Arsenal’s outstanding Premier League campaign has been recognised with three of Mikel Arteta’s players nominated for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award.
The Professional Footballers’ Association announced its shortlist on Friday, with David Raya, Gabriel and Declan Rice all earning places among the six nominees.
The trio played pivotal roles as Arsenal ended their long wait for a league title and returned to the summit of English football for the first time in more than two decades.
The award is voted for by fellow professionals, making it one of the most prestigious individual honours in the game.
Raya’s nomination follows another exceptional season between the posts.
The Spanish goalkeeper finished the campaign with 19 Premier League clean sheets and retained the Golden Glove award as Arsenal built their success on the strongest defensive record in the division.
Gabriel’s inclusion comes after another commanding season at the heart of Arsenal’s defence.
The Brazilian centre-back was once again one of the club’s most influential performers, helping the Gunners combine defensive solidity with consistency throughout their title-winning campaign.
Rice completes Arsenal’s representation on the shortlist after enjoying arguably his finest season since arriving from West Ham United.
The England international continued to establish himself as one of the Premier League’s leading midfielders with a series of dominant displays at both ends of the pitch.
Arsenal account for half of the six-man shortlist, highlighting the scale of their contribution to the club’s league triumph.
The remaining nominees are Manchester City duo Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki, along with Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.
Haaland is aiming to win the award for a second time after finishing as the Premier League’s leading scorer once again, while Fernandes earned recognition after producing a record-breaking assist campaign.
There was further Arsenal representation in the PFA Young Player of the Year category.
Teenage sensation Max Dowman was included among the six nominees following his breakthrough season in the first team.
The 16-year-old became one of the youngest players to make a significant impact in the Premier League and further enhanced his reputation with a memorable first senior goal against Everton.
Dowman’s nomination places him alongside Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki and Nico O’Reilly, Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha and Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi.
The winners of all PFA awards will be announced at the ceremony in Manchester on August 25.
For Arsenal, however, the nominations already serve as further recognition of a season that delivered the Premier League title and saw several players establish themselves among the very best in English football.