Arsenal and Manchester United stars lead the fanatix UEFA Champions League team of the week thanks to strong European performances. Find out who else features here.
GK: Pepe Reina (Napoli)
Napoli may have lost 3-1 to Borussia Dortmund in their Group F thriller, but Pepe Reina was in remarkable form, making nine saves and claiming high balls with authority – as well as achieving a hugely impressive 73% pass completion rate.
RB: Ricardo Van Rhijn (Ajax)
Ajax right back Ricardo Van Rhijn had an impressive game against FC Barcelona star Neymar, making four tackles, winning 100% of his aerial duels, and getting forward well to assist Thulani Serero’s goal.
CB: Fabian Schar (FC Basel)
The stock of FC Basel central defender Fabian Schar continues to rise, and a great display against Chelsea did no harm to his reputation.
Schar was instrumental in the Swiss side’s play from the back, and even assisted the only goal of the game – Mohamed Salah’s late winner.
CB: Jonny Evans (Manchester United)
Jonny Evans ensured that Bayer Leverkusen were toothless in attack in Manchester United’s 5-0 thrashing, and his composure at the back was matched by his threat in attack at set pieces.
The Northern Irishman slotted in from close range in the second half to add his name to the scorers.
LB: Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid)
Alvaro Arbeloa managed a goal and assist for Real Madrid, and helped his side concede just a single goal against Galatasaray despite being down to ten men for much of the match.
Out of position at left back in this side, but it is a role that he has played for both Real Madrid and Spain before.
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
Jack Wilshere has never been a particularly regular goalscorer for Arsenal – despite having been quite prolific in his youth career with the Gunners.
Still, the England international performed admirably on the right wing, scoring a great curling effort in the first minute before completing his brace from Mesut Ozil’s pass in the second period.
If Wilshere could add goals to his game, he could be as much of a revelation as Aaron Ramsey has been for the north London outfit this season.
Arturo Vidal (Juventus)
Arturo Vidal scored a hat-trick from midfield for Juventus against FC Copenhagen, with two of those goals coming from the penalty spot.
The Chile international finished the game with a credible 86% pass completion rate and won 100% of his aerial duels.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Borussia Dortmund)
It was easy to see why Liverpool wanted to sign Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the summer, for his performance against Serie A giants Napoli was a joy to behold.
The Armenian glided past opponents at will throughout the evening for Borussia Dortmund, took five shots and made two key passes to help the Bundesliga side maintain pressure on both Napoli and Arsenal in Group F.
Douglas Costa (Shakhtar Donetsk)
Douglas Costa was in stunning form for Shakhtar Donetsk against Real Sociedad, scoring twice and providing an assist for Luiz Adriano to score the opening goal.
His first strike was a thunderous shot high at the near post, and his second a towering header.
Thulani Serero (Ajax)
Ajax playmaker Thulani Serero was a constant menace against FC Barcelona, with his pressing from the front a key factor in his team’s surprise victory.
Serero not only got on the scoresheet but made four interceptions and two tackles as even the great Barca struggled to play out from the back.
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Wayne Rooney was the catalyst for almost every single Manchester United attack in their demolition of Bayer Leverkusen, with the England forward grabbing two assists, providing the ball that Emir Spahic headed into his own net, and Jonny Evans turning in a rebound from Rooney’s shot.
Indeed, Rooney was the decisive contributor in every goal before his substitution to a standing ovation after 80 minutes and Manchester United’s fifth.
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