Premier League TOTW Gameweek 25: Brighton represented after big win | OneFootball

What a season Ethan Nwaneri is having.

It’s been a real breakthrough campaign for the Arsenal teenager, who has done his best to replace the injured Bukayo Saka. And his best has some questioning whether Saka might need to fight for his place in the Arsenal team once he is back.

Of course, the ideal situation is that Arsenal find a way to get both Nwaneri and Saka into the team, such is the talent on their hands. Nwaneri ran the show for Arsenal in their win over Leicester City at the weekend, with Mikel Arteta saying: “Every time he was on the ball he made things happen. He had another level of threat than the rest of the team.”

Nwaneri was the top-scoring player in the Premier League over the weekend, and the only Arsenal player to make the cut in our Team of the Week. It’s a pretty spread out team too, with only Brighton and Hove Albion boasting more than one player.

We’ve used our Squawka Score to determine the 11 picks, based on the statistical leaders for metrics relevant to their positions. And as ever, we’ve thrown an honourable mention XI for good measure.

GK: Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham)

Guglielmo Vicario was making his return to the Tottenham Hotspur XI after injury, and he had a good impact. The Italian kept a clean sheet against Manchester United at Old Trafford, preventing 0.59 goals. He was a busy man too, making six saves, all of which came from shots inside the box. Vicario also had two successful punches in shutting Man Utd out.

Honourable mention: Jordan Pickford (80%)

RB: Yankuba Minteh (Brighton)

Yankuba Minteh has a bit of an unfair advantage in playing as a wing-back, but he was excellent in Brighton’s 3-0 victory over Chelsea. Minteh scored two gaols and created one big chance against the Blues, completing three take-ons. But he did his bit defensively too, winning four tackles, making one interception retaining possession and winning possession four times in the defensive third.

Honourable mention: Jurrien Timber (69%)

CB: Adam Webster (Brighton)

Chelsea failed to have a single shot on target against Brighton. Marshalling the Seagulls’ defence that night was Adam Webster, who was superb. He made one interception in his own box, blocked two shots and made an impressive seven clearances. Webster was perfect in the air and won 75% of his ground duels, frustrating the Chelsea attack.

Honourable mention: Joachim Andersen (71%)

CB: John Stones (Man City)

Manchester City successfully shut out Alexander Isak and Co. at the weekend, and John Stones was exceptional at the heart of their defence. The Englishman — who had played in midfield against Real Madrid — made five clearances and won 100% of his duels, both aerial and on the ground. Stones as also as reliable as you’d expect him on the ball, boasting a retention rate of 93.33%.

Honourable mention: Matthijs de Ligt (71%)

LB: Keane Lewis-Potter (Brentford)

Brentford won their London derby against West Ham United, keeping a clean sheet at the London Stadium. Starring at left-back for the Bees was Keane Lewis-Potter. Brentford restricted West Ham to just three shots on target, and Lewis-Potter won two tackles alongside one interception retaining possession. He also made three successful passes into the penalty area, with no full-back managing more this weekend.

Honourable mention: Djed Spence (68%)

DM: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth)

For the first time in his career, Ryan Christie both scored and assisted in a single Premier League game. The Scot achieved the feat in Bournemouth‘s win over Southampton, with both coming inside the opening 20 minutes. But he did a lot more than just being directly involved in goals. Christie also won one tackle, made one interception retaining possession and won possession four times in the middle third. He was tough to beat, with seven ball recoveries and four aerial duels won adding to Christie’s display.

Honourable mention: Thomas Partey (78%)

DM: Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa)

Youri Tielemans is back in a deeper role for Aston Villa, and he had a strong performance at the base of their midfield despite the draw with Ipswich Town. The Belgian won eight duels against Ipswich, including 100% of his aerial battles. He also won possession twice in the defensive third and three times in the middle third. Tielemans tried to break the Ipswich defence with his probing passes too, with 16 passes into the final third completed and 92.22% open-play passing accuracy.

Honourable mention: Ilkay Gundogan (73%)

RW: Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)

Ethan Nwaneri was brilliant for Arsenal against Leicester. The teenager had more shots than any other player in the game, with four, and created two chances. He set up Mikel Merino for the game’s opening goal, and made an impressive 10 crosses. He also completed seven of his take-ons and won 12 out of 15 duels.

Honourable mention: Savinho (75%)

No.10: Matheus Cunha (Wolves)

Matheus Cunha scored a consolation goal for Wolverhampton Wanderers against Liverpool, but he was generally impressive. The Brazilian completed four take-ons and was fouled twice in the final third, the latter joint-most across the Premier League this weekend. Cunha also had six touches in the opposition box and completed 17 final third passes.

Honourable mention: Carlos Alcaraz (75%)

LW: Luis Diaz (Liverpool)

Luis Diaz ended his long goal Premier League goal drought at the weekend, opening the scoring against Wolves. There was a big hint of good fortune with the goal, but they all count. He was also involved in Liverpool’s second, winning the penalty that was converted by Mo Salah. The Colombian had four touches in the opposition box in total, completed 14 final third passes and made six ball recoveries.

Honourable mention: Omar Marmoush (74%)

ST: Beto (Everton)

Beto’s run of form continued as he scored in Everton‘s win over Crystal Palace with one of his two shots on target. The Everton striker posted a non-penalty Expected Goals tally of 0.52, which went up to 0.79 non-penalty xG on Target. Beto was a phenomenal out ball for Everton, winning a ridiculous 13 aerial duels — that’s five more than any other player across the weekend. He also had six touches in the opposition box and four lay off passes completed.

Honourable mention: Dango Ouattara (75%)