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November 25th , 2024

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GARTH CROOKS? TEAM OF THE WEEK: RAMSDALE, ALEXANDER-ARNOLD, OLISE, HAALAND

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A year ago



At the end of each Premier League round, BBC football pundit Garth Crooks will be on hand to hand you his squad for the week.



But who did he choose this time? Take a look and choose your own team below. As always, Garth also has his say on the main points of gameplay in Crooks of the Matter.


Garth Crooks Team of the Week

Garth Crooks Team of the Week

Aaron Ramsdale:

Last week I suggested that if Ramsdale could keep his cool at the end of the season then Arsenal would have a chance to win the title. It's also rare for me to pick a goalkeeper or defender who has conceded two goals in my squad, but Ramsdale's performance in the second half, in the heated Anfield atmosphere, forced me to choose.


The Arsenal goalkeeper made three world-class saves, each with its own importance as the game progressed. The importance of points to the Gunners is impossible to quantify in the scheme of things, but in the final analysis it could be the point that helps them win the title.



Trent Alexander-Arnold:

He knocked Zinchenko and then made a delicious pass from the far corner for Roberto Firmino to head the goal. When Alexander-Arnold is in this form, his right leg is like a magic wand. In fact, when he's in this state of mind, I don't care about his defensive weakness because he possesses the most subtle quality.


Football is amazing and all credit goes to Arsenal who helped put it on the show. The Gunners are very close to producing something very special this season, but there is a caveat:

Granite Xhaxa is a cannon on an explosive journey and Arsenal need to do something about him before he ruins his whole season.


Nathan Ake:

Last week, I said that Ake wasn't flustered. This week, his manager called him unchangeable. However you try to describe the Manchester City defender, his decision-making qualities are his greatest asset. He had to run 60 yards to chase Kamaldeen Sulemana (who wasn't slow at all) but Ake didn't rush in, all the while waiting for the Southampton striker to make a decision on Ake's presence.


In the end, Sulemana was so preoccupied with Ake that he lost control of the ball and, in the process, lost his chance to score. When Man City played Liverpool, I emphasized that Jack Grealish was doing something similar, but what Ake did was much more intuitive and brilliant. Guardiola spoke of his defenders having to play an 'educated' game. Well, Ake sure knows how to do it.


Kurt Zoom:

West Ham were destroyed by Newcastle midweek but Zouma was one of the few defenders to survive the ensuing game. It was a smart move by coach David Moyes to keep Zouma on the sidelines as he was excellent defensively and suited to whatever Fulham had to throw at him.


It was also a big win for the Hammers, especially as they went 11 games without a win in the league. That gives the East End club 30 points - and 36 points will keep them safe. However, the question remains:

Is Moyes the right man to lead West Ham next season? I do not think so. He did a good job at the London Stadium, but I think an amicable breakup would be an appropriate and dignified way to end a polite and enjoyable relationship.


Jack Greish:

He plays with the same style and generosity that he showed as captain of Aston. 

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