Arsenal’s 2024/25 season began with high hopes after a strong previous campaign, but a series of key injuries have derailed their ambitions. With crucial players sidelined, the squad’s depth has been tested, leading to inconsistent performances. We’re looking at their standout players and how the season could pan out.
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00:00Jack, looking at Arsenal and across the season, it's been a bit hit and miss. There were huge
00:07hopes going into it and maybe a bit of a tired mentality on the back over the last couple
00:13of seasons. How close they've been to achieving that incredible title success once again that's
00:20just eluded them for so long now. In terms of this season, players this season, there
00:25was obviously a couple of incredible performances individually last season. In terms of this
00:31season and this campaign, who's been Arsenal's standout player? Obviously, Bukayo Saka has
00:37really continued that upwards trajectory, probably really since he missed that penalty
00:42in the Euros for England. Ever since then, he's adopted this new mindset, this new ability.
00:49He looks unbelievable every week, every time he's at the Emirates, every time he's in an
00:53Arsenal shirt, he's been out injured. In terms of this season, who stands out as Arsenal's
00:59best player or players that have really caught the eye?
01:04Yeah, you're right to mention Bukayo Saka. I think the way he started the season, before
01:09he got injured, he was definitely the player that was taking on that mantle again. He really
01:14looked to embrace that kind of leader mentality. He's captained Arsenal a few times when Odegaard
01:19was injured at the start of the season as well. In terms of the player of the season
01:24at the moment, I'm going to go for Gabriel, the centre-back. I think Saliba gets all the
01:31plaudits when it comes to Arsenal's defence. Arsenal's defence has been a big part in them
01:38competing for titles. They haven't won any yet, but competing. Gabriel's been such a
01:46big part of that. He's definitely a leader within the group now, it's really clear. I
01:50mentioned Saliba getting the plaudits. He's definitely a more attractive player to watch
01:54than Gabriel. The way he can take the ball down first time, you'll see him shimmy away
02:00from attackers and drive into midfield. Obviously, he's been injured as well over the last couple
02:06of games, so he's a big miss. Gabriel has made so many important tackles. He's a real
02:11leader. When you go to the Emirates, you can hear him screeching. He's got a really
02:16loud screech. It's kind of bizarre, but he's a real leader. He's made some important tackles
02:21and he's a big part of that defence, ever present there. I think the feeling around
02:29Arsenal fans is that he has maybe been Arsenal's best player this season. I also want to give
02:34a shout out to Miles Lewis-Skelly. What he's doing at 18 is absolutely incredible. I know
02:44that Thomas Tuchel has been down to watch some Arsenal games. I wouldn't even rule out
02:49an England call-up for him on current form. This kid is 18 years old. Declan Rice described
02:56him as an absolute unit. He's keeping out seasoned internationals out of the team at
03:02the moment. You've got players like Zinchenko and Kivio and Tionne that are on the bench
03:10and this 18-year-old Lewis-Skelly is starting ahead of him. I think that if he continues
03:16the form that he's been in, I wouldn't be surprised if the fans voted for him to be
03:23player of the season this year for sure. I'll go for Gabriel and Miles Lewis-Skelly as the
03:28stand-out players this season so far.
03:30How are fans feeling? How is the Emirates faithful feeling about the current situation?
03:39It is almost staring towards a possible, again, another trophyless campaign for
03:45Mikel Arteta, albeit he was asked that recently and he pointed out the Community Shield win.
03:50Does that show where Arsenal are at the moment and how desperate and how close
03:57they have actually been to winning a title?
04:01I think Arsenal fans won't look at the Community Shield as a big trophy for sure.
04:09I think it's tough for Arsenal fans but there are still positives. I think Arsenal are actually
04:13on the same points tally as they were this time last season in the league, which feels
04:20like it shouldn't be the case given the difference in performances.
04:24But yes, another trophyless season wouldn't be a success for Arsenal.