Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

PITA’s Arsenal 2022/23 Player of the Season award

By James Cormack

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Rob Holding of Arsenal (C) and teammates look dejected after conceding their side's second goal scored by Theo Walcott of Southampton (not pictured) during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on April 21, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Rob Holding of Arsenal (C) and teammates look dejected after conceding their side's second goal scored by Theo Walcott of Southampton (not pictured) during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on April 21, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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Cornerstones. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Cornerstones. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

4. Bukayo Saka & William Saliba (Average rating – 6.8)

Another tie, and Gabriel’s centre-back partner for much of the season, William Saliba, has just pipped his mate to fourth spot, where he’s joined by Bukayo Saka.

Saliba’s influence on this Arsenal side has been well-documented, and we’ve heard countless times how his back injury derailed the club’s title challenge. The Frenchman’s recovery speed allowed Arsenal to play higher up the pitch and suffocate the opposition in their half, all while being a more effective unit when defending the counter-attack.

The Gunners were reaching juggernaut status with Saliba in the side, and we can only dream of how the season might’ve panned out had he stayed fit for the run-in.

Some might be surprised by Saka’s average season rating of 6.8 given his impressive 25 Premier League goal contributions, but his poor end to the season undoubtedly cost him. The England international had scored in just one of nine games after the March international break before he ended the season on a high with an excellent performance against Wolves.

The star boy’s continued ascent dared Gooners to dream for much of 2022/23 as he bagged crucial goals in victories over Man Utd and Liverpool at the Emirates. A new contract means we should be seeing tear up the carpet for years to come.

Continued on the next slide…