Premier League Team of the Week: Ozil, Pogba and Salah feature

Best XI from the Premier League after Week 12, including Mesut Ozil, Paul Pogba and Mohamed Salah.

Returning midfielders define the Premier League’s best XI from Week 12. Paul Pogba returned from injury to put Manchester United’s title challenge back on track.

Meanwhile, Mesut Ozil returned to form to inspire Arsenal to win the north London derby. Ozil has been inconsistent this season, but Mohamed Salah has been anything but. Instead, the Liverpool winger kept up his terrific scoring run.

Read on for the latest team of the week:

Goalkeeper: Petr Cech, Arsenal

Petr Cech wasn’t needed often during Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Tottenham. Yet whenever he was needed he delivered for the Gunners on Saturday.

He got firmly behind a shot from Harry Kane in the first half and kept out a header from Eric Dier with an acrobatic save in the second half.

Arsenal were solid as a rock defensively against Spurs, and it all started with Cech’s assurance between the posts.

Defender: Nacho Monreal, Arsenal

Kane and Dele Alli’s lack of fitness took nothing away from Arsenal’s stout defensive effort. The back three was expertly positioned to deny Spurs space in the final third all game.

Nacho Monreal was the pillar of the Gunners’ defense. He has made a seamless transition from left-back to central defender since Arsenal adopted a 3-4-2-1 formation late last season.

The new position is ideal for Monreal’s smart reading of the game. His lack of pace is being covered by Laurent Koscielny, allowing Monreal to anticipate danger and help the Gunners keep their shape.

Defender: Chris Smalling, Manchester United

He’s not the most composed defender on United’s books, nor the most adept in possession. But Chris Smalling is a throwback to the no-nonsense defender who won’t hesitate to put the ball in the stands or contest it in the air even at risk of physical damage.

The England international did all those things against Newcastle, providing a no-frills complement to ball-playing Victor Lindelof in the process. Smalling also got himself on the scoresheet when he netted United’s second after heading in an Ashley Young cross.

Phil Jones’ ongoing injury woes have robbed the Red Devils of the efficient, physical center-back manager Jose Mourinho can rely on. Smalling can make the role his own with more performances like this.

Defender: Shkodran Mustafi, Arsenal

Monreal played well, but Shkodran Mustafi produced easily his best performance in an Arsenal shirt. The Germany international headed in the Gunners’ opening goal and proceeded to frustrate Kane all game.

Mustafi made more than one timely block to deny Kane shooting chances. His anticipation, timing and willingness to leave the deck made him an invaluable last line of defence.

This was the kind of performance Arsenal had hoped to see regularly when they paid Valencia around £35 million to sign Mustafi in 2016.

Midfielder: Eden Hazard, Chelsea

As Eden Hazard goes, so go Chelsea. So it’s an ominous sign for the rest of the Premier League Hazard is beginning to show shades of dominance.

The Belgium international found the net twice to spark a 4-0 win over West Brom. Hazard’s pace, close control and interplay were all immaculate.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has wisely made the classy No. 10 more of a striker this season. It’s paying off as Hazard is becoming a more ruthless and efficient finisher.

The importance of Hazard’s goals is spelled out by BBC Match of the Day:

Chelsea may be outsiders in the title race, despite moving up to third. But make no mistake, last season’s champions are still a major threat with Hazard in this form.

Midfielder: Mesut Ozil, Arsenal

When he’s sleepwalking through matches, he’s the most frustrating player on the planet. When he’s in the mood, Mesut Ozil is a marvel of technique, industry and flair.

All of those qualities were to the fore against Spurs. Ozil sauntered his way through Tottenham’s midfield at will.

The 29-year-old was artful with his passing, determined in his running and astute with his movement. His most telling contribution involved lifting a free-kick onto the head of Mustafi for the first goal.

Spurs couldn’t get near Ozil as he effortlessly ghosted away from his markers and combined brilliantly with Alexis Sanchez and Alexandre Lacazette.

Asking why he doesn’t play like this more often is an exercise in frustration. It’s better to just simply enjoy Ozil on those rare occasions when he’s at his best.

Next: Arsenal stun Tottenham to win derby: 3 things we learned

Midfielder: Paul Pogba, Manchester United

So in case anybody was still wondering, Paul Pogba makes a difference for United. The Red Devils couldn’t buy goals or string three passes together while Pogba was injured.

Yet four goals followed the France international’s return from a hamstring problem. Pogba teed up the first goal against Newcastle by crossing for Anthony Martial. It was Pogba himself applying the finishing touch for United’s third.

WhoScored.com detailed Pogba’s prolific output in attacking areas this season:

https://twitter.com/WhoScored/status/932194241991778304

Having Pogba back means United have regained their swagger in the title race.

Midfielder: Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City

Pogba and United are trying to catch neighbours Manchester City, but the leaders continue to be inspired by their own creative midfielder, Kevin De Bruyne. The prolific playmaker was at the heart of everything good the Citizens did during their 2-0 win away to Leicester City.

De Bruyne played a key role in the multi-pass build-up to City’s opener. But his decisive contribution came early in the second half when he rifled a fierce shot into the net for the visitors’ second.

The goal came seconds after David Silva cleared off the line at the other end. It also gave De Bruyne a piece of history in England’s top flight, per OptaJoe:

De Bruyne is as important to City as Pogba is to United. The difference is he’s not the only source of creativity. Supporting De Bruyne with Silva, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling is why City are setting the pace this season.

Midfielder: Mohamed Salah, Liverpool

There is seemingly no end to Salah’s scoring run after the Egypt international scored twice in Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Southampton. As usual, his pace and perceptive movement made him impossible to track.

Those qualities have made Salah the best signing of the summer transfer window. He cost Liverpool £34.3 million, but the Reds have been handsomely repaid.

Salah has scored 13 goals and provided three assists, per WhoScored.com. Nine of those goals have come in the league, helping Salah set a new club record, according to Sky Sports Statto:

Salah is no longer a supporting act for Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho. Instead, he is the focal point of Liverpool’s free-flowing attack.

Striker: Callum Wilson, Bournemouth

If Callum Wilson could steer clear of injuries bigger clubs would be putting bids together for the gifted striker. A fit-again Wilson proved his quality by bagging a hat-trick in the Cherries’ 4-0 win over newly promoted Huddersfield.

Pace, timing and instincts were at the root of all three goals. These are the traits Wilson uses to find and exploit spaces from anywhere across the front.

Wilson is a significant threat when operating on either flank, but is most effective through the middle. If they can keep him fit, the Cherries can count on Wilson’s goals to push them higher than 13th in the table.

Striker: Alvaro Morata, Chelsea

He doesn’t get the press Romelu Lukaku, Sergio Aguero or Kane receive, but Alvaro Morata is the equal of any marquee striker in the league. He finished well to put Chelsea in front against the Baggies, before setting up Hazard to score with a superb flick.

The impish flick showcased the classy link player Morata has brought to the Blues’ forward line this season. He is already making history for Chelsea, according to OptaJoe:

If it wasn’t for Salah’s rapid start at Liverpool, Morata would merit the moniker of signing of the summer.