Arsenal’s attackers all played their part in delivering a historic Premier League title, but not every forward contributed in the same way. Some were consistent throughout the campaign, while others had moments of brilliance mixed with periods of frustration. Here are my ratings for the club’s attacking options.
The Established First-Team Options
Saka – 7
There’s an irony that you could make an argument that, in his worst season, a 24-year-old gets his hands on a Premier League winner’s medal.
Even then, though, his attacking output in terms of goals and assists has been decent.
The biggest fear is that since surgery last year, he’s lost his biggest weapon, his pace?
An injury this season did allow him to return for the run-in looking refreshed.
Maduake – 5
You know you’re overpriced when a section of the fanbase tries to hype up you doing the bare essentials expected from a professional. It’s almost like Gooners are trying to convince themselves the price tag has been warranted.
The 24-year-old reminds me of Eboué in that he’s pure pace, which makes him a smart impact sub against tired legs, but his final ball and decision-making are rash.
Martinelli – 6
Often highlighted as the classic example of Mikel Arteta coaching flair out of a talent.
The Brazilian has all the attributes to be more of an impact sub, but how often have we seen the 24-year-old directly take on his man?
You have to assume that’s more a tactical choice from his manager than the player not being brave enough.
You cannot question his work rate off the ball.
Trossard – 7
Before Christmas and in the run-in, he was one of the more consistent attackers. It’s only a loss of form in the middle of the campaign that prevents the Belgian from scoring higher.
The 31-year-old is underrated in terms of how reliable he’s become in big games and important periods of the season.
He has the football intelligence to read a game and know when to try a risky pass or shot to lift the crowd.
Jesus – 5
It looked like after Christmas he might be able to offer something in the title race. A smart substitution was often to bring on the experience of the 29-year-old to help close out games.
In reality, after a couple of horrible long-term injuries, the Brazilian has done well to have the mentality to return to this level. He deserves his title medal for that if nothing else.
The Future And The New Arrivals
Dowman – 6
Can’t grade the teenager more highly simply because he hasn’t played enough, but for a 16-year-old to be trusted to come off the bench for a club our size during a title race and in the Champions League is incredible.
His impact against Everton will live forever.
Now it’s about the club and his family keeping him grounded, having the correct support network around him and not letting him get carried away.
Gyokeres – 7
In the first part of the campaign, it was debated whether our manager was playing to the Swede’s strengths.
The 28-year-old wasn’t getting enough service, and it felt like unless something was being created for the striker in the penalty area, he wasn’t really involved.
Yet firing Sweden to the World Cup meant the forward returned to London with confidence.
He was now able to defend from the front, run into channels, hold up the ball and bully defenders into mistakes.
Havertz – 7
He is never going to score you 30 goals a season, yet the German’s footballing intelligence was crucial in the run-in.
The 26-year-old is one of the best at defending from the front, holding up the ball and winning free kicks.
Not a great finisher but offers so much more.
Missing the first half of the campaign through injury is the only reason I can’t grade him higher.
Do you agree with Dan’s ratings, Gooners? Which Arsenal attacker would you score higher or lower after the club’s title-winning season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Dan Smith
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Gabriel Maghales no. 6; mastermind Nicola Jover.
Ambachew
That’s a very interesting observation, One could argue, Nicolas Jover and Gabriel Magahlase were the catalyst for Arsenal’s historic double winning campaign,
Together, Jover’s tactical brilliance and Gabriel ruthless execution transformed dificult, tight matches into guaranteed scoring opportunities securing domestic silverware and European glory for the north London outfit and their fans.
Gunsmoke,
As you explained that well Maghales on numerous occasions took off the pressure from designated strikers for them to play freely and score goals. He virtually forced FIFA and other governing bodies to promulgate new rules that serve to prevent his header goals.
SAKA = Had his worst season, after arruvubg on the scene. Injury plays a big part in my mark of 7/10
MADUEKE = Still lacking that final and ruthless streak that lifts a player from good to top class 7/10
MARTINELLI =One of my favourite players since his arrival. Never had the opportunity to forge the kind of relationship similar to Saka and White / Timber. Hoping to see so much more from him this coming season 7/10
TROSSARD – Has really surprised me after I thought we should have let him leave the season before this one. Still goes missing in more matches than he should 7/10
JESUS = Another player cursed by injury this season. Really unfortunate that he was returning to full fitness and scoring goals before his latest, long term injury 6/10
DOWMAN = One for the future, maybe only two seasons before he starts to fulfil his undoubted skill 7/10
GYOKERES = The world cup and the season ending has come at the wrong time for Gyokeres. Another player yet to fulfill his undoubted goal scoring talent 8/10
Sorry!!
HAVERTZ = Yet another injury hit player. Not sure if he has the need or requirement to go further, but does have the knack of being in the right place at the right time 7/10
Our attack is the weak point and a lot of investment is needed in our attack. I think we’ll see the owner bankroll MA to rectify the issue 8/10
There is a joke saying a non defending forward is not a good forward, Havertz is that split quality. I really don’t rate his attack consistency yet he can surprise you when you are not watching. He is a quality player, but not for the price we paid. If we can get a price near that, he is a good option for our transfer strategy this summer.
Saka lost his sharpness and confidence which led to a very monotonous style, no connection with others. It is in this respect that Madueke is almost a carbon copy of Saka. But we have seen what our star boy can do, hope he comes back next season. Madueke, though, shall cost us no more than Trossard, yet, he did. His price was on par with Kudus, that actually bothers me. Madueke’s issue is consistency, he seems to be getting back at the end of last season.
Jesus, done deal. I like Martinelli, but he has become this super sub to out pace everyone. With Rogers and Eze on the left, I would keep Martinelli, but he is still worth good money. For that reason, I am not against selling him for a top choice.
Work rate wise.
Martinelli/ Trossard, Gyokeres, Havertz. The rest are also rans…Just saying. 🤷🏾
I think Saka is overrated at 7, and I have serious concerns regarding his future after his injury.Only yesterday the England team Manager suggested he was still carrying an injury, in which case why is he in the World Cup squad?
A winger shouldn’t be judged solely based on his assists and goals
I’m sure Madueke had good take-on and pre-assist percentages despite his limited number of starting chances
@gai
👍🏾
Gyokeres grew into the season amid the weight of expectation, and while he frustrated at times, I expect his second season to be even better.
Martinelli (against City) and Trossard (against West Ham) both provided season defining moments, but have had inconsistent seasons, and I think both will leave this summer, as will Jesus.
With Havertz and Saka suffering serious injuries, both had limited impact but remain important. Madueke is the one who has much potential but needs to work on his final ball.
Me I’m just waiting to see who arteta brings in and who he sells so i wonder if martinelli, jesus, norgard (though i have no issue with nogard as he barely plays and little sympathy for jesus) etc will be sold,
are we getting new cm or we’ll rely on skelly, what will he do with zubimendi (not that i care) , will odegaard remain 10, will he keep eze as 10 or deploy him to LW, or are we getting a proper 10 or LW, are we getting m. rogers or another top top player?
Ödegaard 25/26
Knee problems, Muscle injury, Knee problems, Knock, Muscle injury, Knee injury, Shoulder injury
25 matches missed completely due to 7 different injuries
Havertz 25/26
Muscle injury, Rest,Muscle injury, Rest, Knee injury
35 matches missed due to 5 different injuries or their consequences
There are similar data available from 24/25 season for both of these players so I think Arsenal need to be smart. We need creativity and these 2 players are one of our highest paid players and they’ve been mostly injured for 2 seasons in a row.
And truly we didn’t need madueke, not that he’s not a good player but we already have nnwaneri who is a good baller too and their is super max and that kid can ball.
Our final game at Palace was pleasing to watch, dowman was so cool in that 10 role(while the RW is his playground too).
So I wait to see what master arteta plans .
Up Gunners!!
I’m still super happy like we won the league last night😅
And for ma fair ratings==
Saka-6
Martinelli-4
Trosard-6
Havertz-5
Gyokeres-6
Ordegard-5
Dowman-7
Noni-5.7
Jesus-4.5
Eze-5.8
0thers==
Rice-9
Saliba-8.5
Gabriel-8
Skelly-6.7
Raya-8.7
Cala and hicapie-6.3, timber-7 and zubi-5.2
Poor mosquera 6.5
Cool merino gets 6.9
Arsenal strength is built on tactical discipline and as a cohesive unit, where Man City and other clubs traditionally relied on the sheer individual brilliance of their superstar.
So it’s going to be difficult and unfair to judge Martineli in the current set up, As Arteta prioritizes immense structural control
Gyokeres scored the most goals. He scored twice as many as Saka,, EZE, Trossard individualy
He scored 14 Premier League goals
He scored 21 goals total
Trossard scored 6 assists and 6 PL
So I will say Gyokeres and Trossard
Trossard an 8 for me – clearly the most impactful of our forwards for his performances at the start and end of the season. Were it not for the drop in the middle, I think he’d have scored 10+ and we’d be thinking of him similarly to Gabriel and Rice in terms of importance to the team (this season).
After him, I might give gyokeres a 7.5, though I think Dan’s analysis is pretty spot on. I think his importance to the league run is a bit underestimated.
Would probably bump madueke to 6 as well – there’s definitely some truth in Dan’s comment but I think it’s overly harsh. Madueke did have some good moments. Eboue was a RB forced to onto the wing because Sagna was so good and so reliable – he was a fish out of water on the wing but looked a good attacking fullback. Madueke is closer to gervinho imo – knows the role and is comfortable taking on defenders but too often makes the wrong decision and wastes good opportunities, which makes him frustrating to watch. Slightly different case imo.
The others all played well during parts of the season but none particularly stood out for me.