On u.gg, from Iron-Silver rank they consider AREY to be the BEST Azir rune. So many people in those ranks have played Arey azir that the winrate overtook the more viable options.
LoL Worlds 2023: Faker Playing Azir Has Ruined The… | EarlyGame
Azir Build Guides :: League of Legends Strategy Builds, Runes and Items