Who is Arsenal's breakout star of the season?

Who is Arsenal's breakout star of the season?

By Jonny Bray
It's a really exciting time to be a young player at the Emirates Stadium. 
For the first time since Arsène Wenger's departure, academy products and youthful signings are being given consistent opportunities to break into the first team. 
Last season we saw Bukayo Saka emerge from nowhere and this season even more players have burst onto the scene and left their mark on Mikel Arteta's side. 

Aaron Ramsdale

Aaron Ramsdale has been a revelation in North London this season. 
At the start of the campaign, the goalkeeper wasn't fancied by most Arsenal fans, let alone the general public. 
But what do we know?
Since then, Ramsdale has displaced Bernd Leno as the club's first-choice keeper and proven his doubters wrong by finishing the season on the shortlist for the Premier League Young Player of the Year award. 
And after a brilliant first 12 months in an Arsenal shirt, he is widely tipped to be England's number one at Qatar 2022. 

Emile Smith Rowe

Were it not for a slightly less productive start to 2022, Emile Smith Rowe would be the clear-cut favourite for the title of Arsenal's breakout star this season. 
His all-around play has been superb, but he has really stepped up in front of goal this year, pitching in with valuable contributions. 
Ten league goals and two assists is an excellent return for a 21-year-old, especially one who has started 20 games all season. 
Alongside Saka, Smith Rowe looks as if he could become a crucial part of Arteta's midfield for years to come. 

Eddie Nketiah

Arsenal have a shocking track record when it comes to bringing elite-level strikers through their academy.
But in Eddie Nketiah, the club have a potential superstar.
The forward is deadly in front of goal and he is prepared to work his socks off for the team.
Nketiah has bounced back after looking as if he would be on his way out of the club this summer.
His contract was up and rumours in the press were linking him with a move to West Ham or Crystal Palace
However, after some stunning displays since January, he could be offered a new deal.
And it's unsurprising considering he has scored four goals from six Premier League starts and 13 appearances off the bench.

Takehiro Tomiyasu

If Takehiro Tomiyasu is not Arsenal's breakout star of the season, then he is definitely the signing of the season. 
The versatile defender has been brilliant since arriving in the Premier League in the summer for around £16million. 
He is still underrated by so many people but in many ways, he is what people predicted Aaron Wan-Bissaka would become at Manchester United. 
He guarantees defensive solidity while also offering a threat as a dribbler. 
In a few years’ time, he could be competing with the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and João Cancelo for the title of best right-back in the league. 

Conclusion

It may not be the popular choice, but Tomiyasu is Arsenal's breakout player of the season. 
When he hasn't been available, the Gunners have missed his defensive solidity as well as his work rate down the right. 
And when he has been, the improvement in the back four has been noticeable. 
In short, Arsenal should not want Héctor Bellerín back. 
Real Betis can keep him. The Gunners have already found the real deal in Tomiyasu. 

Photo Credit: Getty Images

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