been a special campaign this season for Brazilian defender Gabriel.
Often overshadowed by William Saliba but the Brazilian has arguably performed better than his French partner this season. The mistakes have gone, ability on the ball is better than ever and his strengh and physicality is something to behold.
Him and Saliba really are a match made in heaven and both have been instrumental this season for Arsenal
THOMAS PARTEY: 6/10
Like Tomiyasu, it’s been another frustrating season for Thomas Partey as he has spent much of the season on the sidelines.
However when he has played, especially in recent weeks, he continues to impress at the base of Arsenal’s midfield but it remains to be seen if he has a future in N5
EMILE SMITH ROWE: 5/10
Emile Smith Rowe has struggled to see significant gametime this season but has done ok when played, including a MOTM showing at home to Luton Town
MOHAMMED ELNENY: N/A
Egyptian Mo Elneny has barely been seen throughout this season as his contract in North London begins to come to an end
JORGINHO: 7/10
The long-term injury to Thomas Partey has seen Italian Jorginho take on potentially more game time than expected, and his has shown how much of a bargain he was.
Two amazing performances in midfield against Liverpool and Newcastle at Emirates Stadium have been the highlight of a very solid campagin as Arsenal look to offer the experienced midfielder a new deal
FABIO VIEIRA: 5/10
After an underwhelming first year in London, there were hopes that we would see more of the talented Fabio Vieira this season.
However, despite an initial bright start, it hasn’t really gone that way. Despite returning from injury the young Portuguese has barely featured in the second half of the season and it remains to be seen what Arteta’s plans are for Vieira in the future
MARTIN ODEGAARD: 8/10
The first months of the season saw the Arsenal captain, whilst being far from bad, not quite match the performances of last season
Since the mid-season trip to Dubai though, Martin Odegaard has been nothing short of exceptional and has shown time and time again that he is right up there with the most talented players in the country and is a joy to watch when on the ball
DECLAN RICE: 9/10 *POTS*
Debut season’s don’t come much better than this
Few can be said about Declan Rice that hasn’t been said already. The £105 million man has transformed Arsenal’s midfield with his athleticism, tackling, anticipation and ability on the ball. And despite strong competition from Gabriel, Saliba, Saka and others, Rice stands above the rest as my 2023/24 Arsenal player of the season.
If Arsenal do win the league, Rice has been the difference
KAI HAVERTZ: 7/1O
Few signings have had as much coverage as Kai Havertz when he signed for Arsenal, and a poor start to the season did little to silence the many doubters
However, a last-minute winner away at Brentford in late november kickstarted his Arsenal career. However, it’s been in the second half of the season where Havertz has really shone as he has performed strongly since leading the line upfront for the Gunners, especially in wins away at Tottenham and Brigton.
We still don’t quite know what the future holds for Havertz, but no one can deny he’s had a solid first season in red and white
BUKAYO SAKA: 8/10
Arsenal’s starboy continues to go from strength to strength and has enjoyed another fine campgain
Saka’s goal vs AFC Bournemouth was his 20th of the season, hitting that milestone for the first time in his career
Whilst the eye test may say Saka’s overall performances levels aren’t quite as good as last year, the numbers say differently, and the future remains so, so bright for Arsenal’s no.7
GABRIEL JESUS: 6/10
There’s no doubt it’s been an underwhelming season for Gabriel Jesus.
Injury problems and often poor finishing means that like Zinchenko, his place in the starting XI for the time being is gone. However, he has shone in the Champions League, and has had good performances at times without scoring
REISS NELSON: N/A
Like fellow Hale End graduate Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson has found gametime limited throughout the season as his time at Arsenal may be coming to an end
GABRIEL MARTINELLI: 6/10
Like Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli’s season has been underwhelming, particularly considering we all know just how talented he is.
However, his rating gets saved as like Jesus, his UCL form has been good and he has scored huge goals in wins over Manchester City and Liverpool. Although, we all expected a lot more from Martinelli this season.
EDDIE NKETIAH: 5/10
Eddie Nketiah enjoyed a fine start to the season, scoring on the opening day vs Nottingham Forest and later scoring a hat-trick against Sheffield Utd – Arsenal’s only hat-trick of the season.
However since gametime hasn’t been there and that could be due to a lack of proper impact when he has entered the pitch. The emergence of Havertz upfront has further pushed Nketiah down the pecking order as he may look to find an escape route out of N5 in the summer
LEANDRO TROSSARD: 7/10
Arsenal’s captain clutch. Whether it’s from the start or from the bench, Leandro Trossard often finds the net when Arsenal need someone to step up.
Despite a poor run of form over the Winter, Trossard’s first full season in North London has been strong. His 16 goals in all competitions (at the time of writing) makes him second in the club’s scoring list for the season and it’s the importance of some of those strikes that cannot be underestimated.
There’s no doubt Arsenal would be in a worse place this season without the Belgian