Arsenal, Man City players dominate PFA Premier League team of the year

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Arsenal and Manchester City have firmly asserted their dominance over English football, locking down nine out of the eleven spots in the 2025/26 PFA Premier League Team of the Year announced at the Manchester Opera House on Tuesday.

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The player-voted lineup underscores a massive power shift in the top flight, with Mikel Arteta’s tactical masterclass and Pep Guardiola’s squad depth earning ultimate respect from their professional peers.

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Details obtained from the PFA website confirmed this.

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All-North London Backline

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Arsenal’s near-impenetrable defensive unit was the big winner of the night, securing four out of five defensive positions.

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Goalkeeper David Raya takes the gloves, shielded by the formidable center-back pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães.

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Completing the Gunners’ backline dominance is fullback Jurriën Timber, cementing Arsenal’s reputation as the most feared defensive block in the country.

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Meanwhile, Declan Rice is voted in the midfield for his worthy contribution to Arsenal’s EPL success.

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City’s Rising Stars, Creative Hub

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Manchester City countered Arsenal’s defensive wall by sweeping the midfield and attacking echelons.

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In a tactical twist, City’s breakout sensation Nico O’Reilly—who also picked up the PFA Men’s Young Player of the Year award—was voted into the defensive unit by his peers.

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Further up the pitch, City’s creative pulse was recognized with a spot for Rayan Cherki, while the lethal Erling Haaland and the dynamic Antoine Semenyo spearhead a terrifying forward line.

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Outliers: Fernandes, Thiago Break Duopoly

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Only two players outside the Arsenal-Manchester City rivalry managed to break into the prestigious eleven.

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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes claimed his rightful place in the midfield engine room.

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His individual brilliance throughout the campaign was further validated as he took home the evening’s ultimate crown: the PFA Men’s Players’ Player of the Year award.

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Joining the elite lineup upfront is Brentford’s clinical striker Igor Thiago, whose remarkable goal-scoring form earned him a stunning recognition from his fellow professionals.

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The star-studded lineup reflects a season defined by a relentless two-horse race, proving that while individual brilliance shines across the league, Arsenal and Manchester City currently dictate the standard of elite football in England.

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