Arsenal secured their first Premier League title since the Invincibles in the 2025-26 season, with a squad that combined defensive solidity, midfield dominance, and timely contributions from forwards. Here are the player-by-player ratings for the champions.
Goalkeeper
David Raya – 9
There is a strong argument that the Spaniard was not only Arsenal's player of the season but the best in the division. From his brilliant save to deny Manchester United's Matheus Cunha on the opening weekend to an extraordinary stop against Mateus Fernandes of West Ham and many more, Raya has repeatedly rescued his team on his way to a third successive Golden Glove award for most clean sheets.
Defenders
Jurriën Timber – 8
Winning an individual battle against the Netherlands defender is among the toughest propositions in the Premier League. Until the nagging groin injury that has kept him sidelined since March, Timber was probably Arsenal's most consistent outfield player, contributing three goals and five assists. Mikel Arteta is desperate for him to face Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and co in the Champions League final.
Cristhian Mosquera – 7
Adapted impressively during his first season in the Premier League after being thrown in at the deep end when William Saliba was forced off five minutes into their game at Liverpool in August. Has filled in at right-back when required but looks far more comfortable in the centre of defence.
Ben White – 6
Rarely featured in the Premier League during the first half of the season owing to Timber's form but was a regular in the other competitions. Struggled at first when he came back into the side in the spring before showing signs of rekindling his attacking relationship with Bukayo Saka, only for another serious injury to curtail his season.
Riccardo Calafiori – 7
The Italian started as a mainstay of the back four, with the “agent of chaos” scoring the winner against Manchester United before providing two assists against Leeds. Nagging injuries mean he hasn't featured as regularly since the turn of the year, although he remains the first-choice left-back.
Piero Hincapié – 7
Signed at the last minute on an initial loan from Bayer Leverkusen, the 24-year-old has proved an invaluable addition and will deservedly make his move permanent in the summer. Fearless in defence, he has provided a more conventional alternative to Calafiori at left-back.
Gabriel Magalhães – 9
Set the standard during Arsenal's incredible start when they equalled a club record eight successive clean sheets. Results suffered before Christmas when Gabriel was absent for six games with a hamstring issue, given his influence at both ends – he's scored three goals and set up four.
William Saliba – 9
Didn't have his most impressive season last year by his own admission, but has been back to his best and adds so much composure to Arsenal's record-breaking defence. Always tries to stay on his feet and has the pace to deal with most strikers. The best defender in the world? He's definitely up there – and he's still only 25.
Midfielders
Martín Zubimendi – 8
Joined in July and hit the ground running. The Spaniard formed a strong partnership with Declan Rice that dominated everyone during their blistering form in the autumn. Ran out of gas in the last few weeks having at one stage played more Premier League minutes than any other outfield player.
Declan Rice – 9
The England international has excelled in several roles this season: from a marauding No 8 at the start to a deep-lying playmaker in recent weeks (not to mention taking some of the best corners in the business), Rice has been the driving force in this team. It's no surprise that he has spent more time on the pitch in the Premier League than any Arsenal player apart from Raya.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 7
Until a few weeks ago, his second season had been something of a letdown after an astonishing rise. Having spent most of the campaign as the third-choice left-back, the 19-year-old was given an opportunity in midfield against Fulham thanks to Mikel Arteta's “gut feeling” and did so well that he ended up staying in the side for the next three games. Exciting to see what the future holds.
Martin Ødegaard – 7
Another frustrating season for the captain owing to a variety of injuries that meant he missed 13 league games and rarely found his best form, with only one Premier League goal. After recording a string of assists when he came back from a knee injury before Christmas, Ødegaard stepped up when his team needed him against West Ham by setting up Leandro Trossard's winner.
Mikel Merino – 7
Sometimes you miss a player only when they are not there. That has increasingly been the case with Merino, who reprised his part-time role as a striker for six matches in the autumn as well as making plenty of starts in his normal position in midfield, before a broken foot in January ended his season and left Arsenal short in a key area.
Eberechi Eze – 8
Five goals in two matches against Tottenham, including a thrilling hat-trick at the Emirates after Arsenal gazumped their great rivals to sign him from Crystal Palace, were enough to ensure instant hero status. Showed great resilience after not starting for nine successive games, having been dropped after a defensive lapse in the defeat against Aston Villa in December, and came back stronger to make important contributions during the run-in.
Ethan Nwaneri – 5
Expected to build on his brilliant breakthrough season but found himself limited to a handful of substitute appearances before joining Marseille on loan in January. Faces an uncertain future but will have plenty of suitors if Arsenal decide to cash in.
Christian Nørgaard – 4
Six substitute appearances for a grand total of 56 minutes in the Premier League wasn't much of a return on the £10m spent on the former Brentford captain. Arteta's lack of faith in Nørgaard ended up affecting Zubimendi's ability to last the course.
Forwards
Bukayo Saka – 8
Arsenal's Starboy picked his moment perfectly to return after being given more time to recover from an achilles issue that forced him to miss the defeats by Bournemouth and City in April. Despite by his lofty standards an average season that was again interrupted by injuries, Saka has shown he remains Arteta's most potent attacking threat in the last few games after inspiring the 3-0 win over Fulham that propelled them towards the title.
Noni Madueke – 6
The wisdom of spending £50m on signing him from Chelsea in the summer was questioned when there appeared to be other priorities. Madueke's presence has allowed Arteta to rotate Saka more regularly and he has made an impact on occasion, but two goals and one assist from 25 Premier League games is a disappointing return.
Gabriel Martinelli – 7
The Brazilian was much more effective in the Champions League, where he has scored six goals, compared with one in the Premier League. He was mainly restricted to a role as one of Arteta's “finishers” but played his part with three assists. The 24-year-old could be one of those allowed to move on in the summer.
Leandro Trossard – 8
There were rumours that he could depart last summer to help balance the books after Arsenal spent more than £250m on new players but Arteta will be delighted they decided to keep him. Has a knack of scoring vital goals, none more so than the one that secured a priceless 1-0 victory at West Ham.
Max Dowman – 7
The justified hype about the 16-year-old sensation accelerated after his late goal against Everton in March made him the youngest Premier League goalscorer. Typically, Dowman took it in his stride and has gained invaluable experience being involved in the run-in, even if Arteta has only used him sparingly since.
Gabriel Jesus – 5
The only Arsenal player to have previously won the Premier League after four in his City days returned from 11 months out with a knee injury in December, but hasn't looked the same player as before. Managed two goals from his 13 Premier League games, only two of them starts, and looks to be on his way out.
Viktor Gyökeres – 8
A slow-burn big summer signing who eventually showed he was probably worth the £64m fee. Gyökeres looked off the pace at the start and only scored once, that too a penalty, in 11 games either side of Christmas. But the Swede found his groove, and 14 league goals is a decent return for a debut season.
Kai Havertz – 7
Proved he hasn't lost his eye for goal with the winner against Burnley – his first Premier League goal at the Emirates for more than 15 months. That tells the story of Havertz's season. He injured his knee 30 minutes into the season and started only seven times in the league.
