Arsenal’s Saka stars in opening Premier League Team of the Week
The Premier League made its long-awaited return over the weekend, and here, we’ve taken a look at the standout performers from matchday one.
Represented in the season’s first Team of the Week are Brentford, Tottenham, Manchester United, Manchester City, Fulham, Arsenal, Newcastle and Brighton.
Mark Flekken (Brentford) - 7.84
Brentford goalkeeper earns a place between the sticks following a strong display in the Bees’ 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday. Flekken made a total of six saves, along with 38 accurate passes and 19 accurate long balls, for a WhoScored rating of 7.84.
Pedro Porro (Tottenham) - 7.65
Tottenham right-back Pedro Porro headed his side in front in the first half at Leicester on Monday evening, while he also made a total of four key passes, three accurate long balls, two clearances and two ball recoveries, to land a WhoScored rating of 7.65.
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) - 7.44
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire makes our best XI after an assured display in Friday night’s opening victory over Fulham. The 31-year-old won five of the six aerial duels he contested, while he also made three interceptions and five clearances, in a solid display.
Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City) - 7.56
After an impressive debut Premier League season, Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol picked up where he left off with a strong showing at Chelsea on Sunday. Gvardiol completed 60 of the 65 passes he attempted at Stamford Bridge, while he also managed two tackles, four interceptions and five ball recoveries, to return a WhoScored rating of 7.56.
Antonee Robinson (Fulham) - 7.38
Another player to continue their form from last season was Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson, comfortably the visitors’ best player at Old Trafford on Friday evening. Robinson looked a threat getting down the left-hand flank, while defensively he made eight tackles, six clearances, seven ball recoveries and two interceptions.
With a WhoScored rating of 8.72, Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is our Premier League Player of the Week for matchday one. The 22-year-old shone for the Gunners in a comfortable 2-0 victory over Wolves, providing the assist for Kai Havertz’s opener before finding the net himself with a powerful left-footed effort. Saka also made five key passes, two tackles and four ball recoveries.
Newcastle’s match-winner against Southampton on Saturday was midfielder Joelinton, who was on hand to punish the Saints after an error while attempting to play out from the back. In addition to his winning goal, the Brazilian also won eight duels, made two blocks, six clearances and three ball recoveries.
Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City) - 8.48
Former Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic returned to haunt his previous side at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon, capping off a Player of the Match display with a fine strike that found the net from the edge of the area. In a metronomic midfield performance, Kovacic misplaced just three of the 66 passes he attempted, while he also managed two successful dribbles, six tackles eight ground duels won.
Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton) - 8.30
Brighton attacker Kaoru Mitoma bundled home the first Premier League goal of Fabian Hurzeler’s reign as head coach, setting the Seagulls on their way to three goals and three points against Everton on Saturday. The Japan international also managed four successful dribbles, three tackles and eight touches in the opposition box, returning a WhoScored rating of 8.30.
Like team-mate Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz was directly involved in both of Arsenal’s goals in the win over Wolves on Saturday. The Germany international emphatically headed home the Gunners’ opener, before providing the assist for Saka to double the lead in the second half. In all, Havertz managed two key passes, 10 touches in the opposition box and eight duels won.
Danny Welbeck (Brighton) - 8.39
Rounding off our Team of the Week is 33-year-old Brighton striker Danny Welbeck, whose goal at Goodison Park on Saturday saw him score in a 15th consecutive Premier League season. The former Arsenal and Manchester United man found the net with one of three attempts on goal, while he also made two key passes, for a WhoScored rating of 8.39.
