Pain in the Arsenal
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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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Gabriel Jesus’ remarkable start to the season has helped him to our POTS award. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Gabriel Jesus’ remarkable start to the season has helped him to our POTS award. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images) /

1. Gabriel Jesus (Average rating – 7.5)

When Gabriel Jesus made his non-competitive debut against FC Nurnberg last July, it was a sign of things to come. Arsenal supporters hadn’t seen so much energy and dynamism from their leading man in years. Jesus was an explosion of industry and samba talent.

The Brazilian shone in the summer before beginning the competitive 2022/23 season in scintillating fashion. He notched nine Premier League goal contributions in his first nine games, including four in the 4-2 win over Leicester on Matchday 2 – one of the individual performances of the season.

He had transformed Arsenal’s attack, raising the levels of Gabriel Martinelli and Saka, all while contributing hugely himself and he won three straight PITA Player of the Month awards as a result between July and September.

His pre-World Cup goal drought and subsequent long-term injury mean many won’t have Jesus as their 2022/23 Player of the Season, but the Brazilian, who undoubtedly benefitted from playing fewer games in the context of this award, ended the season with an impressive 7.5 average rating. It’s the highest in the Arsenal squad, and thus, he’s our 2022/23 Player of the Season!