Arsenal and Tottenham stars lead Premier League team of the week
This week’s team of the week is dominated by North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham, who both have three players each in the XI. There is also room for players from Bournemouth, Everton, Manchester United, Newcastle and Southampton.
Fraser Forster (Tottenham) – 8.15
After a difficult week that saw Tottenham exit two competitions and go three games without a competitive win, they returned to winning ways in the league with a 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest. It was a relatively straightforward win for Spurs, but they did have Fraser Forster to thank for his efforts between the sticks, including a penalty save late on as Steve Cooper’s side threatened to make a comeback. The former Saints man also made four saves, contributing to his 8.15 WhoScored rating.
Kyle Walker-Peters (Southampton) – 8.31
Southampton secured a solid point on the road, drawing 0-0 with Manchester United at Old Trafford. Kyle Walker-Peters was well worth his WhoScored rating of 8.31 as the man of the match, contributing equally in both defence and attack. In all, the full-back recorded two shots and three dribbles, as well as completing all four of his attempted tackles, and making three clearances and three interceptions.
William Saliba (Arsenal) – 7.80
Arsenal made it five league wins on the spin and restored their five-point lead at the top of the table as they beat London rivals Fulham 3-0 on Sunday. The Cottagers were more threatening in the second half and William Saliba had to be on his guard to quell the threat. The France centre-back won possession in the defensive third four times, and twice in the midfield third. To further assist towards his 7.80 WhoScored rating, Saliba completed 100% of his attempted tackles, made one interception and seven clearances.
Partnering Saliba with a WhoScored rating of 8.00 is also his partner in the win over Fulham. After an Antonee Robinson own goal had been ruled out, Gabriel soon after opened the scoring from a corner from his only effort in the game. In addition, 86% of his passes found a teammate, while he also won two aerial duels and made two tackles.
Luke Shaw (Manchester United) – 7.65
Completing the defence with a WhoScored rating of 7.65 is Luke Shaw. Though he would be disappointed in the result, Shaw himself put in a solid display. He was fully involved throughout, making 83 touches in the game, which only James Ward-Prowse (97) could better, all the while completing 37 of his 44 passes. No player was able to find a way past him on home turf, and his four tackles was the joint-best of any player at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Dango Ouattara (Bournemouth) – 8.34
Bournemouth’s slight improvements in recent weeks has largely been thanks to their business in January, most notably Dango Ouattara, who earned the man of the match award with an 8.34 WhoScored rating in the Cherries' 1-0 win over Liverpool. Ouattara recorded one key pass that led to his side’s only goal. To top this, he was virtually impossible for Liverpool players to contain, completing more dribbles (5) than any other player, and also winning six aerial duels, which only Virgil van Dijk (7) could better.
Joe Willock (Newcastle) – 8.21
Newcastle recorded only their second Premier League win of 2023 with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Wolves. Joe Willock earned the man of the match with an 8.21 WhoScored rating as he created two key passes, one of which resulted in the Magpies winner courtesy of Miguel Almiron. Willock himself was a threat on goal, with three shots on target, while his four dribbles couldn’t be bettered at St. James' Park. Defensively he was sound, too, making two tackles, two clearances and one interception.
Son Heung-Min (Tottenham) – 8.32
The second Spurs representative in the team is Son Heung-Min who received a WhoScored rating of 8.32 for his showing against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. As a starter this season, Son has been lacking in front of goal, but from his four shots at the weekend, he did find the net once to make it 3-0 and recorded five touches in the opposition box. In terms of creativity, his five key passes were at least two more than any other player in the match, while only three of his 23 passes went astray.
Dwight McNeil (Everton) – 8.63
After three games without a win, Everton got the better of in-form Brentford with a victory on Saturday. Seconds after the game had kicked off, Dwight McNeil had given the Toffees the lead in what turned out to be the only goal of the game as they won 1-0. McNeil was a key player in the game even after his early goal, which included making a clearance off the line and registering a key pass. In addition, he won the only aerial duel he contested, and made two tackles and one interception, giving him a WhoScored rating of 8.63.
Kicking off the frontline is the league’s second highest scorer in Harry Kane. Bringing himself to 20 for the league season, Kane scored a brace on Saturday, including one from the penalty spot, boasting a 50% overall conversion rate against Nottingham Forest. No player recorded more touches in the opposition box (7) than Kane in Spurs' 3-1 win, while he also won two aerial duels, helping the England captain to an 8.59 WhoScored rating.
Leandro Trossard (Arsenal) – 9.16
Completing the XI, with a WhoScored rating of 9.16, is the player of the week. Though he didn’t find the back of the net with his two shots, Leandro Trossard registered four key passes against Fulham, three of which resulted in assists, as the first player to register a Premier League hat-trick of assists in the first half of an away match. On top of his goal contributions, he also recorded one dribble, one tackle and one interception.
