Every Arsenal player in 2024/25 ranked from worst to best

15. Martin Odegaard

Our captain won the Arsenal POTY in each of the past two campaigns but will certainly not make it a hat-trick in 2024/25.

Like others on this list, injuries are somewhat to blame for his poor year. Odegaard suffered an ankle sprain back in September and has not looked the same player since, with his many bad performances in recent months causing some to question his place in the team.

His OOP work might spare him a benching – alongside Arteta’s seemingly undying love for him – but he could see his game-time come under threat with a few midfield additions in the summer transfer window.

At full-time vs Newcastle, Odegaard vowed to “come back better” next term and he really must live up to that promise.

14. Mikel Merino

If I had one hundred guesses, I still would never have predicted a debut campaign like this for Mikel Merino!

The Spaniard was bought as the final piece of our midfield puzzle until he suffered a shoulder injury in his first training session, which sidelined him for a month. Then he returned and played no more than a bit-part role as he struggled to adapt to the English game.

But injury to Kai Havertz saw Merino recast as a striker and he took the chance in style, recording 11 goal involvements in 17 matches during that run – including an excellent, first-time strike to make it 3-0 Arsenal in our UCL tie with Real Madrid.  

Next year is a big one for him as he returns to his midfield slot – maybe he will have adapted to the league by then.

13. Ethan Nwaneri

Everyone loves it when a Hale End graduate makes the first-team grade and Ethan Nwaneri did just that in 2024/25.

The 17-year-old announced himself in the Carabao Cup via a brace against Bolton and he proved so good that he even developed a trademark finish; his stunning, long-range curlers wowing attendees at Deepdale and Montilivi Stadium respectively.

For whatever reason, Nwaneri has found minutes hard to come by in recent weeks but he is ready to play at this level and hopefully this initial breakthrough is just the start of a glittering Arsenal career for him.

12. Jakub Kiwior

His price tag must have jumped £15m by now.

There are parallels between Merino and Jakub Kiwior as the Pole also looked set for an anonymous campaign up until recent months.

Then, Gabriel limped off vs Fulham and Kiwior became a first-team member for the run-in, where he assuaged fears among the Arsenal faithful over his readiness and ability by producing a series of top-class displays.

Squad players of that ilk are vital to any team and, for that reason, Arteta will want to keep him at the club next year.

No complaints here (unless a £40m bid arrives).

11. Leandro Trossard

It is fair to say Arteta did alright in his January 2023 spend.

Like Kiwior, Leandro Trossard arrived then too and has proved to be a shrewd acquisition ever since – 2024/25 being no exception.

Our 2-1 NLD win in January is a testament to that, as is his important strike at Villa Park last August and a last-gasp winner against Leicester City in September. Trossard has appeared in every league and European match so far this campaign and, thus, he is clearly a valued member of the Arsenal squad.

That ‘reliable’ nature has prompted the Gunners to open talks over a new contract; perhaps it is a mistake but he could be useful to keep around.

Continued on the next slide...