Season player ratings
By Flava
May 28 2025
If you told me the winning Premier League points total would’ve been 84 points, I’d have booked the open top bus on the clubs behalf. There were mitigating circumstances for our poor showing this season. Injuries, red cards and refereeing decisions all seemed to go against us.
There were other things that were in our control that the club didn't deliver on. The loan deals turned out to be pathetic and hamstrung (Pardon the pun) us in the January transfer window. Assensio and Rashford type deals could have helped soften the blow as our players fell like dominos. The neighsayers were right about the Summer transfer window and were quick to tell everyone about it ALL season which made the forum an unappealling place at times.
Second is the best we could've done with the tools at Arteta's disposal. Here are the player ratings. I found many of these difficult to score as many players had to play through injury due to the squad being somewhat thin. Anyway, here they are. Debate away:
Raya – 9 – A stellar year. Made a few errors towards the latter end of the season which was hardly surprising due to no viable alternative. Neto was another disastrous loan signing.
Neto – 1 – Took up a loan space which prohibited us making a loan signing in January.
White – 4 – Started the season injured, went under the knife and unsurprisingly looked miles off it when he came back.
Timber - 8 – Off the back of an ACL he’s had an unbelievable season and has played many more minutes than we’d have liked.
Saliba – 8 – Made a few mistakes here and there but played the most minutes of any outfield player. Sign him up.
Gabriel – 9 – POTS – A game changer in both penalty areas. Our #6 is the king of Brazil!
Kiwior – 7 – Stepped in and did well despite concerns. Amazing what a run of games can do for a player
MLS – 8 – A breakout season for the ages. Never looked overawed and has forced his way into the England squad. All the talk was of Ethan but Myles has stolen a lot of his thunder. Not sure why he’s hated and painted as a villain….actually I do know why…
Calafiori - 6 - No pre season and suffered from injuries throughout the season. He's a wonderful footballer though and I've probably marked him higher than I should have.
Tierney – 4 – Arsenal’s left wing alternative, I’ll leave it there. Injurues have curtailed his Arsenal career but Martinelli had his best games when Tierney was chugging up and down the left wing.
Zinchenko – 3 – He’s a good player. He’s got his issues but could’ve been used more during the season. This mark is more down to Arteta's reluctance to use him.
Partey – 8 – He’s been decent. Still takes too many touches for me but he’s quality. Also did a reasonable impression of a RB. A miracle he’s stayed fir all season
Jorginho – 6 – Fine when played. A leader off the pitch.
Rice – 8 – We can argue all day if he’s a 6 or an 8 but he’s very good in both positions. The issue is the lack of alternatives.
Odegaard – 5 – Has been injured. Came back too quickly from injury.. Never recovered. Still works tirelessly for the team but he needs to produce more. Once againi, we need options.
Merino – 7 – Saved our season in many ways. Moved to striker and scored some important goals. Helped us finish second and reach the CL semi final.
Sterling – 1 – Played some minutes but an absolute disaster. Looks finished as a player. I’m glad Chelsea have him for a further two years and on £325k a week
Martinelli – 5 – Needs to produce more. He should be the backup. Has played better following the injury.
Trossard – 5 – Flashed on occasions. I wouldn’t be giving him a payrise. I’d sell if there’s a decent offer on the table.
Jesus – 3 – Came back for a few games, scored 6 goals then got injured again.
Saka – 6 – Was on course for a record breaking season. Injury and a lack of a viable alternative put paid to that and our season.
Nwaneri – 8 – 9 goals for a 17/18 year old is remarkable.
Havertz – 6 – We ran him into the ground. His season effectively ended in Dubai when his hamstring exploded. Finished the season with 15 goals.
I'm bound to have missed some players. Feel free to comment and critique.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:06:03:20:58:55 by Flava.
Quote:mapleleafgooner
I thought AT voted Trossard as best player this season. Has your account been hacked by GS1?
😂😂😂😂😂 Great point Maple
I don’t feel contempt I feel regret, and then hope that next year can change.
Meanwhile the celebration police have been given leave as Newcastle failing to reach second or third are celebrated for reaching CL. And Chelsea celebrating the Conference Cup wildly etc. Great relief that City are third and Arsenal completely ignored because as we are told second is nothing.
But if a British Athlete wins bronze in a race silver and gold places, if not British, are made invisible as the commentary becomes all about the plucky Brit.
This season was a very difficult one and of course every effort must be made to push on. But as Arteta says those upstairs must do their job and if they get it right then it’s Arteta’s responsibility..
"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.
Quote:Padre Pio
It’s strange the contempt that Arsenal finishing second for a third time has invoked.
I don’t feel contempt I feel regret, and then hope that next year can change.
Meanwhile the celebration police have been given leave as Newcastle failing to reach second or third are celebrated for reaching CL. And Chelsea celebrating the Conference Cup wildly etc. Great relief that City are third and Arsenal completely ignored because as we are told second is nothing.
But if a British Athlete wins bronze in a race silver and gold places, if not British, are made invisible as the commentary becomes all about the plucky Brit.
This season was a very difficult one and of course every effort must be made to push on. But as Arteta says those upstairs must do their job and if they get it right then it’s Arteta’s responsibility..
Yeah, yeah, the same contempt expressed to Arsene Wenger for finishing Top-4 for 18 consecutive seasons with less resources granted than to Arteta.
Remember, during that era, Arsenal was funding Emirates Debt and Silent Kroenke was at war with Usmanov and refused to invest till he got that 30%. The rationale was that he did not want to enahnce Arsenal value and paying a higher price to Usmanov.
But let’s get facts straight Wenger had dropped out of the top four several years before he was asked to go.
"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.
Quote:Padre Pio
Firstly I would never support contempt against Wenger.
But let’s get facts straight Wenger had dropped out of the top four several years before he was asked to go.
That I agreed.
After winning 2017 FA Cup, he was deluded he can win the title again.
The Board did not offer him a new contract. But he appealed to Silent Stan and got another 2-year extension.
Should have left on a high in summer 2017.
"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.
Quote:he should have left 2015 after the second FA CUPPadre Pio
Indeed he should have
Theodore roosevelt - In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.