The race for English football’s most prestigious individual honour has a new frontrunner. As of February 20, 2026, Arsenal captain Declan Rice has officially overtaken Erling Haaland as the bookies' favourite to win the PFA Players' Player of the Year award.
With Arsenal currently sitting top of the Premier League table (58 points), the narrative has shifted from pure goalscoring to the "Rice Factor"—the leadership and control that has turned the Gunners into title favourites.
The Odds: A Two-Horse Race?
Following a "statement week" for Arsenal, UK betting sites have slashed Rice's odds. He now carries an implied probability of roughly 61.9% to take home the trophy voted for by his fellow professionals.
Current Odds
Declan Rice,61.9%
Erling Haaland,34.8%
Gabriel Magalhães,5.9%
Bruno Fernandes,5.9%
The "Voter" Edge: Unlike the FWA (Journalists') award, the PFA award is voted on by the players. Historically, pros tend to value the players who "dictate the game" and are the hardest to play against—a description that perfectly fits Rice’s 2025/26 campaign.
The Statistical Case for Rice
While his raw output of 4 goals and 4 assists doesn't rival Haaland’s 20-goal haul, Rice’s "under-the-hood" metrics are elite for a central midfielder.
Ball Progression: He leads the Premier League in final third entries (8.65 per 90) and penalty area entries (8 per 90).
Defensive Shield: He has anchored a defense that has conceded only 0.74 goals per game, the best in the division.
Set-Piece Mastery: Rice has been the primary architect of Arsenal’s set-piece dominance, contributing significantly to their status as the league's most dangerous team from corners and free-kicks.
Durability: He has played 2,239 minutes this season—starting 25 out of 27 matches—proving to be the indestructible engine of Arteta's side.
The Verdict: Rice is benefiting from a "narrative shift." While Haaland continues to score at a historic rate, Rice is seen as the transformative signing that has finally closed the gap between North London and Manchester. If Arsenal hold their 5-point lead over City, Rice will almost certainly become the first Arsenal player to win the award since Robin van Persie in 2012.