Premier League team of the week: Gameweek 21

The longest Premier League gameweek of the 2023/24 season has finally come to an end.

Spread across two weeks in order to give players some much needed respite following the busy Christmas period, gameweek 21 still managed to provide us with plenty of talking points.

From Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur's entertaining draw, to Arsenal finally managing to score some goals, to Kevin De Bruyne's scary return for Manchester City, the elongated gameweek had something for everyone.

And after all that fun, here's 90min's team of the week:

GK: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)

Emi Martinez was only forced into two saves by Everton at Goodison Park, but one of those stops ensured that Villa came away with at least a point.

The World Cup winner made a stunning stop with his right foot to deny Dominic Calvert-Lewin after the striker had strode clean through on goal.

RB: Pedro Porro (Tottenham Hotspur)

After a difficult start to life at Tottenham last season, Pedro Porro has been nothing short of a revelation under Ange Postecoglou in 2023/24.

Porro was once again at his best at Old Trafford in gameweek 21, bagging his seventh assist in the Premier League - the joint third best tally in the division.

There's very few better full-backs in Europe right now.

CB: Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool)

Konate was immense during Liverpool's 4-0 win over Bournemouth on Sunday, stifling the threat of the red-hot Dominic Solanke.

The Frenchman won 100% of his tackles, 12 duels, made nine clearances and even played 11 successful passes into the final third.

He did literally everything you could ask of a centre-back.

CB: Gabriel (Arsenal)

Arsenal finally found their shooting boots again at the weekend, and the man who found the back of the net before any of his talented offensive teammates was defender Gabriel.

The Brazilian towered above everyone in the 11th minute to head home the opening goal of the game on Saturday, and he also played a huge part in the second - one that eventually went down as a Dean Henderson own goal. The Gunners didn't look back from there, bagging three more in the second half to really put the Eagles to the sword.

LB: Levi Colwill (Chelsea)

It's not often that a full-back makes the team of the week thanks to a defensive masterclass, and yet that's exactly what Levi Colwill's managed to do.

The Liverpool-linked 20-year-old was crucial in Chelsea's narrow 1-0 win over Fulham, winning an impressive ten duels in addition to recovering possession ten times. Colwill also made eight clearances for his side - you'll be hard pushed to see a better defensive performance from a full-back this season.

CM: Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham Hotspur)

Rodrigo Bentancur hasn't missed a beat since returning from a serious knee injury. The Uruguayan was at his classy best in Tottenham's 2-2 draw with Manchester United, dictating the tempo of the game from the middle of the park and even bagging an equalising goal for his team.

He's a joy to watch.

CM: Rodri (Manchester City)

The best midfielder in the world?

Considering how much of an effect Rodri has on games week in, week out, it's hard to argue otherwise right now.

The Spaniard was as effective as ever in Manchester City's win over Newcastle United in gameweek 21, bagging an assist, completing 93% of his passes and winning eight duels. A pretty standard outing for the outrageously gifted Spaniard.

CM: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

Kevin De Bruyne's cameo in City's win over Newcastle United sent a shiver down the spine of every non-Manchester City fan in the country.

Finally back from a lengthy lay-off, and sporting a new barnet, De Bruyne was simply unplayable after being introduced in the 70th minute. His goal and assist, coupled with his generally stunning play, is surely a sign of things to come for the rest of the season.

RW: Diogo Jota (Liverpool)

Diogo Jota was hailed by Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher as the club's best finisher of the Premier League era after a barnstorming performance against Bournemouth.

Jota was brilliant in front goal on Sunday, expertly firing home at Neto's near post to double Liverpool's lead before sweeping home a fine third after initially scuffing an effort on goal. The Portuguese also had a hand in the Reds' opening goal, putting the ball perfectly on a plate for Darwin Nunez.

ST: Darwin Nunez (Liverpool)

No Premier League player has missed more big chances than Darwin Nunez this season, but his 20 goal contributions for Liverpool - a more positive headline that is inevitably overlooked - make that rather unflattering stat more than digestible.

Nunez scored his ninth and tenth Premier League goals of the campaign to extend Liverpool's lead at the top of the table, showing why Jurgen Klopp continues to embrace the chaos.

LW: Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)

When you're compared to Thierry Henry by Arsenal fans after a game, you know you've probably done something right.

That's exactly what happened to Gabriel Martinelli after he bagged a stoppage-time brace against Crystal Palace at the Emirates, offering a timely reminder to Mikel Arteta, who had dropped the Brazilian to the bench, of exactly what he can do.

READ THE LATEST FEATURES AND ANALYSIS FROM 90MIN