Left Back- Liam Ridgewell, Its fair to say Ridgewell has been on a tour of midland based teams, playing for Aston Villa, Birmingham and his current club West Bromwich Albion. Ridgewell singed for West Bromwich Albion from Birmingham City last season and has made a great start to his career at the hawthorns. He currently plays left back but his favoured position is centre back, he has made only 11 appearances for West Bromwich Albion but his solid performances have meant he is considered the number 1 left back at the club. Liam Ridgewell and his team mates took on an in form Everton, the game finished 2-0 to West Brom after goals from Shane Long and McCauley. Ridgewell put in a solid performance in defence keeping out a highly talented line-up that included Fellaini, Pienaar and Jelavic. Ridgewell was involved in the lead up to the first goal after he played a through ball down the left for Odemwingie who slid the ball across the penalty box for Long to tap in at close range. Overall Ridgewell had a solid game that he will hope to build on as West Brom continues their great start to the season.
Centre Back- Thomas Vermaelen, the Belgian defender has become a rock for Arsenal and after Van Persie's departure to Manchester United he takes over the captaincy and looks to reinstate some faith in the Gunner's fans. Vermaelen has had torrid injury’s that have plagued him and meant seasons were cut short and his playing time limited, this however doesn’t mean he isn’t a major part of Arsenal's squad. Thomas Vermaelen is one of the most offensive defenders in the Premier League scoring 13 times in 70 appearances, this is down to his urge to commit forward when on the attack getting as far forward as the opposition penalty box. This doesn’t mean defensively he’s vulnerable, it’s the complete opposite when on form Vermaelen is one of the best defenders in the Premier League, his strength combined with pace mean he can deal with the most nimble of attackers. Arsenal travelled to Anfield to face a Liverpool side without a win to their name, Arsenal were also searching for a win and there first goals of the new season but had racked up an impressive defensive record yet to concede. Arsenal ran out 2-0 winners and still hadn’t conceded, this was down to the centre back partnership of Vermalen and Mertesacker. Vermaelen had a brilliant game thwarting every Liverpool move thrown at him, Suarez, Gerrard all found the defence impenetrable. Vermaelen deserves his place in my team of the week.
Centre Back- Jonas Olsson, The Swedish giant has appeared 128 times for West Bromwich Albion, at 6ft 4in he towers above many attackers that he will be up against in defence. West Brom value Olsson very highly and is one of the vital part in there squad, when he performs so does the team and it’s rare for the centre back to have a bad game. West Brom looked set to lose the Swedish international after rumours began to surface that Tottenham Hotspur was after his signature when Kaboul was injured and Ledley King announced his retirement form professional football. Jonas Olsson remains at West Brom and is showing why he is a vital part of the squad, at 29 years old he is immensely experienced and can aid the younger players coming into the squad such as Craig Dawson. West Brom faced Everton and Jonas Olsson would have to be on top of his game to stop the attacking threat they possess in Jelavic, Naismith and Pienaar. Olsson had a magnificent game quelling every threat that was put to West Brom and with confidence in the man in the sticks Ben Foster it gives defender a boost in their own. Olsson will be pleased with his own individual performance but more so in the teams as they continue to impress with victories over both Mersey side teams and only conceding one goal in the last three games.
Right Back- Carl Jenkinson, it’s fair to say last season was possibly the worst he could have endured, he was part of the side that was humiliated 8-2 by Manchester United and was sent off in the same game. The same season he had an injury setback to turn his first season for Arsenal FC from a dream to a nightmare. It would be a test for him to come back after such a poor start in this new step in his career, he has and with the injury to Sagna this could be his chance to prove he is good enough to be Arsenals first choice right back. He signed from newly promoted to the Championship side Charlton for a fee of around £1million pounds, people were unsure whether this was the right signing for Arsenal would he be good enough. Carl has started this season brilliantly alongside Mertesacker, Vermalen and Gibbs they are yet to concede a single goal in three games. It looks as though Jenkinson has matured as a player since last season’s hell, Wenger and the coaches have obviously played a part in his emergence helping him learn from his mistakes. Arsenal played Liverpool who wide has exciting attacking options, it was revealed Raheem Sterling would be starting on the left up against Jenkinson. Sterling is an abundance of energy and talent with explosive pace, Jenkinson would have to be very careful in how he defended against the young winger. He handled Sterling well limiting his opportunities and only a minute amount of times did Sterling gets the bettering of Jenkinson. Carl deserves his place in the team of the week after his recovery from last season.
Right Midfield- Hatem Ben Arfa, the French wizard never fails to disappoint even in a game without scoring or an assist to his name his quick feet are something to behold. Ben Arfa has arrogance about him on the football pitch, the ball has to go through him as he knows and believes he’s good enough to beat even the best of opponents. Last season Ben Arfa scored several magnificent goals his speciality it seems, the best however came against Bolton, a dribble from the centre circle weaving away from defenders lunging in with tackles as he gracefully past them to slot the ball into the back of the net. It showed what the French man was renowned for, moments of genius. During his career he has been hit with injuries hard, shin problems have hampered him and stunted his growth so to speak missing vital first team action. There was also a serious injury in which he broke his leg in a League game against Manchester city in the 2010-2011 season. Newcastle hosted Aston Villa who was on a poor run of results two losses in there opening two games, Newcastle enjoyed a win over Tottenham in their first game but subsequently lost their second game 2-0 to Chelsea. Ben Arfa enjoyed a solid performance but a moment of brilliance salvaged a point for Newcastle, knocking the ball into space just outside the box he let fly with his weaker right foot and the ball thumped into the top corner. The goal alone would be enough for team of the week but a solid performance added to that and made him the only contender.
Centre Midfield- Abou Diaby, the powerful midfielder for some is quite a new face, this is down to the injury plagued career he has endured. He’s made 115 appearances for Arsenal this could have been more, not because players are above him in ability far from it on his day Diaby is one of the best Premier League midfielders. He joined Arsenal in 2006, but injuries have made a huge impact on his career from self-inflicted ones to those an opponent has gave him after bad challenges, this has seriously affected his progress as a Premier League player. Diaby when fit is a powerful athlete and can easily fill the gap left by Song after his departure to FC Barcelona, his passing ability is also one of his strengths easily becoming an anchor man for the creative midfielders to rely on when they push forward. When Arsenal travelled to Liverpool they boasted a strong midfield line up with Arteta, Santi Cazorla and Diaby all capable of causing problems. Diaby put in a brilliant performance, his powerful runs through the heart of Liverpool's midfield caused problem after problem. This allowed the likes of Cazorla and Podolski room to drift away from defenders and create space to propel attacks. The physical side of Diaby's game allows him to bully much weaker opponents off the ball to win back possession for his side a role similar to that of Song and Liverpool's own Lucas Leiva. Diaby will hope to remain fit and put in more vintage performances similar to the one against Liverpool.
Centre Midfield- Mikel Arteta, he has been an inspired signing by Wenger since joining Arsenal last January. Arteta was a fan favourite at Everton before he left and for good reasons, he’s a trainee from the FC Barcelona academy but failed to break into the first team and eventually left the club for Rangers FC. 178 appearances for Everton show how vital he was to David Moyes side, Arsenal were in desperate need for a midfielder after Fabregas and Samir Nasri's departure the same season. Whilst at Arsenal he has played vital parts in there 3rd place finish last season scoring a 25 yard strike that sealed a victory against soon to be Premier League champions Manchester City. Arteta fits the Arsenal way which Wenger has implemented on his side perfectly, he’s a calm passer of the ball and can open up defences with a perfectly timed through ball. Against Liverpool Arteta was brilliant throughout the game, not only did he attack well but defensively he was also one of the top performers. Gerrard, Allen and Sahin were constantly harried by the Spanish midfielder putting in perfectly time slide tackles or nicking the ball to spring a fast and lethal counter attack. Arsenal dominates my team of the week after their impressive team display and comfortable 2-0 win over Liverpool.
Left Midfield- Wayne Routledge, the Swansea midfielder has had a tour of the premier League with several different clubs including Aston Villa, Fulham, QPR and Newcastle to name just a few. Last season under Brendan Rodgers he didn’t make as many appearances as he would of liked, this was mainly down to the fact Scott Sinclair were in brilliant form, now Sinclair has moved to Manchester City there will be much more first team opportunities to come this season. Routledge hadn’t scored in top flight football since 2004 but put an end to that statistic after scoring against Aston Villa at Villa Park. The start of the 2012-2013 season has saw him make a emphatic start to the season not only finding the net for himself but also adding several assists to his name and with the quality of Dyer and Michu through on goal scoring opportunities he has faith his passes will create goals. Swansea were at home to a strong Sunderland side who had recently signed Steven Fletcher for £14 million and Adam Johnson for £15 million, Martin O’Neil clearly stating his intentions with his squad’s ambition this season. Swansea were initially behind after a Steven Fletcher goal capitalising on a mistake by Ashley Williams, Wayne Routledge levelled thing sup with a brilliant finish past Simon Mignolet. Wayne Routledge had a solid game but was cut short after being substituted for a defender to replace Chico who had received a red card.
Striker- Steven Fletcher, the Scottish forward completed a move from Wolverhampton Wanderers after their relegation from the Premier League last season. The fee is believed to be in the region of £14 million pounds which sparked a huge debate, is he really worth that much? A striker who failed to keep his club afloat, Fletcher made 61 appearances for Wolves and scored 22 goals. Its impressive when you look at the quality of service he would be receiving not only that but he’s proven in the Premier League he can score goals consistently, this at the moment in time seems to be a better deal than the one that took young striker Connor Wickham to the Stadium of Light. Fletchers main strength his aerial efficiency, he is one of the best headers of a ball in the Premier League despite not being one of the tallest players in the league standing at 6ft 1in. Sunderland were away to Swansea City who were in great form yet to concede and had won the last two games convincingly. Steven fletcher made his league debut and it would be one to remember after getting on the score sheet twice. The first goal came after a mistake by defender Ashley Williams, fletcher ran through on goal and finished brilliantly into the far corner past Michel Vorm. The second came in injury time in the first half, a Sebastian Larsson free kick was delivered into the box and was bundled home by Fletcher to complete his scoring an overall fantastic debut. The two goals easily make him worthy of a place in team of the week.
Striker- Robin Van Persie, Arsenal and the Premier league’s top goal scorer last season signed for Manchester Utd during the transfer window in the summer. This move obviously raised anger with the Gunners fans, why would the owners sell essentially the best player for Arsenal last season to a major rival? Whatever way you look at the deal its bad business and could come back to haunt Arsenal later on in the season. Van Persie made his home debut against Fulham last week and got on the score sheet scoring a brilliant goal that showed RVP's class. Manchester United were away to newly promoted side Southampton who were yet to get a win on the board after cruelly being defeated by Manchester City coming back from 2-1 behind and hen a 2-0 defeat to Wigan. Robin Van Persie showed why Ferguson had brought him to the club scoring a hat trick against Southampton although he could have had more if not for his own confidence. The first goal came in the 23rd minute as a cross from Valencia allowed him to neatly finish with his left foot, this levelled the sides at 1-1.Southampton took the lead after a goal from Schneiderlin, in the 69th minute Persie was given the opportunity to level from the spot instead he over confidently tried to chip the penalty which was saved. The second and third goal game in a three minute spell in the 87th and 90th minute, which eventually sealed Southampton’s fate. The hat trick was a brilliant way to silence the doubters for Persie and will be hoping for more of the same in his United Career.
This is my team of the week so you will disagree but id love to hear your changes or teams so leave a comment below.
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