Premier League Player of the Season nominees confirmed with Arsenal trio leading the race for award

Arsenal’s push for the Premier League title has now been reflected in the end-of-season awards after three of Mikel Arteta’s players were nominated for the Premier League Player of the Season award for the 2025/26 campaign. With Arsenal sitting two points clear at the top heading into the closing weeks of the season, Declan Rice, David Raya and Gabriel have all been recognised for their performances in a campaign that could yet end with the club lifting its first league title in 22 years. The Premier League officially confirmed an eight-player shortlist for the award, with Arsenal leading the way through the nominations of Declan Rice, David Raya and Gabriel Magalhães. Rice has once again been central to Arsenal’s midfield and has missed just one league game all season. The England international has scored four goals and provided between five and seven assists across the campaign, while also operating in multiple midfield roles depending on Arteta’s tactical setup. His influence from set-pieces has become especially important during Arsenal’s title challenge, including a brace in a crucial victory over Bournemouth earlier in the season. Behind him, Raya has produced another outstanding campaign in goal and has already guaranteed himself the Premier League Golden Glove for a third consecutive season after recording 18 clean sheets in 36 league matches. The Spaniard has delivered several defining saves throughout the campaign, including a remarkable early-season stop against Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha and a Save of the Month-winning intervention against Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh in December. Gabriel’s nomination reflects Arsenal’s defensive dominance throughout the season. The Brazilian centre-back has helped the Gunners concede a league-low 26 goals while also contributing offensively with three goals and four assists. Statistically, Gabriel has won roughly two-thirds of his duels, maintained an 88.2 per cent successful pass rate and contributed 34 blocks alongside 23 interceptions during the campaign.Arsenal’s trio face competition from several standout performers across the Premier League season. Erling Haaland has again been nominated after scoring 26 league goals for Manchester City as he continues to lead the Golden Boot race. He is joined on the shortlist by teammate Antoine Semenyo, who impressed for Bournemouth before completing a January move to City and has scored 16 league goals this season. Igor Thiago has also been recognised after a breakout campaign with Brentford F.C., scoring 22 league goals to emerge as one of the Premier League’s biggest attacking success stories this season. Across Manchester, Bruno Fernandes earned a nomination after registering eight goals and either 19 or 20 assists while helping Manchester United F.C. return to the Champions League. Fernandes has already been named the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year. The final nominee is Morgan Gibbs-White, whose 13 goals and four assists have helped Nottingham Forest F.C. move well clear of relegation trouble. The Player of the Season award has been presented since 1995, but Arsenal have not had a winner for two decades. Patrick Vieira became the first Arsenal player to win the honour in 2000/01 before Freddie Ljungberg claimed it the following year. Thierry Henry then won the award twice, in 2003/04 and 2005/06, meaning Arsenal now have the chance to end a 20-year wait for another winner. The current holder is Mohamed Salah of Liverpool F.C.. Alongside the player shortlist, the Premier League also confirmed the nominees for Manager of the Season. Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola are among the leading contenders as Arsenal and Manchester City continue battling at the top of the table. Michael Carrick has also been nominated after guiding Manchester United back into the Champions League places. The shortlist is completed by Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth, Keith Andrews of Brentford and Régis Le Bris of Sunderland. Supporters can vote for the Player of the Season award until midday on Monday, May 18, with fan votes combined alongside a panel of football experts before the winner is officially announced next week.