Our latest Premier League Team of the Week has arrived, featuring Wolves’ teenage talent, Brentford’s hat-trick hero and Arsenal’s heartbeat in midfield.
Goalkeeper: Robin Roefs – Sunderland
Another solid performance from Sunderland’s shot-stopper, who controlled his penalty area well for Tottenham and was good with his distribution. The Sunderland backline was impressive as a unit for him, although the Dutchman did everything that was asked of him in North London. One of the bargains of the campaign.
Right back: Lewis Miley – Newcastle
It’s easy to forget that Lewis Miley is only 19 years old. A flawless performance from the teenager helped Newcastle to a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, with the youngster continuing to excel from the right-back position.
He led his teammates for duels won (9), dribbles (5) and passes (59), not misplacing a single pass for 100% accuracy throughout the match at St James’ Park. An amazing talent.
Lewis Miley completed all 59/59 passes today; the best 100% rate of any player in a Premier League match this season 🌟
Accurate 🎯 pic.twitter.com/1qJbaNzlgD
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 4, 2026
Centre-back: Nathan Collins – Brentford
Led Brentford to a big win at Everton. Collins took advantage of a non-existent scoreline to nod in the Bees’ second in the 4-2 win, with one of the easiest goals he could have wished for.
He claimed an assist late in the fourth and found the unmarked Igor Thiago in space for a breakaway goal. A nice afternoon of work.
Center back: Malick Thiaw – Newcastle
Another top performance from one of the signings of the season. The German defended with his usual class in Newcastle’s victory over Crystal Palace, making ten miscues, five tackles and winning 100% of his ground duels (5/5) to keep a clean sheet.
At the other end, he crossed into the second innings, sealing an important three points for the Magpies.
Left back: Ferdi Kadioglu – Brighton
Kadioglu’s influence was felt at both ends in Brighton’s 2-0 win over Burnley. The Turkish international’s set pieces were threatening as he created three chances, while a goal-line goal kept the Seagulls’ clean sheet.
Midfield: Youri Tielemans – Aston Villa
Ran the show for Aston Villa. Unai Emery’s midfield metronome completed just four fewer passes than the entire Nottingham Forest team in the first half at Villa Park, finishing the match with Premier League season highs for final third passes completed (50) and line-breaking passes (32).
In addition, Tielemans led his teammates to ball contacts and successful passes in a masterclass in midfield.
32 – Youri Tielemans made 32 line-breaking passes against Nottingham Forest; the most of any player in a Premier League match in 2025-2026. Class. pic.twitter.com/jN5nuh3w5m
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 3, 2026
Midfield: Declan Rice – Arsenal
Mikel Arteta believes Declan Rice is now one of the best midfielders in the world, and it’s hard to argue with that.
On his return from injury, Rice was the difference as Arsenal survived a scare to beat Bournemouth. His first ever Premier League brace, at a time of need, highlighted his status as a leader for the top flight.
Midfield: Mateus Mane – Wolves
Should Wolves fail to perform a miracle this season and survive, you can expect interest to arise in Mateus Mane. The teenager has been very positive in the club’s mini-revival and was the star performer in Wolves’ first win of the season against West Ham.
18 years old. Control the match.
Matoe Mane played the lead role @Wolves’first win of the season 👊 pic.twitter.com/czqrNZG2Yf
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 3, 2026
Mane’s livewire performance saw him involved in the opening goal with a clever turn and run, before the 18-year-old fired a low effort into the third inside Alphonse Areola’s near post. He is now Wolves’ youngest ever Premier League goalscorer.
Right: John McGinn – Aston Villa
McGinn scored twice as Aston Villa returned to victory against Nottingham Forest. The Scottish midfielder slotted in for Villa’s second goal, before rounding off the 3-1 win with a third from distance.
McGinn showed excellent awareness and technique to take advantage of Carlos Miguel’s mistake, whipping in from long range.
Left: Hwang Hee-chan – Wolves
Much improved. Hwang assisted an early opener in Wolves’ win over West Ham, leaving Konstantinos Mavropanos for dead with a transfer before coming on for Jhon Arias.
He calmly tucked in the second from the spot, and Wolves will hope the injury that forced him off the pitch is not serious.
Forward: Igor Thiago – Brentford
What a season this man is having. Thiago dismantled Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and scored a hat-trick to take him to 14 goals in the Premier League this season.
The Brazilian’s power and pace made James Tarkowski and Michael Keane look older, in the kind of performance Everton have long lacked from a number nine.
Igor Thiago with some souvenirs to take home. pic.twitter.com/SoUnPsXVlJ
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) January 4, 2026
Where does Brentford continue to find its goalscorers?
Read – The longest wait for a win at the start of a Premier League season
See more – Moments that made it to the Premier League: Man United sign Cantona from Leeds
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