The 2024/25 Premier League season is in the books – and not without a few surprises along the way.
Rewind to August last year and another Manchester City-Arsenal title battle was expected. Instead, it was Liverpool under new head coach Arne Slot who separated themselves from the pack.
City bombed before recovering to finish third, with Arsenal runners-up, albeit by a distance, for a third season in a row.
On an individual level, Mohamed Salah scored for fun against a backdrop of noise regarding his contract situation. Quite naturally, he walks into our best XI of the season alongside some established stars and some emerging talent. See below for the pick of the top Premier League performers from the past 10 months.
GK: David Raya, Arsenal
Remember the controversy when Mikel Arteta chose to ditch Aaron Ramsdale and replace him with Raya? That seems a long time ago now with the Spaniard established as one of the Premier League's elite goalkeepers. Blessed with an ability with the ball at his feet, Raya has also shown a knack of coming up with big saves in big moments and played a key role in helping the Gunners post the division's stingiest defensive record.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool
His season might have ended under a cloud given the controversy surrounding his impending free transfer to Real Madrid – but the right-back was at the top of his game earlier in the campaign.
It was in those early months of the season that Liverpool built the foundations of their title triumph and Alexander-Arnold's creativity was a key part of that.
CB: Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool
Liverpool's defensive rock returned to peak form in 2024/25, dominating in the air and on the ground and helping his side bank 14 clean sheets and the second-best defensive record in the division behind Arsenal.
By the time his new two-year contract was confirmed in April, it had been well-earned. With the towering defender turning 34 in July it's a level of performance his club will need him to sustain if they are to keep hold of their title next term.
CB: Nikola Milenkovic, Nottingham Forest
The Serbian centre-back was an unheralded signing when he made the move from Fiorentina to the City Ground for £10 million last summer.
However, the 27-year-old is a defensive animal and has proven to be perfectly suited to Premier League football. Alongside centre-back partner Murillo, he has helped transform one of the division's leakiest defences into one of its meanest.
LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly, Arsenal
The 18-year-old Arsenal academy product has been one of the finds of the season, establishing himself as the club's first-choice left-back and also making his England debut.
With a background as a central midfielder, Lewis-Skelly is perfectly suited to the demands of playing as an inverted full-back, tucking in and helping bolster the Gunners' engine room.
CM: Ryan Gravenberch, Liverpool
Liverpool's campaign suffered a setback before a ball had been kicked when Real Sociedad's Spanish international midfielder Martin Zubimendi snubbed a move to Anfield.
The Reds were perceived to have a weakness at the back of their midfield, but the solution to the problem was right under their nose. Signed by former boss Jurgen Klopp but underused last term, Gravenberch has flourished under the guidance of his compatriot Slot. Elegant, tactically savvy and an accomplished passer of the ball, the Dutch international is starting to fulfil the rich promise he showed when breaking into the Ajax side as a 16-year-old.
CM: Sandro Tonali, Newcastle
The Italian international has been the maestro of Newcastle's midfield three, having slotted into a number six role alongside Brazilian duo Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.
Having missed most of last season after being suspended for breaking gambling rules while at previous club AC Milan, Tonali has played nearly 50 games across competitions as manager Eddie Howe tweaked his position to become the team's fulcrum and midfield engine with impressive results.
CM: Declan Rice, Arsenal
The highlight of Rice's season – a brace of spectacular free-kicks – might have come against Real Madrid in the Uefa Champions League, but he has been a model of consistency in the league as well.
The England midfielder has chipped in with four goals and seven assists in his 35 league games and captained the side for the first time in the final day win at Southampton.
RW: Mohamed Salah, Liverpool
The undoubted MVP of the Premier League season, Salah led the division for goals (29) and assists (18), becoming the first man to claim the player of the season, Golden Boot and playmaker award in the same campaign.
Having secured a new two-year contract, Salah's form dipped in the closing weeks of the season before finishing on a high with an equalising goal in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace.
CF: Alexander Isak, Newcastle
Isak has broken the 25-goal barrier for two campaigns running now, with only Liverpool's Salah scoring more than the Swedish striker in this season's Premier League.
The 25-year-old has established himself as one of the best strikers in Europe – a great goalscorer and a scorer of great goals who will relish being back in the Champions League with Newcastle next season.
LW: Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace)
The 26-year-old is a terrific player to watch in full flow, taking the ball on the half turn and wreaking havoc with his elite dribbling and eye for a killer pass.
Cole Palmer would have been a lock for this slot but hasn't scored from open play since January 14. By contrast, Eze has come on strong, helping his side win the FA Cup and contributing eight goals and eight assists in the league.
SUBS: M Sels (N Forest), D Munoz (C Palace), M Caicedo (Chelsea), M Gibbs-White (N Forest), C Wood (N Forest)
Bugatti Chiron Super Sport - the specs:
Engine: 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16
Transmission: 7-speed DSG auto
Power: 1,600hp
Torque: 1,600Nm
0-100kph in 2.4seconds
0-200kph in 5.8 seconds
0-300kph in 12.1 seconds
Top speed: 440kph
Price: Dh13,200,000
Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport - the specs:
Engine: 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16
Transmission: 7-speed DSG auto
Power: 1,500hp
Torque: 1,600Nm
0-100kph in 2.3 seconds
0-200kph in 5.5 seconds
0-300kph in 11.8 seconds
Top speed: 350kph
Price: Dh13,600,000
About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
RESULTS
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Fernando Jara (jockey), Ahmed Al Mehairbi (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: AF Seven Skies, Bernardo Pinheiro, Qais Aboud
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: Almahroosa, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: AF Sumoud, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Adventurous, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net
Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.
Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.
A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.
Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.
THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
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Buy farm-fresh food
The UAE is stepping up its game when it comes to platforms for local farms to show off and sell their produce.
In Dubai, visit Emirati Farmers Souq at The Pointe every Saturday from 8am to 2pm, which has produce from Al Ammar Farm, Omar Al Katri Farm, Hikarivege Vegetables, Rashed Farms and Al Khaleej Honey Trading, among others.
In Sharjah, the Aljada residential community will launch a new outdoor farmers’ market every Friday starting this weekend. Manbat will be held from 3pm to 8pm, and will host 30 farmers, local home-grown entrepreneurs and food stalls from the teams behind Badia Farms; Emirates Hydroponics Farms; Modern Organic Farm; Revolution Real; Astraea Farms; and Al Khaleej Food.
In Abu Dhabi, order farm produce from Food Crowd, an online grocery platform that supplies fresh and organic ingredients directly from farms such as Emirates Bio Farm, TFC, Armela Farms and mother company Al Dahra.
