Arsenal dominate PFA team of the year as Brentford star earns surprise spot

Premier League champions well recognised for formidable campaign

Five Arsenal stars have been voted into the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Premier League team of the year after the Gunners ended their 22-year wait to be crowned domestic champions.

The PFA team of the year is voted for by players, so it is no great surprise to see it dominated by the champions.

David Raya takes up his place between the sticks after keeping a remarkable 19 clean sheets en route to claiming his third consecutive golden glove.

A flat back four features Gabriel and William Saliba at centre-back, with Jurrien Timber at right-back and Nico O’Reilly, also voted the PFA’s young player of the year, on the opposite flank.

Completing the Arsenal contingent in the side is Declan Rice, who is joined in midfield by Rayan Cherki and Bruno Fernandes behind a front three of Antoine Semenyo, Erling Haaland and Brentford’s Igor Thiago.

Brentford’s Igor Thiago was voted into the PFA team of the year after scoring 22 Premier League goals

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Fernandes last season set the record for the most assists in a 38-match Premier League campaign, teeing up his team-mates 21 times throughout the campaign. Thiago, meanwhile, earned himself a trip to the World Cup after an impressive breakout campaign saw him score 22 goals in 38 appearances.

Arsenal were also well represented in the Women’s Super League team of the year, with Mariona Caldentey, Emily Fox and Alessia Russo all present. Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton, Ellie Carpenter and Lauren James all feature, too, alongside Tottenham centre-back Toko Koga.

Unsurprisingly, though, champions Man City featured most regularly, with golden boot winner Bunny Shaw joined by Yui Hasegawa and Kerstin Casparij.