Premier League Team of the Week VI feat. Arsenal and Liverpool stars

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Goalkeeper: Petr Cech (Arsenal)

The Czech stalwart kept his first clean sheet over his former club during Arsenal’s 3-0 demolition of Chelsea, and even though he wasn’t always in the thick of the action, he remained alert when called upon with two great saves, one of them a pick for the cameras to deny Michy Batshuayi.

He was calmly assured when in possession of the ball and in when he was forced to come and claim, and his steady presence behind the defence helped maintain Arsenal’s focus in the second half when they saw out a stylish victory over their West London rivals.

Right-Back: Hector Bellerin (Arsenal)

Defensively, Bellerin completely shut down the threat of Eden Hazard going down Chelsea’s left, and produced one of the most mesmerising moments of the game when his raw pace enabled him to catch up as compatriot Pedro was bearing down on goal, and he pulled out a superb last-man tackle to win the ball and send Arsenal back on the offensive.

It was in fact when Arsenal were on the front foot that Bellerin was also at his most impressive, assisting Arsenal’s second with a sweeping ball into the feet of Theo Walcott after his run left Eden Hazard for dead, and the England international duly obliged with the finish, one of two key chances Bellerin created himself during the game.

He got up and down the flank tirelessly and was faultless in his decision making regarding halting and offering an easy option or in continuing his run to receive the through-ball. It was an impressive all-round performance from the Spaniard, and with his sixth assist since the start of last season, he has a record superior to that of any other Premier League defender.

Centre-Back: Chris Smalling (Manchester United)

How Manchester United have missed not only his defensive qualities but his ability to attack the ball and provide a potent threat in the opposing penalty area as well. After being re-introduced to the side last week at Watford, he had somewhat of a re-baptism of fire, but he was back to his best against the defending champions, and broke the deadlock to send United on their way when he got above Christian Fuchs and Robert Huth to nod the ball beyond Ron-Robert Zieler for his first goal of the season. The timing couldn’t have been better either, and it will help his manager rest much easier after United ended their September slump in scintillating style.

His seven clearances from inside his own area were only bettered by the eight made by defensive partner Eric Bailly, and Mourinho’s Red Devils generally look much more assured with Smalling in defence and Blind pushed out to the left.

Centre-Back: Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)

Besides the fact that the Frenchmen’s three tackles and seven clearances were more than any other Arsenal player, it was the manner in which he slammed the brakes on Chelsea’s controversial handful Diego Costa which warrants the most credit.

Rather than battle over-aggressively and fall into the snares that the Spanish international has lured victims like Gabriel into in the past, Koscielny combated the Chelsea forward with sheer tactical awareness in positioning in order to get around him, and he timed his tackles perfectly when he was forced to make them.

His awareness in the back-line and in where he positioned himself also gave him an aerial advantage over Costa, neutralising one of the controversial attacker’s strongest assets, which was of huge advantage for Arsenal.

Left-Back: James Milner (Liverpool)

Yes, he is a midfielder. No, he is not left-footed. However, there is something about James Milner’s application and performances which makes him look right at home in the position. An ever reliable utility man for Jurgen Klopp’s Reds, he was excellent defensively in a dominant display against Hull, and coolly slotted home two spot kicks to secure his first ever Premier League brace.