Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham all represented in Premier League team of the week
London trio Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham all lay down early markers for the Premier League season as they secured opening weekend wins, but it's a Fulham star who takes home the player of the week award. With Newcastle, Bournemouth and Brighton also represented, we take a look through the first Premier League team of the week of the 2022/23 campaign.
Edouard Mendy (Chelsea) - 7.66
It's fair to say Edouard Mendy has endured a dip in performance levels in 2022, but he started 2022/23 with a clean sheet and a spot in the Premier League team of the week having garnered a WhoScored rating of 7.66 in Chelsea's 1-0 win at Everton. Mendy wasn't frequently called upon at Goodison Park, yet did what was needed to help the Blues to all the spoils, making three saves as Chelsea ended their poor run at Everton in the process.
The first of two Arsenal players in the team of the week following their 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Friday night, Ben White was solid at right-back for the Gunners at Selhurst Park. White made more tackles (8) than any other player in the first round of Premier League fixtures as he dealt with the Palace left flank well. The 24-year-old also played the ball out impressively, finding a teammate with 94.6% of his 37 attempted passes to return a WhoScored rating of 7.71.
Fabian Schar (Newcastle) - 8.68
Fabian Schar kicks off the Newcastle trio in the Premier League team of the week following the Magpies' 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon. Schar scored Newcastle's first league goal of the season, firing past Dean Henderson from distance. The Swiss centre-back defended well as he made four clearances, three interceptions and two tackles to contribute towards his inclusion with a WhoScored rating of 8.68.
Lloyd Kelly (Bournemouth) - 8.16 rating
Bournemouth sprung an upset on the opening weekend of the season as they secured a 2-0 win over Aston Villa. Defender Lloyd Kelly was the star man in Saturday's victory, earning a WhoScored rating of 8.16 in the process. Kelly provided the assist for Kieffer Moore's late goal that got the Cherries over the line and was sound defensively, make 11 clearances, to partner Schar at the heart of the defence.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal) - 8.08 rating
Rounding off the backline is the second Arsenal player to make the cut. Oleksandr Zinchenko enjoyed an excellent Premier League debut for the Gunners, providing the assist for Gabriel Martinelli's first half opener at Selhurst Park. That assist came from one of two key passes, while defensively, the Ukrainian put in a solid shift, making five tackles and three interceptions to secure a WhoScored rating of 8.08.
Dejan Kulusevski (Tottenham) - 8.59 rating
Dejan Kulusevski continues to go from strength to strength under Antonio Conte and he stars in the Premier League team of the week after a stand out display for Tottenham against Southampton. The Swede provided the assist for Ryan Sessegnon's first half equaliser, and then got on the scoresheet himself late on to wrap up the 4-1 victory, those coming from respective returns of three key passes and two shots.
Joelinton (Newcastle) - 8.69 rating
The primary success story of Eddie Howe's appointment, Joelinton started the 2022/23 season strongly as he makes the Premier League team of the week with a WhoScored rating of 8.69. The Brazilian provided the assist for Callum Wilson's goal late on against Nottingham Forest, that coming from one of three key passes. Four successul dribbles, two interceptions and one tackle saw the former Hoffenheim man make a superb start to the campaign.
Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle) - 8.18
Joining Joelinton in the middle of the park is compatriot and Newcastle teammate Bruno Guimaraes. The January arrival anchored the midfield well for the Magpies in Saturday's 2-0 win, making three tackles. The 24-year-old drove forward from midfield well, too, as he completed five dribbles to round off the Newcastle contingent with a WhoScored rating of 8.18.
Son Heung-Min (Tottenham) - 8.11
The second Tottenham man in the Premier League team of the week, Son Heung-Min bagged his first assist of the campaign in Spurs' 4-1 win over Southampton, turning provider for Eric Dier on the half hour mark. Son's assist came from one of four key passes, and he was clearly desperate to get that first goal, too, mustering four shots to feature on the left.
Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham) - 9.61
With a WhoScored rating of 9.61, Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is the Premier League player of the week. Mitrovic netted either side of half time as the Cottagers sprung an upset on the opening weekend of the campaign in their 2-2 draw with Liverpool. The Serb found a way past Alisson with two of three shots, and won more aerial duels (11) than five teams in gameweek one to star in this XI.
Danny Welbeck (Brighton) - 8.15
Partnering Mitrovic on the frontline, Danny Welbeck was a thorn in the side of the Manchester United defence on Sunday afternoon as Brighton earned their first ever win at Old Trafford. Welbeck provided the assist for the first of Pascal Groß's two goals at United, that coming from one of three key passes. Welbeck also defended well from the front as he made three tackles to complete the Premier League team of the week with a WhoScored rating of 8.15.
