PFA Premier League Team of the Year Announced; Five Arsenal, Four Manchester City Players Make Cut

It’s that time of the year again when 11 of the best players in the top tiers of English football shall be celebrated and honored by the PFA.

The PFA Premier League Team of the Year for the 2023/24 season was announced on Tuesday, with a record-breaking 5 Arsenal players making the cut along with 4 Manchester City players, indicating the sheer dominance that both sides have displayed over the last seasons under the watchful eyes of their managers Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola respectively.

Manchester City’s Golden Boot winner Erling Haaland took the top spot in the player-voted squad, having netted 27 times enroute to City’s record-breaking fourth consecutive Premier League title.

The Norwegian was also joined by the likes of his City teammates Rodri who was the heart of Guardiola’s midfield, Phil Foden who was City’s star performer throughout last season, and skipper Kyle Walker.

Coming to the runners-up of last season, Arsenal’s David Raya was the unmistakable choice, as the Spaniard was the core reason behind the Gunners’ league-best defensive record, whilst grabbing the Golden Glove last season with 16 league clean sheets.

Raya was also joined by the likes of his defensive generals William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, the mammoth line of defense any team had to surpass before facing off against Raya in goal.

But, credit was also showcased to the composed midfield generals of the Gunners, Declan Rice and skipper Martin Odegaard, who brought the perfect mix of tactical awareness and creative flair in the middle of the pitch for Arsenal respectively, and were often the difference makers when they were needed the most.

Virgil Van Dijk, Liverpool’s stalwart defensive maestro, was yet again included in the team for his impeccable consistency and composure in the defensive ranks, marking the Dutchman’s fourth appearance in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year.

The final spot was taken by Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, whose excellent campaign saw the Englishman rack up 38 goal involvements altogether throughout the season.

Complete PFA Premier League Team of the Year 2023/24:

Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Rodri (Manchester City), Martin Odegaard (Manchester City), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Vigil Van Dijk (Liverpool), William Saliba (Arsenal), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), David Raya (Arsenal)