Arsenal and Manchester United top the Premier League's best line-up

Who have been the most in-form players in England's Premier League this year? Who has contributed the most to their team forsaking price-tags and egos?

Which players deserves to rightly take their place in this year's Team of the Year? I can't claim to know the answer, but here are my most humble observations on a year of excellent personal performances.

Goalkeeper - David James: Since being brought to Portsmouth by manager Harry Redknapp, James has gone from strength to strength. At a time of his career that most players are thinking more about holiday homes and relaxing Saturday afternoons, here is a keeper who has defied the norm and actually become much fitter and much stronger. His commitment hasn't been contained to the gym, either. His performances this year have been nothing short of spectacular, which seems sure to earn him a place in Fabio Capello's new England side.

Right-Back - Micah Richards: The young England star has been a great asset to his side all season. Between England senior caps and becoming the youngest player to ever captain Manchester City, it's easy to forget the fact that he is still only 19. With superb tackling ability as well as a strong presence going forward, it's easy to see why he is held in such high regard by manager Sven-Goran Eriksson. If he can build on this season in 2009, who knows how far the youngster could go?

Centre-Back - Rio Ferdinand: Manchester United's talismanic defender has had an inspired year, and the fruits of his labour are plain to see in United's excellent defensive record that has seen them concede only 15 goals all season. Ferdinand might have been expected to struggle without the defensive leadership of Gary Neville, but he has coped marvellously with the veteran's absence. He continues to play a leading role as United push forward in search of silverware and there is no doubt that their Champions League hopes rely heavily on Ferdinand keeping a tight watch.

Centre-Back - William Gallas: Since becoming skipper for Arsenal, Gallas has reinvented himself. He's been in top form the entire season and provided a much-needed sense of leadership that Thierry Henry took with him to Barcelona. Very much the basis on which Wenger's defence is built on, Gallas brings much needed experience to a young side. The consistency in his form has paid dividends and he has played a huge part in Arsenal's domestic and European aspirations.

Left-Back - Patrice Evra: Another element that has formed Manchester United's watertight defence. Evra has been a regular feature at United since joining, and over the last couple of years has been, without question, the best left-back in the Premier League. After earning a place on last year's PFA Team of the Year, he is almost certain to repeat the achievement for this season. His form, ability and above all else, consistency has been instrumental for United, and Sir Alex Ferguson has no doubt been delighted with his performances.

Centre Midfield - Cesc Fabregas: This season has truly been the making of the midfield wonderkid. He has been superb, notching up a superb 13 assists in 30 games, and weighing in with seven goals of his own. His European form has also been nothing short of brilliant, shooting Arsenal into the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a late stunner that sank champions AC Milan. Unbelievably, scoring goals as well as creating them hasn't even been his strongest factor this year. The sheer presence he has about him, beaming with creativity and flair, brings Arsenal's midfield to life and he provides the very spine on which the body of Wenger's team is built.

Centre Midfield - Steven Gerrard: Liverpool's skipper has had yet another brilliant season in front of the Kop. Employed into a more favourable attacking role, Gerrard has looked right at home. Notching up 10 goals and 10 assists, he has contributed his usual haul and continues to go beyond the call of duty for the Liverpudlians at home and in Europe. Developing a strong partnership with new boy Fernando Torres has been a focal point for him this year, and the pair have slowly formed the most feared attacking pairing in the Premier League.

Winger - Cristiano Ronaldo: What more, other than the lad's name, needs to be said? Arguably the best player in the world, Ronaldo has been absolutely key to United this season. Topping the scoring chart with 24 goals, four ahead of his closest rival, he has been on fire all season. His free-kick mastery has been a joy to behold, sometimes bordering on defying the laws of physics. He seems sure to win countless accolades come the end of the season, and is no doubt the first name on anyone's Premier League XI.

Winger - Ashley Young: Aston Villa's bright young forward has been in superb form. Almost always short-listed for Man of the Match in most games he is involved in, he has been the epitome of unselfish play. It is, then, perhaps unsurprising he leads the way in the Premier League when it comes to assists, bagging 15 so far - almost a third of Villa's total goals in this campaign. Records like that don't happen by chance, and his senior England caps gained this year are testament to that very fact.

Striker - Fernando Torres: Liverpool's biggest ever transfer fee demanded that the young Spaniard delivered something special to the Kop faithful, and in his debut season, he has already gone above and beyond most rational expectations. Becoming the first Liverpool player since Michael Owen to hit the net 20 times in the league, as well as becoming the first Liverpool player to bag back-to-back hat-tricks in over 60 years, have been cornerstones for Torres's remarkable first season, and few would bet against him continuing to score on a regular basis for the Reds for years to come.

Striker - Emmanuel Adebayor: The departure of Thierry Henry left Arsenal with two huge goal-scoring boots to fill. With promising summer signings looking to replace the former skipper, few would have expected Adebayor to be the one to fill the gap, but fill the gap he has. The underrated striker has been a pure inspiration this season, scoring some magical goals that are sure to bless the end of season highlights reel. With a creative midfield backing him, he has managed to notch up an impressive goalscoring record that looks set to easily break 20 - a feat few would have afforded him in August.