The Gunners have had a fantastic 2022 and four players have been nominated to pick up the annual Reach Fans’ Footballer of the Year award
After the disappointment of missing out on the top four last season when seemingly in their hands, few would have predicted that Arsenal would be threatening to end the calendar year as table toppers and the Premier League’s form team.
Fortunately for Gunners fans a May disappointment did not deter what once was considered a penny wise ownership from backing Mikel Arteta and Edu in the summer transfer market with a considerable outlay. New signings have propelled the north Londoners to an unlikely title chase.
However, there’s one player that has been at the heart and soul of everything driving Arsenal’s progression for the past few years, despite his tender age. Bukayo Saka, Arsenal’s star boy and shining light, has been nominated by Reach journalists to take home the overall Fans’ Footballer of the Year award for 2022.
A gong scooped by Mohamed Salah in 2021, Saka sits with prestigious company in the likes of Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Harry Kane, Salah and more. That’s why it’s crucial Arsenal fans make their voices heard and back their man in this year’s award after a sensational 2022.
Within the awards is also the club Fans’ Footballer of the Year, and chief Arsenal writer Kaya Kaynak put forward his four nominations for the Gunners, so be sure to leave your vote and leave a comment with your say on Arsenal’s best performer in 2022.
Kaya’s picks:
Player Name: Bukayo Saka
After the Euros there were some fears about how Bukayo Saka might react to his devastating penalty shoot out miss with England. Some questioned whether it might cause the Hale Ender to crumble. They needn’t have worried. Saka has since gone on to establish himself not just as one of the Premier League’s best young players, but one of its best players full stop. The 21-year-old was top scorer last season for Arsenal and has continued that form this time around as the Gunners seek that unlikely title push.
Player Name: Granit Xhaka
The turnaround Granit Xhaka has experienced at the Emirates has been remarkable not just because of how he’s won the fans over, but because of what he’s done on the pitch. No one thought the Swiss international had this box-to-box goalscoring side to his game, except Mikel Arteta, and after being named player of the month for the club on several occasions this year, he’s more than in the running to be player of the year
Player name: William Saliba
He’s still only 21-years-old! It’s very easy to forget that watching William Saliba on a weekly basis, such is the composure he has in every aspect of the game. The Frenchman’s ball playing capabilities and one-v-one skill have given Arsenal an extra string to their bow when it comes to dominating opposition and after three years of waiting we’re finally seeing what all the hype was about first hand.
Player name: Ben White
Adapting to a new position in a system as specific as Mikel Arteta’s is not easy, but the former Brighton man has gone to another level since switching to right back and has been crucial to Arsenal’s table topping form. Finally he has been given the recognition he deserves at international level and the hope is that he can continue his Gunners form for England at the World Cup.