Arsenal and Manchester City stars lead players’ Premier League XI

The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Premier League Team of the Year has been announced, with Arsenal and Manchester City providing 10 of the 11 players selected by their fellow professionals.

The team was revealed at a ceremony held at Manchester Opera House on Tuesday evening, with the two clubs who finished first and second in the Premier League dominating the players’ vote.

Champions Arsenal have five representatives in the side, including goalkeeper David Raya, who was rewarded after winning the Premier League Golden Glove. Raya kept 19 clean sheets during the campaign.

Three members of Arsenal’s defence also made the team. Jurrien Timber was selected alongside central-defensive pairing Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, who were key figures in the back line that helped the Gunners finish as league champions.

Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly completes the defence at left-back. He is the first of four City players named in the XI.

The midfield selection includes one player from each of the top two clubs, with Arsenal’s Declan Rice joined by Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes completes the midfield three after an outstanding season in which he set a new Premier League record for the most assists in the competition’s history, registering 21.

The Portugal international also claimed a notable individual treble. He won the Premier League Player of the Year award and the Football Writers’ Association award before completing the sweep with the PFA Fans’ Player of the Year honour.

Arsenal’s forwards were not included in the three-man attack, as the voting favoured the leading goalscorers from the campaign.

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland heads the forward line after finishing as the Premier League’s top scorer with 27 goals.

He is joined by Brentford forward Igor Thiago, who scored 22 times, and Ghana international Antoine Semenyo, who found the net on 17 occasions.

Semenyo began the season at Bournemouth before moving to Manchester City midway through the campaign. His inclusion means City have representation in defence, midfield and attack, while Arsenal’s five selections remain the largest contribution by any club.

Only two players in the final team come from outside Arsenal and Manchester City: Fernandes of Manchester United and Thiago of Brentford.

The selection was formally announced by the PFA, with the final line-up chosen by players. The organisation shared the completed team on social media with the message: “The PFA Premier League Team of the Year 🏆Voted for by the players.”

The team reflects the strength of the two leading sides across the Premier League season, with Arsenal’s defensive foundations and Manchester City’s attacking power both heavily represented.