bet365's 2025/26 Premier League Team of the Season

The 2025/26 Premier League campaign is nearing an end and we've had our say on who should feature in the team of the season.

England's top-flight has arguably been as competitive as we have seen it in some years, with a number of unexpected candidates in and amongst the European spots as we approach the final gameweek.

Suggestions that there has been a drop-off in the standards of English sides have been disproved by the fact that each of the three European finals will feature Premier League sides.

As is always the case in the Premier League, 2025/26 has showcased an abundance of elite talent, and we've had our say on who should feature in the team of the season.

GK - David Raya (Arsenal)

No goalkeeper has kept more clean sheets than David Raya this season and he has kept the opposition at bay on a remarkable 19 occasions with one game to play.

While critics will suggest that the Spaniard faces fewer shots than other stoppers due to Arsenal's formidable defence, Raya has been dependable when called upon and his superb save against West Ham's Mateus Fernandes in Gameweek 36 proved to be a title-defining moment.

RB - Jurrien Timber (Arsenal)

Don't let Jurrien Timber's recent absence distract you from the fact the Dutchman has enjoyed a remarkable season at right-back for Arsenal and has been notably impressive in one v one duels.

Renowned for his effectiveness in the defensive third, Timber has also proved a threat in the opposition's box this campaign, finding the net on three occasions and recording six assists.

CB - William Saliba (Arsenal)

William Saliba has set remarkably high standards for himself since breaking into Mikel Arteta's first team setup in the 2022/23 term, so much so that a mightily impressive 2025/26 season is seemingly flying under the radar.

Gabriel Magalhaes has received most of the plaudits in the Gunners back line this campaign, and while he too has enjoyed a top season, the Frenchman has arguably taken the North London-based outfit from title contenders to title winners, oozing composure in defence and proving vital in his side's build-up play.

CB - Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal)

Gabriel's ability to defend on the halfway line was questioned when joining Arsenal, but he is now crucial to Arteta's high-line defensive system and relishes the challenge against Europe's leading centre forwards - including Norwegian brute Erling Haaland.

It's hard to recall a Premier League defender being so impactful in the opposition's box too, utilising his imposing aerial presence to score three goals and notch four assists in 2025/26.

Saliba and Gabriel compliment each other impeccably, and no defensive partnership has come close to Arsenal's in England's top-flight.

LB - Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City)

While Manchester City may have fallen just short of the Premier League title, they've still enjoyed a productive season and Pep Guardiola's deserves huge credit for his use of Nico O'Reilly.

Emerging through the Citizens' academy as a box-to-box midfielder, the 21-year-old has seamlessly adapted to a unique role on the left of Man City's defence. Operating more so as a roaming playmaker than an out and out left-back, he's applied his technical ability to effortlessly integrate into the side and play a key role.

His knack for arriving into the opposition box at the right time is unrivalled amongst left-backs in the division, scoring an impressive five league goals.

RM - Rayan Cherki (Manchester City)

Many begged the question as to whether Rayan Cherki would be able to cope with the physical demands of the Premier League when joining from Lyon last summer, but he's made a mockery of such claims in a remarkable debut campaign.

In a period of time where players, specifically forwards, are criticised for a lack of expression on the football pitch, the French maverick's flair and unpredictability has captivated viewers.

Cherki is appreciated more for his technical attributes than his numbers, but even so he's recorded 16 goal contributions in the top-flight so far this season.

CM - Declan Rice (Arsenal)

It's nearly unheard of that a player makes a £100m switch and their price tag is left unmentioned, but this has been the case with Declan Rice since he made the switch from West Ham to Arsenal in 2023.

Defensively dominant, technically sufficient and physically imposing, Rice is the complete midfielder and, while many expected Martin Zubimendi to set the tempo in the Gunners midfield upon joining the club, the England international has remained the heartbeat of the team.

His greatness is recognised by the fact that he features prominently in the betting for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, behind only Ousmane Dembele and Harry Kane in the market.

CM - Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)

While Bruno Fernandes has flourished in a more advanced position under Michael Carrick, for the sake of our team he accompanies Rice in central midfield.

To describe Manchester United's more recent years as turbulent would be an understatement, but the Portuguese maestro has never dropped his standards irrespective of what is going on around him.

While, with age, players often decline, Fernandes is enjoying his best Red Devils campaign in his seventh season at the club. He equalled the record for the most assists in a Premier League term (20) when setting up Bryan Mbeumo in Man Utd's 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest, adding to his legacy and strengthening his case as the best Man Utd player post Sir Alex Ferguson.

LM - Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City)

Antoine Semenyo impressed so much in the first half of the Premier League season with Bournemouth that Man City, Man Utd, Tottenham and Liverpool were reportedly queuing up to acquire his services in the January transfer window.

It was Man City who finalised the signing of the Ghanaian, triggering his £64m release clause, and the versatile forward has been equally as impressive in a sky blue shirt. To fit into a Man City side that possesses an abundance of technical quality is hard, but he has done so effortlessly.

A combined 20 top-flight goal contributions across spells with Bournemouth and Manchester City earns him a place in our team.

ST - Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

Even in what some consider a 'poor' season by his exceptionally high standards, Erling Haaland leads the way with the most goals in the Premier League this term, finding the net on 27 occasions with one game to play.

Renowned for his physical prowess, off-the-ball movement and prolific finishing, the Norwegian has undoubtedly developed into a more complete player this season, improving his hold-up play and benefiting from the presence of elite creator Cherki.

Haaland has had his say when it's mattered too, scoring in both of his side's contests against title contenders Arsenal.

In spite of a few momentary blips this season, the Man City forward remains the toughest test for Premier League defenders.

ST - Igor Thiago (Brentford)

Playing just 169 minutes in the 2024/25 Premier League campaign due to injury, Igor Thiago was almost like a new signing come the start of 2025/26, but few expected him to have the impact that he has had.

Brentford had been heavily backed to face the drop when Thomas Frank departed for Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, with many flagging a lack of goals in the team following the departure of Bryan Mbeumo, but Thiago has stepped up to the plate with ease.

The Brazilian scored 11 in his opening 13 top-flight games, but there was an overarching sense that the centre forward was just enjoying a purple patch. He's remained a regular source of goals for the Bees however, scoring 22 times, and his place in this starting XI is indisputable.