Our Premier League Awards honour the best – and worst – of the weekend action, featuring Viktor Gyokeres, Anton Stach and James Milner.
Moment of the Week
Arsenal have faced criticism in recent days, with question marks again over their nerve after a costly collapse at Wolves in midweek. At half-time in the North London Derby, the pressure was on. Their lead had lasted just 24 seconds as Randal Kolo Muani cancelled out Eberechi Eze’s opener, and a huddle as the players emerged from the break indicated that the Gunners knew what was at stake in the second period.
Just two minutes after the restart, their breakthrough arrived. Viktor Gyokeres, who has faced more scrutiny than most this season, showed why he was brought to the Emirates. A finish flashed past Guglielmo Vicario, paving the path for an emphatic 4-1 win and confidence restored.
What a strike from Viktor Gyökeres?! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/ZwjrAbySxE
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 22, 2026
Gyokeres was a marquee signing in the summer and delivered in a timely manner. Mikel Arteta will feel vindicated.
Player of the Week
The pressure had been mounting on Arsenal following Manchester City’s win over Newcastle the day before.
Central to the Citizens’ success was Nico O’Reilly, who has become a key cog in the club’s midfield. O’Reilly’s emergence at left-back hinted at a top talent, but his move into midfield – a position Pep Guardiola has long said is his best role – has unleashed a new level.
After scoring against Fulham last time out, O’Reilly was on target twice to sink Newcastle at the Etihad.
Nico O’Reilly. One of our own. 🩵✨ pic.twitter.com/vB7jQZMe6P
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 21, 2026
He fizzed an opener past Nick Pope, before nodding in from Erling Haaland’s cross to seal the win. City have no shortage of match-winners but appear to have unlocked another one. A place in the England squad for this summer’s World Cup looks likely.
Goal of the Week
The £17m fee that Leeds paid to sign Anton Stach last summer looks like some of the best business of the Premier League season. The German midfielder can do a bit of everything, including scoring some sensational strikes. This fantastic free-kick was Stach’s third of the campaign already. Pinpoint precision.
🎯 OH MY WORD! ANTON STACH! pic.twitter.com/HUWTCn4chZ
— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 21, 2026
Save of the Week
Deep into stoppage time and with a one-goal lead to protect, this was a clutch moment from Gianluigi Donnarumma. A super save from the Italian, who has created a catalogue of them this season.
90+4 ⛔️ pic.twitter.com/xMZN7idNSb
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 22, 2026
Stat of the Week
A record-breaking weekend for James Milner, who notched up his 654th appearance in the Premier League, taking Gareth Barry’s record. This stat sums up the insane longevity of the 40-year-old Brighton midfielder.
879 – With Nathan Collins coming on for Brentford, James Milner has now played in the same game as all 879 players to make 100+ Premier League appearances since 2002-03. Quirky. pic.twitter.com/j3mjS6B0BZ
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 21, 2026
A week to forget for…
Social media tech companies. Inexcusably, Premier League names Hannibal Mejbri, Wesley Fofana, Tolu Arokodare, and Romaine Mundle were all racially abused on social media this weekend.
Wolves striker Arokodare, who was targeted after missing a penalty at Crystal Palace, outlined his outrage that abuse can still be prevalent with little consequence.
“It’s still unbelievable to me that we’re playing in a time where people have so much freedom to communicate such racism without any consequences,” he wrote on Instagram.
We stand with Tolu Arokodare after our striker received disgusting racial abuse on social media.https://t.co/thrYmElLVu
— Wolves (@Wolves) February 22, 2026
His words ring harrowingly true. How, in 2026, are social media giants not doing more to tackle hate crimes on their platforms? Those in power must do better and bring punishment for crimes committed.
Read – Premier League Team of the Week – Stach, O’Reilly, Gyokeres
See more – Incredible Eberechi Eze stat as midfielder scores in North London derby
