Arsenal Player of the Month - May 2025

So, that's that. The 2024/25 season is in the books.

We entered the campaign with hope that this would finally be our year; the season Mikel Arteta's "process" has been building towards. However, it became clear early on that, well, this wasn't our year.

Injuries and PGMOL, yes, they're culpable, too, aided the compromising of Arsenal's title charge, but we cannot ignore the role the Gunners themselves played in enduring a fifth successive year without silverware, from manager to higher-ups.

Arsenal entered the final month of 2024/25 with the chance to make history, but a cruel defeat in Paris ensured the club's wait for a maiden Champions League crown would go on. All that occurred in the aftermath was a borderline blur, but we did at least secure another second-place Premier League finish and end the campaign with some positive momentum ahead of a crucial summer.

For one last time this season, let's reveal our Player of the Month based on player ratings handed out in May 2025.

3. Bukayo Saka (Average rating - 6.83)

After celebrating his long-awaited return to action with a bang against Fulham at the start of April, Saka's campaign somewhat petered out.

The winger scored at the Bernabeu and netted again at the Parc des Princes, but Arsenal's superstar then missed a gilt-edge chance to reduce the Gunners' deficit in their semi-final to one.

His finale to the Premier League campaign was subdued, but a low-scoring month means he sneaks onto the podium. While Saka was far from his best after returning from injury, very rarely do his performances dip into a sub-par realm.

2. Gabriel Martinelli (Average rating - 6.88)

I'm finding it quite hard to assess Martinelli's season. If we look through the prism of 2022/23, then the winger underwhelmed, but the Brazilian did improve on his down year last season.

There were fleeting moments of Martinelli brilliance littered throughout the campaign, and he saved some of his best work for the season's concluding act.

The 23-year-old had success when utilised in a central position up top for the Gunners, and many begged the question why Arteta hadn't turned to Martinelli to mitigate Kai Havertz's absence more often. He helped turn the tide at Anfield, and was a nuisance with his runs in behind on the final day.

Like Saka, Martinelli wasn't spectacular in May, but he produced a solid month of football which stands him in good stead heading into 2025/26 – assuming the club resists offers this summer.

1. Declan Rice & William Saliba (Average rating - 7.0)

Okay, Dec, it's getting a little bit tedious now.

For the third month running, Declan Rice has finished atop the rankings. However, on this occasion, he's sharing the award with William Saliba.

Both ended May with average ratings of 7.0 – the lowest figure of any winner this season.

Saliba, who has lapsed at times this season, ended the season sturdily but missed the club's final day outing at Southampton. He was ably supported by Jakub Kiwior in Gabriel's absence, and the Pole is perhaps unfortunate not to make the podium here.

Rice, meanwhile, remained a constant in Arteta's XI and captained the side on the final day. After a sluggish start to the campaign, the midfielder has been exceptional for months and a worthy member of any person's Premier League Team of the Season.

Arsenal would be far, far worse off without him.

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