Premier League: Team of the Week VIII

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Right-Midfield: Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

Arsenal’s match with Swansea was a wonderful contest, and the Gunners could have had more goals for their efforts, as could Theo Walcott, who had to settle for just a brace on the day. He did however run the flank superbly and ensure the Emirates faithful were privy to more of the slick finishing that has propelled him back into the England reckoning in recent weeks. It is exactly that, his inability to replicate his form for his country, which is the frustrating side of his game at present, though he does have much more talent by his side at his club in comparison to with his country, so it does of course deserve some context.

Centre-Midfield: Joe Allen (Stoke City)

Despite Stoke City’s early struggles this season, Welsh international Joe Allen has been a shining star. He had scored in his previous two outings for the Potters, notching goals in back-to-back games for his club for the first-time in his career, and he made it three on the bounce with a brace against Sunderland, to ease some of Stoke’s relegation worries but pile more pressure on the Black Cats and their beleaguered boss David Moyes. Allen is currently enjoying a rich vein of form, having scored over the international break for Wales and matched his beat goal haul in a Premier League season, and his compatriot Mark Hughes will be hoping he can continue impressing, since he will be vital in the Potters’ bid to survive in the Premier League for yet another season.

Centre-Midfield: N’Golo Kanté (Chelsea)

N’Golo Kanté faced off against former club Leicester for the first-time since his big money move to West London from the King Power Stadium, and he was instrumental in shutting out his former employers as Chelsea ran out 3-0 winners at Stamford Bridge.

The little Frenchman put his relentless work rate on show again for all to see, and he has been something of an unsung hero so far in Chelsea’s season, having completed more passes than any other Blues player this season. He also showed a touch of class after the match, going over to the travelling Leicester supporters and applauding them.

Left-Midfield: Aaron Cresswell (West Ham United)

His red card aside, which was a gross miscarriage of justice by referee Martin Atkinson, Cresswell showed just what the Hammers have been missing during his absence through injury with a tireless performance, constantly getting up and down the flanks. He also got another assist to his name, with a quality ball into Manuel Lanzini which was gratefully slotted home.

His most recent assist put him on nine assists since his debut for the Hammers in 2014, a third-best total for a defender with only Daryl Janmaat and Leighton Baines boasting better tallies.