Top 10 Best Arsenal Players Currently (Ranked)

In recent seasons, Arsenal came quite close to completing their long-awaited quest for a league accolade. However, the experienced serial winners, Manchester City and Liverpool, have got the better of the North London outfit, forcing them to settle for a second-place finish for three consecutive years in the English Premier League. Besides Mikel Arteta’s relentless work, some best Arsenal players have contributed to changing the fortunes of the club.

The 2025-26 campaign provides the perfect opportunity for the Spaniard and his team to rectify past season's mistakes by not dropping points, thereby gaining an upper edge over their rivals. Last season, they defeated Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals and advanced to the semifinals for the first time since the 2008-09 season. This season, they would aim for more milestones. We look at the best players of Arsenal in the 2025-26 campaign on this list.

List of Arsenal Best Football Players

The list of Arsenal best football players includes some exciting names who are enjoying their breakthrough season. This term, the Gunners have found consistency on the field; every single player has been playing a vital role, be it a starter or reserve. It made our job of listing only ten names for the best player of Arsenal quite difficult. Unfortunately, based on ranking factors, we had to exclude standout names like Mikel Merino, Riccardo Calafiori & Eberechi Eze & more.

How We Ranked the Best Players of Arsenal

In terms of the list, we ranked the Top 10 Arsenal best football players using different parameters. There are three parameters: Individual performances (stats), impact in big matches, and versatility and tactical flexibility. These factors determine the player rankings to determine who is the best football player in Arsenal.

• Performance (stats): Determining a player's impact on the pitch is synonymous with performance stats, be it goals or assists, tackles, chances created, and even xG. The best Arsenal players are ranked in accordance with 2025-26 stats.
• Impact in matches: Some players often perform remarkably well throughout the season, while others wilt during high-intensity matches. It’s the ability to handle pressure and perform at the highest level that makes or breaks footballers’ careers.

• Versatility & Tactical Flexibility: Players’ versatility and tactical flexibility remain essential components when choosing them. It’s a manager’s fantasy to have versatile players all over the pitch. Hence, the tactical flexibility & the efficient rotation of positions make them distinct from the rest.

  Note: The data for the above rankings factors are fetched from reliable sources like Fbref, TransferMarket and Sportsdunia.

Who Is the Best Football Player in Arsenal in 2026?

Many current Arsenal best football players raised the bar in terms of delivering stunning performances. We go through the list to find who is the best football player in Arsenal at present. In addition, will discuss all Arsenal best football players in brief.

10. Gabriel Martinelli (Brazil)

After spending six seasons with the Gunners and amassing over 240 appearances, the Brazilian attacker Gabriel Martinelli is proving why he is an important player this season. He’s often an appealing player to watch, carrying loads of untapped potential. And this could be his breakout campaign in North London, after racking up 10 goal contributions in 28 appearances in all competitions.

On his day, Martinelli is an unstoppable force. He had a decent campaign for Arsenal during the 2024-25 season, but the current campaign looks far better. He has been among the best Arsenal players at the moment. This make-or-break season has proved that the left winger is no ordinary attacker. The winger has scored in 6 Champions League outings in total of 7 in the league phase, helping them finish at the top of the table.

9. Viktor Gyokeres (Sweden)

The former Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres arrived in the Premier League on the back of a breakthrough spell with Sporting CP in Portugal. Known for his goal-scoring prowess and hold-up plays, the Swedish international is leading the goal-scoring charts as Arsenal best football players. So far, Gyokeres has netted 10 goals across all competitions during his exploits in the debut campaign in England.

As things stand, Swedish international Gyokeres is the undisputed starter for the Gunners in the upfront, as Kai Havertz is still regaining his match fitness post-injury. In addition, Gabriel Jesus is also gradually gaining his confidence. Nonetheless, the 27-year-old forward has to step up in terms of scoring crucial goals if Arsenal wants to win the English Premier League this season under the supervision of Mikel Arteta.

8. Leandro Trossard (Belgium)

The next name is quite underrated amongst Arsenal fans themselves and sparks furious debates over his preferred position in the frontline. Over the seasons, Belgian attacker Leandro Trossard remains one of Arsenal best football players, and his stats and influence are impossible to ignore. Apart from 11 goal contributions in all competitions this season, he’s more of a defensive type of forward who hassles opponents with his pressing and work rate.

The Belgian international prefers to play a central role; however, as we are aware, Mikel Arteta likes to experiment with his players. He has changed Mikel Merino's position and Riccardo Calafiori to the left side of defence. The 31-year-old is mostly deployed on the wide left channels or as a left attacking left winger, with his pace, dribbling and experience, he aims to create chances and back of the net on a regular basis.

7. Martin Zubimendi (Spain)

The Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi has successfully secured a place in the list of best player of Arsenal. He has been an orchestrator in the midfield for the Gunners, playing line-breaking passes, controlling the tempo and helping the defence to keep the ball possession. Over the years, Zubimendi has established himself as one of the finest midfielders in the world. He was an important member of Spain's 2024 Euro success.

In his very first season in the English capital, Martin is filling the void left by the departures of Thomas Partey and Jorginho, respectively. He hardly looked out of place in Arsenal colours, swiftly cementing his permanent starter as a defensive midfielder. In the first half of the season, he came up to show some glorious moments of passing, helping his side to build chances. In a total of 31 appearances in this campaign, the Spaniard has started 29 of those games in EPL and Europe.

6. Gabriel Magalhães (Brazil)

Some would say Gabriel Magalhães is the best player at Arsenal, and he is currently missing the action for his club following a severe hamstring injury. He missed over 10 matches for the Gunners, after he last played in a 2-2 draw against Sunderland in the Premier League. However, upon his return, one of the best Brazilian players continued to drop game-changing performances for the North London outfit as one of best Arsenal players in this 2025-26 campaign.

Gabriel is brave, strong, commanding, and aerially a monster, the Brazilian defends the Arsenal box like a warrior. He puts his body on the line and is a goal threat for Arsenal’s offensive set pieces, and even played a commanding role as captain. One part of his game that he improved last season was his pass accuracy, accurately putting lofted through balls to the attackers. From a pure aggressive stopper to a ball-playing aggressive defender, Gabriel’s the rock at Arsenal.

5. Bukayo Saka (England)

The Starboy of Arsenal Bukayo Saka, lives and breathes Arsenal. He went through a struggling period at Arsenal and came alive to become a superstar for the club. Saka has become almost unstoppable to shut down with his unique dribbling ability, underrated physical strengths in shielding the ball, and improved shooting. Although he also missed multiple games for the club in the 2025-26 season.

The Englishman Saka is primarily involved in every possible attack, from down the flanks on the right side, making him the centre of Arsenal’s offence. With 7 goals and 7 assists in a total of 31 appearances in the current 2025-26 campaign marks him second on the list of the best Arsenal players in the squad. When not injured, the English international is one of the finest wingers in the world. He is given the captainship role as well this season.

4. Jurriën Timber (Netherlands)

If asked who is the best right back in the English Premier League, Dutchman Jurrien Timber stands tall as one of the favourites. After skipping his debut season with a serious ACL injury, the Dutchman had a point to prove, and he certainly did build up from the 2024-25 season. However, this season, the 24-year-old has been remarkable as a right back. He’s one of the best Arsenal players right now with a promising future.

The Netherlands international has been a key figure in defence, winning most duels and showing his defensive capabilities. While, in attack, Timber is equally good with 8 goal contributions so far in the 2025-26 season. He shut down the world-class fullback with controlled aggression, also showing his attacking side of play, complementing Saka on the right wing and overlapping to get into the final third.

3. William Saliba (France)

Everyone calls him the Rolls-Royce of centre-backs, as the French star William Saliba continues to impress in his third season at Arsenal. He is one of the best players of Arsenal, defense live looks calm when he’s on the pitch. With his positioning spot on in most games and acting as a cover for Gabriel when he steps forward, Saliba orchestrates Arsenal’s gameplay from the back. His ability to shield the ball using his strength and underrated dribbling ability makes him one of the best players at Arsenal.

Even though he missed Gabriel in the back line due to injury this season, the French defender has produced when it mattered in the UEFA Champions League. His pass accuracy is nearly 90%, and his long ball accuracy stood around 60% with a 1.20 tackles rate per 90. Moreover, his tackling ability fetched him 1.10 tackles per 90 and won 4.50 duels per 90. He does the job in the back without any fuss as a central defender.

2. David Raya (Spain)

Most fans called for Mikel Arteta’s head when he replaced Aaron Ramsdale with Spanish shot stopper David Raya. Safe to say, those worries are put to rest. For two seasons in a row, Raya won the Golden Glove award, showcasing why he’s Arsenal’s number one goalkeeper. He was an imposing figure who marshalled his penalty box, was brave at claiming crosses, and produced cat-like reflexes. He saved Arsenal countless times in the season.

The Spaniard is one of Arsenal best football players on the pitch, and his sweeper-keeper role remains crucial to the team. He made no errors leading to a goal while boasting a staggering 16 clean sheets after making 30 appearances in the ongoing 2025-26 campaign. Generally, he starts most of Arsenal’s attacks with his accurate distribution. With the arrival of Kepa Arrizabalaga at Arsenal, the club has two solid keepers who can step up when counted upon.

1. Declan Rice (England)

Those two free kicks against Real Madrid pinned ex-West Ham midfielder Declan Rice as one of the best Arsenal players. His ability to dictate the play with his presence brings a sense of depth to Arsenal's build-up plays. Ever since, he made his expensive move to North London, Rice has evolved into a leading figure in Arsenal's dressing room with his performance and elite mindset. At the moment, Rice is arguably the best Premier League midfielder in 2025.

The England midfielder's qualities are limited to interceptions, blocks, and passing the ball to the forwards. He is a versatile midfielder who ticks all the right boxes. He’s the engine behind Arsenal’s steamroller and drives the ball forward second to none. He takes the pitch from the defensive third, pushes towards the midfield and the final third, and creates chances out of nothing. He has been playing as a vital cog to keep the engine running at Arsenal.