The 2026/27 Premier League season is gathering pace and we bring you our Squawka Score team of the week from Matchday Three.
Arsenal and Manchester City made it three wins from three to start the campaign, with the Gunners overcoming Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium while the Citizens ran out 1-0 victors over the still-pointless Coventry City.
Manchester United were pegged back twice to draw 2-2 away at Everton after Liverpool kicked off the weekend’s proceedings with a 0-2 away win at Ipswich Town.
The match-winner for Arsenal against Chelsea was captain Martin Odegaard and he is the highest-scoring player in this week’s Premier League team of the week
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/
GK: David Raya (Arsenal)
- Squawka Score: 81%
In an enthralling encounter at the Emirates Stadium, Raya made 4 saves and 4 high claims in a 2-1 win over Chelsea. The Spaniard produced a strong save rate plus command of his box behind a well-protected defence in what was a huge win for the Gunners.
Honourable mention: Alisson Becker (78%)
Alexander Isak set Liverpool on their way to a 0-2 away win at Ipswich but Alisson was a colossus between the sticks, making five saves and keeping a clean sheet in a fine rearguard display.
RB: Jayden Bogle (Leeds)
- Squawka Score: 72%
In a pretty low-scoring week for full-backs, the Leeds man picked his moment to burst forward and rifle home the opener at Brighton, taking a big chance (0.78 xG) with real conviction. It capped an adventurous hour down the right flank before he was withdrawn.
Honourable mention: Pedro Porro (70%)
A clean sheet for Tottenham at Nottingham Forest with a tidy two-way game that included 12 final-third passes and 6 into the box. The World Cup winner was arguably the stand-out player in the goalless draw at the City Ground.
CB: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton)
- Squawka Score: 78%
James Tarkowski was in this Premier League team of the week last time out but he has been replaced by his centre-back partner Jarrad Branthwaite this time around. The 24 year old won all 4 aerials and all 5 duels, with 4 clearances, 4 blocks and 10 progressive passes against United.
Honourable mention: James Tarkowski (77%)
Just about edged out of the XI by his centre-back partner, Tarkowski was close to retaining his place in the team after his last-gasp goal at Bournemouth last weekend. Four interceptions, 3/3 tackles and 7/9 duels are the headline stats.
CB: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
- Squawka Score: 77%
17 progressive passes, 83 passes at 91%, every duel and aerial won, 3/3 tackles in a clean-sheet win at Ipswich. This was Van Dijk back to his best in helping Liverpool see out a vital away victory.
Honourable mention: Marc Guehi (77%)
The in-form Guehi made 108 passes at 92%, including 18 into the final third, plus eight clearances. Manchester City were dominant in their win over Coventry and Guehi misses out on the first XI for the first time by the barest of margins.
LB: Tyrick Mitchell (Crystal Palace)
- Squawka Score: 87%
A full-back’s dream afternoon: Mitchell surged forward from left wing-back to score twice in the 3-2 win at Fulham, taking both his chances (2 of 3 shots on target) like a seasoned forward. With Palace taking all three points on the road, he’s a shoo-in for the XI.
Honourable mention: Lewis Hall (81%)
Another fine showing from the Newcastle man who earned himself an assist and completed a huge 13 ball recoveries in his side’s 2-2 home draw with Bournemouth.
CM: Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United)
- Squawka Score: 83%
An assist, 96% passing, 10 recoveries and 10 progressive passes at Everton — a complete midfield shift from the man who is quickly becoming Michael Carrick’s first-choice central midfielder at Manchester United.
Honourable mention: Elliot Anderson (81%)
Anderson made the most passes in a match for an English midfielder in Premier League history with 142 at 92% accuracy. 33 into the final third, 15 progressive — metronomic, but still not enough to edge out his fellow countrymen Mainoo and Rice.
CM: Declan Rice (Arsenal)
- Squawka Score: 82%
Rice earned an assist on Arsenal’s equaliser and completed a game-high 27 final-third passes as he ran the game against Chelsea. While the Blues midfield still needs work, Rice continues to show himself to be the Premier League’s stand-out in this position.
Honourable mention: Ao Tanaka (75%)
A high-quality assist (0.78 xA) in the draw at Brighton capped off a generally solid display from the Leeds United man.
RW: Marcus Tavernier
- Squawka Score: 83%
Not only did Tavernier get on the scoresheet as Bournemouth earned a 2-2 draw away at Newcastle United, he also racked up four shots on target and put in a considerable defensive shift, making eight ball recoveries.
Honourable mention: Christos Tzolis (80%)
Although he was aided considerably by some quick-thinking from Kai Havertz, Tzolis got the assist for Martin Odegaard’s winner for Arsenal in their victory over Chelsea. It was another all-action display from the Gunners’ new winger.
No.10: Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
- Squawka Score: 89%
Scoring a vital winner against a London derby is one way to get yourself in this Premier League team of the week, but it doesn’t tell the full story. The Norwegian created four chances including two big chances, completed two through ball and 26 final passes. He was everywhere in a vital win for his side.
Honourable mention: Josh King (83%)
While Fulham’s team performance left a lot to be desired, going forward they looked dangerous and Josh King was one of the men on the scoresheet in their loss to Crystal Palace.
LW: Cody Gakpo (Liverpool)
- Squawka Score: 84%
Cody Gakpo is really showing why Andoni Iraola was right not to sell him to Manchester City or Tottenham Hotspur this summer. The Dutchman added another two assists to his G/A tally in Friday night’s win at Ipswich while creating three chances, completing 3/3 take-ons and winning eight duels.
Honourable mention: Cesar Palacios (80%)
Another Fulham man who got on the scoresheet in a disappointing home defeat. Not up to full speed yet, but flashes of brilliance in this performance.
ST: Erling Haaland (Man City)
- Squawka Score: 87%
Despite plenty of competition from other goalscoring forwards this weekend, not least Kai Havertz and Alexander Isak, Haaland remains in the Squawka Score team of the week again after scoring once and hitting that target with three of his four shots in his side’s win over Coventry City.
Honourable mention: Kai Havertz (85%)
A fine goal and some ingenious play in the build-up to Arsenal’s second capped one of Havertz’ most devastating performances in an Arsenal shirt.