Declan Rice of Arsenal is the current favorite for the Premier League player of the season award, according to BBC Sport experts. The midfielder has been instrumental in Arsenal's title challenge, registering five league assists this season, the most among any Gunners player. Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United is the main challenger, with eight goals and 16 assists in 28 games, putting him on track to break the Premier League assist record of 20. Arsenal defender Shkodran Gabriel is also a contender, contributing three goals and four assists while keeping the team's defense tight. Antoine Semenyo and Igor Thiago have also stood out, with Semenyo scoring 19 goals since his £62.5m move to Manchester City and Thiago netting 19 goals for Brentford, lifting the club towards European football.

The award has been won by champions only five times in the past decade, making Rice's position as favorite significant despite Arsenal's strong title challenge.