Coral’s Premier League team of matchweek 16: Arsenal influence
Published:What another weekend of awesome Premier League action we’ve had.Coral’s football experts have picked their latest all-star XI. So, without further ado, who made it in the team?
Goalkeeper: David de Gea
Manchester United’s Spain international stopper made a string of eight awesome saves to preserve a fifth clean sheet and yet another Man of the Match award. In the week another Tolkein story adaptation was released on the silver screen, De Gea’s cry was “Liverpool, you shall not pass!” The Red Devils are now 12/1 chances for the Premier League title.
Right back: Hector Bellerin
If you need any evidence to see why Spain Under-21 international Bellerin is in Arsenal’s academy, then just watch the highlights of their 4-1 romp at home to Newcastle United. He’s got a great engine up and down the flank, aiding a depleted Gunners defence. Bellerin even notched an assist, setting up another player that has made our all-star XI.
Centre back: Mathieu Debuchy
He had never played in the heart of defence for Arsenal before that victory over Alan Pardew’s Magpies, but you wouldn’t have known it. France international right back Debuchy kept an in-form Papiss Cisse very quiet at the Emirates. No clean sheet because of Ayoze Perez, but what a performance!
Centre back Michael Keane
Burnley loanee Keane is covering in Sean Dyche’s XI for veteran Northern Irish defender Michael Duff, and how. A clean sheet and a win over Southampton is big for the Clarets in their bid to stay up (13/8).
Left back: Ben Davies
Former manager and teammate Garry Monk said Spurs were yet to see the best of ex-Swans youngster Davies. Ironically, he notched the assist for Christian Eriksen’s winner against his old club to hamper their ambitions.
Central midfield: Craig Gardner
What could be sweeter than striking a West Midlands derby winner against your former side? That’s exactly what Gardner did, and they even cheered his name at another old club Birmingham City. This was a real morale-boosting victory for Alan Irvine’s Baggies, who are now odds-on at 2/9 to stay up.
Right wing: Alexis Sanchez
Two assists from Chile attacker Sanchez showed what a great all-round game he has. Arsenal’s open and expansive nature against Newcastle was so refreshing, and they are now odds-on at 2/5 to finish in the top four.
Attacking midfield: Santi Cazorla
Two goals, including a superb dinked lob from an acute angle and an audacious chipped penalty, from silky Spain international Cazorla, on his birthday helped the Gunners to send the Magpies home well-beaten. The 30-year-old showed that you can still have your cake and eat it.
Left wing: Christian Eriksen
It was between Spurs and Denmark’s creative force Eriksen and Chelsa’s brilliant Belgium international Eden Hazard for this berth. We rated a goal and assist away at Swansea for the former as being a more notable achievement than the same from the latter at home to Hull City. Tottenham are now 11/10 for a top six finish.
Striker: Robin van Persie
Dutch delight RVP was the difference between Manchester United and Southampton, plus a goal and an assist in the home win over Liverpool means he had a fantastic week.
Striker: Olivier Giroud
Arsenal’s other two goals against Newcastle came courtesy of France international frontman Giroud. His second was a brilliant outside of the boot finish. We never got tired of watching the replay, nor the highlights of the match.
