After a number of attacking talents were named in the FIFPro World XI on Monday, here at Goal we decided that it would be no bad thing to do the same with our Premier League Team of the Week.
There are eight goals between the midfielders and attackers in our line-up, which features a fluid trio of playmakers and Europe’s top league scorer!
Artur Boruc (4) takes his place between the sticks after a Top of the Match performance against West Brom on Saturday, rescuing Southampton with a wonderful save right at the death at St Mary’s.
It was not a vintage weekend for right-backs, meaning Nathaniel Clyne (3) makes his first appearance in our Team of the Week this season, thanks largely to an unspectacular performance. Though Glen Johnson and Bacary Sagna both also received three stars in our ratings, both men were culpable in some part for goals. Clyne’s Southampton kept a clean sheet, so he just about gets the nod.
It wasn’t quite so good for centre-backs, either, but Per Mertesacker (3.5) and Laurent Koscielny (3.5) once again showed why they are Arsene Wenger’s preferred defensive duo. Christian Benteke may have nipped in behind Sagna to score, but Mertesacker and Koscielny were on their mettle all night.
Aleksandar Kolarov (3.5) was voted top of the match for Manchester City against Newcastle, so he gets in at left-back.
Mark Noble (4) and Jack Wilshere (4) form the midfield axis behind a plethora of attacking talent. Noble “covered every blade of grass for his team and sealed the win with a fine finish in the second half” against Cardiff City on Saturday. Wilshere, for his part, stunned Aston Villa on Monday night with a goal and an assist just 17 seconds apart. Both men make their first appearances in our weekly team.
The two just kept out Sunderland’s Sung-Yong Ki (4), although the Black Cats do have representation later on.
In a very fluid set of playmakers, Eden Hazard (4) lines up on the left following another fine performance for Chelsea. The Belgian scored a fantastic solo goal from the edge of the area to put daylight between the Blues and Hull City on Saturday.
Adnan Januzaj (4.5) takes the central playmaker spot following another extremely impressive performance for Manchester United. For an 18-year-old he once again showed incredible ability and bravery to play a huge part in the Red Devils’ 2-0 win over Swansea.
Adam Johnson (5) completes the triumvirate after scoring a hat-trick during Sunderland’s impressive 4-1 win at Fulham. From our ratings: “Won the free kick which he curled brilliantly past Stockdale. Pinged a lovely cross for Ki for the second then tucked his next big chance away for his double. Wrapped up the hat-trick with a late penalty.”
Luis Suarez (4.5) takes his obligatory place up front following another double, this time against Stoke City. It is the Uruguayan’s seventh appearance in the Premier League team of the week this season!
Suarez’s Liverpool team-mate, Raheem Sterling (4), narrowly missed out after a four-star performance at the Britannia Stadium