Haaland and Arsenal youngster win PFA Awards

Erling Haaland’s total of 52 goals in all competition for Manchester City in his first season in the Premier League and 36 goals record in the Premier League alone secured the Norwegian striker his first PFA Player of the Season award.

Erling Haaland, who joined Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund last summer, blazed through the Premier League breaking records, including a new Premier League record of 36 goals scored in a single 38-game Premier League season.

He also helped Pep Guardiola’s side to win the treble of the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League. Subsequently, he was named in the shortlist for the PFA Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year award categories.

However, it was another exceptional player last season in Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka who was named the PFA Young Player of the Year. Saka scored 14 goals and contributed eight assists for Mikel Arteta’s side and helped Arsenal fight for the title until the final stages of the season, although it was not enough for Arsenal to win the Premier League title.

Saka beat off competition from Erling Haaland haaland and Moises Caicedo for the Young Player of the Year award. Arsenal and Manchester City players dominated the PFA Team of the Year for the Premier League, with former Tottenham striker Harry Kane and Newcastle United Kieran Trippier the only two players not from either Manchester City or Arsenal involved in the starting 11.

Harry Kane joined Bayern Munich from Tottenham after a protracted summer transfer negotiation between the German Bundesliga champions and the North London club. Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdake was selected as the goalkeeper of the year.

PFA Team of the Year: Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), William Saliba (Arsenal), Ruben Dias (Man City), John Stones (Man City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Rodri (Man City), Martin Odegaard (Arsenal), Kevin de Bruyne (Man City), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Erling Haaland (Arsenal).

Daniel Ademiju Idowu