Martin Keown had many different candidates to choose from for Arsenal’s player of the season (Picture: Getty)Martin Keown has overlooked Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhaes to name a surprise choice as Arsenal’s player of the season so far. The Gunners cemented their commanding position at the top of the Premier League on Saturday following a 3-0 home win over Sunderland. Arsenal’s campaign has been built on a formidable defence led by Gabriel whose prowess in both penalty boxes has proven decisive on many occasions. Rice, meanwhile, has enjoyed arguably the best season of his career to date but Keown believes his midfield partner, Martin Zubimendi, has been even more influential. Even the Arsenal manager, however, has been taken aback by the 27-year-old’s impact and it was the Spain international again who broke the game open yesterday with a sensational long-range strike.

Source: Metro February 08, 2026 17:50 UTC