Our Premier League team of the week is back in 2025/26 for the first time. Here are our standouts from the opening weekend of the competition.
Goalkeeper: David Raya – Arsenal
A good keeper can make the difference and the 1-0 victory of Arsenal at Manchester United proved better than most. While the Blunder of Altay Bayindir Arsenal gave the decisive goal, the Gunners had their own David Raya on the other side.
No goalkeeper has made more saves this weekend than Raya (7), with his reflex stop by Matheus Cunha perhaps the best of the opening matches of the Premier League.
David Raya made more Saves than any other goalkeeper (7) during the opening weekend of the Premier League š®š pic.twitter.com/uygmp71huy
– ESPN UK (@ESSPNUK) August 17, 2025
Right back: Josh ACEAMPONG-CHELSEA
Established as a late replacement for Tosin Adarabioyo, the performance of Josh Achampong Enzo Maresca could cause his desire to reconsider a new center-back.
The 19-year-old remains a work in progress, but was excellent in the scoreless draw with Crystal Palace. He was full of confidence forward along the right when Reece James turned to midfield and won 9/12 defending duels.
Center-back: Dan Ballard-Sunderland
A hero of the Sunderland play-off campaign and another protagonist during the astonishing success of the club on their return to the Premier League. Ballard was defensively outstanding with nine clearance, including one of the goal line, and a 100% success rate in ground matches (4/4).
On the other hand, he scored the second of Sunderland with a brilliant header, while the black cats west Ham 3-0 on Wearside.
Big Dan Ballard ššŖ pic.twitter.com/iiski3mzxb
– Sunderland AFC (@sunderlandAFC) August 16, 2025
Center-Back: and Burn-Newcastle
It is an all-north East coupling at the back with then burn immense in Newcastle’s draw in Aston Villa.
Burns barely gave amperte teammate Ollie Watkins a pinch, won six air duels and brought a number of crucial challenges.
Left-Back: Rayan Ait-Nouri-Manchester City
Wolves were well aware of the threat of Rayan Ait-Nouri, but could not do much to stop their former favorite.
Ait-Nouri had an impressive Premier League debut against his old side and led his teammates for tackles, approvals and interceptions. De Algerijn has added a more traditional left back to Pep Guardiola’s team and looks good.
Rayan AĆÆt-Nouri had more accents (96), made more tackles (6), made more clearings (6) and made more interceptions (3) than any other player against wolves.
An impressive Premier League debut for Man City against his former side. š pic.twitter.com/vh5g31layg
– Squawka (@squawka) August 16, 2025
Midfield: Elliot Anderson – Nottingham Forest
Did Anderson won the assist of the season during the opening weekend?
His first sliding arrangement to release Chris Wood against Brentford, was something with beauty, the newest highlight for a midfielder who is getting better in Forest.
Just the start we wanted! š„ š„ pic.twitter.com/6WTWR66YWF
– Elliot Anderson (@elljanderon) August 17, 2025
A call-up in England, especially for Anderson on this form.
Midfield: Tijjani Reijnders – Manchester City
A dream debut for the Midfielder of Manchester City. Reijnders opened the game for the opener at Wolves, with a beautiful slalom run and lofted pass in Rico Lewis.
He doubled the management with a fresh finish for the second, before he prepared Erling for the third. The Dutchman is the first player of Manchester City who scores and helps with debut since Sergio Aguero in 2011. Superb.
Midfield: Morgan Gibbs-White-Nottingham Forest
How forest fans will be relieved that their club has succeeded in holding Morgan Gibbs-White. The midfielder was beautiful in the 3-1 victory over Brentford, with the midfield trio of the English International, Elliot Anderson and Ibrahima Sangare full of class.
He received his first assist of the season with a wonderful cross for Dan Ndoye to go home and was full of invention all afternoon.
Forward: Richarlison – Tottenham Hotspur
Followed an impressive outing in the UEFA Super Cup with a striking show to set up his claim to be Tottenham’s number nine.
The Brazilian led in a brilliant opener of the cross of Mohammed Kudus, before he scored a spectacular scissor-kick second as the same two players again combined.
Purpose of the season already? pic.twitter.com/ojqxm3ZV2Y
– Tottenham Hotspur (@spursofficial) August 16, 2025
In addition to his two goals, he worked tirelessly from possession to lead the press.
Forward: Hugo Ekitike – Liverpool
Marked his Premier League debut with a goal after setting up last week’s community shield.
The Frenchman kept his cool when the goal of Bournemouth and later became the provider for Cody Gakpo to double the management. He immediately made an impression at Anfield.
Forward: Erling Haaland – Manchester City
Erling Haaland just likes to play in August. The Norwegian resumed the normal service for the opening month of the Premier League with two clinical goals in the 4-0 victory of Manchester City at Wolves.
Haaland has now scored 21 Premier League goals in August, in just 12 games. Absurd.
Read – The Premier League returns, Isak runs away and West Ham -Frude
See more – Nine things that we are enthusiastic about for the 2025/26 season
Follow the football believers on social media:
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Tap
#Premier #League #Team #Week #Raya #Ballard #Reijnders