Arsenal have built a young squad capable of challenging for major honours under Mikel Arteta, and this is also reflected in the market values of the players.
The Gunners have made some astute signings in recent years, with young players joining and developing well under Arteta, whilst there are also gems coming through the academy and blossoming.
The Arsenal squad was in complete disarray when Arteta took over four years ago, but now it has a young, vibrant feel to it, with world-class quality in some areas of the pitch.
Declan Rice joined this summer for a club-record fee, and has quickly become one of the best midfielders in European football with his outstanding performances this season. Despite this, he is not the most valuable player in the Arsenal squad.
Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s most valuable player
According to Transfermarkt, Rice is valued at €110m (£95m), making him the joint-third highest value player in the entire Premier League, level with Phil Foden, and only behind teammate Bukayo Saka on €120m (£103m) and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland on €180m (£155m).
This places him above his other top-class teammates William Saliba and Martin Odegaard, and the other top defensive midfielders in the Premier League in Casemiro and Rodri.
Is Bukayo Saka Arsenal’s best player?
Saka, Rice and Saliba would be the top three picks if any Arsenal fan was asked who the best player in the squad is, and there is a case to be made for any of them.
Saliba is arguably Arsenal’s most important player given what he brings to Arsenal’s defence, which is currently the best in the Premier League. With a lack of depth at the back, he is perhaps the one that Arsenal cannot afford to lose to injury the most.
Rice has been a revelation across two positions in the Arsenal midfield, and he has been labelled as the best player in the Premier League for his performances this season. With Arsenal also keen on adding another midfielder to the squad, he could eventually push further forward from his more defensive role.
Saka is a player who Mikel Arteta selects whenever he is fit, and is always one of the first names on the teamsheet. He is Arsenal’s main source of goals and assists, and often delivers in the biggest moments both domestically and in Europe.
Arsenal now have a squad capable of challenging at the top level, and these three players will be paramount to any success they achieve.
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