Key Arsenal pair shine to make Premier League team of the week
Arsenal are the only side to kick off the season with a 100% record following their 3-0 win at Bournemouth and they have two players make the cut in the Premier League team of the week. Manchester United are also represented in the best XI, as are Leeds, Manchester City and Newcastle, among others.
Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa) - 8.82
Aston Villa may have lost 3-1 at Crystal Palace on Saturday, but it would have been by more were it not for Emiliano Martinez between the sticks. The Argentine made six saves at Selhurst Park, including a second half penalty stop to deny Wilfried Zaha, as Martinez returned a WhoScored rating of 8.82, that better than any other player in gameweek three.
Kieran Trippier (Newcastle) - 7.58
Newcastle were pegged back to ultimately share the spoils with Manchester City on Sunday evening, but Kieran Trippier put in a solid shift from right-back regardless. Trippier scored a stunning second half free-kick, finding a way past Ederson with his only shot in the 3-3 draw, and was pretty sound defensively, making two clearances and one interception, to make the XI with a WhoScored rating of 7.58.
Chelsea fell to a 3-0 defeat at Leeds on Sunday afternoon, yet Reece James couldn't be faulted for any of the goals conceded at Elland Road. James made four tackles and three interceptions in the clash in Yorkshire and his showing did enough to warrant a WhoScored rating of 7.46.
William Saliba (Arsenal) - 7.63
The first of two Arsenal players in the side, William Saliba was imperious at the back for the Gunners on the south coast. The Frenchman scored his goal for the club 10 minutes into the second half, finding the top corner past Mark Travers with his only shot of the game, and, impressively, returned a 100% pass success rate from 73 attempted passes as he joins James in defence with a WhoScored rating of 7.63.
Joao Cancelo (Manchester City) - 7.47
The first of three Manchester City representatives rounds off the defence. Joao Cancelo got forward well from left-back when needed, completing three dribbles in City's 3-3 draw at Newcastle, while additional returns of one interception and one clearance saw Cancelo yield a WhoScored rating of 7.47.
Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) - 7.92
Remaining at St. James' Park, Bernardo Silva marked his first league start of the season with the assist for Ilkay Gundogan's fifth-minute opener before getting on the scoresheet midway through the second half. Those came from respective returns of three key passes and two shots as Silva nails down the right wing spot with a WhoScored rating of 7.92.
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - 8.12
Rounding off the Manchester City contingent, Kevin De Bruyne features in midfield having earned a WhoScored rating of 8.12 in Newcastle. The Belgian played a superb assist for Bernardo Silva's second half equaliser at St. James' Park, that coming from one of four key passes, while an additional three tackles helped De Bruyne secure his spot in the XI.
Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal) - 8.11
The WhoScored man of the match from Arsenal's 3-0 win at Bournemouth with a rating of 8.11, Martin Ødegaard scored his first and second league goals of the season on the south coast, beating Mark Travers with two of three shots at Dean Court. The Norwegian midfielder also won three aerial duels to partner De Bruyne in the middle of the park.
Jack Harrison has made a stunning start to the 2022/23 Premier League season as he had a direct hand in two of Leeds' three goals against Chelsea on Sunday. Harrison once again turned provider for Rodrigo in the first half and then got ont he scoresheet himself after the break, those coming from respective returns of one key pass and two shots. What's more, the 25-year-old completed four dribbles, and made two interceptions and one tackle, to pip Allan Saint-Maximin (8.41) to the left wing spot.
Ivan Toney was unable to help Brentford to a positive result at west London rivals Fulham on Satutday, but it wasn't for want of trying. Toney scored his second league goal of the season in the 3-2 defeat at Craven Cottage, netting with one of two shots, and won seven aerial duels in a bullying display that returned a WhoScored rating of 7.75.
Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) - 7.45
Manchester United's match winner joins Toney on the frontline in this XI. Marcus Rashford scored his first competitive goal since January in United's 2-1 win over Liverpool on Monday night, picking the perfect game to end that barren run. The 24-year-old was evidently in confident mood against the Reds, mustering five shots in total, and completing three dribbles to contribute towards his inclusion with a WhoScored rating of 7.45.
