Paul Merson ‘pretty shocked’ by what happened to Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka

Arsenal have once again become a Premier League title challenger.

They have many people to thank for leading them out of their previous dark days, from their manager Mikel Arteta to their sporting director, Edu Gaspar.

But one player who deserves as much praise as anyone is Bukayo Saka.

The fresh-faced teenager, who got his first chance at Arsenal under Unai Emery, has now become one of the best players in the Premier League.

Saka has reached double figures in goals for three consecutive seasons and is on track to reach double figures in goals and assists for two consecutive seasons.

The Englishman’s 16 goals and nine assists are one of the main reasons why Arsenal are pushing Manchester City all the way in the Premier League title race.

Yet when the Player of the Year nominations were announced, the man on Arsenal’s right was nowhere to be found.

Manchester City duo Erling Haaland and Phil Foden have been nominated, alongside Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins, Newcastle United scoring machine Alexander Isak, Chelsea’s ice-cold Cole Palmer and Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.

The two Arsenal players chosen were Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, with Merson making it clear he was “quite shocked” by Saka’s exclusion, as he told Sky Sports News (25/05/11 at 12:40 p.m. ).

One thing Merson was keen to point out was Saka’s form at the start of the campaign and how all that is now seemingly forgotten.

Bukayo Saka Premier League Player of the Year?

“Yes, definitely (surprised),” Merson said of Saka’s exclusion. “When it comes out and people vote, they forget the start of the season, he was unplayable at the start of the season. I know it’s been a little harder lately.

“People are overtaking him. This is what happens when you succeed and do your job well. They don’t want him to get the ball.

“So, I’m pretty shocked by that. I think if you look at the season and Arsenal at the top, he should be among the players of the year, there’s no doubt about it.

Who will win the 2023/24 Premier League Player of the Year?

A lot could depend on who wins the title and that still remains up in the air. You have to say that if Arsenal go on to win it, then Rice will take the prize.

But if Manchester City win four titles in a row, then they will likely land on Foden’s doorstep.

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From England’s point of view, ahead of Euro 2024, they are fortunate to have so much talent at their disposal.

Saka, Foden and Rice are all expected to start the European Championships in Germany, and if you include Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, there is no reason why England cannot win the tournament.

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