From the very beginning of the 2025/26 campaign, it felt like Arsenal had to win silverware and reach heights that hadn’t been surpassed since 2004.
Sure, the Gunners had reached base camp under Mikel Arteta with the 2020 FA Cup victory, but three second-placed finishes in the Premier League had to be converted to a title.
In the end, Arteta was able to guide his side to glory and almost completed an unprecedented double as Arsenal succumbed to a penalty shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
From dominant displays over the likes of Bayern Munich to hard-fought victories against Burnley, it was a season of ups and downs that saw the Gunners triumph from set pieces and defensive stability.
Arsenal celebrate their 2025/26 Premier League title-winning season
PHOTO: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/ GettyImages
The campaign began with a solid 1-0 victory over Manchester United. It was a mixed start to the new season as the North London side trailed the early pacesetters, Liverpool.
However, the cream always rises, and as soon as Arsenal emerged as league leaders, they rarely looked back.
A blip in April had many worried that Manchester City would pip the Gunners to the title again, but this time it was the Citizens who would falter as a draw to Bournemouth meant the Premier League trophy would be heading to North London.
VAVEL and a few of its writers have come together to decide some award winners at the end of a successful, title-winning season.
Player of the Season - Declan Rice
When Arsenal signed Declan Rice from West Ham United two years ago, there were huge expectations surrounding the midfielder. A large transfer fee and the pressure of helping Arsenal take the next step meant that many eyes were on him from the very beginning.
While Rice impressed during his first season in North London, the 2025/26 campaign felt like the year he truly became the heartbeat of Mikel Arteta's side.
Arsenal remained firmly involved in the title race and enjoyed another strong run in Europe, and Rice was at the centre of almost everything good they did. Whether breaking up opposition attacks, driving forward with the ball or helping his teammates control difficult matches, he rarely had a poor game.
Declan Rice in action for Arsenal during the 2025/26 Premier League season
PHOTO: Richard Heathcote/ GettyImages
His influence was especially noticeable in the biggest fixtures. Time and again, Rice stepped up with commanding performances, while also contributing important goals and assists when Arsenal needed them most.
With talented players such as Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard and William Saliba all enjoying strong seasons, there were several candidates for the award. However, Rice's consistency, leadership and ability to raise the level of those around him made him impossible to ignore.
For Arsenal supporters, Declan Rice was the driving force behind another memorable season and a worthy Player of the Season.
Words by Dhruv Kapoor
Young Player of the Season - Cristhian Mosquera
When Arsenal signed Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia last summer, most supporters saw him as a useful squad addition who would provide cover for William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães.
Few would have expected the 21-year-old to play such an important role in a season that ended with Arsenal lifting the Premier League title.
Mosquera arrived in North London with a reputation as a talented young defender, but injuries to key players quickly gave him an opportunity to prove himself. Whether filling in for Saliba at centre-back or covering at right-back, he stepped into the team without looking out of place.
His first major test came at Anfield after Saliba was forced off early, and from that moment his confidence seemed to grow with every appearance. The defender went on to become a reliable figure in the Arsenal back line, helping the team keep numerous clean sheets during the campaign.
But the biggest sign of his progress came when he started in the Champions League Final, an incredible achievement for a player who began the season as a backup option.
For his maturity, consistency and ability to step up when Arsenal needed him most, Cristhian Mosquera is a worthy Young Player of the Season.
Words by Dhruv Kapoor
Best signing - Piero Hincapie
Piero Hincapié defending for Arsenal in the Premier League
PHOTO: Jean Catuffe/ GettyImages
When the news broke in August that Arsenal were in talks to sign Piero Hincapié, it came as a shock, not just because it was another target being pulled away from Tottenham, just days after the incredible saga that was Eberechi Eze, but also because it was yet another left-back.
It’s safe to say that the Ecuadorian has certainly shown his worth to the Gunners. His first start didn’t come until late October in a Carabao Cup tie against Brighton due to injury, and even then, Hincapié still went on to make 39 appearances across the season for the Gunners.
Hincapié offered a different aspect to Riccardo Calafiori, with the Ecuadorian more defensively robust compared to his Italian counterpart, managing the most interceptions per 90 across the Arsenal team with 1.3.
Even outside of the stats, Hincapié has that warrior mentality about it when it comes to defending, which is an asset that Mikel Arteta has constantly tried to push with his Arsenal team.
Hincapié will join Arsenal on a permanent deal this summer, and he will be joining into possibly one of the club’s most exciting times in recent history.
Words by Theo Tarling
Most Improved Player - Riccardo Calafiori
When Riccardo Calafiori joined Arsenal from Bologna in 2024, there was plenty of excitement around the signing. The Italian defender arrived with a strong reputation, but his first season in England did not always go to plan.
Injuries, competition for places and the challenge of adapting to a new league made it difficult for him to build momentum. While Arsenal fans could see his potential, he was still viewed as a talented player trying to find his feet in the Premier League.
Riccardo Calafiori playing for Arsenal in the Premier League
PHOTO: Stuart MacFarlane/ GettyImages
This season was a completely different story.
As Arsenal pushed towards the Premier League title, Calafiori became an increasingly important part of Mikel Arteta's side. Whether playing at left-back, in central defence or stepping into midfield, he gave the team energy, composure and flexibility.
One of his biggest moments came on the opening weekend of the season when he scored the winning goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford. From that point on, his confidence seemed to grow with every game.
By the end of the campaign, Calafiori had established himself as a key player in Arsenal's title-winning side and one of the most improved defenders in the league.
The fact that clubs such as Real Madrid have already been linked with him shows just how far he has come in such a short space of time.
Words by Dhruv Kapoor
Surprise package - Cristhian Mosquera
When he signed last summer, many expected Cristhian Mosquera to simply back up William Saliba. Instead, he became a key part of Arsenal’s run-in.
Mosquera’s standout performance came early in the season at Anfield. Saliba was injured after five minutes, forcing Mosquera into a Premier League debut against the reigning champions.
He stood up, though, with four tackles, two blocks, and not being dribbled past once.
Cristhian Mosquera in action for Arsenal during the 2025/26 season
PHOTO: NurPhoto/ GettyImages
For £13 million, Mosquera has managed to make his worth seem much higher, not only because of his performances at centre-half, but because of how quickly he settled in at right-back.
His biggest test came in the final game of Arsenal’s season, the Champions League Final, playing in a less familiar role against possibly the most in-form left winger in the world in PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and for 65 minutes Mosquera did not let him have a single chance, until one moment of hesitation saw him bring down the Georgian and concede the penalty which levelled the final at 1-1.
Mosquera came in for a minimal fee and ended it as a Premier League Champion. He also made his first appearance for the Spanish national team during the March international break.
Words by Theo Tarling
Standout Result - Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich
Arsenal enjoyed plenty of big moments during the 2025/26 season, but their 3-1 win over Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium stands out above the rest.
Going into the match, both teams had won all four of their Champions League games. Bayern were being talked about as one of the best teams in Europe, so this felt like a real opportunity for Arsenal to show how far they had come.
Jurriën Timber gave Arsenal the lead before Bayern teenager Lennart Karl produced a brilliant volley to bring the visitors level. For a while, the game looked evenly balanced.
The second half was a different story.
Arsenal stepped up a level and took control of the match. Noni Madueke came off the bench to put the Gunners back in front before Gabriel Martinelli sealed the win after a rare mistake from Manuel Neuer.
More than the result itself, it was the performance that caught people's attention. Arsenal looked confident, aggressive and completely comfortable against one of Europe's biggest clubs.
By the end of the night, Arsenal were sitting top of the Champions League table and had shown the rest of Europe that they were serious contenders.
Words by Dhruv Kapoor