2018 - Best player of the year for each Premier League top six club

Arsenal

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Arsenal has had a very turbulent 2018. Long-standing and legendary manager Arsene Wenger stood down in April 2018, amidst some speculation that he was sacked and actually didn't resign. Striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and forward Henrikh Mkhitaryan signed in January 2018, whilst Arsenal had a busy summer window, with Torreira, Guendouzi, Leno, Lichtsteiner and Sokratis all incoming. The club performed poorly in the FA Cup, losing to Nottingham Forest of the Championship in the Third Round, and was humbled in the League Cup final to league champions Manchester City. They also lost to eventual Europa League winners Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals and finished sixth in the league - the lowest finish since 1995.

What's more is that Unai Emery replaced Wenger as head coach, and thus far the team has performed ably, as at Matchday 19, the club is on the verge of the top four, and in reach to Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in the reckoning. This is on the back of a 22-game unbeaten run in all competitions, which ended in defeat to Southampton in the League.

Over the calendar year, Arsenal may have had fluctuating times both on and off the pitch. But, this doesn't mean players individually haven't performed, or not contributed positively to the team. Ozil has done well in cases, and Lacazette has been a constant performer in the period. Newer additions like Torreira and Guendouzi have also given Arsenal a new midfield dimension. In my mind though, the outstanding Arsenal player of 2018 has been Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. He has continued his immense scoring record from the Bundesliga and his prior club Borussia Dortmund and has scored (prior to Matchday 19) 22 Premier League goals in 31 games. He is firmly in the mix with Liverpool's Mo Salah and Tottenham's Harry Kane, for the Premier League Golden Boot.

Some also say he only scores tap-ins, but goals vs. Spurs, Fulham, and Cardiff City all showed his capacity for long-range efforts. Aubameyang clearly has much to offer Arsenal and is categorically showing his attacking prowess and quality.

He is certainly an heir to Arsenal striking greats like Thierry Henry and Ian Wright, who also topped domestic scoring charts at their times at the club.

Honourable mentions:

Alexandre Lacazette

Lucas Torreira

Sokratis Papastathopolous

Mesut Ozil

Nacho Monreal

Aaron Ramsey