Arsenal awards 2023-24: Best & worst player, best & worst transfer, top scorer

Suraj Radia

• 19 May 2024 14:30 BST
• 4 min read

Arsenal have had another phenomenal season, with Mikel Arteta’s side taking the race for the Premier League title down to the final day of the campaign.

The Gunners have led the way for the large part of the season but find themselves hoping for Manchester City to slip up in order to seal their first league title in 20 years.

However, no matter what happens, Arsenal’s season can be assessed with pride with a number of standout performers and signings as well as some disappointments along the way.

READ MORE: 10 players who could join Arsenal this summer

FootballTransfers runs down all the major clubs in Europe and chooses our best and worst for each category, with Arsenal up next.

Arsenal Player of the Season

Arsenal have had a number of stars to thank for their consistent displays this season but perhaps the biggest difference maker has been Declan Rice, who has been a standout performer since his record €116 million transfer last summer.

The England international has produced a career-high seven goals and eight assists this season, leading to his nomination for the Premier League Player of the Year award and he will likely be considered Arsenal’s winner for the honour too.

Arsenal Flop of the Season

It would perhaps be harsh to name an outright ‘flop’ in a magnificent season for Arsenal but many supporters would agree that a lot more was expected of Gabriel Jesus this year.

The Brazilian was hoping to build off a promising yet inconsistent season last year, in which he netted 11 times, however Jesus’ continued to frustrate in front of goal, scoring just four times this season and also struggling with injury.

Arsenal top scorer

Bukayo Saka had the best goalscoring season of his Premier League career this year, netting 16 times and also grabbing nine assists.

While Saka’s record has been impressive, the England star also went through patches without scoring and would have benefitted from having a more prolific teammate in attack to help ease the pressure on him.

Arsenal Best Transfer

Arsenal’s player of the year also being signed last summer makes this award a no brainer, despite Rice costing a record €116m from West Ham.

The fee, however, was mocked by some Arsenal fans, who believed the Gunners still sealed a bargain due to Rice’s performances, highlighting just how good of a capture the midfielder has been.

Arsenal Worst Transfer

If you had asked this question earlier in the season then it would have been a unanimous vote for Kai Havertz, however the German has been integral with his goals and assists in the second half of the campaign.

Instead, the most disappointing signing has been Arsenal’s €40m capture of Jurrien Timber, with the defender getting a season-ending injury just 50 minutes into his debut on the opening day of the campaign.

Arsenal Best Youngster

Despite Arsenal’s squad having one of the lowest average ages in the Premier League, Arteta has not fielded many actual youngsters this season, with Saka being the youngest player to make a league start this season.

Saka and defender William Saliba were nominated for the Premier League Young Player of the Season award and, while it may seem a bit disingenuous, Saka perhaps wins this award by default due to his displays.