Two Arsenal stars may not get Premier League winners’ medal

As Arsenal prepare for trophy celebrations on Sunday, uncertainty still surrounds whether two members of Arteta’s squad will receive Premier League medals.

Mikel Arteta

Arsenal’s long wait for a Premier League title finally ended after Manchester City dropped points against Bournemouth on Tuesday night.

Mikel Arteta’s side officially became champions for the first time since the Invincibles lifted the trophy back in 2004.

Supporters immediately celebrated across north London after years of heartbreak and near misses in the title race.

The Gunners will now receive the Premier League trophy following their final game of the season against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday.

Most of Arsenal’s squad will also collect winners’ medals after helping the club secure one of the biggest achievements in recent history.

However, not every player inside the squad is guaranteed to receive one.

Premier League rules state players must make at least five league appearances during the campaign to automatically qualify for a winners’ medal.

That regulation could leave two Arsenal goalkeepers empty-handed despite spending the season inside Arteta’s squad.

Second-choice goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is currently at risk of missing out on a medal.

The Spaniard joined Arsenal from Chelsea last summer. But he failed to make a single Premier League appearance this season while playing behind first-choice keeper David Raya.

Kepa still featured regularly in cup competitions, making six appearances in the Carabao Cup, four in the FA Cup and one in the Champions League.

However, those matches do not count towards Premier League medal qualification.

Third-choice goalkeeper Tommy Setford also faces the same problem.

The 20-year-old only played once during Arsenal’s FA Cup campaign and never appeared in the Premier League.

According to Rule C.13 in the Premier League handbook, clubs receive 40 commemorative medals to distribute among players and staff.

However, only players with at least five league appearances automatically qualify.

Additional medals can only be awarded with Premier League approval if more than 39 players already meet the required appearance threshold.

That means Arsenal could still request extra medals for both Kepa and Setford later this summer.

Meanwhile, Ethan Nwaneri will receive a winners’ medal despite spending the second half of the season on loan at Marseille.

The young midfielder made six Premier League appearances before leaving Arsenal in January, which officially qualifies him for the honour.

Now, while Arsenal prepare for trophy celebrations on Sunday, uncertainty still surrounds whether two members of Arteta’s squad will receive Premier League medals alongside the rest of the team.

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