Before we praise Bukayo Saka as the king of Arsenal but now is no longer Saka anymore, yesterday He was voted PFA player of the year but because we didn’t win any trophy last season that was why they gave the award to Salah”, Declan Rice praises ONE Arsenal player who is now the Unsung Hero in the squad

PFA Team of the Year: Arsenal Trio Earn Recognition as Declan Rice Praises Gabriel Magalhães

The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has officially unveiled its prestigious Team of the Year, and three Arsenal stars have been rewarded for their outstanding contributions to the Gunners’ 2023/24 campaign. Despite finishing second in the Premier League for the third successive season, Arsenal’s performances were enough to see key players recognized by their peers across English football.

Leading the way is Declan Rice, who also scooped Arsenal’s Player of the Season award after a phenomenal debut year at the Emirates. The England international brought balance, leadership, and consistency to Mikel Arteta’s midfield, cementing himself as one of the Premier League’s standout performers. Rice’s inclusion in the PFA Team of the Year is seen as further validation of the £105m investment Arsenal made last summer.

Joining him in the squad are the club’s two defensive stalwarts, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães. The pair formed one of the most formidable centre-back partnerships in Europe, providing the backbone of a side that pushed Manchester City all the way once again in the title race.

For Gabriel, the recognition is particularly special. The Brazilian, now in his fifth year at Arsenal, has been steadily winning over doubters since his arrival in 2020. Often overshadowed by the elegance and calm of Saliba, Gabriel’s relentless work rate, aerial dominance, and physicality have made him indispensable to Arteta’s system. This marks the second consecutive season that Gabriel has been named in the PFA Team of the Year, a clear sign that his consistency and influence are no longer going unnoticed.

Speaking after the announcement, Rice was quick to heap praise on his teammate. “Gabriel is one of the most underrated defenders in the league,” Rice said. “He’s been so consistent, so dominant at the back for us. People are finally starting to give him the credit he deserves. I’m delighted to be alongside him and Saliba in the Team of the Year—it shows just how strong we’ve been as a unit.”

Saliba, meanwhile, continues to establish himself as one of the most coveted young defenders in world football. At just 23 years old, his maturity and composure have drawn comparisons with some of the greatest centre-backs in Premier League history. His partnership with Gabriel has been the cornerstone of Arsenal’s progress under Arteta, giving the Gunners the defensive solidity they had long been lacking.

While Arsenal fans may feel a few more names could have made the cut—Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard were notably absent—the inclusion of three players underscores the club’s growing reputation as one of the league’s elite forces. For Arteta, it is both recognition of progress and motivation to go one step further in the coming campaign.

The trio’s inclusion in the PFA Team of the Year is not only a reward for individual brilliance but also a reflection of Arsenal’s collective resurgence. With Rice anchoring the midfield and the Saliba-Gabriel axis marshalling the backline, the Gunners have a platform upon which to build future success.

As Rice put it best: “We’re proud of the recognition, but the ultimate goal is to turn these performances into trophies. That’s what we’re all working towards.”