Arsenal have performed well in the Premier League this season, and even if they just fall short of the title, Mikel Arteta’s side deserves a lot of credit.
His side are receiving some recognition, with Bukayo Saka and William Saliba nominated for the Premier League Young Player Of The Year, and more of his stars are up for individual awards.
Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard have both been nominated as Player Of The Year candidates as two of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
Rice arrived in the summer for a club-record fee, and has helped shore up the best defence in the league, whilst also contributing going forward in the highest-scoring team.
Odegaard’s form in 2024 has been sensational, with the Arsenal captain the creative heartbeat of the team, and his consistency has helped keep his side in the title race.
However, there is one Arsenal player who will likely be surprised at his omission from the nominations for the award given his performance levels.
Gabriel Magalhaes robbed of place in Premier League Player Of The Season nominations
The other nominees for the award beyond Rice and Odegaard are Manchester City pair Erling Haaland and Phil Foden, Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, Chelsea star Cole Palmer, Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins and Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.
Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes has been one of Arsenal’s best players this season, and has been the “bedrock” of Arteta’s defence, which has been the strongest out of anyone in the league.
However, the Brazilian has been left out of the running for the Player Of The Year award, which comes as a surprise given his impact and consistency throughout the season.
Who should Arsenal star Gabriel replace in the PL POTS nominations?
Gabriel is the highest-scoring defender in the Premier League, with four strikes to his name, and has also been part of the best back-line, with his commanding aerial presence helping keep attackers quiet, as he also silenced top-scorer Erling Haaland both times they faced each other.
The Brazilian has become a figure of consistency at the back, and has, to the surprise of many, outperformed his defensive partner William Saliba over the course of the campaign.
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He definitely has a case to be included ahead of Van Dijk. The Dutchman has been outstanding for Liverpool, but he has not kept a clean sheet since December, and his performance levels dipped in recent weeks as his side’s defensive structure fell apart as they limped out of the title race.
Gabriel was finally starting to gain recognition, but it is clear that there is still a long way to go before he is truly recognised as one of the best defenders in the league.