Arsenal's Swagger Returns: Shearer Names Gyokeres and Saka in Team of the Week
Arsenal’s title charge has its swagger back, and Alan Shearer has taken notice.
The Premier League’s record goalscorer named two of Mikel Arteta’s forwards in his Team of the Week for Matchweek 35, after Arsenal brushed Fulham aside 3-0 at Emirates Stadium to reassert themselves in the title race.
Gyokeres and Saka light it up
Viktor Gyokeres dominated the first half like a centre-forward in complete command of his craft. He had a hand in all three goals before the break, scoring twice and supplying the other as Fulham were overrun and outclassed.
The opening strike came from the combination Arsenal fans are already starting to trust. Bukayo Saka, relentless down the right, carved Fulham open and rolled the ball across for Gyokeres to finish. The roles reversed later in the half, the Swedish striker turning creator as Saka capped a brilliant individual display with a goal of his own.
By half-time, the contest was effectively over. Arsenal weren’t just winning; they were dictating the tempo of the title race again, with Gyokeres and Saka at the heart of it.
Survival fight shapes Shearer’s XI
Shearer’s selection didn’t just reward those at the top. The drama at the bottom of the table weighed heavily on his choices.
Nottingham Forest’s 3-1 win at Chelsea delivered a huge swing in the relegation battle, and two of their key figures made the cut. Goalkeeper Matz Sels earned recognition for his role in a vital away victory, while striker Taiwo Awoniyi was also picked after helping to power Forest to three priceless points at Stamford Bridge.
Tottenham Hotspur’s escape act also caught Shearer’s eye. A 2-1 win at Aston Villa lifted Spurs out of the bottom three, and three of their leading figures were rewarded. Centre-back Micky van de Ven and midfielder Conor Gallagher both claimed spots in the team, with head coach Roberto De Zerbi also named after steering his side to a result that could reshape their season.
At one end of the table, Arsenal’s forwards are driving a title push. At the other, Forest and Spurs are fighting for their lives. Matchweek 35 didn’t just fill a Team of the Week — it sharpened the edges of a season that refuses to settle.
