Our latest Premier League Team of the Week is in, featuring Wolves’ teenage talent, Brentford’s hat-trick hero and Arsenal’s midfield heartbeat.
Goalkeeper: Robin Roefs – Sunderland
Another solid outing from the Sunderland shot-stopper, who commanded his box well at Tottenham and was good with his distribution. Sunderland’s backline was impressive as a unit in front of him, though the Dutchman did everything asked of him in North London. One of the bargains of the campaign.
Right-back: Lewis Miley – Newcastle
It’s easy to forget that Lewis Miley is just 19 years old. A flawless performance from the teenager helped Newcastle to a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, with the youngster continuing to excel out of position at right-back.
He led his teammates for duels won (9), dribbles (5), and passes (59), failing to misplace a single pass all game at St James’ Park for 100% accuracy. A terrific talent.
Lewis Miley completed all 59/59 of his passes today; the best 100% rate of any player in a Premier League game this season 🌟
Accurate 🎯 pic.twitter.com/1qJbaNzlgD
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 4, 2026
Centre-back: Nathan Collins – Brentford
Captained Brentford to a big win at Everton. Collins capitalised on some non-existent marking to nod in the Bees’ second in the 4-2 win, with one of the simplest goals he could wish to score.
He claimed an assist late on for the fourth, finding the unmarked Igor Thiago in space for a breakaway goal. A fine afternoon’s work.
Centre-back: Malick Thiaw – Newcastle
Another top performance from one of the signings of the season. The German defended with his usual class in Newcastle’s win over Crystal Palace, making 10 clearances, five tackles, and winning 100% of his ground duels (5/5) to help preserve a clean sheet.
At the other end, he stabbed in the second to seal an important three points for the Magpies.
Left-back: Ferdi Kadioglu – Brighton
Kadioglu’s influence was felt at both ends in Brighton’s 2-0 win over Burnley. The Turkish international’s set-pieces were threatening, as he carved out three chances, while a goal-line headed clearance preserved the Seagulls’ clean sheet.
Midfield: Youri Tielemans – Aston Villa
Ran the show for Aston Villa. Unai Emery’s midfield metronome made just four fewer passes than Nottingham Forest’s entire team in the first half at Villa Park, and ended the contest with Premier League seasonal highs for completed final third passes (50) and line-breaking passes (32).
In addition, Tielemans led his teammates for touches and successful passes in a midfield masterclass.
32 – Youri Tielemans made 32 line-breaking passes against Nottingham Forest; the most by any player in a Premier League match in 2025-26. Class. pic.twitter.com/jN5nuh3w5m
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 3, 2026
Midfield: Declan Rice – Arsenal
Mikel Arteta believes Declan Rice is now one of the world’s best midfielders, and it’s difficult to disagree.
On his return from injury, Rice was the difference as Arsenal survived a scare to beat Bournemouth. A first-ever Premier League brace, at a time of need, emphasised his status as a leader for the table-toppers.
Midfield: Mateus Mane – Wolves
Should Wolves not perform a miracle and survive this season, expect interest to flood in for Mateus Mane. The teenager has been a real positive in the club’s mini-revival and was the standout player in Wolves’ first win of the season against West Ham.
18 years old. Bossing the match.
Mateus Mane starred in @Wolves‘ first win of the season 👊 pic.twitter.com/czqrNZG2Yf
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 3, 2026
A livewire performance from Mane saw him involved in the opening goal with a smart turn and run, before the 18-year-old fired in the third with a low effort inside Alphonse Areola’s near post. He’s now Wolves’ youngest-ever Premier League goalscorer.
Right-wing: John McGinn – Aston Villa
McGinn scored twice as Aston Villa returned to winning ways against Nottingham Forest. The Scotland midfielder slammed in a side-footed finish for Villa’s second goal, before rounding out the 3-1 win with a third from distance.
McGinn showed excellent awareness and technique to capitalise on Carlos Miguel’s mistake, with a whip in from long range.
Left-wing: Hwang Hee-chan – Wolves
Much improved. Hwang assisted an early opener in Wolves’ win over West Ham, leaving Konstantinos Mavropanos for dead with a step-over before squaring for Jhon Arias.
He calmly tucked home the second from the spot, and Wolves will hope the injury that forced him off isn’t serious.
Forward: Igor Thiago – Brentford
What a season this man is having. Thiago took Everton apart at Hill Dickinson Stadium, hitting a hat-trick to make it 14 goals in the Premier League this season.
The Brazilian’s power and pace made James Tarkowski and Michael Keane look aged, in the sort of performance Everton have long lacked from a number nine.
Igor Thiago with some souvenirs to take home. pic.twitter.com/SoUnPsXVlJ
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) January 4, 2026
Just where do Brentford keep finding their goalscorers?
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