Arsenal and Tottenham dominate Premier League Team of the Week
It's a North London heavy team of the week this week as rivals Arsenal and Tottenham make up seven of the 11 players in the best XI. Manchester United, Wolves and Aston Villa are also represented in the first Premier League team of the week of 2021.
Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa) - 7.71
Aston Villa may have fallen to a 2-1 loss to Manchester United on New Year's Day, but they remained in with a chance to securing a result at Old Trafford right until the death courtesy of Emiliano Martinez. The Argentine shotstopper made seven saves in all in the defeat to help return a WhoScored rating of 7.71.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United) - 8.27
Sticking with Manchester United's 2-1 win over Villa, Aaron Wan-Bissaka earned the WhoScored man of the match award in the victory, his first in the Premier League this season. The right-back provided the assist for Anthony Martial's opener, his first of 2020/21, which came from one of two key passes. Three successful dribbles, four tackles and two interceptions capped a star man showing from the United man.
Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham) - 8.04
It's a North London heavy Premier League team of the week this week, with Tottenham the dominant side following their 3-0 win over Leeds. Toby Alderweireld is the first of four Spurs representatives with his first league goal of the season part of the reason behind his inclusion. In addition, the Belgian made four clearances and two tackles in a clean sheet attaining performance that saw him garner a WhoScored rating of 8.04.
Jack Stephens (Southampton) - 8.10
Southampton secured a fine 1-0 win over Liverpool on Monday night, with Jack Stephens Saints' sole representative following a fine rearguard performance. The Reds attack were unable to get the better of the centre-back as he defended astutely, making seven clearances, five interceptions and one tackle to contribute towards a WhoScored rating of 8.10.
Kieran Tierney (Arsenal) - 9.10
In Kieran Tierney's first 30 Premier League appearances, he scored one goal and provided one assist. Against West Brom, he doubled both tallies in a standout display. The left-back secures his place in the Premier League team of the week with a WhoScored rating of 9.10 as he hit the back of the net with one of two shots before turning provider for Alexandre Lacazette with one of four key passes.
Adama Traore (Wolves) - 8.54
In arguably the game of the weekend, Wolves were held to a 3-3 draw at Brighton, with wing wizard Adama Traore shining from the right. Traore may have failed to have a hand in any of the goals, but it wasn't for want of trying as he made two key passes. The 24-year-old tormented the Brighton backline as he completed nine dribbles to make the XI with a WhoScored rating of 8.54.
Dani Ceballos (Arsenal) - 8.59
The second of three Arsenal players, Dani Ceballos may not have had a direct hand in any of the Gunners' four goals at West Brom, but he could easily have had an assist to his name having made three key passes. However, it was Ceballos' work off the ball that caught the eye as the Spaniard made seven interceptions - no player has managed more in a Premier League game this season - and four tackles to nail down a place in the team of the week.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham) - 8.40
Tottenham's second representative in the team of the week partners Ceballos in the middle of the park as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg returned a WhoScored rating of 8.40 in Saturday's 3-0 win over Leeds. The Dane put in a solid shift in the middle of the park as he made five tackles and two interceptions to keep the Whites midfield at bay. Hojbjerg dealt with the pressure from this Leeds side well, too, as he completed three dribbles.
Son Heung-Min (Tottenham) - 8.77
Rounding off the midfield is the penultimate Tottenham player in the team of the week. While a bulk of Son Heung-Min's 17 goals and assists this season have come on the road, the South Korean was superb in Saturday's home win. Son got his name on the scoresheet shortly before the break before turning provider for Toby Alderweireld five minutes after the break, both of which came from respective returns of two shots and four assists, to contribute towards a WhoScored rating of 8.77.
Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal) - 9.57
Alexandre Lacazette is the WhoScored Premier League player of the week having netted twice in Arsenal's 4-0 win over West Brom on Saturday night. The Frenchman has now scored five goals in his last four outings as he bagged a brace from five shots in the Midlands over the weekend. Lacazette also drew four fouls and completed three dribbles, and he was unlucky to not register an assist as he made three key passes, to earn his place on the frontline with a WhoScored rating of 9.57.
Harry Kane (Tottenham) - 9.02
Partnering Lacazette in attack is Tottenham star Harry Kane, whose first half penalty against Leeds saw him become the first player to register double figures for both goals and assists in Europe's top five leagues this season. Kane then added his 11th Premier League assist of the campaign two minutes before the interval, with those coming from respective returns of six shots and one key pass. With six successful dribbles to his name, the Spurs man rounds off the team of the week with a WhoScored rating of 9.02.
