Arsenal sit top of the 2025-26 Premier League after two games, and they did it in style.
The Gunners blew away Leeds United and are one of just three teams to remain perfect in the Premier League. While some will look at Leeds as just newly-promoted opposition, Arsenal were well worth their 5-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium.
Viktor Gyokeres and Jurrien Timber both scored two goals, with Bukayo Saka also netting. And all three feature in our Team of the Week for Gameweek 2. They’re joined by Martin Zubimendi, with Arsenal taking up 36.36% of our XI. Burnley and Chelsea are the other teams with more than one player involved.
We’ve used our Squawka Score to determine the 11 picks, based on the statistical leaders for metrics relevant to their positions. And as ever, we’ve thrown an honourable mention XI for good measure.
Read the Squawka Score 2025-26 Premier League Team of the Week for Gameweek 28 here.
GK: Jordan Pickford (Everton)
- Player rating: 96%
You couldn’t get a much more perfect performance in goal than Jordan Pickford for Everton this weekend. The Englishman not only kept a clean sheet against Brighton and Hove Albion, he also saved a penalty! Pickford prevented 1.31 goals, aided by the penalty stop, one of four saves overall. He also completed 17 long passes, pulling out all of his usual tricks.
Honourable mention: Caoimhin Kelleher (76%)
RB: Jurrien Timber (Arsenal)
- Player rating: 83%
With two goals and assist, alongside a clean sheet, it was always going to be hard for a right-back to beat Jurrien Timber. The Dutchman was excellent in Arsenal’s thrashing of Leeds, and not just for his attacking output. Timber also made two interceptions retaining possession, won two aerial duels and won one tackle. He was part of a backline that faced just one shot on target while he as on the pitch, and he had four touches in the opposition box at the other end.
Honourable mention: Daniel Munoz (68%)
CB: Emmanuel Agbadou (Wolves)
- Player rating: 75%
Wolverhampton Wanderers may have lost at the weekend, but Emmanuel Agbadou did all he could to try to prevent the defeat. The centre-back made one last man tackle and one interception in his own box as well as winning two tackles. Agbadou’s nine clearances placed him in the 95th percentile and above among centre-backs, and he also ranked there for his six aerial duels won. The centre-back won 100% of his duels in total, but aerial and on the ground.
Honourable mention: Trevoh Chalobah (74%)
CB: Maxime Esteve (Burnley)
- Player rating: 76%
Burnley earned their first win back in the Premier League with a clean sheet against Sunderland. Maxime Esteve was excellent at the heart of the Clarets defence, winning all four of his contested aerial duels. In fact, he also won 100% of his ground duels and was part of a defence that conceded just four shots in the box while he was on the pitch. Esteve was reliable on the ball too, boasting a retention rate of 93.06% and completing seven passes into the final third.
Honourable mention: Hjalmar Ekdal (75%)
LB: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea)
- Player rating: 71%
Marc Cucurella recorded an assist in Chelsea’s big win over West Ham United, setting up Joao Pedro’s equaliser with a flick on from a corner. The Spaniard also completed six passes into the final third and had two touches in the opposition box. Defensively, Cucurella managed two possessions won in the defensive third, one interception retaining possession and one tackle won.
Honourable mention: Adrien Truffert (68%)
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DM: Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal)
- Player rating: 75%
Our second Arsenal representative this week, Martin Zubimendi played an underrated role at the base of the Gunners’ midfield. He was the passer to keep things moved, with a retention rate of 89.47% and 88.75% passing accuracy. The Spaniard also won possession five times in the middle third, made one interception and made one tackle.
Honourable mention: Josh Cullen (73%)
DM: Tyler Adams (Bournemouth)
- Player rating: 73%
Tyler Adams looked good in Bournemouth’s win over Wolves, helping to keep the defence safe. He made one interception retaining possession and won one tackle, as well as two possessions won in the defensive third. Adams also won two fouls and completed 100% of his passes into the final third.
Honourable mention: Idrissa Gueye (72%)
RW: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
- Player rating: 73%
Bukayo Saka gets in the XI for Gameweek 2 despite having to come off 10 minutes into the second half against Leeds. The Englishman scored against Leeds, from his only shot on target. But during his decreased time on the pitch, Saka also created two chances, eight final third passes and 100% of his crosses.
Honourable mention: Estevao (73%)
No.10: Joao Pedro (Chelsea)
- Player rating: 77%
Joao Pedro’s excellent start at Chelsea continued with a goal and two assists in their 1-5 thrashing of West Ham. The Brazilian equalised and then set up Chelsea’s second, with an intentional assist. It was one of two big chances Pedro created, and his only cross attempt. Pedro also had four touches in the opposition box, playing well in the supporting role.
Honourable mention: Lucas Paqueta (70%)
LW: Jaidon Anthony (Burnley)
- Player rating: 72%
Another Burnley player, Jaidon Anthony was involved in both of the Clarets’ goals against Sunderland. He set up Josh Cullen’s opener and then scored the second to earn all three points. Antony completed both of his attempted take-ons and completed 12 passes in the final third. He also did his bit defensively, with two tackles won and seven ball recoveries.
Honourable mention: Pedro Neto (71%)
ST: Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal)
- Player rating: 73%
Completing our Team of the Week, and our Arsenal selection, is Viktor Gyokeres. The Swedish striker got off the mark against Leeds with two goals. The first was an excellent run and finish, and the second a well-taken penalty. Gyokeres boasted 0.78 Expected Goals from open play and 1.22 xG overall, while hitting the target with two of his three shots. The Swede also won four aerials duels and proved a strong outlet for Arsenal.
Honourable mention: Hugo Ekitike (68%)