PITA's Arsenal Player of the Month - August 2024

There we have it. The first month of the 2024/25 campaign is in the books, and that can only mean one thing.

It's Player of the Month time!

This is our third season of dishing out the monthly award, so if you're an old-timer who enjoys our expert analysis and utterly genius prose, you know what this is all about. However, for the newbies that may have arrived in time for the new campaign, let's break it down for ya. Trust me, it's very simple.

We handed out player ratings for all six games Arsenal played in August, including, of course, pre-season friendlies. Only those that started the match earn a rating which counts towards the monthly award, and four stars were required to qualify. An average rating is automatically calculated thanks to the brilliant efficiency of Microsoft Excel, and the player with the highest rating is crowned our Player of the Month.

Told you it was simple.

So, now that you're up to speed, let's dive into our first award of the 2024/25 season - August 2024.

PITA's Arsenal Player of the Month - August 2024

3. David Raya (Average rating - 7.1)

This is a testament to Raya's form at the start of the new season. It's very rare for a goalkeeper to make the podium. The Spaniard was rarely busy last term due to the security in front of him, but Raya has been very active to kick off 2024/25.

His pre-season was nothing more than steady, and he wasn't tested all that much on Matchday 1 against Wolves. However, he produced a fine reflex save to deny Jorgen Strand Larsen from netting a first-half equaliser. That moment was complemented by an even better save to deny Ollie Watkins at Villa Park the following week.

Raya kept Arsenal in the game and laid the foundations for their eventual 2-0 win on the road. His first concession arrived on Matchday 3 after he made a handy initial save to deny Brighton's Yankuba Minteh.

Arsenal's number one has enjoyed an excellent start.

2. Kai Havertz (Average rating - 7.33)

Havertz has continued from where he left off in 2023/24. The German was among the Premier League's most prolific performers down the stretch last season, and he's started 2024/25 with two goals in three games.

His header was emphatic against Wolves and the finish to open the scoring last weekend was ever so cute. Havertz is showing that he can score a variety of goals, and there's no overlooking his importance to Mikel Arteta's framework.

When he isn't contributing through goals or assists, Havertz's movement opens up so many avenues, with the German's physicality and capacity to duel ensuring he's almost always in the game.

1. Bukayo Saka (Average rating - 7.875)

The club's starboy may have endured a subdued pre-season following his Euro 2024 antics, but there's been no sign of Saka merely easing himself into the new season.

He hasn't dominated contests, but he's delivered in key moments and is starting to strike up a telepathic connection with Havertz.

Saka's been involved in every Arsenal goal scored in the Premier League at the start of the new season. The winger sealed the deal on Matchday 1 after setting up Havertz's opener, essentially bagged two assists at Villa Park before teeing up Havertz again in the controversial draw with Brighton.

In tandem with the German, Saka wreaked havoc on the counter-attack and came ever so close to securing a backs-against-the-walls triumph over the Seagulls.

His performances garnered an impressive average rating of 7.875, and he's the deserving winner of the first 2024/25 POTM award.

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