Arsenal Dominate 2026 London Football Awards Night
Sports Updated: 06 March 2026 14:27 EAT
Arsenal stars eberechi Eze and Declan Rice at the LFA award ceremony in London
The 2026 London Football Awards celebrated the best players, managers and community contributors across clubs in the English capital, with several stars recognised for their performances during the current season. The ceremony was held in west London and brought together players, coaches and football stakeholders from clubs across the city.
Declan Rice was named Premier League Player of the Year after an impressive campaign with Arsenal F.C.. The midfielder has been a central figure in the club’s title challenge, providing leadership, defensive stability and creativity from the middle of the pitch.
Rice has featured in around 40 matches in all competitions this season, contributing goals and assists while maintaining consistent performances in domestic and European competitions. His influence in key matches has been widely credited with helping Arsenal remain competitive in the Premier League race.
Mikel Arteta received the Manager of the Year award after guiding Arsenal to the top end of the league table and deep runs in major competitions. The Spanish coach has been praised for building a balanced squad capable of challenging for major honours.
Arteta’s tactical approach and squad management have helped Arsenal remain among the most consistent teams in England. Under his leadership, the club has continued to develop young talent while maintaining strong defensive and attacking performances.
David Raya was honoured as Goalkeeper of the Year, reflecting his importance to Arsenal’s defensive structure. The Spanish goalkeeper has produced several crucial saves throughout the season and played a key role in maintaining clean sheets in league and cup matches.
Raya’s distribution and composure on the ball have also been highlighted as key aspects of his modern goalkeeping style. His performances have cemented his place as the first-choice goalkeeper at Arsenal.
Eberechi Eze won the PFA Men’s Player in the Community Champion award for his off-field work through the Eze Foundation. The Crystal Palace midfielder has been involved in programmes designed to support and mentor young people.
The foundation focuses on youth empowerment, education support and community engagement initiatives. Through these programmes, Eze has helped provide opportunities and guidance for young people in underserved communities.
Chelsea youngster Estevão Willian was named Men’s Young Player of the Year after an impressive start to his career at Chelsea F.C.. The Brazilian winger joined the club from Palmeiras and has quickly attracted attention with his attacking ability.
Estevão has already scored several goals and provided assists during his debut season, including standout performances in domestic and European matches. His pace, dribbling ability and creativity have made him one of the most exciting young prospects in London football.
In the women’s category, Alyssa Thompson of Chelsea F.C. Women won Women’s Young Player of the Year. The American forward has enjoyed a strong first season with the club and emerged as one of their key attacking players.
Thompson has scored multiple goals in the Women’s Super League and impressed fans with her speed and direct attacking style. Her performances have quickly established her as one of the most promising young talents in women’s football.
Millie Bright received the PFA Women’s Player in the Community award in recognition of her charitable work. The Chelsea defender has been actively involved in community programmes linked to the club’s foundation.
Bright has focused particularly on projects supporting children with special educational needs. Her work has helped raise awareness about conditions such as autism and ADHD while promoting inclusive sports participation.
The London Football Awards have been held annually for more than a decade and recognise outstanding achievements among clubs based in the capital. Teams eligible for recognition include Arsenal, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham, West Ham United and several other London clubs.
The 2026 edition highlighted the strong influence of Arsenal and Chelsea players across the awards, reflecting the competitive performances of both clubs during the current season.
Organisers say the awards are judged by a panel of football experts, journalists and industry figures, ensuring that both sporting achievements and community impact are considered when selecting winners.
The event continues to grow in importance within English football, providing recognition for players, managers and community figures who contribute to the success and development of the game in London.
The 2026 ceremony once again showcased the depth of football talent in the capital while celebrating individuals who have excelled both on the pitch and in their communities.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD