Declan Rice wins Arsenal Player of the Season with 44% vote

Declan Rice has been voted Arsenal’s Men’s Player of the Season for the second consecutive year, securing 44 % of the supporters’ vote for the 2025/26 campaign, after helping Arsenal win the Premier League title and reach the Champions League final.

Rice received 44 % of the vote, finishing ahead of goalkeeper David Raya, who placed second, and midfielder Gabriel, who was third. His back‑to‑back triumph makes him the sixth Arsenal player to retain the award in successive seasons. He joins Liam Brady, Ian Wright, Thierry Henry, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard in that exclusive group.

The award follows a season in which Arsenal reclaimed the Premier League title, ending a 22‑year wait for north London. Arsenal also reached the Champions League final, only the second appearance in the club’s history. Rice’s two corners directly produced goals during the campaign.

During England’s World Cup victory over Croatia, Rice was substituted in the 72nd minute after reporting lower‑back and hamstring discomfort. England manager Thomas Tuchel said the change was unplanned and explained, “I asked him and he pointed directly to his lower back, upper hamstring, that he feels discomfort… I didn’t want to take any risks.” Tuchel added that Reece James performed well in central midfield after Rice’s exit.

Rice later assured he was “all good, good as gold” and expected to be available for England’s next group game against Ghana on June 23. England face Ghana on Tuesday, June 23, at 9 pm BST, before meeting Panama on Saturday, June 27, at 10 pm BST. If England win against Ghana, they could secure top spot and may not need Rice in the final match, depending on other results.