Player Focus: Weekend Stats Round Up

Here we take a look at a number of top performers by category over the weekend gone by to have stolen the show for their respective sides, with a number of eye-catching displays across Europe's top 5 leagues. We will also do our best to explain how the players to make the grade in our All Star Team of the Week did so but before that, here are a few statistical standouts over the past few days.

When looking at shots on goal it is perhaps no surprise to see Robin van Persie lead the way, bagging a hat-trick in only his second United start having also missed a penalty against Southampton. Bayern's Thomas Muller was also in fine form in a 6-1 thumping of Stuttgart, netting twice having remarkably tested the keeper with all 6 of his attempts, registering the most efforts on target this weekend.

In terms of chances created, nobody came close to Hannover's Szabolcs Huszti who, in his first start for the club, assisted all 4 of his side’s goals in a compromising win over 10-man Wolfsburg having made 8 key passes in total. However, perhaps the most astonishing statistic of the weekend saw Mainz's Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting complete 16 dribbles against Furth. Never in Opta's history has a player in the top 5 leagues managed more than 15 in a game prior to last Friday; a truly outstanding feat.

Andrea Pirlo is a familiar name to crop up when talking touches, and the Italian came out on top once again across Europe this weekend, with 136 against Udinese just pipping Michael Carrick (135) into second. Spurs' new signing Jan Vertonghen was the most aerially dominant player, winning a European high of 11 aerial duels out of 12 (92%) despite Tottenham failing to keep a clean sheet at the last once again.

The top tackler gong was shared between three players as Pescara's Antonio Bocchetti, Wolfsburg full-back Fagner and Valenciennes' Rudy Mater all made 9 successful challenges. Meanwhile, the title of most interceptions was also split, this time between Deportivo's experienced signing Carlos Marchena and Schalke's far younger new recruit Roman Neustadter, who both cut out passes 10 times.

Elsewhere, Atalanta midfielder Luca Cigarini put in a committed performance to block 5 of a rampant Cagilari's 24 shots to help earn a hard fought draw away from home to lead the way in said category. And finally, between the sticks West Ham's Jussi Jaaskelainen put a horror show against Swansea last week behind him to make 9 saves on his way to a clean sheet at home to Fulham, and he takes the number 1 spot in our Team of the Week.

None of the defence in front of the Finn ply their trade in the Premier League however, with Valenciennes' Rudy Mater taking the spot at right back thanks to his aforementioned joint-high of 9 tackles, one of which came as the last man. He is joined by fellow Ligue 1 representative Lamine Kone at centre back, with the Lorient man putting in a goalscoring display from the back as well as winning 8 aerial duels and making 11 clearances.

The backline is completed by Schalke youngster Papadopoulos, who is fast emerging as one of the strongest defenders in the Bundesliga, and Torino left back Salvatore Masiello. The former had 95 touches against Augsburg, completing 90% of his passes, making 4 interceptions and capping his performance with a goal. Masiello picked up an assist from 2 key passes at full back, making 7 tackles to boot.

In midfield, the clinical stats of Thomas Muller ensure his inclusion in the side, with an assist from his only key pass adding to his lethal display. On the opposite flank Huszti's creative exploits also cemented a perfect 10 rating for the Hungarian, whose full debut was one to remember having also put in an exemplary defensive shift to complete 7 tackles and 4 interceptions.

Arsenal's Santi Cazorla continued an excellent start to his career with the Gunners with his first goal for the club, as well as assisting fellow new recruit Lukas Podolski's first strike for Wenger's side. The Spaniard had 4 shots at goal, had a 90% pass accuracy and 3 of his lay-offs set up opportunities for teammates. The final spot in our midfield goes to Luis Gustavo, whose wonder strike for Bayern was just the tip of the iceberg having won 7 tackles and completed an extraordinary 98% of his passes on Sunday.

Our strikeforce is an entirely Serie A affair, with Lazio's Miroslav Klose and Juve's Sebastian Giovinco both making the XI under tough competition. The duo each struck a brace, keeping the likes of hat-trick heroes van Persie and Pazzini at bay due to their all-round performances. The German had 4 shots, with 3 on target, as well as creating 4 chances, winning 5 aerial duels and 3 tackles. Giovinco, meanwhile, also had 4 shots, set up 2 chances, completed 3 dribbles and attempted 5 crosses.