Premier League round-up: Arsenal striker impresses on first start of the season

It was an afternoon to forget for Petr Cech, who not only conceded twice, but could have endured a costly performance in Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Cardiff. Cech almost conceded a goal in the opening exchanges as he gifted a chance for Harry Arter, who ultimately blazed over to spare the goalkeeper’s blushes. Cardiff only mustered three shots on target in the entertaining encounter in Wales, which saw Cech muster just one save in the win, that ultimately contributing to a WhoScored.com rating of 5.41, the worst in the Premier League in gameweek 4. 

He was saved by the man of the match performance from Alexandre Lacazette, who provided the assist for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goal before netting a fine winner with 10 minutes remaining. The French striker impressed on his first league start of the season as he chipped in with an additional three key passes and one successful dribble to return a WhoScored.com rating of 8.88, the third best in gameweek 4. 

A Belgian pair make up the final two spots this week, with Eden Hazard the second highest rated player of the week with a 8.96. The Chelsea winger netted in the 2-0 win over Bournemouth and was top for both key passes (5) and successful dribbles (5) as the Blues star impressed once more to make the Premier League team of the week and earn the WhoScored.com man of the match award as Chelsea maintained their 100% start to the season. 

Hazard was pipped to top spot this week by compatriot Romelu Lukaku, whose WhoScored.com rating (9.04) was better than any other Premier League player in gameweek 4. Lukaku netted his second and third league goals of the campaign in Manchester United’s 2-0 win at Burnley on Sunday while returns of four key passes and two successful dribbles capped off a man of the match display in the win at Turf Moor. 

Joe Hart earns himself an honourary mention after a fine display against United. Granted, he conceded twice in the defeat, but it would have been worse for Burnley had the 31-year-old not been at his shotstopping best over the weekend. Hart made seven saves in the loss, including a penalty stop to deny Paul Pogba, to earn a WhoScored.com rating of 8.27 and a spot in the best XI of the week.