⚽ When Clean Sheets Became Extinct
Right, let me get this straight — four matches, ZERO clean sheets, and enough defensive chaos to make you question if anyone’s actually practicing at training. This week’s EPL Best XI is basically a love letter to the goalkeepers and center-backs who somehow kept things from becoming absolute carnage.
Arsenal squeezed past West Ham with that narrow 1-0 win, making them the only side who managed to keep the opposition off the scoresheet. Everyone else? Drawing like they’re allergic to three points. But here’s the thing — when the matches are this tight, you get to see who’s actually got the minerals when it matters most.
⚽ Team of the Week
Let’s start with the absolute hero of the week, and honestly, if you watched Arsenal’s match, you already know where I’m going with this.
The only keeper to actually get a clean sheet this week, and it wasn’t handed to him on a silver platter. West Ham tested him repeatedly, and he answered every single question like he was sitting his A-levels.
How is anyone arguing against Raya being in this team? The Spanish wall made crucial saves that kept Arsenal’s slender lead intact when West Ham were pushing hard for an equalizer. While everyone else was shipping goals left and right, Raya was out here reminding us what a goalkeeper’s actually supposed to do.
Absolutely immense at the back for Arsenal. Won everything in the air, cut out dangerous balls, and was the reason West Ham’s forwards spent most of the match in his pocket rather than troubling Raya.
Yeah, I’ve got two Arsenal defenders in here, and I’m not apologizing for it. When you’re the only team to keep a clean sheet, you deserve the recognition. Gabriel was reading West Ham’s attacks like he had the script beforehand, positioning himself perfectly and dominating physically when needed.
Controversial pick? Maybe. But hear me out — the man was an absolute rock against Palace, making vital interceptions and keeping Everton in the match when they could’ve easily collapsed.
Listen, Everton drew 2-2, so you might be wondering why Tarkowski’s in here. But watch the match back and count how many times he bailed out his teammates with last-ditch defending. Without him, that scoreline could’ve been embarrassing. Sometimes the best defenders shine brightest when their team’s struggling, and that was Tarkowski all over.
Two goals in a 2-2 draw at Burnley? That’s exactly what Villa needed from their main man. Clinical finishing and constant movement that had Burnley’s defense chasing shadows all afternoon.
Watkins is the kind of striker who makes picking this EPL Best XI easy. Both goals were quality finishes, and he was unlucky not to grab a hat-trick. While his teammates couldn’t hold onto the lead, you absolutely cannot fault Watkins for effort or execution.
Absolutely bossed the midfield at Turf Moor. Breaking up play, driving forward with the ball, and providing the platform for Villa’s attacking players to operate.
Right, this might be my most controversial pick, so let me defend it properly. Onana was everywhere against Burnley — winning tackles, intercepting passes, and transitioning defense to attack with his powerful running. Anyone else would’ve picked him too, right? The lad’s becoming the complete midfielder Villa fans hoped he’d be.
⚽ Unlucky Omissions
Look, picking just eleven players when matches are this competitive means some genuinely brilliant performances get left out. These lads deserved better than the bench, but that’s football for you.
Created chances out of nothing for Palace and was their most dangerous player going forward. On another day with better finishing from teammates, we’re talking about him running the show.
Eze’s creativity was top-notch, and it genuinely hurts leaving him out. The problem? Too many quality midfielders this week, and the ones who got in just edged it with their complete performances. But trust me, Eze was this close to making it.
Made several important saves to keep Forest in the match against Newcastle. Without him, that 1-1 draw becomes a loss, simple as that.
Sels was fantastic, but when you’re up against a goalkeeper who actually kept a clean sheet, it’s tough to make the argument. If this Team of the Week had substitutes, he’d be first name on the list.
⚽ Fan Mood Check
Three points and a clean sheet while everyone else is dropping points? Arsenal supporters are loving life right now and already calculating title implications.
Watkins scores twice and they still can’t win? Villa fans are tearing their hair out over defensive lapses that keep costing them vital points.
A point away from home isn’t terrible, but the defensive issues that led to Palace’s goals have supporters concerned about what’s coming next.
⚽ Hot Issues
Is the league becoming too defensive, or are we just witnessing brilliant attacking play being matched by excellent defending? Four matches, three draws, and only one clean sheet tells an interesting story about balance.
West Ham’s attacking troubles continue — blanked again despite having chances. When does patience with the forwards run out, and do they need reinforcements in the next window?
So there you have it — this week’s EPL Best XI built on solid defending and clinical finishing where it mattered. Arsenal’s clean sheet heroes dominate the back, while Watkins reminds everyone why he’s one of the league’s most reliable strikers.
Agree with my picks? Absolutely fuming I left someone out? That’s what makes these Team of the Week debates so brilliant. See you next week when hopefully we get some proper winners instead of this draw-fest!