Here is our Premier League team of the week following an event-filled weekend of action.
GK: Sam Johnstone – Crystal Palace
Only Brentford’s Thomas Strakosha (6) made more saves than Sam Johnstone (5) this weekend, but the Crystal Palace goalkeeper was crucial to his side keeping a clean sheet and earning a point, whereas the Albanian international was poor for Manchester United’s winning goal on Saturday.
RB: Ben White – Arsenal
We left Ben White out of our combined Arsenal and Manchester City XI before their meeting on Sunday, but the Englishman proved us wrong. He was pivotal both on and off the ball for the Gunners as they secured a huge win over the Premier League champions. His nutmeg on Jeremy Doku was the cherry on top.
CB: Micky van de Ven – Spurs
A win over Luton should be nothing to write home about but Tottenham were made to work hard for the three points after playing with ten men for an entire half. Micky van de Ven was a rock at the back and scored the winning goal, claiming the player of the match award in the process.
Tottenham ‘like a family’ to Van de Ven
CB: William Saliba – Arsenal
Keeping Erling Haaland and company quiet is no mean feat. William Saliba was in inspired form on Sunday as he lead Arsenal to a big clean sheet against Man City.
William Saliba won 100% of his duels and completed 97% of his passes against Man City.
He did not commit a single foul or get dribbled past once.
Wallet, keys, phone, Erling Haaland. ????#ARSMCI pic.twitter.com/7wIzHxwyf8
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) October 8, 2023
LB: Solly March – Brighton
Solly March was one of Brighton’s key attackers last season, but he proved his defensive chops against Liverpool, winning more tackles (5) than any other player in the Premier League over the weekend.
Brighton undone by ‘sloppiness’ in Liverpool draw
CM: Carlos Baleba – Brighton
Brighton still Moises Caicedo, but they may have a star in Carlos Baleba, the 19-year-old they signed from Lille in the summer. The Cameroonian was excellent against Liverpool and caused the Reds a lot of problems with his driving runs through the middle.
De Zerbi: "I have to congratulate my club, because they've found another two great players, Adingra and Baleba. Igor too." #BHAFC #BHALIV
— Andy Naylor (@AndyNaylorBHAFC) October 8, 2023
CM: Declan Rice – Arsenal
With every passing week Arsenal feel better and better about spending over £100m on Declan Rice. He was arguably the Gunners’ best player on the pitch against Man City, and made a vital clearance off the line too.
Arteta celebrates ‘special’ Arsenal win over Man City
CM: Scott McTominay – Man Utd
Scott McTominay came off the bench with just three minutes of normal time left on the clock when Man United were trailing Brentford at Old Trafford. Ten minutes later the Scot had scored two goals and dragged the Red Devils to victory.
RW: Mo Salah – Liverpool
Mo Salah grabbed his first brace of the campaign to take his Premier League tally to five for the season. All five of the winger’s shots came from inside the box, which was the most of any player across the weekend.
Mohamed Salah is the only player to score 10+ goals and provide 10+ assists in the Premier League in 2023:
◎ 30 games
◉ 17 goals
◉ 12 assistsHe's averaging a goal or an assist every 88 minutes.⏱️ pic.twitter.com/l1Y7gojlfK
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 8, 2023
Klopp gives ‘honest’ Liverpool verdict following Brighton draw
LW: Raheem Sterling – Chelsea
After being left out of the England squad yet again, Raheem Sterling responded by scoring and winning a penalty against Burnley. He also took three shots, completed two dribbles and made one tackle in the game.
Sterling: Chelsea ‘building a foundation’ for the future
CF: Alexander Isak – Newcastle Utd
Newcastle’s Swedish striker put on a clinic in perfect positioning against West Ham on Sunday as he scored twice from inside the six-yard box. Isak somehow managed to slip away from his markers on both occasions to give himself acres of space to tap the ball home.
A brilliantly worked goal for Isak's second of the game! ???? pic.twitter.com/E6IDumnRod
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 8, 2023
Read – Newcastle suffer PSG ‘hangover’ as West Ham snatch late point
See Also – Ranking all 20 of the Premier League’s third kits
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