Arsenal and Manchester City top PFA Team of the Year with nine players in top XI

Arsenal and Manchester City dominate the PFA Team of the Year with nine players from the respective teams making up the elite XI.

Perhaps that’s hardly a surprise given that Arsenal and City fought for the Premier League title last season, which saw Pep Guardiola’s men propel them into the job.

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Erling Haaland’s 36 goals in 35 appearances finally helped Pep Guardiola’s men beat the Gunners to the title.

And it’s no surprise to see the Norwegian on top, having also won the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award.

The only other players named are Harry Kane, who has since left Tottenham for Bayern Munich, and Newcastle star Kieran Trippier.

Arsenal had led the title race for most of the season, aided by the brilliant efforts of Bukayo Saka.

The 21-year-old scored 14 goals and assisted 11 in a season that saw him start every game for the Gunners and was named PFA Young Player of the Year, as well as being part of the PFA team of the year.

The two join Kane, who along with Kieran Trippier are the only non-Arsenal and Man City players in the XI, in a formidable attack that scored a total of 80 Premier League goals last season.

In midfield, City largely dominated after Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri were appointed to the squad.

This is perhaps unsurprising after the duo’s superb campaigns, with De Bruyne providing 16 assists last season – more than anyone.

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Rodri’s defensive abilities in midfield and his metronome-like passing might be Guardiola’s secret weapon. Both men are joined in midfield by Martin Odegaard.

The playmaker, the second Norwegian in the squad with Haaland, has had a great season after being named Arsenal captain.

The 24-year-old has scored 15 times and provided seven assists, proving how crucial he has been alongside Mikel Arteta.

Lined up at the back, Trippier was joined by two City players and an Arsenal star – all traditionally centre-backs.

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John Stones, Ruben Dias and William Saliba have all been named in a backline.

Newcastle and City conceded the two fewest goals last season, both conceding 33 in 38 games, while Arsenal conceded 43 – the same as Manchester United.

Standing between the posts, Aaron Ramsdale received the PFA Team of the Year gloves.

He beats Nick Pope, Alisson and Ederson, as well as David de Gea, who was awarded the Golden Glove for most clean sheets last season.

Ramsdale has kept 14 clean sheets throughout the campaign, making a series of fantastic saves along the way.

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