Two Arsenal gamers and one former Gunners teen have made it into the Premier League Groups of the Week after the opening spherical of fixtures.
Troy Deeney’s Staff of the Week for Matchday 1 of 2025/26
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Troy Deeney has picked two Arsenal gamers for his Premier League Staff of the Week, with and each making it into his aspect.
On Raya, Deeney highlights the goalkeeper’s eight photographs saved, including: “The one all the way down to his left-hand aspect was sensational – if that goes in, it modifications the course of the sport. He’s going to be the inspiration for Arsenal.”
As for Saliba, Deeney explains that the centre-back produced a strong efficiency as “the rock of that defence”. He went on to say Saliba “didn’t put a foot incorrect and confirmed his class once more”.
WhoScored’s Premier League Staff of the Week for Matchday 1 of 2025/26
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Raya additionally made it into the WhoScored Staff of the Week, incomes an 8.17 score for his efficiency. Once more, the goalkeeper’s save depend was doubtless behind his inclusion, with nobody making extra within the opening spherical of fixtures.
The Spaniard additionally made one profitable punch and two excessive claims, significantly noteworthy on a day when spilled an tried punch on to Riccardo Calafiori for Arsenal’s profitable purpose.
Picture by Michael Regan/Getty Pictures
Each the BBC and the WhoScored groups additionally included former Arsenal teen .
Ballard earned a 9.22 score on WhoScored’s web site as their highest-rated participant of all the weekend, with the centre-back scoring and serving to promoted Sunderland to a hard-earned clear sheet in opposition to West Ham United.
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Regardless of a decade and a half in Arsenal’s academy, it’s been a protracted look forward to Ballard to play Premier League soccer. He spent the final six seasons taking part in in League Two, League One, and the Championship earlier than ultimately serving to Sunderland to win promotion.
Now 25, the Northern Eire centre-back has earned his alternative to show himself on the high degree. His debut efficiency suggests he’s able to take that likelihood.