Premier League Team of the Week: Danny Welbeck, Cesc Fabregas feature

Danny Welbeck and Cesc Fabregas feature in the best XI from matchweek 4 of the 2017-18 Premier League season.

Danny Welbeck and Cesc Fabregas justified their managers’ decisions to give them a start, as Arsenal and Chelsea both won in the fourth week of the new Premier League season.

The most impressive win of the week belonged to Manchester City after they trounced Liverpool 5-0. City got terrific performances from striker Gabriel Jesus, playmaker Kevin De Bruyne and versatile defender Danilo.

Find out who made the team of the week after the fourth round of fixtures:

Goalkeeper: Rob Elliot, Newcastle

Magpies manager Rafa Benitez had enough confidence in Rob Elliot to justify letting Tim Krul move on transfer deadline day. His confidence was rewarded by the Republic of Ireland international during Newcastle’s 1-0 away win over Swansea on Sunday.

Elliot made a string of smart saves to frustrate the Swans. He kept Newcastle in it long enough for the away side to snatch a late goal with 14 minutes left.

Then it was down to Newcastle’s stopper to stay stubborn as Swansea piled on late pressure. Elliot proved up to the task and kept a second clean sheet in a row to help Newcastle earn a second win on the spin.

Defender: Jamaal Lascelles, Newcastle

Eliot may have preserved Newcastle’s win, but the three points were only made possible by Jamaal Lascelles. His 76th-minute header proved the difference and also capped a commanding display from the former Nottingham Forest centre-back.

Lascelles was quick on the deck, timed his tackles well and stayed strong in the air. Being strong in every area has become a common trait for the 23-year-old who has matured rapidly with the Magpies.

Lascelles has earned the captain’s armband and is playing like the talisman at the back Benitez will need to lean on this season.

Defender: Danilo, Manchester City

The City defence was shaky early on against Liverpool. Manager Pep Guardiola’s back three always  looked vulnerable to the Reds’ pace from wide areas.

But those problems had little to do with Danilo. The Brazilian full-back was pressed into action as an auxiliary central defender when skipper Vincent Kompany predictably succumbed to yet another injury.

It was a role Danilo took to well, even if City spend most of the match playing against 10 men after Sadio Mane’s red card. His recovery pace was an asset whenever Liverpool tried to strike on the break. He was also the most assured distributor of the ball along City’s defence.

Danilo’s efficiency in possession was made clear by these numbers from Squawka Football:

Danilo didn’t really get a fair shake with Real Madrid. Fans were more enamoured with Spain international Dani Carvajal.

Yet the ultra-flexible South American may prove to be the best of the big-money imports City added to defence this summer.

Defender: Stephen Ward, Burnley

Stephen Ward has already enjoyed a great start to the new season. His spectacular goal sent Burnley on the way to a shock opening-day win over Chelsea. The veteran full-back was also excellent in helping the Clarets beat Crystal Palace 1-0 at Turf Moor on Sunday.

Ward raided the flank tirelessly and teased in several quality crosses strikers Chris Wood and Sam Voakes should have made more of. But it wasn’t just about what he did going forward.

The 32-year-old also marked tightly to help limit the threat Palace posed on the wings. No wide player found it easy to get a cross in from Ward’s side.

Ward is undoubtedly one of the unsung heroes of Burnley’s strong start.

Midfielder: Mesut Ozil, Arsenal

Welbeck got the goals in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Bournemouth, but the plaudits belonged to Mesut Ozil. The languid playmaker was imperious against the Cherries, serenely gliding through midfield to thread the Gunners’ typically slick passing moves together.

Ozil regularly found the pockets of space to be the spare man whenever Arsenal were in possession. He was available for the ball and used it wonderfully, showcasing the classy touches, perception and subtlety at the heart of his game.

His stylish display was aptly summed up by Charles Watts of Football.London:

"And against Bournemouth he delivered a performance as good as you will see from any playmaker in the Premier League this season."

Ozil has to do this more consistently, but there’s no doubt he is a joy to watch when in the mood.

Midfielder: Pascal Gross, Brighton

It’s taken a while, but Pascal Gross finally showed Brighton fans what a classy talent he is. The German schemer bagged a brace to help see off West Brom 3-0 on Saturday.

His first finish hinted at the technical quality the 26-year-old can exude. He controlled the ball well, took a touch and slotted home after resisting the urge to shoot first time.

Aside from his goals, Gross ghosted between the midfield and forward lines where the Baggies found him impossible to track. In fact, he gave Paris Saint-Germain loanee Grzegorz Krychowiak the run around.

Gross cost the Seagulls just £3 million from Ingolstadt in the summer. The deal already looks like one of the bargains of the transfer window.

Next: Chelsea sneak back into title race without fuss or controversy

Midfielder: Mikel Merino, Newcastle

Gross wasn’t the only Premier League newcomer to boss midfield this weekend. Newcastle’s Spanish playmaker Mikel Merino did the same.

On loan from Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund, Merino was a cut above against Swansea. He outshone the Swans’ more touted midfielders, Renato Sanches and Sam Clucas.

While Newcastle weren’t particularly progressive at the Liberty Stadium, they were patient in possession. The patience came from Merino’s assured and thoughtful use of the ball.

Relying on the polished technique from his left foot, Merino rarely wasted a pass, nor did he shirk his defensive responsibilities, per Squawka Football:

If he produce performances like this regularly, Merino will quickly become the creative hub of a team desperately in need of more quality going forward.

Midfielder: Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea

Being the creative hub is a role Cesc Fabregas has performed throughout his career. The 30-year-old treated the ball with tender loving care during Chelsea’s 2-1 away win over Leicester.

Fabregas effortlessly threaded a series of perfectly weighted passes through defensive gaps to create chances. His connection with impressive striker Alvaro Morata helped the Blues produce some terrific combination football in the final third.

With this artful a performance, Fabregas reminded manager Antonio Conte he won’t be easy to overlook, even when Eden Hazard is fit enough to start regularly.

Midfielder: Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City

Kevin De Bruyne is all about end product, something he proved emphatically during City’s demolition of 10-man Liverpool. He enlivened what had been a sluggish display with two astute assists before halftime.

First, De Bruyne split Liverpool’s struggling centre-backs to play in Sergio Aguero to open the scoring. Later, the Belgian’s pinpoint cross was nodded in by Gabriel Jesus deep into first-half stoppage time.

Those assists made De Bruyne Europe’s most prolific provider, according to WhoScored.com:

De Bruyne played just off the strikers last season. However, Guardiola has given the 26-year-old more freedom to drop deeper and dictate play in 2017.

A greater range of movement is making De Bruyne tougher to track. It’s already reaping rewards for a City side starting to look irresistible in attacking areas.

Striker: Danny Welbeck, Arsenal

Finishing has never been Welbeck’s strong suit. But sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.

Luck was with Welbeck when he missed what should have been an easy header in the box, only for the ball to hit his shoulder and loop in to put Arsenal ahead against Bournemouth.

Credit to Welbeck, he was more unerring when smartly teeing up strike partner Alexandre Lacazette to double the Gunners’ lead. The nifty lay-off was an example of the intelligent link play Welbeck is capable of.

He can also produce a smart finish on occasion. He did so to net Arsenal’s third in the second half, when he met Aaron Ramsey’s pass with a precise and first-time side-foot finish.

Welbeck will always give a team graft, but his primary job is to create and score goals. The England striker accomplished both this week.

Striker: Gabriel Jesus, Manchester City

There isn’t a young striker with a keener instinct for goal in the Premier League than Gabriel Jesus. The 20-year-old Brazilian scored two of City’s five against Liverpool and also had one chalked off for offside.

Gabriel was too hot to handle for Liverpool’s defence thanks to his perceptive movement and sudden pace. He used those qualities smartly to dovetail effectively with Aguero for the first time this season.

Gabriel’s runs consistently put him into scoring positions. His movement was so menacing it even prompted Aguero, hardly the most selfless of strikers, to pass to his forward partner when clean through himself.

Gabriel took the gift and sent out a warning City’s deadly double act may finally be starting to click.