BY Issah Olegor
Ghana international Antoine Semenyo has etched his name into the history of Ghanaian football after becoming the first Ghanaian player to be selected in the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Premier League Team of the Year.
The Manchester City forward earned the prestigious recognition at the annual PFA Awards ceremony on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, following a standout 2025/26 Premier League campaign that further established him among the top performers in English football.
Semenyo’s selection represents a major individual milestone and adds another significant achievement to a remarkable period in his career since his move to Manchester City.
His performances during the campaign earned him recognition from his fellow professionals and placed him alongside some of the biggest names in the Premier League.
The Ghanaian forward was named in an 11-man team that reflects the strong performances of Arsenal and Manchester City during the 2025/26 season.
Five Arsenal players and four Manchester City players made the final selection, with Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and Brentford striker Igor Thiago completing the team.
Manchester City’s representation includes Nico O’Reilly, Rayan Cherki, Erling Haaland and Semenyo, highlighting the Ghanaian’s importance within a squad that enjoyed a highly successful campaign.
Arsenal’s David Raya, Jurriën Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães and Declan Rice were also selected after helping the Gunners produce the Premier League’s best defensive record, conceding only 27 goals during the campaign.
Fernandes secured his place in the team after breaking the Premier League assist record with 21 assists, while Brentford’s Thiago was rewarded for his goalscoring exploits after finding the net 22 times in the league.
Semenyo’s recognition follows an eventful period that has seen him combine club success with international responsibility. He represented Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup before returning to Manchester City for preparations ahead of the new Premier League season.
There was further recognition for Manchester City teammate Nico O’Reilly, who was named PFA Young Player of the Year following his breakthrough campaign.
The composition of the final XI underlines the dominance of Arsenal and Manchester City during the 2025/26 Premier League season, with players from the two clubs occupying nine of the 11 positions.
