Our Premier League Team of the Week is in following the latest top-flight action, featuring names from Manchester United, Arsenal, and Brentford.
Goalkeeper: Martin Dubravka – Burnley
Burnley battled to a goalless draw with Everton at Turf Moor and had Martin Dubravka to thank for earning the Clarets a result.
The veteran goalkeeper has been an astute addition to the ranks and made six saves to preserve just a third clean sheet of the campaign. His late save to deny Beto was something special, getting down low with a strong hand.
Right-back: Declan Rice – Arsenal
Is there anything this man can’t do? Rice was the man of the match in Arsenal’s win against Brighton, deputising superbly at right-back. The midfielder rampaged up and down the flank all afternoon, while it was his dangerous delivery that forced Georginio Rutter’s own goal.
Declan Rice. Right-back.
📊 @Microsoft pic.twitter.com/HkcpSt7bnP
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 27, 2025
Centre-back: Ayden Heaven – Manchester United
So assured on just his fifth Premier League start. Heaven barely misplaced a pass in the 1-0 win over Newcastle and was so often in the right place at the right time, racking up eight clearances.
An audition for more regular football was passed impressively.
Ayden Heaven won 100% of his duels, completed 94% of his passes, made 8 clearances and committed 0 fouls in Man United’s 1-0 victory against Newcastle.
A perfect defensive performance 💪 pic.twitter.com/Ai2OEu30kA
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 26, 2025
Centre-back: Lisandro Martinez – Manchester United
Excellent alongside the aforementioned Heaven, as Manchester United earned a hard-fought win over Newcastle. Ruben Amorim named Martinez captain for the clash, and the Argentine led by example, making eight clearances and offering fine distribution from the back. His return is a real boost.
Left-back: Antonee Robinson – Fulham
Back to his best after a below-par start to the season. Robinson was relentless down the left-hand side for Fulham, largely putting the shackles on Jarrod Bowen and producing some good moments going forward.
He won eight defensive duels, made four tackles, and created four chances during Fulham’s 1-0 win at West Ham. More like it from the American.
Midfield: Martin Odegaard – Arsenal
His best performance of the season. Odegaard opened the scoring against Brighton with a crisp strike from the edge of the area and was at his creative best throughout, fashioning five chances for his teammates.
His link-up with Bukayo Saka was encouraging. If Arsenal are to get over the line this season, they need this version of their captain more often.
Midfield: Florian Wirtz – Liverpool
At long last! The marquee summer signing opened his Liverpool account against Wolves in a moment and a performance that will lift his confidence.
Wirtz was full of silky touches and nice movement at Anfield, taking his goal superbly after excellent work from Hugo Ekitike. There will be tougher tests ahead than winless Wolves, but a display that saw Wirtz complete 7/8 dribbles, win 10/13 ground duels, score, and create three chances, offers huge encouragement.
A standout performance from Florian Wirtz against Wolves 💫 pic.twitter.com/LT9jsIrPOB
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 27, 2025
Right-wing: Rayan Cherki – Manchester City
He’s getting better and better in a Manchester City shirt. The likeliest player to produce a moment of quality did just that at Nottingham Forest, with a tidy assist for Tijjani Reijnders and a lovely strike to win it for the visitors.
Cherki’s technique is out of this world, while his potential is frightening. The 21-year-old has averaged a goal or assist every 71 minutes in the Premier League this season.
Left-wing: Kevin Schade – Brentford
An electric performance from Schade, who could yet gatecrash the Germany squad for next summer’s World Cup.
The 24-year-old scored a perfect hat-trick to sink Brentford this weekend, taking his total to six for the season. Just three German players have outscored Schade across Europe’s top five leagues during the 2025-26 campaign.
Forward: Ollie Watkins – Aston Villa
Ollie Watkins has not had the easiest of seasons, but this might just be lift-off. Watkins came off the bench to turn the game around at Chelsea, with his brace earning Aston Villa a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge.
The victory made it a club record 11 consecutive wins for Unai Emery’s side, and eight straight victories in the Premier League. If Watkins can get back to his goalscoring best after a slow start, Villa will fancy their chances of extending that run.
Ollie Watkins turned the match around for @AVFCOfficial as soon as he entered the pitch against Chelsea ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/nByz1FV0JB
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 27, 2025
Forward: Igor Thiago – Brentford
Bullied Bournemouth all game. Whether he was dropping deep to build attacks or bursting beyond the Cherries’ backline, the visitors had no answer for the Brazilian. The only thing missing from a fantastic all-round performance was a goal.
Read – The longest goalscoring streaks in Premier League history
See more – The longest winning runs in Premier League history
