Premier League Team of the Week XI

The last Premier League gameweek before Christmas is over – who will be having a season of good cheer and who will be crying into their snowballs?

Teams such as Aston Villa, Liverpool and Manchester City all picked up big wins – did any of their players make it into our weekly best XI? Let’s take a look.

GK: Bart Verbruggen

Brighton were unable to defeat a depleted Sunderland outfit at home on Saturday – without a few excellent saves from Bart Verbruggen, it could’ve been worse.

The Seagulls’ disorganised defence didn’t give him too much protection, but thankfully, Verbruggen was switched on through the contest and kept a clean sheet.

RB: Matheus Nunes

Matheus Nunes has taken to his new position at right-back like a duck to water. He put in another top-quality display against West Ham United at the weekend, keeping a clean sheet and registering an assist.

Nunes looked like a poor signing upon his arrival at Manchester City, but Pep Guardiola has found a way to make him work in the system.

CB: Dan Ballard

Dan Ballard put in another no-nonsense display against Brighton – he made sure the Seagulls couldn’t mount a threat.

Ballard has been one of Sunderland’s most important players this season. A true leader at the back, he cleared everything that came his way.

CB: Piero Hincapie

Piero Hincapie is continuing to stake his claim in the Arsenal first team as he put forth another battling display at centre-back against Everton.

The Toffees have been in strong form recently, but Arsenal rose to the occasion – Hincapie was at the heart of their defence as they kept another clean sheet and a win on the road.

LB: Riccardo Calafiori

Likewise, Riccardo Calafiori also had a challenge on his hands against a physical Everton outfit, but was ready for everything the Toffees could throw at him.

It was far from a vintage performance from the Gunners, but their backline – Calafiori included – was practically faultless.