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Football London
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Kaya Kaynak

Arsenal 2022/23 season player ratings: Saliba and Saka superb, Holding and Vieira struggle

Aaron Ramsdale: After a start to the season that saw him come in for some harsh criticism, Ramsdale has more than risen to the task with a superb campaign. The 25-year-old has been running his own personal save of the season competition since returning from the World Cup, and has more than earned his contract extension. 8.

Matt Turner: Some jittery moments early on, particularly when playing out from the back. The biggest compliment you can probably give Turner now though is that you probably wouldn't have too many issues if he was required to play in a Premier league match. 7.

Ben White: After a great debut season at centre-back, few saw White being able to make the transition to right-back, but he more than rose to the task. How quickly he adapted to the transition is a sign of the quality he possesses. His attacking output is improving week-on-week. 8.

READ MORE: Edu outlines Arsenal summer transfer plans amid Premier League mentality shift with Mikel Arteta

Takehiro Tomiyasu: A frustrating campaign for Tomiyasu as, for the second season in a row, he was hampered by injuries. Lost his place in the first team to White at right-back, but still demonstrated his use to Mikel Arteta with his versatility across the backline. 5.

William Saliba: An outstanding debut season from the French international - if you can call it that. Was key to Arsenal's ability to push higher up the pitch with his pace, strength and superb one-vs-one defending. Excellent on the ball too. Arguably the best defender in the Premier League this year. 9.

Rob Holding: A tough season for the 27-year-old. Couldn't maintain the high standards set by Saliba. Dropped out of the team despite being the only orthodox right sided centre back left in the squad at the end of the season. Could well be on his way out of the club this summer. 4.

Gabriel: Continues to be overlooked in team of the season conversations, but the Brazilian was outstanding this season. Often played two positions at once while Zinchenko marauded forward, and has massively improved with his distribution from the back. Well and truly earned his contract extension. 8.

Jakub Kiwior: Took a while to be given his chance, has been solid since being thrown into the side a month ago. Coped well with the tricky task of playing as the right sided centre-back. Looks to be of the higher level of squad player that's required if Arsenal are to compete in both the Premier League and Champions League next season. 7.

Oleksandr Zinchenko: Revolutionised Arsenal's attack from the left-back position - although to be honest, calling him a left-back feels a little reductive. Gives the Gunners a level of control they can't replicate without him. Defensive issues were a problem towards the end of the season, but that's the trade off you accept for what he offers you offensively. 8.

Kieran Tierney: After being one of Arsenal's most important players last season, Tierney slid drastically down the pecking order this time around. Not through any fault of his own though, it just seems that Arteta is evolving beyond him tactically. Still a great player, but seems destined to be that elsewhere next season. 5.

Albert Sambi Lokonga: Appeared to have had his confidence drained by a difficult end to last season. Arteta didn't seem to trust him at any stage. Might have been better if he'd played further forward as an eight, but Mohamed Elneny's injury put paid to that. Has been unlucky with the managerial change which disrupted a promising start to his loan at Crystal Palace. 5.

Jorginho: Not the most popular signing after his arrival on deadline day in January, but has quickly established himself as an important part of the Arsenal squad. Dislodged the seemingly irreplicable Thomas Partey towards the end of the season and has improved a position where the Gunners were struggling prior to his arrival. 7.

Thomas Partey: Had been a key player for Arsenal in the first part of the season, and added goal threat to his game. His form fell off drastically towards the end of the campaign though and the Gunners defensive record suffered as a result. 7.

Mohamed Elneny: Two long-term injuries thoroughly limited the impact he could have on the squad. Was solid and professional when called upon, however. 6.

Granit Xhaka: Undoubtedly saved his best season for last. The Swiss midfielder has added goals and assists to the leadership and solidity that he already brought to the team. It's a campaign that few saw coming which makes it even sweeter. He leaves some big shoes to fill. 8.

Fabio Vieira: A difficult debut season for the Portuguese midfielder. Arrived injured and showed some flashes of why Mikel Arteta was so excited to bring him in. Failed to consistently replicate that though across limited opportunities in the remainder of the campaign. Looked to have massively lost confidence by the end of the season, and will have some turning around to do next season. 5.

Emile Smith Rowe: Was Arsenal's second highest scorer last season, but didn't start a single match in any competition this time around. An injury that ruled him out for five months was a big part of that, but he appears to have fallen well and truly out of favour since his return. Hard to see how the situation changes any time soon if he continues to be ignored by Arteta. 5.

Martin Odegaard: Given the captain's armband officially and stepped up to the role with aplomb. Arsenal's technical leader and standard setter both on and off the pitch. More goals than any other midfielder in the Premier League to silence any doubters over his end product. Probably the second best player in the league behind Haaland 9.

Bukayo Saka: Arguably the third best player in the league! Now no longer viewed as one of the best young players in the division, but one of the best players full stop. People forget how impressive his consistency is for one so young. Tying him down for the next few years could be the be the best piece of business Arsenal do across their project that's ongoing at the Emirates Stadium. 9.

Marquinhos: A very good start to his time at Arsenal with a goal and assist in Zurich. Struggled to ever reach those levels again though and was dropped back down to the under-21s. Didn't quite set the world alight during a loan spell with Norwich in the second half of the campaign and looks set to head out on loan again next season. 5.

Reiss Nelson: A moment that will never be forgotten with dramatic winner against Bournemouth. Aside from that though he has shown levels of confidence and consistency from the bench that he has struggled to reach during his time at Arsenal so far. Looks to be a valued member of the squad who can probably be relied upon to start some crucial games next season. 8.

Gabriel Martinelli: Arsenal's top scorer has found consistency that was at times lacking last season. Such a threat with his pace and direct approach. His end product has been invaluable to helping Arsenal bridge the gap between top four also rans to Premier League contenders. 8.

Leandro Trossard: A superb impact after his arrival in January that even Mikel Arteta's wildest dreams probably thought were unlikely. A superb tally of 10 assists in just 10 starts. Not just a squad player, but a valuable option that gives Arteta a different way to break down opposition defenders. Funny to imagine what might have been if Mykhailo Mudryk had come in instead. 8.

Eddie Nketiah: The fact that Arsenal were able to maintain their title challenge even without Gabriel Jesus was down to the work Nketiah did. That should not be forgotten. However, he struggled to maintain the initial standards he set during the early part of his starting run and is unlikely to trouble Jesus' starting spot at this point. 7.

Gabriel Jesus: The kind of statement signing that changed the whole mood around the Emirates. Gave the rest of the squad the belief that they could actually challenge for the Premier League title when many thought that was impossible. His profligacy in front of goal is a problem, but he offers so much elsewhere on the pitch that it's hard to be too critical. 8.

Mikel Arteta: It says a lot when you're struggling to remember things Mikel Arteta got wrong this season. Maybe he could have been a bit more pragmatic in the head-to-heads with Manchester City. Maybe he could have rotated the squad a little more earlier on. But to be honest the Spaniard has been near flawless this season. Big decisions have paid off and the way he has evolved this Arsenal team means they feel like they'll be around the upper echelons of the Premier League for years to come. 9.

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