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Premier League Team of the Week: Robin van Persie & Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain star as Arsenal feature heavily
Wolves trio Wayne Hennessey, Kevin Doyle and Roger Johnson also appear after the 2-1 away win over QPR, while Spurs' Kyle Walker makes his TOTW debut following Liverpool draw
Feb 7, 2012 8:00:00 AM
Getty Images
Arsenal dominate this week’s best XI following Saturday’s 7-1 rout of Blackburn Rovers, with no fewer than four of Arsene Wenger’s men making the cut.
Hat-trick hero Robin van Persie brought his total to 22 Premier League goals for the season at the Emirates, and the Dutchman makes his eighth TOTW appearance so far in the current campaign.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s performance drew equally as much attention as his captain's, with the 18-year-old’s superb double securing a place in our XI for the second time, whilst fellow wideman Theo Walcott is also included.
Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien provided a dynamic display despite his side’s inability to hold on to a 3-0 lead at Stamford Bridge against Manchester United and is rewarded for his efforts, with team-mate Juan Mata just failing to make the grade despite the Spaniard’s sublime finish for the Blues' second goal.
The Ghanaian is joined in midfield by QPR’s Adel Taraabt, who makes his TOTW debut following a promising display against Wolves, although Mark Hughes’ men were unable to hold off Mick McCarthy’s side as they fell to a 2-1 defeat - centre-back Roger Johnson lines up in defence following the victory at Loftus Road.
The 28-year-old is partnered by Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny, who edges out team-mate Per Mertesacker, Swansea’s Steven Caulker and Wigan duo Emmerson Boyce and Gary Caldwell.
Kyle Walker fills the right-back slot after an impressive defensive display in Tottenham’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool at Anfield, while Neil Taylor lines up at left-back following the Swans’ 2-1 away win against West Brom on Saturday.
Welsh stopper Wayne Hennessey sees off competition from Norwich City’s John Ruddy to secure the No.1 spot, and striker Kevin Doyle’s match-winning performance completes a Wolves trio in our TOTW.
Honourable mentions go to Steven Pienaar, Danny Guthrie and Gylfi Sigurdsson after sterling showings in midfield for Everton, Newcastle and Swansea respectively, while Wayne Rooney’s penalty double against Chelsea and Bobby Zamora’s debut goal for QPR were not enough to see the striking duo included.
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Hat-trick hero Robin van Persie brought his total to 22 Premier League goals for the season at the Emirates, and the Dutchman makes his eighth TOTW appearance so far in the current campaign.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s performance drew equally as much attention as his captain's, with the 18-year-old’s superb double securing a place in our XI for the second time, whilst fellow wideman Theo Walcott is also included.
Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien provided a dynamic display despite his side’s inability to hold on to a 3-0 lead at Stamford Bridge against Manchester United and is rewarded for his efforts, with team-mate Juan Mata just failing to make the grade despite the Spaniard’s sublime finish for the Blues' second goal.
The Ghanaian is joined in midfield by QPR’s Adel Taraabt, who makes his TOTW debut following a promising display against Wolves, although Mark Hughes’ men were unable to hold off Mick McCarthy’s side as they fell to a 2-1 defeat - centre-back Roger Johnson lines up in defence following the victory at Loftus Road.
The 28-year-old is partnered by Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny, who edges out team-mate Per Mertesacker, Swansea’s Steven Caulker and Wigan duo Emmerson Boyce and Gary Caldwell.
Kyle Walker fills the right-back slot after an impressive defensive display in Tottenham’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool at Anfield, while Neil Taylor lines up at left-back following the Swans’ 2-1 away win against West Brom on Saturday.
Welsh stopper Wayne Hennessey sees off competition from Norwich City’s John Ruddy to secure the No.1 spot, and striker Kevin Doyle’s match-winning performance completes a Wolves trio in our TOTW.
Honourable mentions go to Steven Pienaar, Danny Guthrie and Gylfi Sigurdsson after sterling showings in midfield for Everton, Newcastle and Swansea respectively, while Wayne Rooney’s penalty double against Chelsea and Bobby Zamora’s debut goal for QPR were not enough to see the striking duo included.
| HENNESSEY |
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| WOLVES |
| vs QPR (A) |
| Player Rating: 7.5 |
| TOTW Apps: 1 |
| WALKER | JOHNSON | KOSCIELNY |
TAYLOR |
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 |
 |
 |
| TOTTENHAM |
WOLVES |
ARSENAL | SWANSEA |
| vs Liverpool (A) | vs QPR (A) | vs Blackburn (H) |
vs West Brom (A) |
| Player Rating: 7 | Player Rating: 7.5 | Player Rating: 7 | Player Rating: 7.0 |
| TOTW Apps: 1 |
TOTW Apps: 2 |
TOTW Apps: 1 |
TOTW Apps: 1 |
| OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN | ESSIEN | TAARABT |
WALCOTT |
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 |
 |
 |
| ARSENAL |
CHELSEA |
QPR | Arsenal |
| vs Blackburn (H) | vs Manchester United (H) | vs Wolves (H) |
vs Blackburn (H) |
| Player Rating: 9 | Player Rating: 8 | Player Rating: 8 | Player Rating: 8.5 |
| TOTW Apps: 2 |
TOTW Apps: 1 |
TOTW Apps: 1 |
TOTW Apps: 1 |
| VAN PERSIE | DOYLE |
||
 |
 |
||
| |
ARSENAL |
WOLVES |
|
| |
vs Blackburn (H) | vs QPR (A) |
|
| |
Player Rating: 9 | Player Rating: 8.5 | |
| TOTW Apps: 8 |
TOTW Apps: 1 |
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|
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