#3 Mattéo Guendouzi
From Ligue 2 to the Europa League final, Mattéo Guendouzi has experienced a meteoric rise these past twelve months. A 19-year-old being purchased for £8 million suggests he’s either special or overpriced. However, there’s a reason why the price tag was so high for a player of little notoriety.
The 20-year-old has gone from obscurity to mainstream popularity and to his credit, he’s put in the performances to match. His ability to handle the bright lights swayed Emery’s hand to award him 23 starts in the Premier League.
The youngster’s exceptional passing range and bravery have allowed Arsenal to bolster their previously weak midfield. On the ball, the youngster has transformed how Arsenal transition through the middle third, this can be seen by the 1.9 times per game he’s been fouled.
The Gunners have always been accused of having no bottle or steel in the middle of the park, Guendouzi’s combative style of play negates that narrative.