TEAM: ARSENAL
In this double week, there were only two teams to record wins in both games. Easily the most impressive of the two was Arsenal.
They destroyed Villa for a statement win to end Villa’s eight-game league winning streak. Then, in a tricky away game at Bournemouth, they came from a goal down to run out 3-2 winners.
Well done to Newcastle. Also, Brentford, Wolves and Brighton.
GOALKEEPER: ROBIN ROEFS (Sunderland)
As difficult as it is to choose an individual performer from a double game week, especially for goalkeepers.
I went with the Sunderland keeper, who was the most consistent over the two games. He didn’t face many shots against Man City, but a clean sheet is nothing to scoff at. He was then only beaten at close range at Spurs, and saved everything else.
Shout out to Wolves’ Sa. Leeds’ Perri. Man City’s Donnarumma. Spurs’s Vicario and Brentford’s Kelleher.
DEFENDER: GABRIEL (Arsenal)
There were no surprises that Arsenal had a mini wobble when he was out of the team. Once he returned, they looked themselves again.
Not only does he bring a solid tenacity in defence. But he opened the scoring against Villa to ease the nerves, then equalised at Bournemouth to make up for this mistake to do the same thing.
Well done to his teammate, Timber. Newcastle foursome Thiaw, Schar, Miley & Hall. Brentford duo Collins & Ajar. Wolves trio Doherty, Krejci, & Mosquera. Brighton duo Veltman & Dunk.
Chelsea duo Fofana & Chalobah. Leeds duo Struck & Bijol.Burnley’s Laurent. Fulham’s Robinson. Liverpool duo Konate & Bradley. Tottenham duo Davies & Van de Ven. Sunderland’s Mukiele.
MIDFIELDER: BRUNO GUIMARAES (Newcastle)
Newcastle were the only other team to record two wins this week, along with Arsenal. In both games, they were led by their captain, who also scored in both.
He rounded off the win at Burnley, scoring the third with a lovely finish. Then opened the scoring against Palace to set his team on the way to two victories and move his team up into the top half of the league.
Shout out to his teammate Joelinton. Arsenal trio Rice, Odegaard & Zubimendi. Chelsea duo Fernandez & Palmer. Man City’s Reijnders. Villa’s McGinn. Wolves foursome: Mane, Gomes, Arias and Bueno.
Everton’s Garner. Bournemouth duo Kluivert & Brooks. Fulham trio Cairney, Reed & Wilson. Forest’s Gibbs-White. Brighton’s Ayari. Palace’s Clyne. Leeds’ Aaronson and Liverpool’s Wirtz.
FORWARD: IGOR THIAGO (Brentford)
Although he blanked in the first game this week against Spurs, he more than made up for it with a fantastic hat-trick at Everton.
All three goals demonstrated his predatory instincts, movement, and clinical finishing. He has fourteen goals for the season, second only to Haaland, and Brentford are up to seventh.
Well done to Villa’s Watkins. Arsenal duo Trossard & Gabriel Jesus. Palace’s Mateta. Man Utd duo Zirkzee & Cunha. Brighton duo Welbeck & Rutter.
Bournemouth’s Kroupi. West Ham’s Bowen. Newcastle’s Wissa. Liverpool’s Gakpo. Wolves’ Hwang. Sunderland duo Adingra & Brobbey and Everton duo Beto & Barry.
MANAGER: MIKEL ARTETA (Arsenal)
It has been a significant week in the title race for Arsenal, with two statement wins they could have easily dropped points in.
However, Arteta has assembled a squad like no other, and they are a different animal now. They seem equipped to deal with anything that comes their way, as they take a commanding six-point lead at the top of the table.
Shout out also to Newcastle’s Howe. Wolves’ Edwards and Brentford’s Andrews.
UNSUNG HERO: LADISLAV KREJCI (Wolves)
From all the categories, this was the hardest decision to make. There were several in the running for this, including his teammates.
However, he played a significant role in Wolves’s unbeaten week. He scored the equaliser at Man Utd that gave them confidence, then was pivotal in a defence that reduced West Ham to no shots on goal.
Well done to his teammates Bueno & Mane. Arsenal’s Rice. Newcastle’s Miley. Chelsea’s Fernandez. Brentford’s Collins and Everton’s Barry.
GAME1: WEST HAM 2-2 BRIGHTON
West Ham took an early lead when Bowen ran onto Paqueta’s ball to slot home (10). Brighton equalised when Kilman fouled Minteh, and Welbeck made no mistake from the spot (32).
Brighton quickly got a second pen when Paqueta fouled Dunk, but Welbeck’s panenka hit the bar (36).
West Ham then got their own penalty after a VAR check for handball, which Paqueta neatly finished (45+4). But in the second half, Veltman touched home from close range following a corner to make it 2-2 (61).
There was also a good game at Chelsea, who drew 2-2 with Bournemouth.
GAME2 EVERTON 2-4 BRENTFORD
Brentford took an early lead when Thiago headed in Janelt’s cross (11). In the second half, Collins made it two when he headed in Janelt’s corner (50). A minute later, Schade caused havoc, and Thiago took advantage to finish neatly (51).
Everton pulled a goal back when Beto headed in Grealish’s cross (66). However, Thiago got his hat-trick and Brentford’s fourth when he ran through unchallenged from Collins’ ball to beat the keeper (88), before Barry got a stoppage time consolation (90+1).
There was also a good game at Bournemouth where Arsenal won 3-2.
GOAL1: TOM CAIRNEY (Fulham) vs Crystal Palace
Robinson cut inside on the left side of the pitch and slipped a ball to Lukic, who then flicked the ball with the outside of his boot, first time to Cairney, just outside the box.
Cairney took one touch to control with his right foot, then instantly hit a lovely curling effort with his left, using the defender to curl the ball around and inside the near post.
There was also a good goal from Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes.
GOAL2: HARRISON REED (Fulham) vs Liverpool
In stoppage time, after just conceding a goal. Fulham did well to outsmart Liverpool by faking a long throw. Instead, they took it short on the left side of the pitch. Kevin collected the throw and passed it square to Reed.
He took a touch, and from over 30 yards out, on the left side of the box, with all the Liverpool players in the box, failing to close him down. He fired a stunning effort that arrowed into the top corner of the net, giving the keeper no chance.
FOOL: WEST HAM UNITED
Wolves were eventually going to win a game, but that is not the reason for West Ham being here. It was the manner of the defeat.
Wolves had not won a game for a reason, but against West Ham, you would never have known it. West Ham were atrocious, and going three down at half-time was alarming. They currently sit in the relegation zone, and if they continue to perform as they did, relegation is a certainty. FOOLS!
