PFA announces 2025-26 teams of the year; Arsenal leads men's picks
The Professional Footballers' Association named its teams of the year for English men's and women's top divisions, with five Arsenal players selected in the Premier League XI. Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United won the men's Players' Player of the Year after setting a record with 21 assists, while Manchester City's Khadija Shaw took the women's award with 21 goals. The selections sparked debate among writers about possible omissions.
The PFA's player-voted selections reflect a season dominated by Arsenal and Manchester City, with the two clubs combining for nine of the eleven Premier League XI spots. Fernandes's record-breaking 21 assists marked a significant milestone, ending a nine-year streak where the individual award went exclusively to Liverpool or Manchester City players. His win also made him United's first recipient since Wayne Rooney in 2009-10.
In the women's game, Shaw's 21-goal campaign powered Manchester City to the WSL title, earning her the top individual honor alongside three teammates in the league's best XI. The Athletic's writers offered mixed reactions, with some arguing Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White deserved inclusion over Cherki or Thiago, noting Thiago's eight penalty goals as a statistical caveat.
The PFA awards carry weight because they come from fellow professionals, shaping public perception of player value during transfer windows and contract negotiations. The heavy Arsenal and Manchester City representation could reinforce narratives about a widening competitive gap in English football, while Fernandes's recognition may elevate his commercial and leadership standing. Debate over omissions like Gibbs-White could influence future award voting discourse and fan engagement, though the selections ultimately reflect subjective player perspectives rather than objective statistical merit.