Arsenal 4 Man City 4 in Premier League XI of season so far

 We’re basing this Premier League XI on WhoScored ratings, which essentially means Opta statistics and algorithms that generally reward ‘doing stuff’, so aerially dominant centre-halves are far more likely to be included than calm passers.

Anyway, here we go. At this stage, all candidates must have started 24 Premier League games.

Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City)

An 11th clean sheet of the season came for the giant Italian at Leeds United but then he conceded three goals in two games v Nottingham Forest and West Ham. That he didn’t get to make a single save v the Hammers must be bittersweet. Then sat on the bench and won himself a Carabao Cup medal; he didn’t make a save then either.

He was unlucky not to make our signings of the season list. Kept another clean sheet v Chelsea and now has a save percentage of 72.5% this season compared to David Raya’s 69.8%; nobody has a better save percentage in the Premier League.

Dropped a boo-boo v Arsenal but made one really very excellent save that more than made up for the rare boo-boo. Only called upon to make one save v Burnley. Conceded three goals as Man City imploded v Everton but absolutely not his fault. Another clean sheet followed v Brentford. And then another medal followed with him on the bench in the FA Cup.

Right-back: Jurrien Timber (Arsenal)

There’s barely a cigarette paper between them but Timber just edges out Matheus Nunes for the right-back slot, which is exactly what we would expect to happen in the PFA Team of the Year.

If injuries were not an issue, this place would belong to Reece James. But injuries are always an issue with Reece James.

Centre-back: Gabriel (Arsenal)

Probably the best centre-back in the Premier League bar none. Though he is a dirty, dirty diver. Claimed his fourth assist of the season v Chelsea as Set Piece FC triumphed again. And then 23 clearances across two clean sheet games v Brighton and Everton. No goals since January though as Arsenal risk the worst kind of bottle job.

Centre-back: James Tarkowski (Everton)

A goal and an assist v Crystal Palace in the 2-2 draw brings Tarkowski back into this XI, but it’s really all of the heading that made him a contender in the first place. He is very David Moyes and very Everton.

Left-back: Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City)

Returned to left-back for the Premier League win over Chelsea and scored his fifth Premier League goal of the season. And he was then excellent against Arsenal as City took the initiative in the Premier League title race. Back to central midfield for the win over Burnley but left-back is where he has done his best work this season.

Central midfield: Declan Rice (Arsenal)

Claimed his fifth Premier League assist of the season v Chelsea as Arsenal once again relied on set-pieces. And he’s rather good at set-pieces. He does look absolutely knackered now, though. Bernardo Silva schooled him v Manchester City. He didn’t make a single tackle in the win over Newcastle United. He will be very happy for a half-hour reprieve against Fulham.

Central midfield: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest)

Enjoyed an incredible season which should end in a World Cup starting berth and a £100m-plus move to one of the Manchester clubs and Champions League football. He claimed two assists in the 3-2 defeat to Manchester United.

Right wing: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

Claimed a seventh goal and a fourth assist as Arsenal eased to victory over Fulham. Could he prove key in the title race run-in? He did bugger all v West Ham.

Attacking midfield: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)

Probably the best player in the Premier League right now, he has logged a ludicrous 20 Premier League assists this season. We have ranked them all here.

Left wing: Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City)

Now has 15 Premier League goals this season after scoring in blue v Wolves, Tottenham, Fulham, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest; only Erling Haaland and Igor Thiago have scored more. Also claimed the FA Cup winner to crown a very impressive half-season.

Striker: Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

The goals have dried up a little but he still has 26 Premier League goals in 34 games, which is not too shabby. Only Fernandes, Rayan Cherki and Jarrod Bowen have more Premier League assists this season so far.