Premier League Team of the Week: Arsenal, Chelsea and Wolves stars hit the Matchweek 7 headlines
Premier League Matchweek 7 was once again filled with great goals and performances.
Arsenal beat Manchester United in the weekend’s headline clash at Old Trafford thanks to a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang penalty, while Southampton defeated Aston Villa 4-3 in the most thrilling encounter.
Elsewhere, champions Liverpool went to the top of the table, while there were also wins for Manchester City, Tottenham, Chelsea, Wolves, Leicester, Newcastle and Fulham, who recorded their first victory of the campaign over West Brom.
But, following the latest round of fixtures, who were the top individuals across the 10 top-flight matches?
Here’s Shoot’s Premier League Team of the Week…
GK: Aaron Ramsdale (Sheffield United)
There were not many standout goalkeeping performances this weekend so, despite being on the losing side, we’ve opted for Aaron Ramsdale. The Blades stopper made four decent stops against Man City which kept the scoreline down to just 1-0. Didn’t have much chance of stopping Kyle Walker’s long-range strike which proved to be the winner.
DF: Ola Aina (Fulham)
The 24-year-old not only helped Fulham keep a first clean sheet and win of the season, but also netted his first career Premier League goal. Aina found himself on the end of a lovely passing move to drill the ball into the top corner from outside the area, giving WBA ‘keeper Sam Johnstone no chance.
DF: Kurt Zouma (Chelsea)
Thiago Silva once again impressed in the Blue of Chelsea but we’ve opted for his centre-back partner Kurt Zouma. The Frenchman dealt well with Burnley’s powerful strikers to help secure the Blues a decent three points and clean sheet. At the other end, he netted his third Premier League goal of the season when he headed home his side’s second goal.
DF: Gabriel (Arsenal)
Arsenal look to have found themselves a centre-back who loves to defend in the shape of Gabriel. The Brazilian was again superb at Old Trafford as he played a big part in helping the Gunners beat Manchester United 1-0. Despite an early booking he stayed rock solid all match and Was rock solid all match and denied Nemanja Matic a chance late on with a key tackle in the penalty area.
DF: Rayan Ait-Nouri (Wolves)
Not many Wolves fans – never mind anyone else – would have expected the name Rayan Ait-Nouri to be in the team of the week prior to matchweek 7. However, the Frenchman was handed his debut by Nuno Espirito Santo and grabbed his opportunity with both hands. The 19-year-old helped his side secure a clean sheet and also scored the opening goal with a great left-foot strike in the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.
MF: Thomas Partey (Arsenal)
Arsenal won the midfield battle and the game at Old Trafford on Saturday with new signing Thomas Partey the standout player. The £45million man was brilliant throughout the match alongside Mohamed Elneny in the middle of the park. Was ranked first for the Gunners in touches, possession won, tackles, interceptions and dribbles completed. What a bug the Ghana international is already proving to be.
MF: James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)
Southampton are now flying after a dodgy start and a lot fo that is to do with the form of skipper James Ward-Prowse. The midfielder once again put in a top performance in the 4-3 win at Aston Villa, scoring two pinpoint free kicks and setting up Jannik Vestergaard’s opener – all on his 26th birthday.
MF: Daniel Podence (Wolves)
Rayan Ait-Nouri may have grabbed the headlines with his debut goal but Wolves’ standout player against Crystal Palace was Daniel Podence. The attacking midfielder was a thorn in the side of the Eagles all night and topped of his display with an assist and first goal of the season.
MF: Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea)
Chelsea fans had been waiting to see Hakim Ziyech start his first Premier League game and they were not left disappointed following his performance in the 3-0 win at Burnley. The Morocco international caused the Clarets all kinds of problems and opened the scoring on 26 minutes. Then – to top off an impressive full debut in the top-flight – the ex-Ajax star set up Timo Werner for the Blues’ third goal.
FW: Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)
The current holder of the Golden Boot was at it once again on Monday night as he helped Leicester to a 4-1 win at Leeds United. Vardy unselfishly squared the ball to Harvey Barnes for the opening goal and saw his saved header smashed home by Youri Tielemans for the Foxes second. Then, in the second half, the 33-year-old netted his seventh Premier League goal of the campaign to secure the three points.
FW: Callum Wilson (Newcastle United)
Newcastle won the race for proven Premier League goalscorer Callum Wilson in the summer and he has made a great start to his Magpies career. The England international continued to find the net with both goals in the eye-catching 2-1 win over Everton. Wilson scored his first on 58 minutes before converting a penalty he had won six minutes from time. The former Bournemouth star has struck six goals in his first seven top-flight games for Steve Bruce’s side.