Arsenal’s defensive strength during last season’s title success has been recognised by the PFA, with five players named in the 2026 PFA Premier League Team of the Year.
Goalkeeper David Raya, defenders William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber, and midfielder Declan Rice all got the nod from their fellow professionals and are at this evening’s gala ceremony in Manchester to collect their awards.
Manchester City also feature heavily, with Rayan Cherki, Erling Haaland, Antoine Semenyo and Nico O’Reilly selected. O’Reilly was also named Young Player of the Year, having been shortlisted alongside Arsenal’s 16-year-old Max Dowman. Brentford’s Igor Thiago and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes complete the XI.
Fernandes, who had already collected individual honours from the FWA and Premier League, completed a clean sweep by being named PFA Player of the Year. Shame on you, football.
With the exception of Timber, all of Arsenal’s representatives have been selected before. Raya, who has won three consecutive Golden Glove awards, previously made the Team of the Year in 2023/24.
Rice and Big Gabi have now been included for three seasons running, while Saliba has made it four in a row dating back to 2022/23. Hopefully his fitness issues don’t prevent him making it five.
The record for consecutive appearances stands at six, shared by Patrick Vieira (1998/99 to 2003/04), Thierry Henry (2000/01 to 2005/06) and Steven Gerrard (2003/04 to 2008/09). The former Liverpool captain holds the outright record for total selections, with eight over the course of his career.