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Rice Tops Round 20 Nominees as Arsenal Extend Premier League Lead

5 January 2026

Rice Tops Round 20 Nominees as Arsenal Extend Premier League Lead
Rice stars as Arsenal stay top after a dramatic Round 20.

Round 20 Nominees

The Premier League has officially named the candidates for the Player of the Week award for Round 20. Week 20 delivered tight fixtures, including a 1-1 draw between Manchester City and Chelsea, and a 2-2 thriller in the Fulham–Liverpool game. Arsenal claimed a 3-2 win over Bournemouth to strengthen their position.

Nominees for the Award

The candidates are: Matheus Mani (Wolverhampton), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Igor Tiago (Everton), Malik Tiago (Newcastle United).

Arsenal top the table with 48 points, six ahead of Aston Villa and Manchester City.

Punchline: If Rice wins, the trophy might need a bigger trophy case. And if your fantasy team didn’t pick him, blame the offside rule’s mischievous sense of humor.

Author

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Emma Amme

I am Emma Amme, an English sports journalist born in 1998. Passionate about astronomy, contemporary dance, and handcrafted woodworking, I share my sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the Round 20 nominees for Player of the Week?

Matheus Mani (Wolverhampton), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Igor Tiago (Everton), Malik Tiago (Newcastle United).

What were the notable results in Round 20?

Man City–Chelsea 1-1 and Fulham–Liverpool 2-2, with Arsenal beating Bournemouth 3-2.

Who leads the Premier League after Round 20?

Arsenal lead with 48 points, six points ahead of Aston Villa and Manchester City.

Where is this article published from?

The round-up reflects matches and nominations reported by Premier League coverage sources.