It’s time to vote for Arsenal’s Midfielder of the Season – have your say!
It’s time to open the voting for JustArsenal’s 2024/25 Midfielder of the Season, and we’re doing things a little differently this year.
Rather than just picking a winner, I want to hear your scores for each player in the shortlist below. Simply rate each one out of 10 in the comments section, or email me directly at danielthemanofdestiny@googlemail.com, and I’ll tally the results.
Once we’ve found our top midfielder, we’ll move on to attackers before announcing the full JustArsenal Team of the Season.
Vote for your Arsenal Defender of the Season here.
As always, this is meant to be a bit of fun, so let’s respect each other’s opinions and keep things friendly. Be honest, be fair—and get voting!
Dan’s scores for each Arsenal midfielder
Jorginho – 4
Didn’t feature enough to earn a higher score, but when called upon, he rarely let us down. The 33-year-old brought calmness in big games like the North London Derby, and his tactical intelligence has made him a key figure off the pitch.
There were even calls for him to extend his deal, especially with suggestions that he acts as a bridge between players and coaching staff. Many believe he’s a future manager in the making.
It now looks like he’ll return to Brazil this summer, but he leaves with his head held high.
Thomas Partey – 7
The irony? Partey has finally stayed fit, just as Arsenal appear ready to move on.
Despite constant injury concerns in past seasons, the Ghanaian delivered a healthy final campaign, though Arteta’s decision to use him at right-back occasionally raised eyebrows.
He remains a classy, effortless midfielder, but his laid-back style can sometimes frustrate. As it stands, this could be his farewell year.
Declan Rice – 8
Would have scored higher if judged solely on the second half of the season.
Rice admitted he wasn’t at his best early on, possibly mentally drained from England’s Euro 2024 disappointment, but after Christmas he stepped up massively.
His runs into the box became more frequent, and at times, he even played further forward than Ødegaard.
His display at the Bernabéu was arguably the best individual performance of the season.
Arteta’s decision to drop him deeper against PSG proved costly. A reminder that long-term, his best position might be more advanced.
He does need to sharpen up in the air, though, he missed a few big chances with his head.
Mikel Merino – 5
Injuries up front saw Merino used as a makeshift striker, his only real route into the starting XI.
While that versatility is admirable, it highlights how little impact he made as a midfielder. He rarely controlled matches or dictated tempo.
A generous score, given the context, many foreign players need time to settle, but he hasn’t justified the £32 million fee yet.
That said, when he reverted to midfield, he looked more confident and composed. Hopefully, that carries into next season.
Martin Ødegaard – 4
From day one, I’ve questioned whether Ødegaard is the right captain.
He’s been honest about his struggles and may eventually admit he was never fully fit after his foot injury.
The bigger issue? Arsenal’s overreliance on him for creativity. With little movement, few overlaps, and slow build-up play, everything ends at Ødegaard’s feet, and he’s expected to produce magic under pressure.
That’s led to overthinking, hesitation, and declining output.
He represents the current Arsenal perfectly: talented, but still falling short in decisive moments.
Next season, he may start under scrutiny, but let’s not become a fanbase that singles players out unfairly.
So, who was your standout midfielder?
Rate each of the players above from 1 to 10 in the comments section or email your scores to danielthemanofdestiny@googlemail.com.
Let the voting begin!
Dan Smith
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Jorginho 3
Mikel Merino 7
Thomas Partey 7
Declan Rice 9
Martin Ødegaard 5
Completely agree with the comments, Dan – very thoughtful and detailed. Only change I’d make is to bump jorginho up to a 5, but that might be sentimentality. Think he’s been a very good signing – brought exactly what we needed.
Party 6 Jorgino 6 Rice 9 merino 7. Odegard 5
Jorginho – 4
Merino – 6
Thomas – 7
Rice – 8
Odegaard – 5
Declan rice 10
Not a single midfielder gets a 7 for me this season.
Odegaard the most disappointing of all.
I would give Rice, Partey, Merino a 5.5 rating.
Jorginho can’t be rated as he had hardly played.
Odegaard gets a rating of “4” if I am being generous. He is much better than the season he has had.
If Odegaard is not playing well we as a team look toothless. But when he is on his game we are a completely different team.
He needs to fix up for next season.
The whole team and tactics have been bad. Arteta needs to update the way we play and may be the players might rediscover their previous form.
🤞🤞
Jorginho 4.5
Merino 7
Partey 7
Odegaard 6.5
Rice 8.5
I agree with these ratings, except for Jorginho, I don’t think he played enough to get a rating.
Kia, I only based it on what I saw of Jorginho. He was a rather under stated presence on the field and a good buy for his experience and genuine class, albeit towards the end of his career 👍
Agreed,
If we looking at purely what he contributed on the field then correct.
If we look at the bigger picture in terms of what he has done off the field I think he would deserve a much better score.
Talking about midfielders, according to Sky we are busy finalizing the deal for Zubimendi.
So apparently Liverpool wanted him, but when he heard of Arsenal’s interest he decided to stay until one more season at Sociedad so he could join us. We couldn’t sign him last summer as we had too many midfielders in our squad at the time.
Jorginho 6
Merino 7
Partey 7.5
Rice 9
Odegaard 6.5
Spot on HD.Merino deserves his rating for his versatility and the great spirit he has shown in his first season.A very useful member of our first team squad imo.
Grandad, Merino is like Havertz imo. They both do work that goes unnoticed.
Rice 8- Started season a bit slow and tired then once he hit form has been our best outfield player along with Gabriel. Great season individually for him
Merino 5- As a midfielder not much to write home about does a serviceable all around job but shouldn’t be starting next season
Thomas 6- Had great runs of form and amongst the best in the league in his position. But so prone to lapses in concentration and in big games is a total hit or miss. His UCL performances frustrated and had us up against it against PSG by ruling himself out of first leg. Foolish and unnecessary.
Jorg 6- Decent when coming off bench and tidy as always. Does exactly what is expected of him when he’s on the pitch. Overall been a decent signing for us, good luck to him
Odegaard 4- Unacceptable levels he’s been playing at this season and I’m sure he’s been told and is aware. Still a hard worker as always but takes no risks with the ball anymore and still manages to be sloppy in possession and constantly shoved off by the opposition. Will need much better from him next season. Probably could’ve won something if he wasn’t so poor this season.
Declan 8 – twice produced our biggest moments
Merino 7 – helped us out of a great big pickle
Partey 6.5 – kept decent league form/ Silly v PSG
Odegaad 5.5 – Mostly lost his mojo
Jorg 4 – dependable when called upon
Declan 8
Partey 7
Odegaard 5
Merino 7
Jorginho – 4
Merino – 7
Partey – 8
Rice 7.5
Odegaard 6
Jorginho – 6
Merino – 6
Partey – 7
Rice – 8
Odegaard – 6
Agree generally with your ratings. Only change I would make would be to make Rice the captain !!
Odegaard appears to have a problem with the pressure of the captaincy and could get back to his previous form without the added responsibility.
Why doesn’t Sterling rate a mention.🤣😂👍😉
I’ll do a separate one for attackers mate lol
Dan you say attacker’s,
He’ll struggle to even make that line up as well. 😂👍
Rice 8 – The former West Ham man has to be given the edge, though it was in the champions league he came alive.
Partey 7 – The world class player legs hold by and large this season, maybe even him was surprised.
Lewis Skelly 7 – Arsenal was only able to beat Newcastle when he was introduced in midfield, at the cemetery of talents not one single time was Rodrygo able to go pass him, the Arsenal Academy kid has to be included
Merino 6 – The versatile Spaniard was a success in his own right.
Captain Odegaard 5 – Blew consistently hot and cold this season, Arsenal needs another creative midfielder to inspire him and take the bull by the horn.
Jorghino 5 – His legs are long gone, but his positivity and experience was crucial
Nice Article Dan
Agree with the scores
I’m not giving up on Odergaard
He had an up and down season. A season to forget maybe. But I’ve seen how good he is when he’s on form. Hopefully next season the real Odergaard will come back
Rice and Partey were are best with Merino, and Skelley not too far behind
Cheers Steph