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

5. David Raya

Top five – things are getting serious now!

After a fine campaign last year, David Raya had another in 2024/25 and lent further justification to the decision to bring him in on a permanent deal.

Our ‘keeper began the season in outstanding form, his incredible save from Ollie Watkins at Aston Villa in August later bettered by an outrageous double save from a penalty on matchday one in the UCL versus Atalanta.

That standard of performance did not remain all year, but he is still performing at a high level and bears a lot of responsibility for our league-best defensive record – another clean-sheet on Sunday will see him retain the Golden Glove.

Does he keep his place if Joan Garcia comes in?

4. Bukayo Saka

A low ranking for our talisman…

Bukayo Saka is considered a world-class forward and he fitted that bill early on, registering 16 goal contributions in the first 13 league matches,

But injury ruled him out for three months and, in the eight league games since his return, Saka has scored just one goal, though he did score at the Bernabeu and the Parc des Princes during that spell too.

Naturally, he will need some time to get back to his best after an extended spell out, and frontline spending might see him reach new gears.

3. Jurrien Timber

If ever there was proof of life after injury, Jurrien Timber is IT!

ACL tears can end a career or at least stop players from ever getting back to pre-injury standards. Yet Timber has flipped the script completely by producing a remarkable ‘first’, proper year in his Arsenal colours.

The Dutchman only made his ACL return on the final day last season and still battled with hamstring and muscle issues in 2024/25. But he still played an impressive 48 games and rarely had an off day, giving Vinicius Jr., Mo Salah and co. a tough time of it (the less said about Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the better…).  

Further medical attention will rob him of any more game-time this year but he will be a force again next season.

2. Declan Rice

I chose Declan Rice here because [insert clip of Real Madrid free kicks here].

Those two wondrous strikes are the standout moments for Rice, but they offer just a snapshot of what has been another excellent year for him at Arsenal.

Improved fitness from Partey meant Rice often played at LCM and his quality there has been evident all season. Whether it is a marauding run, a long-range missile, vital tackles/interceptions or a wicked set-piece delivery, there is not much that he cannot do.

His performances earned him a nomination for the Premier League POTY and deservedly so; he has proven to be £105m well spent.

1. Gabriel Magalhaes

No club does backline plaudits quite like Arsenal and few deserve them more than our defensive rock, the formidable Gabriel Magalhaes.

Gabriel has impressed since his 2020 arrival but took things up a notch in 2024/25. His set-piece threat remained a theme though other aspects came to the fore, with his astonishing rearguard efforts keeping some of the leading Premier League marksmen quiet.

Those ‘bozo’ moments from his early Gunners days have been non-existent and his own displays have made those around him better too. Now, he is as polished as he has ever been in Arsenal colours and he has emerged as a true leader of this group.

Here is to a speedy recovery.

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