Premier League Team of the Week: Robin Van Persie, Lennon, Arteta and More

November is upon us, and the Premiership is getting more interesting by the week. Newcastle United continued their excellent run of form with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Everton, while Manchester United, on Sir Alex Ferguson's 25th anniversary, and Chelsea both secured 1-0 wins.

Bolton took Stoke apart with a 5-0 win, while there were also five goals at Loftus Road and Villa Park, with Manchester City and Aston Villa both running out 3-2 winners against QPR and Norwich respectively.

Tottenham won yet another London derby 3-1 against Fulham, with Wolves condemning Wigan to yet another defeat with a 3-1 win of their own.

Arsenal continued their impressive run of results with a dominant 3-0 victory over West Brom, while Liverpool were unable to overcome Swansea and had to settle for a 0-0 draw.

With all that action, there were plenty of good performances,so here is the Premier League team of the week, lining up in a 4-3-3 formation.

GK Michel Vorm

Swansea's Michel Vorm has been one of the standout performers of the season so far and put in a fabulous performance against Liverpool, securing a point for his side with a string of top-class saves.

Two saves from Luis Suarez's shots and a magnificent tipped save ensured that Swansea continued their impressive showing in the tough environment of the Premier League.

There were also great performances from Ali Al-Habsi and Brad Friedel, but Vorm made the biggest difference to his side's fortunes and gets the berth.

LB Ryan Taylor

Newcastle are on a totally unforeseen run that now puts them in third place, three points above Chelsea.

Ryan Taylor has played a major role in that success and was excellent against Everton. His goal was something truly special as he beat Howard with a perfectly-placed lob, and his continued running down the left flank caused plenty of problems for Everton.

He almost grabbed a second goal with a cross/shot that came back off the bar, and he defended firmly but responsibly.

Taylor has been ever-present for Newcastle and will be looking to continue the form that has allowed him to do so, as will Newcastle.

CB Thomas Vermaelen

Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen has had some real injury problems since joining Arsenal and has barely featured this season.

When he does play, however, he provides Arsenal with the sort of defensive solidarity that they have, at times, lacked.

He did just that against West Brom, leading the defence well and even contributing a goal.

A clean sheet was important for Arsenal as they had been too open against Chelsea. Vermaelen was only a substitute against their London rivals, but as a starter against West Brom he helped Arsenal look far more secure.

CB Ledley King

Ledley King continued his good form against Fulham with some important defensive action. His speed and bravery to get back and put in a vital diving block after Clint Dempsey had got round Brad Friedel prevented an almost-certain goal.

King then got in another important block during a frantic scramble in the six-yard box with the score at 2-1 and Fulham pressing for an equaliser.

King was unlucky to contribute to Fulham's goal, heading the ball into Younes Kaboul's back before the ball rebounded into the goal.

King was solid at the back, showing surprising speed to deal with through balls on more than one occasion. He is a reliable presence who Tottenham will need to keep a safe shop if they are to play the type of attacking football that is winning over fans and pundits. 

RB Joe Riley

Joe Riley made his Premier League début against Stoke, but you wouldn't have thought so given his well-rounded performance.

The 20-year-old was solid in defence when called into action and got forward well, making some threatening runs at his opposite man.

His performance earned him a well-deserved standing ovation when he was taken off shortly before full time.

It is always good to see English right-backs coming through—it has been a weakness in the national side for awhile, and Riley clearly has a long way to go but competition can only be good.

LM Chris Eagles

Chris Eagles was the standout performer for Bolton against Stoke. He was an influential presence on the left wing, beating defenders on numerous occasions and working hard to win the ball.

He also chipped in with a couple of goals, the first a perfectly-placed finish after a poor clearance from Asmir Begovic, the second a cool chip over the diving goalkeeper after an intelligent run onto Ivan Klasnic's through ball.

Eagles also provided the corner for Klasnic's headed goal and won the ball in the build-up to Klasnic's other goal.

Eagles never really got an opportunity at Manchester United but was successful at Burnley, and he could really flourish with Bolton.

CM Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta is looking like an increasingly good buy for Arsene Wenger. The Spaniard controlled play from the centre of midfield, making plenty of passes as he probed the strength of West Brom's defence.

Arteta's control of the midfield, in combination with Aaron Ramsey, ensured that West Brom never got a look in and allowed Arsenal to move the ball forward quickly and precisely. 

Losing Fabregas was undoubtedly a severe blow, but Arteta has been proving what Everton fans have long known—Mikel Arteta is a class player.

RM Aaron Lennon

Aaron Lennon does not always perform and has suffered with injuries, but on his day he is a top-quality player. Sunday's encounter with Fulham was one such occasion.

The tricky, pacey winger scored a great goal after swapping over to the left side of the pitch during play, exchanging passes with Gareth Bale before fooling a defender with his quick feet and firing off a precise shot into the bottom corner of the goal.

Lennon had already provided the assist for Gareth Bale's goal with a dangerous ball and continued to attack with speed and intelligence on the right wing.

ST Gabriel Agbonlahor

Gabriel Agbonlahor has been in top form for Aston Villa this season and played an important role in Villa's win against Norwich.

He set up both of Darren Bent's goals with two inch-perfect crosses and contributed a goal of his own after his hassling forced a bad pass that he was only too willing to take advantage of.

Villa currently find themselves eighth in the table and will be looking to challenge for a Europa League spot. With Agbonlahor leading the charge, they have a great chance.

ST Ivan Klasnic

Ivan Klasnic helped Bolton break their awful run of form with an accomplished display that saw him score two goals and set up a further two.

He showed great quick thinking for Bolton's first goal, wrestling the ball from Asmir Begovic and taking the free-kick quickly, which allowed Kevin Davies to score. He then scored a good goal from outside the box, before redirecting David Wheater's header, wrong footing the goalkeeper.

He capped it off with the through ball for Chris Eagles' second goal.

Bolton are going to need Klasnic to keep up the same sort of form he showed against Stoke if they are to put their disastrous start to the season behind them and move away from the lower reaches of the table. 

ST Robin Van Persie

Robin van Persie has been on fire all year but was somehow left off the Ballon d'Or list. The omission does not seem to have affected the Dutchman's confidence; he scored yet another goal and set up two more to continue Arsenal's remarkable turn around.

His goal was a real striker's finish from close range, while his volleyed pull-back made Vermaelen's goal possible and his forward surge, good control and intelligent control made Arteta's goal.

If Arsenal find their way into the top four come May, regardless of what happens from now on, they will owe a great deal to van Persie; he has taken their season off the ground.