Saka’s Arsenal team-mates Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard were both selected but there was no space for the England winger.
The 22-year-old has enjoyed another productive season under Mikel Arteta, scoring 16 goals and making nine assists to help Arsenal challenge for the Premier League title.
Saka was named on the shortlist for young player of the season but Merson was ‘very surprised’ he was snubbed from the main list.
Rice and Odegaard were joined in the eight-player shortlist by Manchester City duo Phil Foden and Erling Haaland, Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer and Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak.
Asked if he was surprised Saka was omitted from the shortlist, Merson told Sky Sports: ‘Yeah, very much so.
‘When it comes to the vote, I think people forget about form at the start of the season. He was unplayable at the start of the season.
‘I know it’s been a little bit harder for him recently but teams double up on him. That’s what happens when you’re successful and good at your job, teams don’t want him on the ball.
‘I am quite shocked at that… Arsenal are at the top and Saka’s been superb so he should be in with a shout for player of the year, no doubt about that.’
Saka will hope to make more of an impact on Sunday when title-chasing Arsenal travel to Old Trafford to face struggling Manchester United.
Premier League nominations
Player of the season nominees
Erling Haaland (Man City)
Phil Foden (Man City)
Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
Alexander Isak (Newcastle)
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Manager of the season nominees
Pep Guardiola (Man City)
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Unai Emery (Aston Villa)
Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth)
Young player of the season nominees
Erling Haaland (Man City)
Phil Foden (Man City)
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
William Saliba (Arsenal)
Alexander Isak (Newcastle)
Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Kobbie Mainoo (Man Utd)
Destiny Udogie (Tottenham)
The Gunners head to Manchester sitting second in the Premier League after title rivals Manchester City thumped Fulham 4-0 on Saturday to go top.
Arsenal are chasing a first league title since 2004, while Pep Guardiola’s side are aiming to become the first team in history to win four successive Premier League titles.
The big games will keep on coming for Saka after the conclusion of the Premier League season, with the Arsenal star set to play a big part in England’s Euro 2024 campaign this summer.
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