Arsenal’s title-winning trio nominated in PFA 6-man shortlist
Premier League champions Arsenal have earned three nominees in the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player’s Player of the Year award after enjoying outstanding campaigns in the 2025/26 season.
Declan Rice, custodian David Raya, and Gabriel Magalhaes have all been included in the six-man shortlist, nominated alongside Manchester City pair Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland.
You might also like
Manchester United ace and captain Bruno Fernandes is also in the running for the award after clinching the Premier League Player of the Season award in April 2026.
The Gunners trio played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s push for their first league title since 2004, conceding a league-low 27 Premier League goals, eight fewer than any other side.
Arsenal also emerged as UEFA Champions League runner-up after a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to PSG in the finals in Budapest.
Raya was a reliable figure as the last line of defense, keeping 19 clean sheets in the top flight, securing his third-straight Golden Glove in the competition.
Alongside the end-of-season accolade, the Spaniard has also won December’s Save of the Month award for an outstanding stop to deny Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh’s curling effort towards the top corner.
Trio performances
Meanwhile, Gabriel, the villain in the UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, is also gunning for the award. He helped the team to register the clean sheets recorded by Raya, marshalling the rear guard alongside William Saliba.
The big defender also contributed with goals upfront, including the back-to-back wins over Aston Villa and Bournemouth.
Englishman Declan Rice proved vital at both ends of the pitch in our march to the title. Throughout the season, the combative anchorman was deployed as a defensive midfielder, central midfielder, and even a right-back and covered every blade of grass when called upon by Mikel Arteta to provide cover anywhere in the season.
This year’s awards will mark the 53rd edition of the accolades, where current and former players are invited to cast their votes on the best players and young players in the men’s and women’s games over the course of the season.
Crowning moments
The nominated trio is aiming to make history and follow in the steps of former club legends.
Thierry Henry became the first player to win the award in successive seasons when he scooped the 2003 and 2004 awards, before Robin van Persie added his name to the list of winners in 2012.
The winners of the various PFA awards will be announced at a special ceremony in Manchester on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
