It's been a wild and exciting Premier League season so far.

Defending champions Manchester City have fallen off considerably. Surprising Nottingham Forest continues to defy expectations. And league leaders Liverpool threaten to lap the field after a strong start under new boss Arne Slot.

With over half of the campaign played, our B/R World Football writers Leo Collis and Nick Akerman decided to come together and pick a first half of the season. We utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation and also picked a manager as well.

Disagree with our selections? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments section of the B/R app!

*Stats were current as of Jan. 1, 2025

Goalie: David Raya, Arsenal

David Raya no doubt benefits from having a formidable defense in front of him, but when he's been called into action, he has been sensational.

In Arsenal's second game of the season on August 24 against Aston Villa, he made a remarkable reaction save with the score at 0-0. A deflected shot cannoned off the bar, and with the goal gaping, Ollie Watkins looked certain to head Villa into the lead.

However, Raya picked himself up off the deck quickly and kept the header out with a flying leap, setting the stage for the Gunners to pick up a 2-0 win.

He is joint-second in the Golden Glove race, with his seven clean sheets level with Everton's Jordan Pickford and one behind Nottingham Forest's Matz Sels on eight. But he has also had 747 touches of the ball and made 579 successful passes, providing a solid foundation for Arsenal to implement their preferred possession game.

Raya's shot-stopping prowess gives his side confidence that they can press high, and his ability to react to danger from balls over the top helps to ease the pressure on the back line. The Spaniard also acts as a safety valve when the midfield is crowded out.

If Arsenal intend to close the gap to Liverpool in the second half of the season, they will need more solid play from their No. 1.

—Leo Collis

Left Back: Antonee Robinson, Fulham

With Andy Robertson's powers waning at Liverpool, Fulham's Antonee Robinson is making the case to be known as the Premier League's best left-back.

The U.S. men's national team star has provided seven assists from defense for the Cottagers in 2024-25, the most of any defender in the division and good for third in the assists charts—behind Bukayo Saka (10) and Mohamed Salah (13).

His pace and willingness to burst down the left flank has given plenty of teams headaches, but he backs that up with excellent recovery powers and tenacious tackling.

The 27-year-old has morphed into the complete package, and he could be set for a big-money move elsewhere if he keeps this up.

—Leo Collis

Center Back: William Saliba, Arsenal

Aside from Virgil Van Dijk, it's fair to say William Saliba is the best centre back in the league. He may even be when taking Liverpool's captain into consideration.

He's essential to what Arteta is doing at both ends of the pitch, someone whose reading of the game allows Arsenal to play riskier football than most because they have someone who can cover ground and quickly shut down threats. Throw in his ridiculous threat from corners and Saliba is an all-round package that is difficult to replicate.

It's amazing to think he's just 23 years old. There's a potential Premier League icon in the making here.

—Nick Akerman

Center Back: Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool

Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk is level with Nottingham Forest's Nikola Milenkovic as the outfield player responsible for the most clean sheets this season (eight).

While the Serb has been brilliant in his first Premier League campaign alongside his similarly excellent back-line partner Murillo, Van Dijk has been a constant in an injury-hit defense and has still managed to ensure Liverpool is the second-most stingy team in the league—with 17 goals conceded just one shy of Arsenal's 16.

The club captain has the matter of a new contract hanging over his head as his deal is set to expire at the end of the season, but that uncertainty hasn't prevented the Dutchman from being a colossal leader as the Reds hunt for a league title.

At 33 years old, it doesn't look like he's losing any of his formidable traits, so keeping him at Anfield for the next couple of years seems to be in the club's best interests.

—Leo Collis

Right Back: Jurrien Timber, Arsenal

This was actually one of the more difficult picks to make in this team. Jurrien Timber's long-term injury upon arrival last season means this is essentially year one for him. He's proving to be everything Arsenal fans hoped for; great on the ball, tactically astute, and a quality defender who steps into midfield to maintain control.

Timber's importance to the Gunners grew once Ben White suffered an injury that kept him sidelined. Although the likes of Ola Aina, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ashley Young were considered for this spot, he just about takes it.

—Nick Akerman

Center Midfielder: Moises Caicedo, Chelsea

After a big-money move from Brighton & Hove Albion to Chelsea last season, Moises Caicedo seemed to be another in a long line of transfer missteps from the Blues.

However, the 23-year-old has shaken off that label in 2024-25, becoming a crucial part of Chelsea's engine room and showing exactly why he commanded such a high transfer fee.

The Ecuadorian has started every single one of the club's 19 league games, and his industry and all-round game has proved crucial as the Blues steadily rebuild into a Premier League force once again.

He's also provided one goal and three assists, the same amount in both categories that he achieved in the whole of last season.

—Leo Collis

Center Midfielder: Ryan Gravenberch, Liverpool

Remember in the summer when Liverpool were desperate to sign Martin Zubimendi? Fans were rightfully worried their midfield would let them down, as the spectre of a once-great Fabinho continued to loom over the club.

Up steps Ryan Gravenberch.

What a revelation last season's fringe player has been so far. Arne Slot is using him smartly, allowing the former Bayern Munich man to stretch his legs in a midfield that plays with intensity and pressure.

Gravenberch is proving to be an excellent enabler. Someone who can win the ball, play a cracking pass or dribble forwards to relieve pressure. He's not just a defensive midfielder, despite providing a solid screen for Van Dijk and the defence.

Everything is going right for Slot in his first season, perhaps best summed up by the man who could have been sold in the summer now becoming an essential part of a team who are easing their way to the title.

—Nick Akerman

Attacking Midfielder: Cole Palmer, Chelsea

Cole Palmer's emergence last season was no fluke, with the 22-year-old yet again putting in some sensational performances for a resurgent Chelsea side.

He was a shining light in an otherwise bleak team in 2023-24, so his brilliance has perhaps been a little overshadowed as other players have taken a step up. But the man from Manchester has 18 goal contributions in 19 games (all starts; 12 goals, six assists) and dismantled Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton & Hove Albion practically on his own.

In the former fixture, he was involved in four goals (one goal, three assists) in a 6-2 victory, and in the latter, he bagged all four in a 4-2 win.

Plenty have criticized Palmer for inflating his goal stats from the penalty spot, but he's only converted three this season (at a 100 percent success rate) in the Premier League.

He's incredibly valuable to the London side, and the $52 million they paid to sign him from Manchester City continues to look like a bargain.

—Leo Collis

Forward: Bukayo Saka, Arsenal

Bukayo Saka's current injury may have huge implications for Arsenal's season. They simply need to get through this period without a man whose consistency has been under-the-radar amazing.

Five goals and 10 assists in 16 Premier League starts. Saka has developed into a leader. It's a quality that gets overlooked because he's not a big shouter. Just watch the way he controls the pace of the game to aid Arsenal's cause through his dribbling. One second he'll slowly tap the ball forward, waiting for numbers to support. The next he will burst into life and skip by his marker to up the tempo.

A certified superstar. The kind of player who we need to celebrate and not take for granted.

—Nick Akerman

Forward: Alexander Isak, Newcastle United

Both Newcastle and Alexander Isak took a little while to get going this season. Eddie Howe's side are now playing in the way we'd expect: fast-paced, fearless and with considerable goal threat.

Isak has 12 goals and four assists so far, more contributions than Erling Haaland, and his all-round play also outranks the giant Norwegian. While the criticism on Haaland has perhaps been too stinging–he's not the issue Manchester City need to worry about–Isak deserves his spot on this list.

The Swede just hasn't looked back since leaving Real Sociedad. He continues to work hard and improve. He's as cutting as any striker in the league and he possesses incredible finishing ability. Newcastle can expect a lot of transfer interest very soon.

—Nick Akerman

Forward: Mohamed Salah, Liverpool

What more can be said about Mohamed Salah that hasn't been uttered already?

The Egyptian has hit a new level that was looking increasingly beyond him last season, and he leads the Premier League scoring charts with 17 goals and has added 13 assists for good measure.

Liverpool are nine points clear at the top of the league with a game in hand, and that's largely thanks to the winger's output. While he still has a tendency to misplace a crucial pass or shoot off-target when a player is unmarked, the sheer volume of the attacking chances he creates means he can often afford to make those mistakes—and the risks he takes is perhaps why his numbers are so impressive.

Like Van Dijk, his contract is set to expire at the end of the season. He's on course for a historically great Premier League campaign and has cemented himself as one of the best players to ever grace the English game. Liverpool will be devastated if he takes his talents elsewhere.

—Leo Collis

Manager: Nuno Espírito Santo, Nottingham Forest

A selection that can be summed up by one sentence: Nuno Espírito Santo currently has Nottingham Forest sitting in third place.

Think back to last year under Steve Cooper. The enlarged squad was a mess. Cooper couldn't get any synergy or momentum from a side that looked like it could be relegated.

Santo has come in and reminded everyone that he is a better manager than he's often given credit for, perhaps because he's associated with struggling at Tottenham. With Ange Postecoglou now in a similar situation, it makes you think…

Nuno's ability to improve several individuals and make smart signings has combined into Forest looking like a top-level force. His team are defensively hard to penetrate, plays with freedom up front and have wild-card subs to inject flair. The surprise package of the season.

—Nick Akerman