EFL Cup Team of the Week XI

The 2025/26 EFL Cup is almost at a close. Only three games remains – the second legs of the semi finals and the final itself.

We’ll take a look at the best players from the first legs of the semi finals in this piece – with big wins for Manchester City and Arsenal, expect them to be all over this XI. Who will make it through to Wembley?

GK: Gianluigi Donnrumma

Gianluigi Donnarumma makes it into this XI more or less by default – out of all four goalkeepers who played in the first legs of the EFL Cup semi finals, he was the only one to keep a clean sheet.

With that being said, Donnarumma certainly didn’t have a bad game – he dealt with everything that Newcastle United could hurl at him.

RB: Ben White

Ben White has been largely usurped by Jurrien Timber this season, but this was a strong outing for the former Brighton defender.

He took advantage of an error from Robert Sanchez to open the scoring for the Gunners – he also completed four tackles over the course of the game.

CB: Max Alleyne

Max Alleyne is yet another top prospect from Manchester City – Pep Guardiola does not get enough credit for developing home-grown youngsters.

He kept Newcastle’s attacking ranks firmly at bay – alongside the similarly-inexperienced Abdukodir Khusanov, they each played a vital role in keeping a clean sheet.

CB: William Saliba

While Arsenal conceded two goals in their 3-2 win over Chelsea, William Saliba couldn’t be blamed for either of the Blues’ strikes.

The French international barely put a foot wrong as he won all of his aerial duels and put in a few meaty tackles to boot.

LB: Rayan Ait-Nouri

Rayan Ait-Nouri’s season has largely been curtailed by injuries – as such, he was keen to make up for lost time against Newcastle.

Ait-Nouri helped to maintain a clean sheet and also provided the assist for the Citizens’ second goal of the tie.

CM: Declan Rice

Is Declan Rice the best midfielder in the Premier League? At this point, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who disagrees.

Even against a team with a solid midfield such as Chelsea, he was still able to thrive – he found Ben White for Arsenal’s first goal against the The Blues.

CM: Martin Zubimendi

Rice might be the best midfielder in the Premier League, but Martin Zubimendi isn’t far behind him – he, too, was outstanding in midweek.

The Spanish international scored Arsenal’s final goal of the game, dancing beyond a pair of Chelsea players to slot the ball beyond Robert Sanchez.

RW: Antoine Semenyo

Antoine Semenyo has hit the ground running at Manchester City – he has now scored two goals in his first two games under the Sky Blues banner.

He showed great composure and anticipational skills to turn a flick-on from Bernardo Silva into the back of the net.

AM: Rayan Cherki

Without question, Rayan Cherki has been one of the best signings of the season. At just 22 years of age, the sky truly is the limit for this young man.

He scored in the dying embers of the game to give City a two goal lead heading into the second leg at St. James’ Park.

LW: Alejandro Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho was on the losing end in the London derby between Arsenal and Chelsea, but he certainly put his best foot forward nonetheless.

The former Manchester United man scored a brace against the Gunners, which should give Liam Rosenior’s men a bit of hope heading into the second leg.

ST: Viktor Gyokeres

Viktor Gyokeres has been the subject of critcism this season, but you couldn’t fault his display against Chelsea.

He scored Arsenal’s second goal of the game, then found the assist for their third – this was one of the Swedish international’s best performances in a Gunners jersey.