By Nurudeen Obalola
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer are the leading names among the eight nominees for the English Premier League Player of the Month for October.
The other players shortlisted for the prize are Leicester City’s Facundo Buonanotte, Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City, Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels, Danny Welbeck of Brighton and Chris Wood of Forest.
Saka, the England forward with Nigerian heritage, was in brilliant form for Arsenal in the month under review, registering two goals and two assists in just two matches.
On his part, Palmer is seeking to win the prize back-to-back after producing one goal and one assist as well as eight chances in three matches for the Blues.
Buonanotte netted twice in three matches as Leicester City secured two wins in October, while Welbeck scored three goals for Brighton, who went unbeaten in the month with two wins and one draw.
Gvardiol played a key role in taking champions Manchester City to the top of the standings with three wins out of three, personally contributing one goal and creating six chances as a defender.
Sels and Wood were pivotal in Forest winning two and drawing one game in October, the former keeping one clean sheet and making 14 saves, the latter scoring four goals.
Fans have until noon on Monday to vote for one player from the shortlist.
The fans’ votes will be combined with those of a panel of football experts to determine the winner, who will be revealed next week.
