Man City have five players in the Premier League XI of the season, while Arsenal are represented by Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Gabriel.
We’re basing this Premier League XI on WhoScored ratings, which essentially means Opta statistics and algorithms that generally reward ‘doing stuff’, so aerially dominant centre-halves are far more likely to be included than calm passers.
Anyway, here is the Premier League team of the season.
All candidates must have started 24 games.
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City)
Donnarumma joined Manchester City for £26million last summer and goes down as one of the signings of the season.
No goalkeeper boasts a better save percentage (74.2) in the 2025/26 Premier League and only David Raya (19) had more clean sheets than Donnarumma (15).
There were a few shaky moments over the course of a long campaign but the Italian doesn’t have much competition here. Not according to the algorithm, anyway.
Made one of the saves of the season against Liverpool.
Right-back: Matheus Nunes (Manchester City)
Nunes just edges out Arsenal full-back Timber, who missed the run-in through injury and is a major doubt for the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.
If injuries were not an issue, this place would belong to Reece James. But injuries are always an issue with Reece James.
Centre-back: Gabriel (Arsenal)
Probably the best centre-back in the Premier League bar none. Though he is a dirty, dirty diver. Claimed his fourth assist of the season v Chelsea as Set Piece FC triumphed again. And then 23 clearances across two clean sheet games v Brighton and Everton. No goals since January though.
And absolutely should have been sent off v Manchester City. What if?
Centre-back: James Tarkowski (Everton)
A goal and an assist v Crystal Palace in a 2-2 draw brought Tarkowski back into this XI, but it’s really all of the heading that made him a contender in the first place. He is very David Moyes and very Everton.
Left-back: Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City)
Deservedly named Premier League Young Player of the Season and should start for England at this summer’s World Cup, especially with Lewis Hall, Luke Shaw and Myles Lewis-Skelly nowhere to be seen in Thomas Tuchel’s squad.
Central midfield: Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Claimed his fifth Premier League assist of the season v Chelsea as Arsenal once again relied on set-pieces. And he’s rather good at set-pieces. He looked knackered after Bernardo Silva schooled him v Manchester City, only to find a second wind to help deliver the Premier League title to Arsenal.
Central midfield: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest)
Enjoyed an incredible season which should end in a World Cup starting berth and a £100m-plus move to one of the Manchester clubs and Champions League football. He finished the Premier League season with the most ball recoveries (by 96), fouls won and touches, and also ranked high for take-ons, passes, key passes and tackles.
Right wing: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Finished with seven goals and five assists as Arsenal won the Premier League, but registered no goal involvement bigger than his Champions League semi-final winner over Atletico Madrid. We’re not too sure how Saka has the fifth-best rating in the entire Premier League.
Attacking midfield: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Logged a ludicrous 21 Premier League assists to set a new single season record. Named Premier League Player of the Season and Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year.
Left wing: Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City)
Finished on 17 Premier League goals after scoring in blue v Wolves, Tottenham, Fulham, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa; only Erling Haaland and Igor Thiago scored more. Also claimed the FA Cup winner to crown a very impressive half-season.
Striker: Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Haaland scored 27 Premier League goals in 35 games. An outstanding return for anyone else. Just a decent return for Haaland. Also, only Fernandes, Rayan Cherki and Jarrod Bowen finished with Premier League assists.
