Arsenal endured a long season stretched out thanks to a lack of European football. Despite fewer matches, however, the Gunners were unable to qualify for the Champions League and will play in UEFA's second-tier competition for the fifth time.
That said, Arsenal had plenty of impressive performers across the entire season with plenty of players proving integral to Mikel Arteta's push to return the club to the top four. The six summer signings all played their part as a very young squad tried to achieve more than the sum of their parts.
football.london's Arsenal writers have had their say on who best deserves to win the award. You can then cast your vote as to who has been the Gunners' best player this season.
Kaya Kaynak - Takehiro Tomiyasu
He may not have been fit for all of it, but for me, Arsenal's player of the season is Takehiro Tomiyasu. I'm genuinely struggling to think of a bad game the Japan international has had since arriving at Arsenal and the way he has fit into the backline has revolutionised things.
It's so rare these days that you can feel totally at ease when watching a full-back defend. But that's what Tomiyasu provides. He's hardly ever beaten in the air, rarely loses ground duels, and is quick enough to recover when he does.
On top of that, he is also technically excellent, as capable with his left foot as he is with his right. The number of muscle injuries he's had in the back end of this season will of course be a concern, but the fact that he was missed so severely shows just how crucial he's become in such a short space of time.
Do you, like Kaya, believe someone outside our top five picks deserves a mention? Make sure to let us know in the comment section at the end.
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne - Emile Smith-Rowe
It was a mixed 2021/22 for Arsenal as players have impressed in patches over the course of the campaign - which is to be expected given how young the squad is.
So without further ado, my Arsenal Player of the Season is Emile Smith Rowe. Take nothing away from the likes of Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Magalhaes and Bukayo Saka - probably the standout player for the Gunners - but the development of 'ESR' especially during the first half of the season was enjoyable
Given the huge responsibility of the no.10 shirt from the very first game of the season, Smith Rowe was a man on a mission and his impressive form saw him rewarded with an England call-up and he’s in with a shout making the World Cup squad later in the year.
Any top-class attacking midfielder must chip in with goals and assists. Smith Rowe is halfway there, he scored in some huge games this season including openers against Tottenham and Manchester United whilst restoring the lead away at Chelsea.
Unfortunately, there are fitness issues surrounding the youngster and it did slow down his progress during the second half of the season. But overall, 10 goals and two assists in his first full campaign of Premier League football is a respectable return and hopefully, he can kick on next year.
Does Emile Smith-Rowe deserve to be Arsenal's player of the season? Let us know in the comment section at the end.
Tom Canton - Bukayo Saka
The season feels as though it was split into two halves for so many of the Arsenal squad. Mikel Arteta could rely upon the performances of so many of his team for periods but without season-long consistency.
For example, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Aaron Ramsdale and Emile Smith-Rowe led Arsenal into a top-four challenge in 2021. Whereas Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard stood out for me in the second half.
Therefore, it makes sense to choose the player who was an ever-present threatening presence for the Gunners across the entirety of the campaign. Bukayo Saka is the obvious pick for a reason.
Challenged to increase his goal tally and assist contributions he responded brilliantly. Becoming the side’s top scorer for the season and establishing himself as the most undroppable figure in Arteta’s starting eleven.
The concern now is on Saka’s fitness and thought processes. Can he return fitter and stronger for next season, and will his future remain fixed with the Gunners? A new contract is in the offing, but the club will need to show their ambitions matches his.
Is Saka the correct choice? If you agree with Tom, ensure to explain your reasoning in the comment section at the end.
Bailey Keogh - Gabriel Magalhaes
Arsenal’s player of the season must be awarded to Gabriel Magalhaes. The Brazillian has been a rock in defence for the Gunners this season, and he has shown the leadership that the backline has missed in recent seasons.
His importance to the side was epitomised by the fact that the Gunners lost their opening three games of the season, and conceded nine goals during his absence. But when he returned to the side Arsenal looked like one of the best defensive teams in the division for a period of time.
Ben White and Aaron Ramsdale have been excellent additions to the team, and their impact on the side has been helped by Gabriel who has been able to add the composure and leadership for two players who have never competed at the top end of their domestic leagues.
Arsenal are a much better side with the Brazilian leading the team from the back, and his excellent performances this season also begs the question, should Gabriel be the Gunners' next skipper? I would not be against this decision.
A big shout for Gabriel Magalhaes from Bailey. But do you agree with him? Let us know in the comment section below.
