Arsenal and Man City Players Shine in PFA Premier League Team of the Year

Arsenal and Manchester City have shown their strength in English football, taking nine out of the eleven spots in the 2025/26 PFA Premier League Team of the Year. The announcement was made at the Manchester Opera House on Tuesday.

This player-voted team shows a big change in the league. Mikel Arteta’s smart tactics and Pep Guardiola’s strong squad have earned great respect from other players.

Details from the PFA website confirmed this.

Arsenal’s Strong Defense

Arsenal’s tough defense was the highlight of the night, winning four out of five defensive spots.

Goalkeeper David Raya is in goal, backed by the strong center-back duo of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães. Fullback Jurriën Timber rounds out the Gunners’ defense, making Arsenal the most feared defensive team in the country.

In midfield, Declan Rice earned his spot for his key role in Arsenal’s EPL success.

City’s Talented Players

Manchester City responded to Arsenal’s strong defense by taking over the midfield and attack.

In a surprising move, City’s rising star Nico O’Reilly, who also won the PFA Men’s Young Player of the Year, was added to the defensive lineup by his fellow players.

Moving up the field, City’s creative force was highlighted with Rayan Cherki’s inclusion. Meanwhile, the powerful Erling Haaland and the speedy Antoine Semenyo lead a dangerous forward line.

Exceptions: Fernandes and Thiago

Only two players outside the Arsenal-Manchester City rivalry made it into the top eleven.

Manchester United’s captain Bruno Fernandes earned his place in midfield. His standout performance throughout the season was recognized as he won the PFA Men’s Players’ Player of the Year award.

Brentford’s sharp striker Igor Thiago also joined the team up front. His amazing goal-scoring skills gained him respect from other players.

This star-filled lineup shows a season marked by a fierce competition between two teams, proving that while many players shine in the league, Arsenal and Manchester City are setting the standard for top football in England.