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Arsenal were officially crowned Premier League champions when they were handed the highly sought after trophy following their campaign concluding 2-1 win at Crystal Palace, but fans can't help but feel there were some players missing from the celebrations.
The Gunners have been challenging for the top flight title since the 2022/23 season and three consecutive second place finishes saw Mikel Arteta chop and change the squad to fulfil the need to be victors, causing the club to lose some fan favourites in the process.
While the current team were the ones to get over the line, there are five former Arsenal players who deserve an honorary winners' medal. This list only considers squad members who played a part in the title challenges under Arteta so the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Özil are not included.
5 former Arsenal players that deserve a Premier League winners' medal
1. Granit Xhaka
Once hated by the fanbase for a bad moment in the final months of the Unai Emery era, Granit Xhaka revived his Arsenal career under Arteta to become one of the most loved players in the squad.
Having saved his North London reputation, the Switzerland captain played a crucial part in the Gunners' first title challenge of this period, acting as a dominant force in midfield as his side finished second, five points off champions Manchester City.
That proved to be Xhaka's final season in the English capital as he departed for Bayer Leverkusen in the summer. He signed off with a brace in a 5-0 final day victory over Wolves followed by a great reception from the Emirates crowd.
2. Emile Smith Rowe
After enjoying short spells in the first team during the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons, Emile Smith Rowe broke through as a starter to practically save Arteta's job with a brilliant performance in a 3-1 win over Chelsea midway through the 2020/21 campaign.
The Hale End graduate's good form saw him rewarded with the number 10 shirt ahead of 2021/22 and he enjoyed an impressive term, scoring 11 goals in 37 appearances. As Status Quo's Rockin' All Over the World rang out through the Arsenal crowds, it was clear he had won over the fans.
Injuries hindered his opportunities to make an impact in the title challenging 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons, prompting him to depart for Fulham following the latter, but his contributions to this journey will never be forgotten.
3. Aaron Ramsdale
A surprise signing from Sheffield United in 2021, Aaron Ramsdale quickly displaced Bernd Leno to become the Gunners' number one choice between the sticks.
Multiple standout showings in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 campaigns saw him win the hearts of fans despite initial doubts, but inconsistency and a proneness to errors saw him replaced by David Raya.
After a year as the number two, he left for Southampton and despite not winning the title with Arsenal and the decision to move him on being correct, he is fondly remembered by the fanbase as a great personality and contributor.
4. Kieran Tierney
Brought into the Arsenal setup by Emery in 2019, Kieran Tierney evolved into a crucial cog in Arteta's side during his early years in the hot seat.
The Scotsman was first choice left back under the Spaniard and was even tipped to be the next captain following Alexandre Lacazette's departure in 2022, but fitness issues, the signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko and a change in tactics saw him lose his place.
He continued to give his all for the Gunners whenever he played before returning to Celtic last summer, poetically scoring in his final appearance as an Arsenal player in a 2-1 win at Southampton.
5. Takehiro Tomiyasu
Joining as a summer deadline day signing in 2021, Takehiro Tomiyasu established himself as a fan favourite at Arsenal with his impressive and versatile performances across the backline.
He was the first-choice right back for some time under Arteta, but was also successfully deployed on the left side of defence on a number of occasions.
The Japan international contributed to the title challenges in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons, but always struggled with injuries and that led to his early contract termination in July 2025. However, his persistence throughout his fitness struggles means he is well remembered by Gunners fans.
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