With Arsenal winning their first Premier League Title in my lifetime. It got me thinking, who are the best players who have played for Arsenal in the since 2010 (the era in which I have been able to watch and understand Arsenal. So let’s get into it.
Goalkeeper – Goalkeeper was fairly straight forward. With Szczesny and Cech being solid servants for the club, the answer is clearly David Raya. When Arsenal singed the Spaniard on a permanent deal in summer 2024, after a very successful loan spell in 2023 for a total of £30 million, I was sceptical. Boy was I wrong. With three consecutive golden gloves and now a Premier League champion. The Spanish goalkeeper has a strong claim for the title of best keeper in the world. Therefore, walking into this side.
RB – The right back choice is Jurrien Timber. The Dutchman has been vital in our title win this season, he is strong, reliable and great on the ball. Giving plenty to the side both at the back and going forward, sometimes even contributing with an important goal.
RCB – This position is occupied by the Rolls Royce, William Saliba. I am guilty of believing that after his three back to back loan spells, I said to my father he will never play for Arsenal. Boy am I glad I was wrong. The strength, the speed, the one on one defending and much more explains why he is the side. He is comfortably the second best CB in the world.
LCB – Where do i start, this was the easiest position on the pitch. I honestly do not believe we would have won the league without this man. You know who it is, our king of Brazil, our number six, Gabriel. Everything about this man is world class. Tackles both standing and on the slide, his one on one, his aeriel presence at both sides of the pitch and most importantly, the fight, the passion. Something we have missed since Sol Campbell.
LB– Moving on from the easiest decision to make, to the hardest. I have gone for French LB Gael Clichy, This was a toss up between him and Calafiori. Overall, I believe Ricardo will take this position over the next few years. However, the lack of consistency hurts Ricardo in this situation. Clichy had a level consistency, being the starting LB for a number of years. Even though, I only saw the end his career, I can appreciate the consistency, the pace and the quality, that is why he is in this team.
CM – Kicking off the midfield, we have our current number 41, the man we got at half price, Declan Rice. I simply cannot put into words how vital this man has been for us. How good he is technically, how good he is as an athlete, his passing, his shooting, his leadership, his dead balls and quite literally every other part of the game – he is exceptional, the rightful premier league player of the season.
CM– The second midfielder I have gone for his the magician, the man with two strong feet Santi Cazorla. People underestimate the significance of having the ability to use both feet at the same level. The way he used to turn with the ball and open the game up. With two FA cups and two community shield, and an unforgettable free kick in the FA cup final againt Hull being a personal highlight for me. The little Spanish magician will and should go down as an Arsenal legend.
CAM– The number ten, I was stuck between the current skipper and then the German Mesut Ozil. I decided on the later, Mesut was simply unplayable on his day, and yes his day may not have come as often as we could’ve wanted, but when he did he was untouchable. I have never seen a player in the Premier League with the vision of Mesut. He simply was a magician, grabbing four FA cups for the gunners, a 19 assist Premier League campaign, and the breaking the consecutive assist record, netting an assist for seven games in a row – a record that still stands.
LW – This next one is a tough one, it may be my first heart break experienced through football. The man I am talking about is Alexis Sanchez. After 166 appearances for Arsenal, netting sixty goals and twenty two assists and a PFA player of the season in 2015, he is not short on honours. His best season would be 2016-17, with the Chilean having an extraordinary season netting thirty goals and fifteen assists. Whilst winning the FA cup scoring in the semi final against Man City and also the final against Chelsea.
ST – The Striker position goes to Aubameyang, With 163 appearances with a total of 92 goals and 21 assists in all competitions. He is the most prolific number nine the Gunners have seen since RVP. He also captained us to the both the FA Cup and Community Shield, scoring twice in the FA Cup Final in a 2-1 win and also scoring twice in the semi final in a 2-0 win over Manchester City. Single-handedly winning the cup, cementing himself in this team.
RW – Finally, our star boy. The man who kicked off this process we all learnt to trust and belief in, Bukayo Saka. Even though, he has not been his best in this premier league winning campaign, we simply would not be where we are without him. He dragged us out of the mud, for when we were finishing 15, he dragged us back to the place where we should be. The way he beats his man with ease, the balls he puts into the box, putting the ball into the six yard line for Viktor or Kai to tap in. The level of consistency he has been at the past few years, is not normal, never forget that! We are back at the top because of Bukayo.