Arsenal’s rock-solid core and Man City firepower headline our Premier League Team of the Season so far

Picking a Premier League Team of the Season is never easy, particularly at the halfway stage, but we've attempted it anyway.

Goalkeeper: Robin Roefs - Sunderland

Sunderland ’s recruitment team got plenty right in the summer, with the signing of Robin Roefs proving to be great business.

A more cautious club may have opted for experience, but Sunderland saw the talent in a goalkeeper with just one full season of Eredivisie football under his belt. The 22-year-old leads the Premier League for save percentage (76.1%) and sit seconds for expected goals prevented.

Right-back: Jurrien Timber - Arsenal

The standout right-back in the Premier League . Timber’s consistency has meant Ben White, arguably one of the Premier League’s best right-backs himself, is a squad player at the Emirates. Arsenal ’s defensive depth could be the foundation of title success.

Centre-back: William Saliba - Arsenal

There comes a time when a player has been so consistently good, for so long, that they move over the hype train hill and start to go under the radar. William Saliba has hit that status.

The Frenchman has been near faultless all season, but has allowed Arsenal teammates to take the headlines.

Centre-back: Gabriel - Arsenal

Gabriel makes the cut for our Team of the Season so far, despite being sidelined for a long period following November’s international break. The big Brazilian is a colossal presence in both penalty boxes for Arsenal and is now widely recognised as the league’s leading defender.

Left-back: Nico O’Reilly - Manchester City

Amid few standout candidates at left-back, Manchester City ’s Nico O’Reilly earns the nod. The academy graduate has nailed down a regular role in Pep Guardiola’s side, where his pace and comfortability in possession have been notable.

After impressing for England in the autumn, he could have a World Cup place locked in.

Midfield: Declan Rice - Arsenal

Integral to Arsenal ’s title challenge, there’s an argument that Declan Rice is perhaps the one player the Gunners can not afford to be without.

The heartbeat of the side, Rice keeps on raising his level in North London. His drive, dangerous deliveries and anticipation have seen the 27-year-old become one of the most complete midfielders in Europe. A future Arsenal and England captain.

– Thursday, 15 January 2026

Midfield: Granit Xhaka - Sunderland

If Sunderland solidify themselves in the Premier League , the signing of Granit Xhaka might just be considered the sliding doors moment.

Xhaka’s move to Wearside took many by surprise, as the Swiss midfielder returned to the Premier League after two excellent seasons at Bayer Leverkusen. He’s been the leader of Sunderland ’s super side, with almost everything good running through the metronomic midfielder.

Midfield: Morgan Rogers - Aston Villa

When it comes to watchability, Morgan Rogers ranks right near the Premier League 's best. The Aston Villa midfielder has the strength of an ox married with nimble footwork.

He's been outstanding for an Aston Villa side still harbouring title aspirations, scoring seven times and providing four assists.

Forward: Antoine Semenyo - Bournemouth /Manchester City

Manchester City won the scramble to sign Antoine Semenyo earlier this month, with a £62.5m fee taking the winger to the Etihad.

Semenyo scored 10 goals for Bournemouth over the first half of the campaign and has netted in each of his first two appearances for Manchester City . His explosiveness is a weapon that Pep Guardiola was keen to add to his side's armoury.

– Tuesday, 13 January 2026

Forward: Igor Thiago - Brentford

After an ACL injury decimated his debut season, Igor Thiago has shown Brentford what the fuss was about.

Thiago’s 16 league goals are second only to Erling Haaland , with the forward setting a new single-season Premier League record for goals by a Brazilian player.

Are you watching, Carlo Ancelotti?

– Friday, 9 January 2026

The fastest-ever footballer to 100 goals in the Premier League , and is it any surprise that Haaland has hit 20 already?

He’s averaged a goal every 91 minutes in another rampant run to what appears an inevitable Golden Boot success. The man is a phenomenon.