Arsenal and Manchester City Dominate Best XI
The PFA Premier League Team of the Year for the 2025/26 season has officially been revealed, with champions Arsenal and Manchester City dominating a star-studded selection.
Five Arsenal players made the XI, while Manchester City contributed four. Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and Brentford striker Igor Thiago completed the lineup, meaning only two selected players came from outside the league’s top two represented clubs.
Chosen by fellow professional footballers, the PFA Team of the Year is one of the most respected individual honours in English football. The final XI recognises the players who delivered the most influential performances throughout the Premier League campaign.
PFA Premier League Team of the Year 2025/26 in Full
Goalkeeper
- David Raya – Arsenal
Defenders
- Jurriën Timber – Arsenal
- Gabriel Magalhães – Arsenal
- William Saliba – Arsenal
- Nico O’Reilly – Manchester City
Midfielders
- Bruno Fernandes – Manchester United
- Declan Rice – Arsenal
- Rayan Cherki – Manchester City
Forwards
- Antoine Semenyo – Manchester City
- Igor Thiago – Brentford
- Erling Haaland – Manchester City
The PFA confirmed that the team was selected by the players, giving each inclusion added significance.
Five Arsenal Players Rewarded After Title Triumph
Arsenal’s dominance of the selection reflects an outstanding campaign in which the Gunners became Premier League champions for the first time since 2004.
David Raya takes the goalkeeper position following another exceptional season. The Spaniard recorded 19 clean sheets in 37 appearances, winning his third consecutive Premier League Golden Glove. Only Pepe Reina, Joe Hart and Ederson had previously won the award in three straight seasons. Premier League
In front of Raya, Arsenal provided three members of the back four. Jurriën Timber’s defensive reliability and versatility earned him the right-back position, while Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba were reunited in central defence.
Gabriel’s physical strength, aggression and threat from set pieces complemented Saliba’s pace, calmness and ability to defend large spaces. Together, they formed the foundation of Arsenal’s title-winning team.
Declan Rice was Arsenal’s fifth representative. His energy, leadership and influence in both defensive and attacking phases made him one of the defining midfielders of the campaign. Whether breaking up opposition attacks or driving Arsenal forward, Rice consistently delivered in important matches.
Bruno Fernandes Leads an Outstanding Midfield
Bruno Fernandes was arguably the easiest midfield selection after producing a historic creative campaign for Manchester United.
The Portuguese international registered 21 Premier League assists, breaking the previous single-season record of 20 shared by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. His performances earned him the Golden Playmaker award as well as the 2026 PFA Players’ Player of the Year prize. Premier League
Fernandes’ inclusion alongside Rice gives the team a combination of creativity, leadership and midfield control.
Manchester City playmaker Rayan Cherki takes the third midfield position. His imagination, technical quality and ability to unlock organised defences helped him become one of City’s most entertaining and effective attacking players.
Some supporters may question whether the midfield needed another defensively minded player, but Cherki’s selection reflects the value placed on creativity and decisive moments.
Nico O’Reilly Completes the Defence
Nico O’Reilly was selected at left-back after a breakthrough season for Manchester City. Comfortable carrying the ball and contributing in several areas of the pitch, the youngster established himself as a major part of City’s campaign.
His remarkable rise was further recognised when he won the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
O’Reilly’s selection demonstrates how quickly he developed from a promising academy graduate into one of the league’s most highly rated young players.
Haaland, Igor Thiago and Semenyo Form a Powerful Attack
The forward line combines elite finishing, strength, pace and direct attacking threat.
Erling Haaland secured another automatic place after winning the 2025/26 Premier League Golden Boot with 27 goals. It was the Norwegian’s third Golden Boot, moving him within one of the record shared by Thierry Henry and Mohamed Salah. Premier League
Igor Thiago’s inclusion represents one of the season’s biggest success stories. The Brentford striker scored 22 league goals, finishing behind only Haaland in the Golden Boot race. His physical presence, movement and clinical finishing made him one of the division’s most dangerous centre-forwards.
Antoine Semenyo completes the attack following an excellent campaign across his spells with Bournemouth and Manchester City. His pace, power and ability to attack defenders provided a different threat alongside the two central strikers.
Which Players Were Unlucky to Miss Out?
Although the selected XI contains plenty of quality, every Team of the Year produces debate.
Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi had a strong case after an impressive individual season. Matheus Nunes was also praised for his consistency at Manchester City, while Crystal Palace’s Daniel Muñoz attracted attention for his attacking contributions from full-back.
In midfield, Elliot Anderson, Dominik Szoboszlai and Bernardo Silva could all feel unfortunate. Further forward, Jeremy Doku and Morgan Rogers were among the players considered worthy of recognition.
Premier League pundits also disagreed over several positions. Alan Shearer selected Senesi, Gary Neville included Bernardo Silva, Jamie Carragher chose Matheus Nunes and Jeremy Doku, while Michael Owen found places for Muñoz and Rogers in his own best XI. Premier League
However, the official selection came from the players themselves, making it a powerful endorsement from the professionals who faced these stars on the pitch.
A Team Built Around the Season’s Biggest Achievements
The final XI captures many of the defining stories from the 2025/26 Premier League season:
- Arsenal’s title-winning defensive strength
- Raya’s third consecutive Golden Glove
- Fernandes’ record-breaking 21 assists
- O’Reilly’s emergence as an outstanding young player
- Haaland’s third Golden Boot
- Igor Thiago’s remarkable 22-goal campaign
Five Arsenal players and four Manchester City stars underline the two clubs’ influence, but the inclusion of Fernandes and Thiago ensures that exceptional individual performances were also rewarded.
Follow Premier League Betting Markets on Bangbet
The new Premier League season offers supporters another opportunity to follow stars such as Haaland, Fernandes, Rice, Cherki and Igor Thiago. On Bangbet, eligible users can explore markets covering match results, total goals, clean sheets, player goalscorers and other available selections.
Always study recent form, injuries, team news and confirmed starting lineups before placing a bet. Odds can change, and even the league’s best players cannot guarantee a winning selection.
Who would you remove from the PFA Premier League Team of the Year—and which overlooked player deserves a place?
Visit Bangbet to explore upcoming Premier League fixtures and available betting markets. Bet responsibly, set a clear budget and never chase losses. Betting is for adults aged 18 and over. Terms and conditions apply.
