Record number of Japanese in Premier League
Ten players from Japan were registered with top-tier English teams when the campaign kicked off last weekend, and more are potentially on the way before the transfer window closes.
Arsenal and Manchester City have secured nine out of the eleven positions in the 2025/26 PFA Premier League Team of the Year, as announced at the Manchester Opera House on Tuesday. The player-voted roster highlights a significant power shift in the top flight, with Mikel Arteta's tactical acumen and Pep Guardiola's squad depth earning widespread recognition from their professional peers.
Arsenal's formidable defense, led by goalkeeper David Raya and the center-back duo of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães, secured four of the five defensive spots. Fullback Jurriën Timber completed the tight-knit backline, reinforcing Arsenal's reputation as a defensive powerhouse. In midfield, Declan Rice's contributions to Arsenal's Premier League triumph earned him a spot.
Manchester City, in contrast, showcased their rising stars and creative depth. Nico O’Reilly, a breakout sensation, was voted into the defense, while Rayan Cherki was recognized for his role up front. Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo led the lethal forward trio. Beyond the Arsenal-Manchester City rivalry, two players managed to break into the prestigious eleven: Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, who earned the PFA Men’s Players’ Player of the Year award for his consistent brilliance; and Brentford's Igor Thiago, whose clinical goal-scoring form shone through.
The star-studded lineup underscores a season dominated by a fierce two-horse race, demonstrating that while individual brilliance flourishes across the league, Arsenal and Manchester City currently set the benchmark for elite football in England.
Written by urgent.news from Punch Nigeria's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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