Arsenal head into the international break top of the Premier League table following Saturday’s 2-0 win over West Ham.
It’s the Gunners that dominate the Premier League team of the week with three players making the cut. Newcastle and Manchester United each have two players apiece, while Manchester City, Tottenham and Chelsea are also represented in the XI.
Once again, we’ve used our Squawka Score to determine team of the week, based on the statistical leaders for metrics relevant to their positions. And as ever, we’ve thrown an honourable mention XI for good measure.
The Squawka Score is our proprietary performance rating, combining multiple Opta stats into a single percentage. It benchmarks players against their positional peers, allowing quick comparisons. Learn more about how it works here: https://www.squawka.com/en/news/squawka-score-explained/
Read the Squawka Score 2025-26 Premier League Team of the Week for Gameweek 28 here.
GK: Senne Lammens (Man Utd)
- Squawka score: 80%
Manchester United kept their first clean sheet of the season in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Sunderland. It’s no coincidence that it came with summer signing Senne Lammens between the sticks. The young Belgian made three saves to prevent 1.05 goals and caught two crosses to kick off the XI.
Honourable mention: Nick Pope (79%)
Newcastle followed up their impressive Champions League midweek win with a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Nick Pope was on hand to make four saves in the home success.
RB: Jurrien Timber (Arsenal)
- Squawka score: 71%
Arsenal maintained their fine start to the season with a 2-0 win over West Ham on Saturday afternoon. Jurrien Timber was again sold at right-back for the Gunners as he made four tackles and two interceptions. In addition, it was the Dutchman who won the second half penalty to confirm the result for Mikel Arteta’s men.
Honourable mention: Jake O’Brien (66%)
Everton ended Crystal Palace’s impressive unbeaten run on Sunday afternoon. Jack Grealish earned the plaudits for his late winner, but Jake O’Brien deserves praise for a solid right-back showing. O’Brien won six aerial duels and made five clearances in the home win.
CB: Malick Thiaw (Newcastle)
- Squawka score: 81%
The first of two Newcastle players, Malick Thiaw continued his solid start to life at St. James’ Park in Sunday’s victory over Nottingham Forest. Thiaw won four aerial duels and made three interceptions against the Tricky Trees, and returned a commendable 92.59% retention rate to feature at the back.
| Stat | Thiaw | Newcastle rank |
|---|---|---|
| Interceptions | 3 | =1st |
| Aerial duels won | 4 | 1st |
| Clearances | 2 | =3rd |
| Poss. won defensive 3rd | 3 | 2nd |
| Poss. won midfield 3rd | 4 | 2nd |
Honourable mention: Ruben Dias (74%)
Erling Haaland proved to be the difference for Manchester City as they claimed a 1-0 win at Brentford on Sunday afternoon. However, the Cityzens still needed a solid rearguard showing from Ruben Dias and co. to claim all the spoils. The Portuguese centre-back made six clearances, three interceptions and won four aerial duels in a solid showing.
CB: Josko Gvardiol (Man City)
- Squawka score: 74%
Joining Thiaw at the heart of the defence, Josko Gvardiol continues to justify calls that he’s the best centre-back in the Premier League. The Croat provided the assist for Erling Haaland’s goal at Brentford on Sunday, that coming from the only big chance he created. Furthermore, he managed two interceptions and one tackle to feature.
Honourable mention: Jan Paul van Hecke (72%)
Brighton fought back to claim a point at Wolves over the weekend, with Jan Paul van Hecke the saviour for the Seagulls at Molineux. The Dutchman scored his first league goal of the season late on, and sought to set Brighton on the frontfoot, completing 19 passes into the final third.
LB: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea)
- Squawka score: 77%
Rounding off the defence is Chelsea star Marc Cucurella, who was influential in their 2-1 win over Liverpool. The Spaniard provided the assist for Estevao’s late winner at Stamford Bridge, while he excelled off the ball, too. Indeed, Cucurella made five clearances, two tackles and two interceptions to nail down the left-back spot.
Honourable mention: Lucas Digne (68%)
Aston Villa held out to secure all the spoils against Burnley on Sunday with Lucas Digne putting in a shift from left-back. The Frenchman held firm at the back to make five clearances and two tackles in help the Villans to a huge three points.
CM: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle)
- Squawka score: 83%
The Premier League player of the week, Bruno Guimaraes shone in Newcastle’s 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. The Brazilian put the Magpies ahead with a well struck second half effort, getting the better of Matz Sels with his only shot on target. Guimaraes also returned a 100% take on success rate, won 10 duels and won his side’s second half penalty in a superb showing.
Honourable mention: Tijjani Reijnders (72%)
A driving force for Manchester City at Brentford, Tijjani Reijnders completed all four take ons he attempted in west London over the weekend. The Dutchman also completed five passes into the final third in Sunday’s 1-0 win.
CM: Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal)
- Squawka score: 75%
Having replaced Martin Odegaard on the half hour mark, Martin Zubimendi put in a shift in the middle of the park as Arsenal earned a 2-0 win over West Ham. The Spaniard stifled the Hammers as he made three tackles and managed a 95.06% retention rate to join Guimaraes in the side.
Honourable mention: Sandro Tonali (70%)
With one successful take on, one tackle and one interception, Sandro Tonali put in a commendable display for the Magpies on Sunday. Nottingham Forest were unable to gain a foothold in the game in part owing to the Italian.
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CM: Declan Rice (Arsenal)
- Squawka score: 76%
The third Arsenal player in the XI, Declan Rice fired Arsenal ahead against his former employers on Saturday afternoon as he struck with his only shot on target. The England international also completed two take ons and made three ball recoveries to feature.
Honourable mention: Boubacar Kamara (74%)
A real presence in the Aston Villa midfield on Sunday, Boubacar Kamara won seven aerial duels and managed seven ball recoveries in their 2-1 victory over Burnley at Villa Park.
RW: Mohammed Kudus (Tottenham)
- Squawka score: 73%
Tottenham’s match winner in Saturday’s lunchtime kick off. Mohammed Kudus scored his first goal for the north London side as Spurs claimed a 2-1 win at Leeds. Kudus got the better of Karl Darlow with one of two shots on target and completed six take ons in a fine showing at Elland Road.
| Stat | Kudus | Tottenham rank |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 1 | =1st |
| Assists | 1 | 1st |
| Shots | 3 | 1st |
| Chances created | 1 | =2nd |
| Completed take ons | 6 | 1st |
| Poss. won midfield 3rd | 4 | =1st |
Honourable mention: Donyell Malen (70%)
Aston Villa’s hero on Sunday, Donyell Malen struck either side of half time to secure all the spoils on home turf. The Netherlands international also managed two successful take ons and completed five final third passes in a dominant display.
ST: Benjamin Sesko (Man Utd)
- Squawka score: 71%
A week on from scoring his first Manchester United goal, Air Sesko took flight at Old Trafford on Saturday. The summer signing scored his second league goal for Ruben Amorim’s side against Sunderland, netting with his only shot on target. The Slovenian was also an aerial threat for United, winning four aerial duels to lead the charge.
Honourable mention: Erling Haaland (63%)
Erling Haaland scored his ninth league goal of the season as Manchester City maintained their fine unbeaten run at Brentford’s expense over the weekend. Haaland rag-dolled Nathan Collins on his way to firing past Caoimhin Kelleher with his only shot on target.
LW: Jack Grealish (Everton)
- Squawka score: 77%
Everton’s hero on Sunday afternoon, Jack Grealish netted deep into second half injury time to secure all three points at Crystal Palace’s expense. Grealish completed two take ons, while his out-of-possession work also caught the eye, as the on-loan star made six ball recoveries.
Honourable mention: Cody Gakpo (72%)
Cody Gakpo must have felt he’d done enough to rescue a result at Chelsea having scored his second league goal of the season on Saturday evening. Gakpo was also unfortunate not to add an assist in west London having created three chances.