Arsenal's end of season awards 2020/21

Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka

Arsenal's end of season awards 2020/21

By Josh Graham

Just like that and the season is nearly over. 

And what a joy it is that 10,0000 lucky Arsenal fans will be there to see it in person when Mikel Arteta's side host Brighton on Sunday at the Emirates. 

Less joyful, however, is the prospect of failing to qualify for any form of European football for the first time in 25 years. 

With Champions League and Europa League dreams already dashed, Arsenal's sole hope lies in Uefa's new third-tier Europa Conference League, but chances are still slim with a win against the Seagulls plus defeats for Spurs against Leicester and Everton against Manchester City still required. 

There is a saving grace in that Sunday could mark the first St Totteringham's day since 2016 - where gleeful Gooners toast finishing above North London rivals Tottenham - with Spurs in seventh place one point ahead of Arsenal in ninth. 

But now is the time to reflect on a season that took Arsenal to the Europa League semi-finals but ultimately must go down as a resounding failure. 

Player of the season 


Alexandre Lacazette has bagged 17 goals in all competitions and Granit Xhaka seems to have put his public fall-out with the fans well and truly behind him, but this year's player of the season must go to Bukayo Saka. 

The versatile 19-year-old has shone at left-back, central midfield and on the right wing with his performances for the club catching the eye of Gareth Southgate who capped Saka in October and could well select him for the Euros. 

Saka has racked up seven goals and 10 assists in 45 games in all competitions, but his influence transcends the stats. 

His ability to grab the game by the scruff of the neck using his pace and guile to positively influence the action and carry his teammates along with him has been the real source of optimism for Arteta this campaign.
 

Flop of the season


Willian joined from Chelsea in the summer aged 32 on a three-year deal worth a reported £200,000 a week and frankly has not got remotely close to justifying such generous terms. 

The Brazilian is being linked with an exit alongside compatriot David Luiz, who it has been confirmed is departing, and it’s not hard to see why with one goal in 37 appearances in all competitions. 

Five assists in the Premier League shows he still has what it takes but far too often the experienced wideman has lacked the stomach for the fight and seems content to keep the bench warm since immediately losing his starting spot. 

Find of the season 


Three words. Emile Smith Rowe. 

It wasn’t until Boxing Day that Smith Rowe started in the No.10 role, and he did not disappoint as Arsenal romped to a 3-1 win over Chelsea. 

And the Croydon De Bruyne has never looked back, becoming a vital creative spark in Arteta’s squad. 

A man of the match display in the 2-1 North London derby win in March is just one example of his rapid rise from youth prospect to first team starter. 

The 20-year-old is contracted to 2023 but is set to extend with new and improved terms and quite right too. 

Moment of the season 


Smith Rowe is also responsible for the moment of the season, via a Jorginho howler, as his goal away at Chelsea earned the Gunners a 1-0 win earlier this month. 

Not only was it Arsenal’s first win at Stamford Bridge for 10 years but it crowned the first league double over the Blues since the Invincibles achieved the feat in 2004. 

An impressive stat and a result that could still deny Chelsea fourth spot, although they can qualify for the Champions League, if needed, by winning this year’s final against City.


Photo Credit: Getty Images



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