Rice, Fernandes and Haaland among six nominees for PFA Player of the Year

Three Arsenal players, two from Manchester City and Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes make up the six-man shortlist for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, with the nominees spanning a Premier League season that ended with the Gunners claiming their first title in over 20 years.

Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes and goalkeeper David Raya represent Arsenal on the list, reflecting the collective quality that drove Mikel Arteta’s side to the championship. Rice was particularly influential early in the campaign in a more advanced role, contributing to 11 goals, before settling into a deeper midfield position that helped Arsenal grind out several decisive victories.

Fernandes arrives as perhaps the standout individual candidate. The United captain is chasing a third major personal honour this season, having already won the Premier League’s Player of the Season award and the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year. His 21 assists broke the previous record jointly held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne, and he guided United to a third-place finish and Champions League qualification.

Erling Haaland, meanwhile, finished the season with 38 goals across all competitions as City won the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup — the latter at Arsenal’s expense. His City teammate Rayan Cherki rounds out the shortlist after a debut Premier League season that caught the eye. Signed from Lyon for £30 million, the Frenchman contributed to 25 goals in 52 appearances, with his creativity and freedom of movement drawing particular praise.

Gabriel and Raya’s nominations reflect a near-perfect Arsenal campaign, with the only setbacks being final defeats in the Champions League and Carabao Cup.