Arsenal have officially opened voting for the club’s 2025/26 Player of the Season award, giving supporters the chance to choose who they believe was the standout performer during what has been a historic campaign.
It was a season to remember for Gooners as Mikel Arteta guided the club to its first Premier League title in 22 years, while also leading Arsenal to their first Champions League final in two decades.
With so many players producing memorable performances throughout the campaign, there are plenty of worthy candidates for supporters to consider.
Arsenal’s Official Nominees
Any player who made 40 or more appearances across all competitions has been included on Arsenal’s shortlist:
- Eberechi Eze
- Viktor Gyokeres
- Noni Madueke
- Gabriel Magalhaes
- Gabriel Martinelli
- David Raya
- Declan Rice
- Bukayo Saka
- William Saliba
- Jurrien Timber
- Leandro Trossard
- Martin Zubimendi
Declan Rice is the current holder of the award, but after such an impressive season, there are several players who could make a strong case for claiming the honour this year.
My Top Three
Personally, I’ve narrowed it down to three players.
Gabriel Magalhaes
The Brazilian was once again immense at the heart of Arsenal’s defence. His leadership, physical presence and consistency were crucial throughout the Gunners title-winning campaign. Whether defending set-pieces, dominating aerial duels or popping up with important goals, Gabriel delivered week after week.
Declan Rice
Rice continued to prove why Arsenal were prepared to break their transfer record to sign him. His energy, leadership and ability to influence games at both ends of the pitch were exceptional throughout the season.
David Raya
Goalkeepers rarely receive the recognition they deserve, but Raya was outstanding once again. His shot-stopping, command of the penalty area and composure in possession helped provide the platform for Arsenal’s success.
My Vote
When pushed, I’m giving my vote to Gabriel Magalhaes.
That’s certainly not a slight on Rice, who ran him incredibly close, but I believe Gabriel’s consistency and influence throughout the season just edges him ahead.
Without him, I’m not convinced Arsenal would have had the defensive foundation needed to win the Premier League title.
Of course, that’s just my opinion.
Who gets your vote for Arsenal’s 2025/26 Player of the Season, Gooners? Is it Gabriel, Rice, Raya or someone else entirely?
Let us know your choice and reasoning in the comments below.
You can place your official vote directly on the Arsenal website.
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Rice!!!
Agree Reggie. Rice was the most crucial to have on the pitch and perhaps in the dressing room as well.
Gabriel-not even close
2nd-Rice
3rd-Raya
Front 5 apart from Gyokeres ,pretty average.
Raya without question.. I stopped counting the number of times he literally saved us points with his shot stopping ways..
Gabriel to me was the key difference between us and the rest
we defended the best and were the best from set pieces
he was crucial in both
Declan Rice is my king again.After telling his teammates that it’s not over . That is winning mentality.
100%
Those three are clear cut stand outs.. Not even close before the next nominee with Saliba leading the pack in terms of consistency. I would choose Rice as MVP but it could just as easily have been Raya or Gabriel.
As difficult as choosing between Henry, Bergkamp and Vieria, when considering Rice, Gabriel and Raya!!!
For me it’s Gabriel, Rice and Raya, with Saliba possibly replacing Raya.
One player who I feel deserves special mention is Hincapie. He was a warrior out there and was absolutely crucial to our superior defence.
I go for Gabriel, Rice and Raya in that order.
Gabriel is a fair call. Could make an argument for any of them really.
OT but watching the US v Paraguay game. There’s a pretty clinical young striker by the name of Ballgoon or something that might be of interest to us 🙂
Folarin Ballogan was released by Arsenal a good few years ago. I always felt Nketiah should have been released and Ballogan kept. Now we will have to pay a lot to get him. Although I don’t think we are interested in him.
It was reported that he was holding Arsenal to playing time requirements after his productive loan period with Reims in Ligue 1; thus, the club decided to sell him to Monaco at what was at that time a reasonable fee. Imo, while a decent striker in Ligue 1, he still hasn’t reached the level we would need at the Arsenal.
It was a joke 🙂
Whenever some player does well in the WC we tend to see all the casuals proclaiming that Berta/Arteta absolutely MUST sign them. Expect to see that in the next few weeks…
Balogun left in 2023 because he wanted to be a starter, but was not deemed ready or good enough at the time. £40m to Monaco was a good deal I think given the club assessed he wouldn’t ever be the main man up front. Best for both parties.
@ B
I am not into emojis. I did not realise that was sarcasm.
I believe it was 30 m euros possibly rising to 40m euros. So agree it was a good deal.
Then again was he given similar opportunities to the likes of Gyorkes or Madouke who fail again and and again? and who many fans cry out that we should be patient with. I hope Nwaneri isn’t headed in the same direction as we cling on slow motion players such as Merino and Zubamendi.
David Raya Martin. Period
Rice 2nd
Gabby 3rd
Minister of defense big gabby wins it
When pushed I will still give it to rice, after the 10th time then I’ll give it to super Raya
Raya – he’s the only one who was great the entire season. We wouldn’t have won the league if any of him, rice or Gabriel (or saliba, who was also great this season tbf) were out for a significant stretch imo, but I think Raya was the most consistent and produced a number of incredible saves.
For me it was a close call between Rice and Gabriel. But Rice just edges it for me. Raya deserves his plaudits to.
And just to throw a fourth in had it not been for his injury, Timber for me was right up there also.
To be honest, our most consistent player was Gabriel. There are times when Rice would go hiding and also on few occasions when Raya made erratic passes which could have resulted in goals! Gabriel was strong both as a defender and a converter of dead balls. His spirit was unequalled. However, the trio and the others not mentioned played their hearts out and made us champions after 22 years. Bravo to all of them.
Yes DECLAN RICE!
Pen miss blotted Maghales’ cause. missed several weeks through injury sustained in Brazil duty.
Raya is shielded by strong defenders and Arteta’s defence-first tactic.
Rice injury free. tireless, motivates the team. played in various pisitions. took the armband on several occasions. In order for him to be considered for the August’s EPL prize, he has to be the no.1 top Arsenal player. He’s already become the 2nd top player next to Bruno in the already given prizes.
It’s a shame that Rice didn’t win because his Arsenal competition for the prize split the vote as opposed to Bruno not having much competition within MU.
The signing of Rice was agame changer. He took us up a level or 2 so Rice for me.