The list of Ballon d'Or nominees for 2023 once again reflects the attacking weaknesses of the Premier League. Despite Arsenal's championship in the league, the team could not see any of its forwards among the 16 nominated attacking players. Only familiar names from Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes and Erling Haaland from Manchester City are present on this list, while Cole Palmer, one of last year's nominees, has been omitted due to injury.
Arsenal: Champions with Defensive Stars
The Arsenal team was represented in the nominees list last season with three defensive players including Gabriel Magalhães, Declan Rice, and William Saliba. While the team secured the championship title, their forwards are not recognized as standout stars. Multiple injuries, including the absence of Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, and Bukayo Saka, affected the fluidity of the team's play and put Arsenal under significant pressure to achieve success in the UEFA Champions League.
There has been much criticism of Arsenal's playing style; many believe that a lack of ambition and caution after scoring the first goal prevented them from winning the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. While there is great respect for their defensive organization, from a neutral spectator's perspective, this team has failed to capture hearts.
Will the Future Be Brighter?
As the new season 2026-27 slowly approaches, there are hopes for a change in Arsenal's style of play. The team needs to move towards a more attacking style and make better use of its young talents. Can Arsenal reintroduce itself as a serious competitor on national and international stages by returning to an attractive and attacking style of play?
