As we are reaching the end of the season, it is time to announce the Player of the Year awards and we’ve picked our top 3 players as well as the best young player.
Young player of the year
Lauren James
There can only be one winner and it is Lauren James.
The playmaker made her first team debut aged 16 and has not looked out of place in the games she has been involved in.
She is a rare two-footed player, technically strong and lucky enough to be developing under the guidance of players like Kim Little and Jordan Nobbs who will show her the way to excellence.
An exceptional talent, James could lead Arsenal Women to success over the next decade if she carries on improving and fulfils her high potential.
Honorable mentions
Ava Kuyken and Anna Filbey
Ava is another u17 player who has been involved with the first team, getting a couple of appearances as a substitute.
She is a classic defensive midfielder who can develop and learn alongside Dominique Janssen.
Anna is currently coming back from a long term injury.
She started the season as the Development Team captain but was quickly promoted to the first team where she made a few appearances, including a start against Millwall in the Conti Cup group stages.
Originally an attacking midfielder, her versatility has seen her used at right-back, right-wing back and on the wing for the first team.
Player of the year 3rd place
Lisa Evans
Signed last summer from FC Bayern, the winger was moved to right-back by Joe Montemurro as Jessica Samuelsson, the number one choice, was injured following some unconvincing performances.
Captain Alex Scott, her natural back-up club was not often available for training and matches due to her broadcasting commitments.
Lisa has adapted very well to her position, bringing her attacking instinct to the role while working on her defensive side of the game.
Her knowledge and understanding has grown through the years and she had a good influence on the team’s success.
Player of the year runner-up
Dominique Janssen
The defensive midfielder/centre-back/left-back is a consistent performer.
Her versatility is crucial to the team as she regularly gets moved around the pitch during games when injuries and substitutions mean a positional reshuffle.
She is good on the ball, technically strong, calm and collected.
She can also score goals from long range, a very useful weapon against reinforced defences.
Her work-rate is excellent and she is a crucial cog in the team that helps maintain the balance between defence and attack as the other five players ahead of her on the pitch are often more attack-minded.
Player of the year winner
Bethany Mead
The striker has made her home on the left-wing and has been very prolific. She is back to her clinical best as she was with Sunderland.
Following a disappointing Spring Series, Mead lifted her level and performed at the highest standard resulting in an England call-up.
Her direct style and speed makes her a threat from the flanks and she can attack defences at pace, beating them with ease.
Mead found it more difficult in the centre forward position. That player spends most of the game without the ball and her back to the goal under pressure from the opposition centre-backs.
At a time when the other forwards were struggling for form, Mead was scoring crucial goals for the team and that’s why she deserves our player of the year award.