Top Gunners - How each squad member helped end 22-year wait

Jurriën Timber and Mikel Merino 

made key contributions before injuries

20 May 2026 - The Guardian

Ed Aarons

David Raya

There is a strong argument the Spaniard was not only Arsenal’s player of the season but the best in the division. From his brilliant save to deny 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. 9

Jurriën Timber

Winning an individual battle against the Netherlands player is among the toughest propositions in the league. Until the nagging groin injury that has kept him sidelined since March, Timber was probably Arsenal’s most consistent outfield player. 8

Cristhian Mosquera

Adapted impressively during his first season after being thrown in 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. 7

Ben White

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 to sustain another serious injury that curtailed his season. 6

Riccardo Calafiori

The Italian started as a mainstay of the back four. Nagging injuries mean he hasn’t featured as regularly since the turn of the year, although he remains the first-choice left-back. 7

Piero Hincapié

Signed on an initial loan from Bayer Leverkusen, he has proved an invaluable addition and will deservedly make his move permanent in the summer. He has provided a more conventional option at left-back to Calafiori. 7

Gabriel Magalhães

Set the standard during Arsenal’s incredible start when they equalled a club record eight successive clean sheets and 10 wins in a row in all competitions. Results suffered before Christmas when Gabriel was absent for six weeks with a hamstring issue, given his influence at both ends. 9

William Saliba

He has been back to his best and adds so much composure to Arsenal’s recordbreaking 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 up there – and still only 25. 9

Martín Zubimendi

The Spaniard formed a strong partnership with Declan Rice that dominated everyone during their blistering form in the autumn. Ran out of gas in last few weeks having at one stage played more league minutes than any other outfield player. 8

Declan Rice

The England international has excelled in several roles: 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), Rice has been the driving force. He has spent more time on the pitch in the Premier League than any Arsenal player apart from Raya. 9

Myles Lewis-Skelly

Having spent most of the campaign as the thirdchoice 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 he ended up staying in the side for the next three games. Exciting to see what future holds. 7

Martin Ødegaard

Another frustrating season owing to a variety of injuries. 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. 7

Mikel Merino

Sometimes you miss a player only when they are not there. That has increasingly been the case with the midfielder, who reprised his part-time role as a striker for six matches in the autumn. A broken foot in January ended his campaign. 7

Eberechi Eze

Five goals in two matches against Tottenham after Arsenal gazumped their great rivals to sign him from Crystal Palace were enough to make him an instant hero. Showed great resilience after not starting for nine successive games, having been dropped after a defensive lapse in the defeat against Aston Villa, and came back stronger. 8

Ethan Nwaneri

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. 5

Christian Nørgaard

Six substitute appearances in the league wasn’t much of a return on the £10m spent. Arteta’s lack of faith in Nørgaard ended up affecting Zubimendi’s ability to last the course. 4

Bukayo Saka

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 an average season by his lofty standards, Saka has shown he remains Arteta’s most potent attacking threat in the run-in. 8

Noni Madueke

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. 6

Gabriel Martinelli

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. 7 Leandro Trossard There were rumours he could depart last summer to help balance the books but Arsenal will be delighted they decided to keep him. Has a knack of scoring vital goals, no more so than the winner against West Ham that secured a priceless 1-0 victory. 8 Max Dowman The justified hype about the 16-year-old 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, even if Arteta has only used him sparingly since. 7

Gabriel Jesus

Returned from 11 months out with a knee injury in December but hasn’t looked the same player. Managed two goals from his 13 league appearances, although he started only twice, and looks to be on his way out. 5

Viktor Gyökeres

A slow-burn big summer signing who eventually showed he was probably worth the £64m fee. Gyökeres looked off the pace at the start but he found his groove in the new year and 14 league goals is a decent return. 8

Kai Havertz

Proved he hasn’t lost his eye for goal with the winner against Burnley – his first league goal at home for more than 15 months. That tells the story of Havertz’s season. He was out until February with a knee problem and started only seven times in the league. 7