We are just over the halfway point of the Premier League season, so it’s time to hand out our mid-season awards. There have been some impressive performances, so let’s see who deserves what?
Team of the Season: Arsenal
Six points clear at the top of the Premier League and a big League Cup semi-final against Chelsea to come, Mikel Arteta’s side have made a solid start to what is a crucial season for the Gunners.
What has helped them is strengthening the depth of their squad.
Bringing in players like Eberechi Eze and Martin Zubimendi has definitely made them stronger in the Midfield and forward areas.
The only concern has been Viktor Gyokeres’s form.
Just five goals in 19 games is not the return you want from someone who was brought to spearhead the attack.
He does have other useful attributes, like running in behind opposition defenders to create space for others,
He could also be getting used to playing in England again, particularly Arteta’s system.
However, the pressure is mounting on him to deliver the goals for Arsenal.
It wouldn’t surprise many if Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, or even Mikel Merino get the nod over him in future games.
It may actually be beneficial for Arteta to bench him and bring him on as an impact sub.
When you have a player who is out of form, it’s better to bench them so they have a point to prove.
It also warns the player that there is no room for slackness on the team, given the fierce competition for places in the starting XI.
When there is competition for places in the squad, it usually makes the team perform consistently.
That’s the main reason Arsenal are in the position they are.
Can they make it count this time?
Player of the Season: Morgan Rogers
Seven goals, four assists, and an XG of 3.42, can life be any sweeter for the Aston Villa and England Midfielder?
Since signing for the West Midlands Club in February 2024, Rogers’ game has elevated to another level.
He surely must start for England at the World Cup, particularly with the kind of form he is in.
What is so impressive about him is the way he reads the game.
He knows exactly when to pass, when to shoot, where to move, and how to tackle. A complete footballer.
Should he continue his great form through the rest of the season, it would be surprising if he is one of the names on the Transfer Market, despite having a contract with Villa until 2031.
Manager of the season: Unai Emery
The man who has had the biggest influence on Rogers and Aston Villa’s form this season.
Emery has taken the West Midlands side, who were always fighting against relegation, and turned them into a team capable of competing for silverware.
Though that goal hasn’t been achieved yet, being six points behind Arsenal, an FA Cup fourth round tie against Newcastle United, and being third on the Europa League table, is still a fine achievement thus far.
League. What makes Emery such a top coach is his brilliant tactical acumen.
He knows exactly what to do in order to make his team stand the best chance of winning football matches.
There are also other candidates, such as Arteta at Arsenal, Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, and even Keith Andrews, who is doing an incredible job at Brentford.
However, you can’t ignore how Emery has changed the culture of this football club.
Long may it continue.
Flop Of The Season: Tottenham Hotspur
Despite finishing 17th in the Premier League last season, winning the Europa League would have shed light on Spurs’ season.
However, languishing in 14th place with just one win in six games is not where you want to be.
The pressure is starting to pile up on Thomas Frank, especially after the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the FA Cup.
He could even be the next manager to be sacked this season, particularly if results don’t improve.
What might be encouraging is the arrival of Conor Gallagher.
Strong sources say that the England Midfielder is on the verge of signing a permanent deal with the North London club.
If the deal goes through, perhaps he could be the player who reignites the season for Frank’s side.
Nevertheless, this season has so far been a flop show for Tottenham Hotspur.
So this is World In Sport’s Premier League Mid-Season Awards.