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Premier League Team of the Week: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain & Antonio Valencia star alongside hat-trick hero Clint Dempsey
The Arsenal youngster is joined by Laurent Koscielny in our best XI, despite Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United, with Robbie Keane also featuring following his weekend brace
Arsenal duo Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Laurent Koscielny both feature in this week’s best XI, despite Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United, with Antonio Valencia the only Red Devil to make the cut.
Despite the loss at the Emirates, Oxlade-Chamberlain gave a fine showing in his first Premier League start for the club, providing the assist for Robin van Persie’s equalising goal, before the 18-year-old was replaced by Andrey Arshavin, much to the dismay of the home crowd.
Koscielny makes his third TOTW appearance this season in defence, whilst United’s Valencia is rewarded for his efforts which saw him head home to hand Sir Alex Ferguson’s side a half-time lead, before his majestic run provided Danny Welbeck with the chance to secure all three points.
Welbeck and Van Persie both miss out despite their goalscoring exploits, with Robbie Keane’s two-goal brace for Aston Villa ensuring his inclusion, while he is partnered up front by Sunderland’s Stephan Sessegnon, whose sublime opening goal at the Stadium of Light set Martin O’Neill’s side on their way to a 2-0 victory over Swansea.
Fulham’s hat-trick hero Clint Dempsey also makes the cut in midfield, and he is joined by Blackburn’s Steven N’Zonzi, after the 23-year-old helped Rovers to a point away to Everton.
Manchester City’s Micah Richards is the only inclusion for the league leaders despite their 3-2 victory over Tottenham, whilst Clint Hill also features following QPR’s 3-1 win over fellow relegation strugglers Wigan in Mark Hughes’ first game in charge at Loftus Road.
Norwich City pair John Ruddy and Zak Whitbread complete our TOTW in goal and at centre-back respectively, with Blackburn’s defensive trio of Scott Dann, Gael Givet and Jason Lowe all just missing out.
Honourable mentions must go to Everton’s Tim Cahill, who bagged his first goal since December 2010, Spurs’ Gareth Bale, QPR’s Akos Buzsaky, Wolves pair Michael Kightly and Emmanuel Frimpong, as well as Fulham striking duo Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson.
| RUDDY |
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| NORWICH |
| vs Chelsea (H) |
| Player Rating: 8 |
| TOTW Apps: 3 |
| RICHARDS | WHITBREAD | KOSCIELNY |
HILL |
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| MAN CITY |
NORWICH |
ARSENAL | QPR |
| vs Tottenham (H) | vs Chelsea (H) | vs Man Utd (H) |
vs Wigan (H) |
| Player Rating: 7 | Player Rating: 8 | Player Rating: 7.5 | Player Rating: 7 |
| TOTW Apps: 4 |
TOTW Apps: 1 |
TOTW Apps: 3 |
TOTW Apps: 1 |
| NZONZI |
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| BLACKBURN |
| vs Everton (A) |
| Player Rating: 8 |
| TOTW Apps: 1 |
| VALENCIA |
DEMPSEY | OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN |
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| MAN UNITED |
FULHAM | ARSENAL |
| vs Arsenal (A) | vs Newcastle (H) |
vs Man United (H) |
| Player Rating: 8 | Player Rating: 9 | Player Rating: 8 |
| TOTW Apps: 5 |
TOTW Apps: 2 |
TOTW Apps: 1 |
| SESSEGNON | KEANE |
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SUNDERLAND |
ASTON VILLA |
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vs Swansea (H) | vs Wolves (A) |
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Player Rating: 8 | Player Rating: 8.5 | |
| TOTW Apps: 3 |
TOTW Apps: 1 |
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