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Premier League Team of the Week: Hat-trick hero Cazorla makes fifth appearance for Arsenal this season
18-Dec-2012 12:50:00 PM
The Spaniard is joined in our side by debutant Lukas Podolski, while Tottenham duo Jan Vertonghen and Kyle Walker also make the cut after the 1-0 win over Swansea
Santi Cazorla features in our TOTW for the fifth time this season following his hat-trick in Arsenal's 5-2 victory over Reading on Monday, as the Gunners pulled within two points of the top four.The Spaniard is joined by team-mate Lukas Podolski, who makes his debut in our XI after opening the scoring at the Madejski Stadium.
Three players feature from Sunday's clash at White Hart Lane where Tottenham saw off Swansea 1-0. Jan Vertonghen's late strike earned victory and he lines up in defence alongside fellow stopper Kyle Walker. Swans' captain Ashley Williams joins the Belgian at centre-back following his valiant display for the Welsh outfit.
Robin van Persie makes the cut after helping Manchester United see off Sunderland 3-1 and maintain their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table. Rivals Manchester City beat Newcastle by the same scoreline, with goalkeeper Joe Hart impressing.
Aston Villa duo Christian Benteke and Nathan Baker are included in our TOTW after helping their side to a 3-1 win against Liverpool. The Belgian striker grabbed two goals and one assist at Anfield, with the young defender completing our back line.
Adel Taarabat inspired QPR to their first win of the season with a double in the 2-1 victory over Fulham, while Wes Hoolahan rounds off our XI after he helped Norwich beat Wigan on Saturday.
Ashley Young, Anthony Pilkington and Stephane Mbia all just miss the cut, with Swansea goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel also unfortunate not to be included.
| HART |
 |
| MAN CITY |
| vs Newcastle (A) |
Rating:    |
| TOTW Apps: 2 |
| WALKER | VERTONGHEN | WILLIAMS | BAKER |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| TOTTENHAM |
TOTTENHAM |
SWANSEA |
ASTON VILLA |
| vs Swansea (H) | vs Swansea (H) | vs Tottenham (A) |
vs Liverpool (A) |
| Rating: |
Rating: |
Rating: |
Rating: |
| TOTW Apps: 1 |
TOTW Apps: 5 |
TOTW Apps: 2 |
TOTW Apps: 1 |
| CAZORLA | TAARABT | HOOLAHAN |
 |
 |
 |
| ARSENAL |
QPR | NORWICH |
| vs Reading (A) | vs Fulham (H) | vs Wigan (H) |
| Rating: |
Rating: |
Rating: |
| TOTW Apps: 5 |
TOTW Apps: 1 |
TOTW Apps: 2 |
| VAN PERSIE | BENTEKE | PODOLSKI |
 |
 |
 |
| MAN UNITED |
ASTON VILLA |
ARSENAL |
| vs Sunderland (H) | vs Liverpool (A) | vs Reading (A) |
| Rating: |
Rating: |
Rating: |
| TOTW Apps: 4 |
TOTW Apps: 2 |
TOTW Apps: 1 |
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