Arsenal

Team of the Weekend: Ramsey and Rooney Lead The Way

As we enter the busy Christmas period, Arsenal are going strong at the top of the Premier League; but do you agree with the Team of the Weekend? Have a look.

by
Tom Gatehouse
December 2, 2013

Arsenal maintained their lead at the top of the Premier League with a hard-fought 3-0 win over Welsh side, Cardiff City. The Gunners have led the way for much of the season, and do not seem ready to relinquish control.

Chelsea and Man City both registered home wins against Southampton and Swansea respectively; but still remain four points adrift of Arsene Wenger’s side.

Liverpool were the surprise casualty of the weekend, with the Reds slipping to a damaging 3-1 defeat to Hull City. The late withdrawal of Daniel Sturridge through injury forced Brendan Rodgers into a tactical switch; one that did not pay off.

The game of the weekend was arguably at White Hart Lane, where a revitalised Tottenham held Man Utd to a 2-2 draw; and it took a fortuitous Wayne Rooney double to avoid defeat to their title rivals.

Here is the Football-Talk Team of the Week for Gameweek 13:

Wojciech Szczesny, Goalkeeper, Arsenal

The Gunners’ young Pole made four saves against Cardiff on Saturday; with the best of the bunch a low save from a towering Frazier Campbell header. Perhaps not the most trying of afternoons for the 23-year-old, but it was a vital clean sheet nonetheless.

Kyle Walker, Defender, Tottenham

Despite gifting Rooney an equalising goal in the riveting 2-2 draw on Sunday, the England right-back had one of his best games this season. Walker smashed in the opening goal from an early free-kick, and kept Patrice Evra in his place with a constant barrage of attacking forays.

John Terry, Defender, Chelsea

The Blues have an appalling clean sheet record this season, with only two in their last nine EPL games; but John Terry has been more than making up for the fact with goals this season. It was his header that put Chelsea ahead for the first time in the match on Sunday, and it gave the Blues the impetus to push forward and secure the win. Certainly the man you want leading you in a tricky situation.

Gary Cahill, Defender, Chelsea

With so many column inches devoted to Chelsea’s striker tribulations, it was quite apt then that it was their defence that came to the rescue for the Blues against Southampton this weekend. Having found themselves a goal down within 13 seconds, it was Gary Cahill that restored parity just before the hour with an instinctive header. It was a crucial moment for Chelsea in the match; and it could be a crucial win in Chelsea’s hunt for the title.

Bryan Oviedo, Defender, Everton

The Toffees were in devastating form on Saturday, mauling a struggling Stoke side 4-0; and the young Costa Rican, Oviedo, had a big part to play. Starting in the absence of regular left-back Leighton Baines, the 23-year-old had a barnstorming match; coming in with an 84% pass completion ratio, a goal, and also an assist to boot! With Baines reportedly out for six weeks, Oviedo has a great chance to continue his good form.

Samir Nasri, Midfielder, Man City

It has been quite a while since we saw Nasri pull off moves like this in the Premier League. Ever since his dramatic move from Arsenal in 2011, City fans have only seen glimpses of the magic that persuaded their club to part with £24m for his services. But if he can get goals like the pair he scored in the win against Swansea on Sunday, he may soon become an integral member of the City side. Two lovely finishes.

Aaron Ramsey, Midfielder, Arsenal

It is becoming progressively more and more difficult not to over-embellish the superlatives already used to describe Ramsey’s so far stunning season. His dynamism, confidence and match-winning tendencies have been unparalleled; and with two more goals against his old club Cardiff to add to his ever-growing collection, he may be an early shoe-in for Player of the Year.

Sandro, Midfielder, Tottenham

A key member of the Spurs midfield that dominated in the Utd game; Sandro gets the nod due to his 25-yard thunderbolt that flew past De Gea, and was only stopped leaving the stadium entirely by the top right hand corner of the net. A disgustingly good strike; one that reduced Spurs striker Roberto Soldado to his knees, awestruck.

Gerard Deulofeu, Midfielder, Everton

I for one have been waiting for the young Spaniard to be given his chance by boss Roberto Martinez; and by the looks of things, so had he, after a fantastic performance that looked born from an eagerness to impress. With the opening goal of the game, and an assist also to his name; I fully expect the young man to go from strength to strength. A future star.

Wayne Rooney, Striker, Man Utd

The England striker has thrived in the absence of Robin van Persie; and his two goals in the match-up with Spurs saved Utd from a potentially damaging defeat. Desperately needs more support from the midfield; Rooney bust a gut up front for the Red Devils, and his goals were just reward for his drive and determination.

Alvaro Negredo, Striker, Man City

Yet another goal for the man they call, ‘The Beast’; this time, a perfectly executed freekick into the far corner that left Gerhard Tremmel a stranded spectator. Certainly one of the best signings of the summer, the Spaniard has just about everything in his locker. A shame he’s already 28 really!

Goal of the Weekend: Sandro vs. Man Utd