Arsenal fans can now put aside 3 consecutive 2nd place finishes in the Premier League. A huge achievement for Mikel Arteta and The Gunners.
They learned from past mistakes, making vital signings to ensure they had the required squad depth. Previously, Arsenal had injury issues heading into the title Run In, but not this time.
Rival fans can rant all they want about the Gunners’ tactics, but the Emirates faithful are having long awaited celebrations all over the world.
Arsenal added eight new players to the squad during the transfer window, with midfielder Thomas Partey the only major first-team departure after his contract expired.
The headline signing was Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres, who arrived from Sporting CP in a deal worth around $81 million, finally giving Arsenal the clinical number nine fans had been demanding.
Martín Zubimendi also joined from Real Sociedad to strengthen the midfield, while the defence received reinforcement through the loan signing of Piero Hincapié from Bayer 04 Leverkusen.In attack, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze completed moves from Chelsea F.C. and Crystal Palace F.C. respectively.
Overall, Arsenal spent more than $317 million during the rebuild, with very little money recovered from player sales. But as the season progressed, the impact of those signings became impossible to ignore.Now with the league title secured and a UEFA Champions League final still ahead, the spending is beginning to look fully justified.
Arsenal Player of the Season
The best performer throughout the season, with back to back golden glove awards, is goalkeeper David Raya. Arsenal have struggled in recent seasons without a world class goalkeeper.
Former Patrick Vieira captain has backed David Raya as Arsenal’s Player of the Season after the goalkeeper’s impressive performances throughout the campaign.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Vieira praised Raya’s consistency and his ability to deliver in crucial moments. “David Raya, for me, has to be the Player of the Season,” Vieira told Sky Sports. “I think he was outstanding from the first game until the end of the season, I think he was really impressive. “He made some really important saves, he won points for Arsenal. For me, I don’t see any other players who were quite outstanding. We’re always going for those forward or creative players, why not a defender, and why not a goalkeeper? I think David, for me, will have my vote.”
It is difficult to argue against that view. Raya has repeatedly stepped up for Arsenal F.C. during the biggest moments of the season, producing match-saving performances and bringing calmness to the defence when pressure was highest. While attacking players usually dominate end-of-season conversations, Raya’s consistency may have quietly made him Arsenal’s most important player this season.
