Odegaard dazzles as Arsenal dominate Premier League best XI after Chelsea mauling
After the conclusion of the Premier League’s midweek round of fixtures, we’ve taken a look at the standout performers in our Team of the Week. Represented in our best XI are Everton, Bournemouth, Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City and Crystal Palace.
Jordan Pickford (Everton) - 8.60
Relegation-threatened Everton sealed a first Merseyside Derby victory at Goodison Park since 2010 when they beat Liverpool 2-0 on Wednesday evening. Crucial to a second successive clean sheet for the Toffees was England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who made a total of seven saves and three high claims on his way to a WhoScored rating of 8.60.
James Tarkowski (Everton) - 8.61
Joining his goalkeeper in our Team of the Week is Everton defender James Tarkowski, who turned in another fine performance as the Toffees got one over their city rivals. Tarkowski’s three aerial wins, three tackles, five interceptions and nine clearances all contributed to a WhoScored rating of 8.61.
Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth) - 8.16
Bournemouth centre-back Marcos Senesi lands a spot in our best XI after a solid showing in the Cherries’ 1-0 victory over Wolves on Wednesday. The Argentine made five tackles, four clearances, two successful dribbles and three aerial wins to return a WhoScored rating of 8.16.
Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton) - 8.01
Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite netted his third league goal of the season to put the home side 1-0 up in the first half of Wednesday’s Merseyside derby. The impressive 21-year-old also won two aerial duels, made eight clearances and four blocks to take home a WhoScored rating of 8.01.
Arsenal defender Ben White bagged a first-ever career brace against Chelsea on Tuesday night, as the Gunners ran out 5-0 winners at the Emirates Stadium. The former Brighton and Leeds man also won three aerial duels, made two tackles and three key passes to land a WhoScored rating of 9.43.
Martin Odegaard (Arsenal) - 9.89
With a WhoScored rating of 9.89, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is our Premier League Player of the Week for his performance against Chelsea. The Norwegian midfielder laid on two wonderful assists for his teammates as they put five past a poor Blues side, while he also made eight key passes, four accurate through balls and three successful dribbles in a sensational showing.
Declan Rice joins his midfield partner in our best XI having registered a sixth league assist of the season in the victory over Chelsea. The England international also made five tackles, two assists, one key pass and one successful dribble, for a WhoScored rating of 8.47.
Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) - 9.72
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes continued his magnificent form of late with a stunning performance against Sheffield United on Wednesday. The Portuguese midfielder’s brace against the Blades means he has now scored in five successive appearances in all competitions, while he also registered one assist from nine key passes to return a WhoScored rating of 9.72.
Phil Foden (Manchester City) - 8.96
Phil Foden netted two or more goals in a single Premier League match for the fourth time this season when he helped Manchester City cruise to a 4-0 win at Brighton on Thursday evening. The England international found the net with two of three shots on goal, while he also made three key passes and was fouled four times, to register a WhoScored rating of 8.96.
Arsenal’s Kai Havertz continued his exceptional form against none other than his former club Chelsea on Tuesday evening as the Germany international netted a second half brace to heap yet more misery on Mauricio Pochettino’s struggling side. Havertz found the net with two of his four attempts on goal, while he also made two key passes, for a WhoScored rating of 9.28.
Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) - 8.93
Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta made it back-to-back braces, and maintained his record of scoring in every home league game under Oliver Glasner, when he fired the Eagles to victory over Newcastle in midweek. The Frenchman, who now has 11 goals to his name in the Premier League this season, also won five aerial duels, made one key pass and one successful dribble on his way to a seasonal-best WhoScored rating of 8.93.
