Premier League: Team of the Week X

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Coach: Arsene Wenger (Arsenal)

Formation: 4-4-2 (diamond)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger demanded a win in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off to help maintain pressure on their title rivals, and he ensured his players delivered. Despite missing the injured Theo Walcott, Wenger’s call was to summon Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to fill his boots, and he does so to great effect.

It was Oxlade-Chamberlain’s ball that laid the chance on a plate for Alexis Sanchez to head home the opener, but it wouldn’t be a wholesomely simple afternoon for Arsenal after Jermain Defoe’s spot-kick equaliser punished Arsenal’s profligacy in front of goal. However, Arsenal regrouped and recovered to avoid more dropped points after last week’s draw with Middlesbrough, netting three late goals to comfortably win the game and stretch their unbeaten run to 14 games.

The key was an inspired substitution from the manager. The Frenchman sent his compatriot Olivier Giroud into the fray for his first Premier League match since September, and he duly repaid his manager’s faith, scoring what would prove to be Arsenal’s winner with his first two touches after coming on.

Wenger’s set-up was precise, threatening, and when he needed to shake things up he had no hesitation to do so, thus he is well worth his place in our Pick of the Week.