Bukayo Saka, Martinelli Snubbed As Premier League Team of the Season Is Unveiled

Bukayo Saka, Martinelli Snubbed As Premier League Team of the Season Is Unveiled

Martin Moses
updated at May 7, 2023 at 4:40 AM
In this article:
Bukayo Saka logo
B.Saka
Arsenal logoFEngland logo
e.haaland
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English Premier League logo
ENG Premier League
England
Mohamed Salah logo
M. Salah
Liverpool logoFEgypt logo
Marcus Rashford logo
M.Rashford
Manchester United logoFEngland logo
  • Bukayo Saka was among the high-profile omissions from EA Sports Premier League team of the season
  • Erling Haaland and Marcus Rashford have been included in a 4-3-3 formation
  • Despite being adjudged to have had a poor season by his standards, there was a place for Mohamed Salah

EA Sports FIFA has unveiled its official Premier League team of the season with some interesting picks and commissions. The title race is yet to be settled, with Manchester City currently holding an advantage over Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta has done wonders with the Gunners this season, but his young side will seemingly miss out on the coveted prize.

Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Erling Haaland, Marcus Rashford, Mohamed Salah, Gabriel Martinelli, EA Sports
Arsenal Head Coach Mikel Arteta. Photo by Stuart MacFarlane.
Source: Getty Images

Four of his stars have been included in the best team of the season after a career-defining campaign. Aaron Ramsdale has pulled off some majestic saves in Arsenal's season and has been placed in goal.

In defence, William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko have been included alongside Newcastle United's Kieran Trippier and Manchester City's Ruben Dias.

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Casemiro makes the cut

Kevin De Bruyne headlines the midfield selections as the Belgian looks to win another playmaking award. He slots in alongside Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and Manchester United's Casemiro. The Brazilian has had a mixed debut season in England due to his red cards but has been a vital cog in Erik ten Hag's plans.

Up front, no Arsenal forward was picked, with EA Sports settling on Erling Haaland, Marcus Rashford and Mohamed Salah. Haaland's inclusion needs no explanation, with the Norwegian having racked up 35 goals.

No place for Saka or Martinelli

However, the absence of either Bukayo Saka or Gabriel Martinelli is bound to provoke some reactions. The Arsenal forwards have come to the fore this season, but neither could displace Salah or Rashford.

Rashford is among the most improved players this season as he enjoys a prolific season under ten Hag. Salah is a regular in these teams and despite a poor Liverpool season, the Egyptian has had a perfect individual campaign. His goal against Brentford on May 6 was his 18th in the league.

Apart from Saka and Martinelli, other players who missed out on the final 11 after being nominated include Tottenham duo Harry Kane and Heung-min Son, Chelsea's Reece James, Manchester United's Raphael Varane and Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes.

Alexander-Arnold passes Man City verdict

Sports Brief also reported that Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold claimed to know when the Premier League title was out of Arsenal's hands now that Manchester City are in pole position.

Manchester City have an advantage of a point and a game at hand over the Gunners, and should their current form continue, they will lift their third consecutive title on May 28.

Mikel Arteta's men were eight points clear weeks ago, but a run of four games without a win, including three straight draws against Liverpool, West Ham and Southampton, and a 4-1 loss to City, dropped them to second.

Authors
Martin Moses photo
Martin Moses
Martin Moses is a sports journalist with over five years of experience in media. He graduated from Multimedia University of Kenya (Bachelor of Journalism, 2017-2021)