We have enjoyed a rich history at the Professional Footballers’ Association Awards down the years, with a host of our stars claiming the biggest accolades.
From Liam Brady in 1979 all the way through to Bukayo Saka in 2023, our Gunners have been representing us for the past five decades. With the latest awards taking place tonight, look back at those who have been honoured for their incredible contributions:
Men’s Player of the Year
Established in the 1973/74 season, the awards are voted on by the players themselves. The first Players’ Player of the Year was given to Leeds United’s Norman Hunter, following their title-winning campaign.
Six years on, and we’d have our first winner in the form of Liam Brady. The first player from outside the United Kingdom to win the award, Liam contributed 13 goals from the wing in 1978/79, as well as two assists in our famous FA Cup final victory over Manchester United.
Fast forward to 1997/98, and Dennis Bergkamp was the talk of the town, spearheading our creativity as we went in search of a first Premier League title. Dennis’ 20 goals across all competitions helped us win the league for the first time in six years as part of a famous double as we beat Newcastle United in the FA Cup final.
We wouldn’t have to wait long for our next winner, as Thierry Henry scooped the prize in 2002/03 for an electric campaign. As well as his incredible 32 goals in all competitions, the Frenchman also set the new record of 20 Premier League assists, a feat that still stands today.
A year on and it was Henry again who won the top prize as we went a whole season unbeaten to win the Premier League title. From his hat-trick against Liverpool to his remarkable four-goal haul against Leeds United, our all-time leading goalscorer was named back-to-back Player of the Year for the first time in the award’s history.
Our last winner of the PFA Player of the Year came in 2011/12 when Robin Van Persie won the prize after netting 30 Premier League goals in 38 appearances to help us finish third and qualify for the Champions League.
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Declan Rice nominated for PFA Player of the Year
Women’s Player of the Year
Introduced in 2012/13, we have the honour of having the first winner of the Women’s Player of the Year award. Kim Little picked up the trophy thanks to her outstanding campaign, beating Jordan Nobbs, Gemma Davison, Toni Duggan, Jodie Taylor, and Jessica Fishlock to the prize.
Our second winner came in 2018/19 as we clinched the Women’s Super League title. Our triumphant campaign was led by Vivianne Miedema, with the Dutch international netting an incredible 22 goals in 20 games to help us to our 15th league title and earn the individual honour.
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Russo and Mariona on PFA Player of the Year list
Men’s Young Player of the Year
The men’s Young Player of the Year award was also set up in 1973/74, honouring the hottest prospects in the top division. The current rule is that players must have been aged 21 or under as of July 1 immediately preceding the start of the season, having been reduced from 23 years old in previous seasons.
Our first winner was 19-year-old Tony Adams, who burst onto the scene in 1986/87. Tony played all 42 league matches under George Graham and also lifted the League Cup in the same year.
Two years on, and one of our own was awarded the honour, with Paul Merson collecting the Young Player of the Year award in 1988/89. The season will be remembered for our famous victory at Anfield to clinch the First Division, but Merson, who was 20 at the time, was a key figure in our success, netting 10 times to help us to glory.
After helping us to win the league in 1997/98, Nicolas Anelka would have another sensational season in red in 1998/99. The young Frenchman finished with 19 goals from 46 appearances, earning him the honour of 1999 Young Player of the Year.
Cesc Fabregas became our next winner after making his mark in the 2007/08 campaign. As well as scoring seven goals in the Premier League, Cesc also pitched in with 17 assists across the campaign, which was the third highest at the time.
Three seasons on and Cesc was partnering our next winner of the Young Player of the Year award in Jack Wilshere. Our academy graduate enjoyed an incredible breakout season alongside Fabregas, with his performance in our 2-1 win over Barcelona in the Champions League a highlight of the 2010/11 season.
It would be over a decade before another one of our young guns got their hands on the award as Bukayo Saka claimed the prize for his remarkable 2022/23 season in N5. After receiving a nomination for the fourth season in a row, 14 goals and 11 assists steered Bukayo to the award.
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MLS & Nwaneri on PFA Young Player of the Year list
Women’s Young Player of the Year
The Women’s Young Player of the Year award was also launched alongside the main women’s prize in 2012/13, with our first and only winner coming in 2015.
Leah Williamson was awarded the PFA Women’s Players’ Player of the Year after catching the eye with her dominant performances. The future England captain played 25 times in all competitions as she showed off her incredible passing range. Her performances helped us to win the League Cup that season.
Men’s Team of the Year
As well as the Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year, we’ve also featured prominently in the PFA Team of the Year.
Here’s a rundown of all of our inclusions, from Liam Brady in the 1970s all the way to our five stars named in 2023/24.
| Player | Number of inclusions |
|---|---|
| Kenny Sansom | 7 |
| Patrick Vieira | 6 |
| Thierry Henry | 6 |
| Tony Adams | 4 |
| David O’Leary | 3 |
| Robert Pires | 3 |
| Ashley Cole | 3 |
| Liam Brady | 2 |
| David Rocastle | 2 |
| Lee Dixon | 2 |
| David Seaman | 2 |
| Ian Wright | 2 |
| Sol Campbell | 2 |
| Bacary Sagna | 2 |
| Cesc Fabregas | 2 |
| William Saliba | 2 |
| Martin Odegaard | 2 |
| Bukayo Saka | 2 |
| Stuart Robson | 1 |
| Viv Anderson | 1 |
| Alan Smith | 1 |
| Dennis Bergkamp | 1 |
| Emmanuel Petit | 1 |
| Nicolas Anelka | 1 |
| Sylvinho | 1 |
| Lauren | 1 |
| Gael Clichy | 1 |
| Thomas Vermaelen | 1 |
| Emmanuel Adebayor | 1 |
| Samir Nasri | 1 |
| Jack Wilshere | 1 |
| Robin van Persie | 1 |
| Alexis Sanchez | 1 |
| Hector Bellerin | 1 |
| Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | 1 |
| Aaron Ramsdale | 1 |
| Declan Rice | 1 |
| David Raya | 1 |
Women’s Team of the Year
The Women’s Team of the Year kicked off in the 2013/14 season and we’ve had great success ever since.
We’ve had 15 inclusions over the past 10 years, with Little, Miedema and Williamson our most featured players, all on three:
| Player | Number of inclusions |
|---|---|
| Kim Little | 3 |
| Vivianne Miedema | 3 |
| Leah Williamson | 3 |
| Jordan Nobbs | 2 |
| Danielle Carter | 2 |
| Casey Stoney | 2 |
| Emma Mitchell | 1 |
| Vicky Losada | 1 |
| Beth Mead | 1 |
| Gemma Davison | 1 |
| Lia Walti | 1 |
| Kate McCabe | 1 |
| Rafaelle Souza | 1 |
| Frida Maanum | 1 |
| Lotte Wubben-Moy | 1 |
OUR PREVIOUS WINNERS
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