Outstanding performers from top four hopefuls Liverpool and Arsenal feature heavily…
fanatix compiles our Premier League team of the week. Liverpool and Arsenal won tight derbies, Crystal Palace and Swansea earned their first wins of the season, and Norwich and Stoke put in strong battling performances.
Do you agree with our choices…?
GK) Wojciech Szczesny – Arsenal: The Polish stopper would haven been aware that his side were bringing in Italian international Emiliano Viviano, and he put in a seriously impressive performance during a tense north-London derby – keeping a clean sheet and reminding Arsene Wenger of his undoubted talent.
DR) Glenn Johnson – Liverpool: The Liverpool and England right-back was subbed off injured after 75 minutes, but no before he put in a brilliant defensive performance against the Premier League champions. More renowned for his attacking ability, Johnson never let Danny Welbeck or Robin Van Persie past him.
DL) Ben Davies – Swansea: The Welsh fullback put in a very impressive display helping Swansea win their first Premier League game of the season. Not only was he rock solid at the back, but he scored a goal with a sweet finish.
DC) Martin Skrtel – Liverpool: Fair play to the Slovakian centre-half. With the knowledge that new centre-back signings Mamadou Sakho and Tiago Ilori were watching from the stands, the Slovakian put in one his best ever performances in a Liverpool shirt.
MC) Santi Cazorla – Arsenal: The mercurial Spaniard looked backed to his best for the Gunners, and was the creative force that tore apart so many teams last season. The thought of his partnership with Mesut Ozil is frightening.
MC) Leroy Fer – Norwich: The Canaries look like they have a real battler in midfield. Fer broke up countless Southampton attacks, and looks perfectly suited to the Premier League.
MC) Jordan Henderson – Liverpool: The England man has come on leaps and bounds in the past year under Brendan Rodgers. His work-rate and simple passing helped him dominate experienced midfielders like Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs at the weekend.
FR) Dwight Gayle – Crystal Palace: Many this summer were questioning whether young Gayle was worth anything near the £6m Palace spent on him, but the former Conference South footballer put in a dynamic and skilful performance of real Premier League pedigree in Palace’s first league win.
FL) Nathan Redmond – Norwich: How far away is Redmond from an England call-up? Ross Barkley earned one from two good performances, and Redmond now has three very good ones on the trot. The tricky winger also bagged a winner from outside the area.
FC) Olivier Giroud – Arsenal: If the Frenchman keeps on scoring, Arsenal fans won’t mind missing out on centre-forward targets this summer. Giroud has bagged four already this season, and scored the winner in the north-London derby this weekend. Will surely relish the service of the creative trio of Cazorola, Ozil and Jack Wilshere this season.
COMMENTS