Key Arsenal man Saliba makes Premier League Team of the Week
Brentford and Brighton are the dominant sides in the Premier League team of the week following comfortable wins over Fulham and Wolves, respectively. Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Tottenham are also represented as we take a look at the XI.
Bournemouth may have fallen to a 3-1 loss at Liverpool on Saturday, but it would have resembled last season's heavy defeat at Anfield were it not for the exploits of Neto between the Cherries sticks. The experienced Brazilian made a total of eight saves at the Reds, including a penalty stop to deny Mohamed Salah, to return a WhoScored rating of 8.25.
Serge Aurier (Nottingham Forest) - 8.14
Nottingham Forest responded to their 2-1 loss at Arsenal on the opening weekend with a 2-1 win over Sheffield United on Friday night. Serge Aurier was the star performer in the home victory as he provided the assists for Taiwo Awoniyi and Chris Wood to score. Those came from two chances created, while the 30-year-old was tough to get the better of having won five aerial duels and made five clearances to feature with a WhoScored rating of 8.14.
Ethan Pinnock (Brentford) - 8.13
The first of three Brentford players in the side following their 3-0 win at west London rivals Fulham, Ethan Pinnock put in a solid shift at the back for the Bees. The 30-year-old was on hand to mop up any danger at the back having made six clearances and two interceptions, while Pinnock also won six aerial duels as he earned a WhoScored rating of 8.13.
William Saliba (Arsenal) - 7.88
Partnering Pinnock at the heart of the defence is Arsenal star William Saliba. The Gunners ground out a hard-fought 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on Monday night, which was all the more impressive given they were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half. The Frenchman's sole tackle in a the game was a first half last man challenge and he protected the Arsenal goal well having made eight clearances. In addition, Saliba found a teammate with 93.8% of his 65 attempted passes to return a WhoScored rating of 7.88.
Rounding off the backline is West Ham left-back Emerson. The Hammers secured an excellent 3-1 win over rivals Chelsea with the Italian impressing against his former employers as noted by a WhoScored rating of 7.71. The 29-year-old defended superbly, making four clearances, four tackles and three interceptions to secure his spot in the XI.
Mathias Jensen (Brentford) - 8.61
The star performer from Brentford's 3-0 win at Fulham, Mathias Jensen came away from Craven Cottage with a WhoScored rating of 8.61. While the Dane was unable to have a direct hand in a goal, it wasn't for want of trying as he managed four key passes and two shots. He worked hard off the ball, too, making three clearances, three tackles and two interceptions to nail down his spot in the side.
Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham) - 7.93
Linking up with Jensen at the base of the midfield, Pape Matar Sarr put Tottenham ahead in their eventual 2-0 win over Manchester United on Saturday evening. The 20-year-old got the better of Andre Onana with one of five shots, and he did what he could to disrupt United's rhythm as he made two tackles to feature with a WhoScored rating of 7.93.
With a WhoScored rating of 9.73, Brighton's Solly March is the Premier League player of the week. March is the first of three Seagulls representatives in the side following their resounding 4-1 win at Wolves, with the 29-year-old netting twice at Molineux on Saturday. He netted with two of five shots, and chipped in with four tackles, four interceptions and three clearances to cap a fine performance at the weekend.
Julio Enciso (Brighton) - 8.62
Featuring behind the striker in the team of the week, Julio Enciso was directly involved in two of Brighton's four goals against Wolves. The teenager grabbed a pair of assists from two key passes, and was a real menace for the Wolves defence having completed six dribbles prior to his second half withdrawal. The 19-year-old is good value for inclusion with a WhoScored rating of 8.62.
Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton) - 8.81
The third and final Brighton player rounds off the attack line in support of the forward. Kaoru Mitoma, like March and Enciso, was directly involved in two of Brighton's four goals at Wolves, netting a superb individual effort before providing for Pervis Estupinan to score shortly after the break. Those came from respective returns of one shot and four key passes as Mitoma landed a WhoScored rating of 8.81.
Yoane Wissa (Brentford) - 8.28
Spearheading the charge in the Premier League team of the week is Brentford star Yoane Wissa. The 26-year-old scored his second league goal of the season at Fulham on Saturday, finding a way past Bernd Leno with one of seven shots. Wissa also linked up well with his teammates, returning a pass success rate of 90.9%, as he completes the XI with a WhoScored rating of 8.28.
