Although Arsenal are yet to quite win the collective trophies their football has deserved, Mikel Arteta’s players are often praised individually.
William Saliba was applauded by Kylian Mbappe after receiving his trophy for being named in the Euros team of the tournament this summer.
The Arsenal defender has been incredible under Arteta at the Emirates Stadium, and it’s no surprise that Saliba has also now been nominated for the Ballon d’OR.
In total, including Mariona Caldentey who Arsenal Women recently signed from Barcelona, the club have five nominees.
Alongside Saliba for the men’s team, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard all made the list as well.
Of course, it is the first time in a long, long time that neither Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo were named, a significant change of guard.
However, there was still one other name on the list which would catch the attention of Arsenal fans.
Former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka nominated for the Ballon d’Or
Arsenal’s decision to part ways with Granit Xhaka, who they sold to Bayer Leverkusen for £21m last summer, has already caused a ton of debate among the fanbase.
And that’s now unlikely to subside after the Swiss international was nominated for such a prestigious award after his title-winning first season back in the Bundesliga.
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Arsenal initially attempted to replace Xhaka with Kai Havertz, a fit that didn’t quite work.
Havertz has gone on to have his own success story in north London, but Arsenal have had to pivot their plans.
Arteta has now launched a second attempt to replace Xhaka this summer by signing Mikel Merino, who should be up to the task.
But after suffering a freak injury immediately in training at London Colney, Arsenal fans will have to stay patient before reaching a conclusion.
Ethan Nwaneri can solve the Granit Xhaka conundrum
Speaking of players overachieving right now, Ethan Nwaneri just bagged another goal for England under-19s in their 2-2 draw with Italy on Wednesday.
In truth, it’s probably not too long before Nwaneri will be playing for England under-21s, but he may need some senior football at Arsenal first.
Fortunately, that may not be too far away.
Arteta is determined to promote Nwaneri this season, the Gunners were seemingly not interested in allowing the 17-year-old to head out on loan.
And on the evidence of pre-season, when Nwaneri thrived as Arsenal’s left-sided number eight, the youngster could prove an exciting alternative in the ‘Xhaka role’.
Fortunately, the Arsenal manager has a few exciting options, and will be raring for club football to return.
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