Manchester City and Arsenal led the nominations for Premier League player of the season with two players each… as Chelsea’s Cole Palmer also makes the shortlist

The Premier League have unveiled the eight-strong list of nominations for their player of the season, with Man City and Arsenal dominating the names.

After an exciting campaign, City and Arsenal will battle it out for the Premier League crown, with their players also battling it out for the coveted individual Best Player award.

It’s no surprise that Cole Palmer has been included following his incredible goalscoring season, which saw him score 21 times, but he faces stiff competition from a selection of top players in the hunt for the trophy.

Erling Haaland claimed the award last season – as well as Young Player of the Season – after finishing the 22-23 season as top scorer with 36 goals from 35 games, and he continues in that strong spirit of ruthlessness in front of goal with another 25 strikes in this campaign.

That’s more than enough to get him on this year’s shortlist, along with his Man City teammate Phil Foden.

Players from Manchester City and Arsenal dominated this year’s nominations for Premier League player of the season

Cole Palmer also earns the distinction after his stellar season in which he scored 21 goals

The 23-year-old English star is having the best season of his career to date, having scored 16 times in the Premier League and provided eight assists. He emerged as one of City’s most reliable players under Pep Guardiola.

For rivals Arsenal, the two players are Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice.

Odegaard, the Gunners’ captain, has quickly become one of the best playmakers in the league alongside Kevin de Bruyne and his eight goals and eight assists have been crucial to Arsenal increasing their title hopes.

Similarly, Rice’s combative performances in midfield have been vital for Mikel Arteta, with the England star arguably exceeding expectations following his £100m move to the Emirates with seven goals and eight assists, having managed all but one this season all Arsenal’s matches had started.

Outside of the two best teams, there is one nominee from Liverpool and the only defender in this list: Virgil van Dijk. The Dutch defender has been a rock for the Reds, starting 34 of 36 matches despite the team’s injury crisis, keeping eight clean sheets and making 39 tackles, 36 interceptions and 135 clearances.

The last two names on the list are Newcastle striker Alexander Isak – who has wowed fans with 20 Premier League goals – and Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, who is also having his best season with 19 goals.

More to follow.