Who, though, was left out?

The PFA Premier League Team of the Year has been revealed, and the all-star lineup is dominated by runners-up Arsenal. In a thrilling final day of the 2023–24 season, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners came up two points short of eight-time champion Manchester City, a heartbreaking defeat.

Arsenal stars dominated the PFA Team of the Year

Declan Rice was named in the midfield XI after a stellar debut season for ArsenalCredit: Getty

Gabriel got the nod at the backCredit: Getty

Phil Foden claimed the most coveted prize on the nightThe Emirates team performed admirably throughout the season, and their group was recognised by their professional peers by having FIVE players selected for the best starting lineup in the league. Man City, the reigning Premier League winners, only have FOUR players in the starting lineup. David Raya, an Arsenal loanee who signed a permanent deal this summer after leaving Brentford, defeated Alisson in the goal.   At the back, Gabriel and William Saliba, a formidable defensive tandem, were an obvious pick.To strengthen the back line, the PFA chose Virgil van Dijk, another center-half.After finishing third in Jurgen Klopp’s final season, the captain of Liverpool defeated John Stones and Ruben Dias to claim the other spot, with Kyle Walker moving to right back.Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard were also selected for the starting lineup, with Rodri starting at the centre of the midfield trio.That indicates that this is the first time Kevin de Bruyne has not made the best starting lineup since 2019.

And just FOUR clubs—Aston Villa, Arsenal, City, and Liverpool—are represented, which is a carryover from the previous year. Phil Foden and Ollie Watkins, who have combined for 19 goals, are included in the PFA XI for the first time.And for the second year in a row, Erling Haaland returns to the PFA Premier League Team of the Year. After winning the Football Writers’ Association award three months prior, Foden was awarded the PFA Player of the Year.Cole Palmer, a whiz for Chelsea and England, won the Manchester Opera House Young Player of the Year award. Haaland won the Golden Boot for the second consecutive year thanks to his 27 goals.Notable exclusionsDespite having the best Premier League debut season ever, superstar Palmer was left off the starting lineup despite his 22 goals scored in the previous year.Bukayo Saka, meanwhile, was equally unsuccessful as his performance considerably declined at the end of the previous season. Although many people think De Bruyne is the best Prem midfield player of all time, the Belgium international was sidelined for the majority of the first season due to injury.Despite this, he made 21 domestic games and scored four goals and ten assists.Mohamed Salah of Liverpool is yet another noteworthy outlier.After scoring at Ipswich on Saturday, Salah’s total Premier League goal total increased to 156 from his initial 155.The Egyptian sensation won the PFA Player of the Year title twice, in 2017–18 and 2021–2022.

Man Utd fan and rapper Aitch attends the PFA Awards 2024Credit: Getty

Jules Breach and Alex Scott stunned on the red carpet before the ceremony commencedCredit: Getty

Ollie Watkins and his finacee Ellie Anderson arrivaed to pick up his first mention in the team awardCredit: Rex

Pep Guardiola wore a dashing suit to the awards night in ManchesterCredit: Getty

Foden arrived with missus Rebecca Cooke and young son RonnieCredit: Getty

The Man City ace won PFA Player of the YearCredit: PA