Arsenal 2023/24 season review: Top scorers, assists & player of the year

Arsenal were unable to end their 20-year Premier League trophy drought in the 2023/24 season, but there was still much for the Gunners to be proud of.

As the season drew to a close, it seemed like a team had arrived who could challenge Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side to lift league silverware - but alas, Mikel Arteta's side proved that some dreams are too high to reach.

It was a campaign of insane growth though, as the squad recorded their second-highest ever points tally, behind only the Invincibles, and boasted the best defensive record in the league.

"We want much more than that, and we're gonna get it," promised Arteta as he grabbed the microphone after Arsenal's final victory of the season.

So, without further ado, let's take a look back at Arsenal's nervy 2023/24 campaign.

Arsenal 2023/24 player of the season

William Saliba

Let's all take a moment to appreciate William Saliba.

The Frenchman has developed into one of the best defenders in the world and one of the club's most valuable assets, after just two seasons in the Premier League.

His talent was very obvious last season, but an unfortunate injury kept him away from some of the Gunners most valuable fixtures - costing them the chance to steal the league title. Arsenal were incredibly fortunate to welcome his skills back, and reaped the benefits as Saliba kept the most clean sheets of any player during the campaign.

He played every single minute of the season, asserting a dominant presence on the pitch and forming a formidable partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes to help his side become the most feared defensively in the league.

Honourable mentions: Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice

Arsenal 2023/24 goal of the season

Declan Rice vs West Ham

Out of all of Arsenal's 113 goals across all competitions this season, it was Declan Rice's strike against his former club to make it 6-0 that stood out amongst the rest.

There were some serious competitors for this, many coming from Rice himself, but this goal deserves its flowers for its speed and power into the back of the net.

It's an unexpected goal from Rice, and the former Hammers man reacted with pure class as he silently celebrated his achievement.

This game also marked the first time in his career that Rice provided two assists in a single game.

Honourable mentions: Gabriel Martinelli vs Man City, Kai Havertz vs Chelsea, Bukayo Saka vs Tottenham, Gabriel Jesus vs Man Utd

Arsenal 2023/24 performance of the season

Sheffield United 0-6 Arsenal

Mikel Arteta's side thrashed West Ham 6-0 at the London Stadium, before running riot at Bramall Lane just a few weeks later.

The Gunners were able to go five goals ahead of Sheffield United by the 39th minute, signifying the quickest time any away side has had a five-goal margin in league history.

This fixture was so memorable for all the right reasons. Five different Arsenal players found themselves on the scoresheet, with an own goal also coming from Jayden Bogle, as the Gunners unleashed a fierce goalscoring power in the early stages of 2024.

Arsenal were on fire in February, bagging 18 goals in four games. It seemed poetic that March would start in a similar fashion - even if it did come against a weak Blades side.

Honourable mentions: West Ham 0-6 Arsenal, Arsenal 5-0 Crystal Palace, Arsenal 3-1 Man Utd, Arsenal 3-1 Liverpool

Arsenal 2023/24 signing of the season

Declan Rice

Of course it's Declan Rice!

The midfield maestro made a £105m move to the Emirates, becoming the club's most expensive signing and hitting headlines after departing his boyhood club.

Since then, he's made headlines for other reasons, quickly becoming one of the best players at Arteta's disposal. Among an already insanely talented squad, Rice has the ability to shine, conducting himself in a mature manner.

It's no surprise he was given the opportunity to sport the captain's armband for England recently, and he will certainly be a vital player for Gareth Southgate heading into the upcoming Euro tournament.

Declan Rice is undoubtedly Arsenal's best signing of the season, and may even be their best of the century.

Honourable mention: Kai Havertz

Arsenal 2023/24 disappointment of the season

Thomas Partey

Thomas Partey looked like a boy among men for a large portion of the season, leaving many questioning whether the midfielders time has run out.

Now, his injuries have caused a serious problem this season, especially for a player who relies on regular game time to gain momentum. But when he has played, Partey has been caught making silly mistakes, taking unnecessary risks for the team.

His passing can often look predictable, and as his physical ability has declined, so has his technical.

In his prime, Partey was sensational, but it looks as if the Arsenal squad have levelled up, and Partey has been unable to keep up.

Dishonourable mentions: Oleksandr Zinchenko, Eddie Nketiah

Arsenal 2023/24 most appearances

• Declan Rice - 51 (38 Premier League, 10 Champions League, 1 FA Cup, 1 Carabao Cup, 1 Community Shield) 
• Ben White - 51 (37 Premier League, 10 Champions League, 1 FA Cup, 2 Carabao Cup, 1 Community Shield)
• Kai Havertz - 51 (37 Premier League, 10 Champions League, 1 FA Cup, 2 EFL Cup, 1 Community Shield)
• William Saliba - 50 (38 Premier League, 10 Champions League, 1 FA Cup, 1 Community Shield)
• Gabriel - 50 (36 Premier League, 10 Champions League, 1 FA Cup, 2 Carabao Cup, 1 Community Shield)
  

Arsenal 2023/24 top scorers

• Bukayo Saka - 20 (16 Premier League, 4 Champions League)
• Leandro Trossard - 17 (12 Premier League, 4 Champions League, 1 Community Shield)
• Kai Havertz - 14 (13 Premier League, 1 Champions League)
• Martin Odegaard - 11 (8 Premier League, 2 Champions League)
• Gabriel Jesus - 8 (4 Premier League, 4 Champions League)

Arsenal 2023/24 top assisters

• Bukayo Saka - 14 (9 Premier League, 4 Champions League)
• Martin Odegaard - 11 (10 Premier League, 1 Champions League)
• Declan Rice - 10 (9 Premier League, 1 Champions League)
• Gabriel Jesus - 8 (5 Premier League, 3 Champions League)
• Kai Havertz - 7 (7 Premier League)

Arsenal 2023/24 record in all competitions

• Premier League - P38, W28, D5, L5, GF 91, GA 29, GD 62, Pts 89, Position 2nd
• Champions League - P10, W5, D2, L1, GF 19, GA 8, GD 11, quarter finals
• FA Cup - P1, W0, D0, L1, GF 0, GA 2, GD -3, third round
• Carabao Cup - P2, W1, D0, L1, GF 2, GA 3, GD -1, fourth round
• Community Shield - P1, W0, D1, L0, GF 1, GA 1, GD 0, winners

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