Premier League Matchday 2 Team of the Week
It was another stellar weekend of Premier League action with some suprise results, big performances and standout showings.
Here’s your Team of the Week.
Goalkeeper: Alphonse Areola
The 30-year-old wasn’t too busy against Chelsea despite the Blues dominating possession. He made just three saves on the day. For a little context here, last week’s Team of the Week goalkeeper was Bernd Leno after his nine saves against Everton. However, Areola made one key stop when he palmed away Enzo Fernandez’s penalty at 1-1. This was a key moment for the Hammers as they went on to win 3-1.
Right-Back: Thomas Partey
Mikel Arteta has been trying something a little different over recent weeks with Thomas Partey deployed at right-back.
The 30-year-old starts out as a full-back but inverts to form a double pivot with Declan Rice when the Gunners are in possession. In Arsenal’s 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace, Partey completed 86% of his passes, created one chance, played seven passes into the final third, while also winning all of his tackles, recovering the ball on six occasions and he come out on top in seven of his eight duels.
Rice might get a lot of the plaudits but the Arsenal No5 put in an impressive showing too.
Centre-Back: Ethan Pinnock
The Brentford centre-back put in an utterly dominant performance in the 3-0 win against Fulham. The 30-year-old completed 86% of his 57 passes and found a teammate with 50% of his attempted long passes.
He made two blocks, six clearances, two interceptions and recovered the ball on eight occasions. Pinnock won two of his three ground duels and six of his seven aerial battles as he helped Thomas Frank’s men to a clean sheet and three points.
Centre-Back: Virgil van Dijk
Whisper it, but Van Dijk might be getting back to his very best. The new Liverpool skipper bossed things against Bournemouth. Liverpool didn’t get off to the best of starts, conceding a goal inside of three minutes, but bounced back to claim a 3-1 victory. Van Dijk completed 97% of his passes, made five interceptions and five clearances while also winning five of his six aerial duels.
Left-Back: Pervis Estupinan
Another game, another four goals for Brighton and another impressive showing from their left-back. This time around, Estupinan claimed an assist and a goal in the 4-1 demolition of Wolves at Molineux.
The 25-year-old wasn’t at his best defensively, winning just three of his 11 ground duels, but he was instrumental in everything Roberto De Zerbi’s men did going forward. He completed 87% of his passes, created two chances and played four passes into the final third.
Centre-Midfield: Serge Aurier
A bit of a surprise inclusion in midfield. He did, however, start as a wing-back for Nottingham Forest in their win over Sheffield United and this meant he spent a lot of time as a wide midfielder in possession, so we’re going to allow this. Aurier was the star of the show at the City Ground, assisting both goals in what was an impressive outing by the 30-year-old.
Centre-Midfield: Solly March
March is really enjoying himself under De Zerbi. The 29-year-old was amongst the goals again, this time finding the back of the net on two occasions having taken five shots against Wolves. He created a chance, attempted four dribbles and completed 50% of his attempted dribbles on his way to a 9.4 FotMob rating.
Centre-Midfield: Kaoru Mitoma
The dynamic left-winger scored one of the goals of the season and we’re only in week two of the campaign. He powered past a number of players having picked the ball up on the touchline before calmly firing past Jose Sa to give the Seagulls the lead. He also claimed an assist on the day and created four chances, while also attempting five dribbles in what was a mesmerising display.
Centre-Forward: Bryan Mbeumo
Mbeumo has really stepped up in the absence of Ivan Toney. The 24-year-old scored twice in the 3-0 win over Fulham to take his tally to three for the season. He was a constant threat throughout, landing all three of his efforts on target and creating an opportunity. He actually finished the match with an Expected Goals total of 1.86 and an Expected Assists total of 0.24. It was some performance from the explosive left-footer.
He wasn’t the only Brentford forward to have a successful day at Craven Cottage.
Centre-Forward: Yoane Wissa
Wissa also impressed in his new role for the Bees.
Remarkably, the 26-year-old attempted just 11 passes but took a total of seven shots. Those two stats alone highlight exactly what he’s in the team to do. He finished with an Expected Goals haul of 1.41, while also winning the penalty and coming out on top in five of his seven duels. He was a constant menace leading the line for Brentford.
Centre-Forward: Diogo Jota
Jota had a very stereotypical performance for Liverpool against Bournemouth. He frustrated fans with his on-ball stuff, completing just 70% of his attempted passes, but somehow finished the game with a goal and an assist. The No20 attempted five shots, four dribbles and involved himself in 15 duels to cap off a busy day leading the line for the Reds at Anfield.
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