Mikel Arteta and Renée Slegers have both been shortlisted for The Best FIFA Football Awards 2025, recognising an extraordinary year in which Arsenal reached new heights.

Arteta is among seven contenders for The Best FIFA Men’s Coach, nominated after guiding Arsenal to a Premier League runners-up finish and the semi-finals of the Champions League.

It is another nod to the consistency of his tenure, with the club again competing deep into Europe while sustaining one of the most stingy defensive records in England.

The shortlist also features Arne Slot, Luis Enrique, Hansi Flick, Enzo Maresca, Javier Aguirre and Roberto Martínez, following a year of exceptional competition across Europe.

Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images

In the women’s category, Slegers’ nomination for The Best FIFA Women’s Coach is richly deserved.

The Dutch manager ended the 2024/25 season by leading Arsenal to their first UEFA Women’s Champions League title in 18 years, beating Barcelona in the final after eliminating Real Madrid and Lyon in earlier rounds.

She is up against Sonia Bompastor, Jonathan Giraldez, Seb Hines, and Sarina Wiegman.

FIFA’s Women’s Player nominations further underline the strength of Arsenal’s women’s side, with Mariona Caldentey, Leah Williamson, Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly all recognised.

Caldentey, in her debut season at the club, scored the Champions League Goal of the Tournament and was named WSL Player of the Season, while Williamson and Russo played decisive roles in both Arsenal’s European triumph and England’s EURO 2025 success.

For the men’s team, David Raya has been nominated in the goalkeeper section.