Vieira crowns Raya and snubs Bruno — bold MNF call from the Arsenal legend

On a night built for big calls and bigger arguments, Patrick Vieira delivered one of the boldest of the lot: forget the playmakers, give the gong to the goalkeeper. The Arsenal icon batted away Gary Neville’s choice of Bruno Fernandes and anointed David Raya as his Premier League Player of the Season.

The MNF stage is set

With Jamie Carragher and Dave Jones steering the final Monday Night Football of the 2025/26 campaign, the panel chewed over Arsenal’s clash with Burnley before diving into the end-of-season honours. Neville, on commentary duty at the Emirates, weighed in from the gantry as the debate warmed up.

Neville’s case for Bruno

Unsurprisingly, Neville leaned towards Manchester United’s talisman. Bruno Fernandes has matched the single-season Premier League assist record, hitting the 20 mark and recently teeing up a key goal in United’s 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest. Neville’s logic? Fernandes grafted through United’s struggles and then hit a purple patch, dragging standards up when it mattered. Even so, he admitted he might wear egg on his face if Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Gabriel end up celebrating a Premier League and Champions League double.

Vieira says: keeper gets the crown

Vieira wasn’t having it. With a polite nod in Neville’s direction, he backed Arsenal’s No 1. In his eyes, Raya has been relentlessly dependable from August to the run-in: vital saves, cool head, and — crucially — points on the board. He also made the point too often ignored in these votes: we fawn over the artists up top, but defenders and goalkeepers can define seasons just as decisively.

Why Raya? The calm in Arsenal’s storm

Look beyond the highlight reels and you see the value. Raya’s positioning has been sharp, his handling authoritative, and his distribution a constant release valve for Mikel Arteta’s build-up. When Arsenal’s back line has been asked serious questions, he’s answered them with big stops and a serenity that spreads through the XI. Vieira’s view is simple: Arsenal’s title charge has a foundation, and it stands between the posts.

Verdict: Patrick Vieira pins his Player of the Season on David Raya — a vote for command, composure and match-winning moments over the usual sparkle of the No 10s.

Pundit’s take

Player of the Season chats usually gravitate to the artists: the Rices dictating tempo, the Brunos threading killer passes. But if you’re honest about who swung tight matches, who steadied nerves when the pressure gauge burst, Raya’s name keeps surfacing. That’s why Vieira’s shout carries weight. It’s not fashionable — it’s just right.

If you’re weighing up end-of-season markets and awards chatter, have a look at the latest odds on the best betting sites before you nail your colours to the mast.