What Arsenal players could be nominated for the Ballon d’Or in 2023?

France Football revealed the 30-man shortlist for the 2022 Ballon d’Or on Friday evening and to the surprise of absolutely nobody, there wasn’t a single Arsenal representative.

Although, Bukayo Saka will be competing for glory on October 17 as he was nominated alongside the likes of Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, and Jamal Musiala for the Kopa Trophy – the award handed out to the best Under-21 player in the world. Vivanne Miedema and Beth Mead, meanwhile, were nominated for the Ballon d’Or Feminin.

Saka’s impressive campaign meant he was the closest Gunner to making the 30-man shortlist for the men’s award but the rest of the squad were light years away from gaining such recognition.

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1558145631692197892

But, the positivity surrounding Mikel Arteta’s side in 2022/23 suggests that we could see a few Arsenal players explode amid what is undoubtedly one of the most exciting projects in European football. Should Arsenal finish in the top four and perhaps win the Europa League this season, then we could see a couple of Arteta’s young guns put their names in the hat to be included in next year’s shortlist.

The importance of the winter World Cup can’t be understated either, and Arsenal will have several players competing in Qatar for nations that are tipped to go all the way.

What Arsenal players could be nominated for the Ballon d’Or in 2023?

Here are three Arsenal players that could make the 2023 Ballon d’Or shortlist

1. William Saliba

It doesn’t take much to be labelled ‘generational’ by 15-year-olds on Twitter, but Saliba is a talent who’s well worthy of such claims.

The aura, the controlled aggression, the skin fade, his work with the ball; the Frenchman possesses all the attributes of an elite defender and, barring a disaster, he should swiftly emerge as one of Europe’s leading centre-backs.

There’s a hint of Virgil van Dijk – who arguably should be a Ballon d’Or winner – about him, dare I say it.

Now, despite his stellar start upon his return to north London, Saliba still has a lot to do until he’s considered a potential Ballon d’Or nominee. Only one centre-back (Van Dijk) made this year’s shortlist.

So, if Saliba is to thrust himself into contention, Arsenal’s lack of Champions League football means he must quickly establish himself as a starter for the France national team and lead Les Bleus to World Cup glory. Simple stuff for someone of Saliba’s talent, eh?

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