Arsenal have transformed into Premier League title challengers once more.
They have many people to thank for getting them out of their previous dark days, from their manager Mikel Arteta to their sporting director, Edu Gaspar.
But one player who deserves as many plaudits as anyone else is Bukayo Saka.
That fresh-faced teenager, who was given his first Arsenal chance under Unai Emery, has now become one of the best players in the Premier League.
Saka has hit double figures in goals for three seasons in a row and is on course to hit double figures in goals and assists for two seasons in a row.
The Englishman’s 16 goals and nine assists is a big reason why Arsenal are pushing Manchester City all the way in the Premier League title race.
Yet, when the Player of the Year nominations were announced, the man on Arsenal’s right was nowhere to be seen.
Manchester City duo Erling Haaland and Phil Foden were nominated, alongside Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins, Newcastle United’s scoring machine Alexander Isak, Chelsea’s ice-cold Cole Palmer and Liverpool defender, Virgil van Dijk.
The two Arsenal players picked were Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, with Merson making it clear that he was ‘quite shocked’ by Saka’s exclusion, as he told Sky Sports News (11/05/25 at 12:40 pm).
One thing Merson was keen to point out was Saka’s form at the start of the campaign and how all of that is now seemingly forgotten about.
Bukayo Saka Premier League Player of the Year?
“Yeah, very much so (surprised),” said Merson about Saka’s exclusion. “When it comes out and people vote, they forget about the start of the season, he was unplayable at the start of the season. I know it has been a little harder recently.
“People double up on him. That’s what happens when you are successful and you are good at your job. They don’t want him to get the ball.
“So, I am quite shocked by that. I think if you look over the season and Arsenal at the top, he should be in the Player of the Year, no doubt about that.”
Who will win the 2023/24 Premier League Player of the Year?
A lot could depend on who wins the title and that is still up in the air. You have to say, if Arsenal go on to win it, then Rice will take home the award.
But if Manchester City are winning four titles in a row, then it will probably land on Foden’s doorstep.
READ MORE: Richard Keys delighted Mikel Arteta’s ‘obsession’ with £30m Arsenal star is now over
From England’s perspective, ahead of Euro 2024, they are very blessed to have so much talent at their disposal.
Saka, Foden and Rice will all be expected to start the European championships in Germany, and when you include the likes of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, then there is no reason why England shouldn’t be winning the tournament outright.
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