Premier League's February Awards Shortlist: Stars Shining Bright

The Premier League has rolled out its glittering lineup for February's Player and Manager of the Month awards, and it's a proper who's who from the top sides. Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and surprise package Brentford all have boots in the door. No room for the faint-hearted here – these gongs go to those who've truly bossed it amid the slog.

It's like picking your fantasy XI over a pint: tough calls, but someone's got to do it. Let's dive into the player nominees first, where goals, grit and a bit of swagger have caught the eye.

Player of the Month Contenders: Goals Galore and Defensive Rocks

Kicking off with Viktor Gyökeres at Arsenal. The Swedish powerhouse had a quiet night at Brentford's Gtech – not a single shot amid the rain – but bounced back with a second-half brace off the bench against Sunderland. Then, he lit up the north London derby with another two-goal salvo. Mikel Arteta's chuffed, calling it the Hungarian's – wait, Swede's – best showing yet in a rollercoaster debut season.

Over at Manchester City, Nico O’Reilly and Antoine Semenyo are the dynamic duo keeping Pep's chasers hot on Arsenal's heels. Both outgunned Erling Haaland in goals last month, fuelling Guardiola's tactical tweak to a diamond midfield behind a front two. Semenyo's pace and O'Reilly's box-to-box energy? Pure gold.

Dango Ouattara flies Brentford's flag high. The summer signing from Bournemouth bagged two goals and two assists, including winners over Aston Villa and Newcastle, plus key work in their Arsenal draw. Bees frontman Igor Thiago can't defend his January crown, but Ouattara's stepping up big.

Benjamin Šeško has Man Utd purring – his three strikes each swung results, keeping the Red Devils third. Without him, they'd be lurking sixth, five points adrift. And Virgil van Dijk? The big Dutchman rediscovered his imperious best for Liverpool in February, though a shaky March opener soured the vibe.

Previous winners? Jack Grealish (Everton, Aug), Haaland (City, Sep), Bryan Mbeumo (United, Oct), Thiago twice (Brentford, Nov & Jan), and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds, Dec). Hot form's the name of the game.

Manager of the Month Race: Carrick's Crown to Lose?

Turning to the gaffers, Michael Carrick looks nailed on at Man Utd. The ex-midfielder's interim stint racked up 10 points from 12 – 'stodgy' by his own admission, but effective. A win here would make back-to-back gongs after January, emulating Ange Postecoglou's 2023 double. Whatever became of him, eh?

Keith Andrews at Brentford deserves a shout despite no silverware yet. Post-summer sales of captain, keeper and top scorers, he's dragged the Bees into Europe talk. February's four points were gritty, aided by dodgy VAR, but class is permanent.

Arne Slot sneaks in for Liverpool – a City loss bookended scratchy 1-0s vs Sunderland and Forest, plus a dodgy 5-2 'win'. Steady, not spectacular.

Pep Guardiola? City nabbed four wins – the only side to – but Forest clipped their March wings. If this propels a title charge, who needs monthly trinkets?

Past bosses: Slot (Liverpool, Aug), Oliver Glasner (Palace, Sep), Ruben Amorim (United, Oct), Enzo Maresca (Chelsea, Nov), Unai Emery (Villa, Dec), Carrick (Jan).

Who's Lifting the Trophy?

These shortlists scream tight title race – Arsenal and City duelling, United surging, Liverpool grinding, Brentford punching up. February's nominees have February's form, but May's the real prize. Fancy Gyökeres pipping Šeško, or Carrick going double? Grab a pint and debate it. The votes are in, results soon – stay tuned on TheFootball.News for the winners.