Man City, Arsenal and Newcastle dominate: The National's Premier League team of the season

Erling Haaland leads the line after his record-breaking debut season

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  PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM OF THE 2022/23 SEASON (4-3-3) GK: Nick Pope (Newcastle): The clean sheets may have dried up towards the end of the season, but Pope was at the base of the second-meanest defence in the Premier League. Exceptional for the first two-thirds of the campaign and a key figure in Newcastle’s successful pursuit of Champions League football. Getty

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  RB: Kieran Trippier (Newcastle): The best signing Newcastle have made under new ownership, the captain led by example as the Toon secured a top-four finish. Brilliant defensively while his excellent passing and dead-ball ability produced consistent goalscoring chances. Ended the season with seven assists. Getty

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  CB: Ruben Dias (Manchester City): At the heart of the the league's stingiest defence, Dias was a constant rock for City, even as Pep Guardiola chopped and changed his backline. “His character is so important,” Guardiola said. “His leadership is huge.” Getty

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  CB: William Saliba (Arsenal): After a successful loan spell at Marseille, Saliba immediately cemented his place in the Arsenal defence this season. The Frenchman was superb throughout the campaign to help the Gunners mount an impressive title challenge, until his untimely injury. At 22, Saliba has all the attributed to become a top-class centre-back. Getty

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  LB: Luke Shaw (Manchester United): Either in his preferred left-back position or filling in at centre-back, Shaw was United’s most consistent performer this season and has thrived under Erik ten Hag. Special mention for Brighton fullback Pervis Estupinan. PA

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  CM: Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton): Rodri has been magnificent for City, but this position is awarded to Brighton’s brilliant Argentine. If Brighton is a well-tuned orchestra, then Mac Allister is the conductor. Winning the World Cup mid-season and the inevitable speculation linking him with bigger clubs did not distract him – in fact, he elevated his game to another level. Getty

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  CM: Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City): Started the season in style with nine assists in his first 10 league games and after a comparatively subdued mid-season, hit his stride again as City bulldozed their way to the title. The Belgian, who topped the assists chart with 18, remains the Premier League’s best attacking midfielder. Reuters

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  CM: Martin Odegaard (Arsenal): A phenomenal campaign from the Norwegian, who stepped up as captain and led from the front. Odegaard scored 15 league goals and provided the class and creativity at the head of Arsenal’s midfield. At 24, is only going to get better. Getty

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  RW: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal): Another season, another step towards superstardom for Arsenal’s wonderful winger. Saka scored 13 goals and created 11 assists to play a key role in the Gunners’ title challenge. Still only 21, the England international is already one of the best players in the league. Getty

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  LW: Jack Grealish (Manchester City): An underwhelming debut season at City made way for a superb second for Grealish. The England winger has found his role within Guardiola’s system and became undroppable, adding goals and assists and stepping up in the biggest games. Now looks like a £100m player. EPA

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  CF: Erling Haaland (Manchester City): A season defined by the Norwegian striker. He stole the headlines in the summer after his deal to City was announced and never left the back pages, breaking goalscoring records at almost every turn. Haaland’s record 36 goals fired City to the title and, ominously for their rivals, he could get even better next season. EPA

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  SUBS: Alisson (Liverpool), John Stones (Manchester City), Pervis Estupinan (Brighton), Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton), Rodri (Manchester City), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Harry Kane (Tottenham). Getty

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  Manager: Roberto De Zerbi (Brighton): Plenty of candidates this season: Guardiola, Mikel Arteta, Eddie Howe, Unai Emery - even Thomas Franck or Julen Lopetegui. But the nod goes to De Zerbi for masterminding Brighton's greatest ever season and implementing a wonderful style. Guardiola described the Italian as one of the most influental coaches of the past 20 years. Enough said. Getty

In many ways, the 2022/23 Premier League season was quite unlike any other. There was a mid-season break for a World Cup, a new single-season record goalscorer, and unprecedented campaigns – both good and bad – for several clubs.

Yet, there was plenty familiar about it, too. Manchester City wrapped up a third straight title – and fifth in six years – managers were fired and hired, and Chelsea are still defined by instability.

It was also a season featuring impressive performances from plenty of players – both those who starred as part of a successful team, or shone despite their side's struggles.

Check out the photo gallery above to view our 2022/23 Premier League team of the season. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or swipe if using a mobile device.