Arsenal came oh so close to winning the EPL in 2022/2023. They were at the top of the ladder throughout most of the season and, according to GG BET betting favourites but just stumbled at the end as Man City roared past them. Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, did an amazing job of getting the Gunners to play an ultra-attacking style of play with incredible ball movement and high pressing. Throughout the season, a number of Arsenal players established themselves as superstars. Let’s explore which Arsenal players managed to earn their spot in the FIFA Team of the Season (TOTS)!
1. Gabriel Martinelli – 93 FIFA Rating
Gabriel Martinelli was a wild card when Arsenal picked him in 2019 when he was just 18 years old. The Brazilian had only played 17 games for Ituano, but Arsenal saw something special in the forward, and boy, were they right. Martinelli had an incredible 2022/2023 season for Arsenal, scoring 15 league goals in 36 appearances.
The Brazilian is known for his amazing combination of speed and strength. He has one of the most powerful shots we have seen and can dribble past multiple defenders with ease. It has been a pleasure to watch him link up with fellow Brazilian Gabriel Jesus and give teams nightmares. It is no surprise that FIFA rated Martinelli 93!
2. Bukayo Saka – 93 FIFA Rating
Coming into the 2022/2023 season, everyone knew Bukayo Saka was a talented striker, but at 21 years old, there were still doubts about whether he could become a top EPL goal scorer. Well, Saka left the critics stunned as he racked up 14 goals in 38 EPL matches and has now established himself as one of the best strikers in the whole league. He would have even more goals if he weren’t sharing them with Martinelli and Jesus.
Arsenal didn’t need to look far to find Saka, he grew up in Ealing, London, and signed to Arsenal’s youth academy when he was 8 years old. He progressed effortlessly through the academy and signed a pro contract with Arsenal at 17 years old.
Saka has incredible pace and dribbling skills. He effortlessly creates space and gets the ball on his preferred left foot before slamming it into the back of the net. Saka is rated 93 on FIFA, and we are expecting him to push that rating even higher next season. Don’t be surprised if he scores 20 + goals in Arsenal’s next campaign.
Martin Odegaard – 92 FIFA Rating
Martin Odegaard is a complete footballer. The 24-year-old has seriously impressed during his brief stint at Arsenal. He already has 22 goals from 73 matches and has played a crucial role in allowing Arsenal to play their high-pace, pass-heavy attacking style.
Odegaard is a master at taking the ball on the half-turn and relentlessly pushing the ball upfield. The Norwegian plays an incredible through balls and has set Jesus, Saka, and Martinelli up with tons of goals throughout the season. Everyone who plays with Odegaard instantly becomes better.
William Saliba – 92 FIFA Rating
William Saliba is a powerful centre-back who single-handedly turned Arsenal’s defence from average to formidable. The French defender is known for his imposing physique, standing at 6 ft 4. Opposing strikers have an incredibly difficult time creating separation and getting past him. Saliba is fearless in defence and likes to charge at strikers and steal the ball from
them rather than waiting for them to come to him.
William Saliba is only 22 years old and has a super bright future at Arsenal. Who knows, he might go on to have a legendary Gunners career like another Frenchman who also hailed from a Parisian suburb.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 92 FIFA Rating
Mikel Arteta’s strategy of picking up players he had worked with at Man City paid off! Zinchenko shored up Arsenal’s defence, setting up a brick wall that made it incredibly difficult for opponents to pierce through.
Zinchenko is an extremely versatile player. The Ukrainian is equally at home as a left-back or in the midfield. Zinchenko is considered one of the most skillful players in the whole of the EPL. Kyle Walker named him the most talented player on Man City’s roster and was stunned by all the different tricks he could do with the ball.
Zinchenko has exceptional ball control and can cross the ball with ease. He is a creative player who generates an incredible amount of assists, considering he plays as a left full-back, which is why FIFA gave him a 92 rating.
Aaron Ramsdale – 90 FIFA Rating
Aaron Ramsdale was a safe pair of hands for Arsenal the whole season. The 25-year-old has established himself as one of the top goalkeepers in the whole of the EPL. He is known for impressive acrobatics and always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Ramsdale does a good job of barking instructions at his defenders, and a big reason Arsenal won so many games is thanks to his impressive saves.
Arsenal’s Success Recognised
Arsenal’s impressive 2022/2023 EPL run has been acknowledged by FIFA, with 6 players making the Team of the Season, including Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, and Aaron Ramsdale.
Also, if Gabriel Jesus had been more healthy throughout the season, we are sure he would have made the cut as well! Let’s hope these Arsenal superstars can maintain this epic form for the next EPL and go one place better and finally win the league.