Premier League Team of 2022: Newcastle United and Arsenal dominate star-studded side

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As 2022 draws to a close, we name our Premier League team of the year.

It has been another eventful year in the Premier League with eye-catching stories taking place across the country.

From Manchester City’s remarkable title win to Newcastle United’s march away from the relegation zone and their continued improvement during the current season, a whole host of players have shone throughout the last 12 months.

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With 2022 now heading into its final stages, 3AddedMinutes takes a look back at the last year and picks a team and manager that have hit outstanding levels consistency throughout the calendar year:

GK: Ederson - Manchester City

AFP via Getty Images

One of the world’s best goalkeepers, it does feel as if Ederson is occasionally overshadowed by international team-mate Alisson. But he has made excellence the norm, so perhaps there is a degree of taking his outstanding form for granted. One thing is for sure, Pep Guardiola and Manchester City supporters would not swap their regular stopper for anyone!

RB: Kieran Trippier - Newcastle United

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What a return to the Premier League for the England full-back. The first eye-catching signing of Newcastle’s new era and one that already looks like a massive bargain given the impact Trippier has made on and off the pitch at St James Park. A firm favourite and a standard setter for the upwardly mobile Magpies.

CB: William Saliba - Arsenal

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It seems bizarre to think there was some talk about Saliba spending another season out on loan. But Mikel Arteta’s decision to hand his a belated involvement at the Emirates has paid off handsomely with the French defender producing some outstanding performances as his side marched into the lead role in this season’s Premier League title race.

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CB: Fabian Schar - Newcastle United

Schar was on the fringes of the starting side a little over 12 months ago but has had his Newcastle United career reinvigorated under Eddie Howe. Schar is a regular starter and someone that Howe will rely on a lot over the next calendar year or so.Schar was on the fringes of the starting side a little over 12 months ago but has had his Newcastle United career reinvigorated under Eddie Howe. Schar is a regular starter and someone that Howe will rely on a lot over the next calendar year or so.
Schar was on the fringes of the starting side a little over 12 months ago but has had his Newcastle United career reinvigorated under Eddie Howe. Schar is a regular starter and someone that Howe will rely on a lot over the next calendar year or so.

The Swiss international looked to be on his way out of Steve Bruce’s Newcastle - but he has established himself as a key cog under Eddie Howe. Increasingly comfortable at bring the ball out of defence and has cut out the errors in his game, Schar has played a major role in what has been a remarkable year on Tyneside.

LB: Joao Cancelo - Manchester City

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The Manchester City star can provide a very strong case to state the best left-back in the Premier League isn’t even a natural left-back. Cancelo has been outstanding over the last 12 months and provides defensive solidity and attacking flair in abundance for Pep Guardiola.

CM: Martin Odegaard - Arsenal

The Norwegian was named Arsenal captain at the start of the season and has so far done a very good job in leading the club to the top of the table.The Norwegian was named Arsenal captain at the start of the season and has so far done a very good job in leading the club to the top of the table.
The Norwegian was named Arsenal captain at the start of the season and has so far done a very good job in leading the club to the top of the table. | Getty Images

Even during some difficult moments last season, Odegaard looked a class act in the middle of the Gunners side and he has taken that form into the current campaign with aplomb. Cool on the ball, an eye for a pass and a scorer of some vital goals, the Norway international will be a big player as Mikel Arteta’s side look to claim a first Premier League title in 19 years.

CM: Bruno Guimaraes - Newcastle United

The Brazilian’s form for Newcastle has been so good that Real Madrid have reportedly shown an interest in signing the midfielder. Bruno has been superb for Newcastle and fans will be praying he remains a Magpies player for the considerable future.The Brazilian’s form for Newcastle has been so good that Real Madrid have reportedly shown an interest in signing the midfielder. Bruno has been superb for Newcastle and fans will be praying he remains a Magpies player for the considerable future.
The Brazilian’s form for Newcastle has been so good that Real Madrid have reportedly shown an interest in signing the midfielder. Bruno has been superb for Newcastle and fans will be praying he remains a Magpies player for the considerable future.

The Brazil star took a chance joining a relegation threatened Newcastle last January - but the move has paid off handsomely for both parties and the £40m fee already looks a major bargain. He’s has become an integral and much-loved figure on Tyneside and it seems staggering he didn’t play at greater role for his country at the World Cup Finals.

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CM: Kevin de Bruyne - Manchester City

The Man City midfielder has three goals and nine assists for his side this season in the Premier League. He also averages 3.4 key passes a game.The Man City midfielder has three goals and nine assists for his side this season in the Premier League. He also averages 3.4 key passes a game.
The Man City midfielder has three goals and nine assists for his side this season in the Premier League. He also averages 3.4 key passes a game.

Possibly the best midfielder in the world at some stages over the last 12 months, De Bruyne is capable of producing some awe-inspiring moments and was monumental during Manchester City’s romp to the 2021/22 Premier League title. He will hope to add another winner’s medal and that elusive Champions League win to his haul over the second half of the season.

AM: James Maddison - Leicester City

Leicester City midfielder James Maddison.Leicester City midfielder James Maddison.
Leicester City midfielder James Maddison.

With apologies to Newcastle United’s Miguel Almiron, the form of Maddison during what has been an underwhelming year for the Foxes has been extraordinary. The attacking midfielder has netted 18 goals and produced ten assists in 41 appearances in all competitions over the last 12 months and will hope to continue that form when he returns to fitness in the new year.

AM: Bukayo Saka - Arsenal

Bukayo Saka will be aiming to start for England during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar 2022. (Getty Images)Bukayo Saka will be aiming to start for England during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar 2022. (Getty Images)
Bukayo Saka will be aiming to start for England during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar 2022. (Getty Images) | Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Saka has firmly moved on from his Euro 2020 heartache and now is viewed as a lead player for club and country. As impressive in England’s run to the quarter-finals of the World Cup as he has been during a stunning 12 months with Arsenal, the winger has firmly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most consistent attacking talents.

ST: Harry Kane - Tottenham Hotspur

Has 14 goals in 23 games for club and country this season.Has 14 goals in 23 games for club and country this season.
Has 14 goals in 23 games for club and country this season.

There were plenty of contenders for the lead role in this side, especially given Erling Haaland’s stunning run of form since he joined Manchester City in the summer. But Kane is another player in this side that has made excellence feel incredibly normal with another goal-laden 12 months. A total of 30 goals and 11 assists in 49 club appearances during the calendar year counts as another outstanding outlay from the England captain.

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Manager: Eddie Howe - Newcastle United

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe applauds fans.Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe applauds fans.
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe applauds fans.

Other managers have landed silverware but few have overseen the transformation Eddie Howe has at Newcastle United. On the first day of 2022, the Magpies were sat second from bottom in the Premier League, now they are guaranteed to enter the new year sat in the top three. It’s easy to point to the money spent at St James Park, but that overlooks the transformation Howe has drawn out of the likes of Joelinton, Miguel Almiron and Fabian Schar. An England manager of the future, but his complete focus remains on continuing his love affair with the Magpies for the foreseeable future.

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