1. Best player: Cesc Fabregas. Has been shadowed by CR7 in the past several years. But by far the best player so far in EPL, with both Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres missing significant times.  When Robin van Persie went down, everybody thought the Gunners would go down with him. Cesc obviously had a different thought. His quality cannot be better illurstrated than this past weekend game against an excellent Aston Villa side. Being laid off for two weeks, Fabregas lacked the match fitness to start.  With 30 minutes left, however, he was sent on by Wenger to do one thing, break the 0:0 stalemate.  That's what he did.  A superb curling free kick and a 60-yard dash in 27 minutes gave the Gunner 2:0 lead. It was a shame, however, Cesc had to come out after re-injuring his hamstring in the process of scoring the second goal.

2. Best XI:

Goalkeeper: Shay Given (Manchester City & Ireland)

• Defenders: John Terry (Chelsea & England), Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal & Belgium), Patrice Evra (Manchester United & France), Stephen Carr (Birmingham & England)

• Midfielders: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal & Spain), Frank Lampard (Chelsea & England), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham & England), James Milner (Aston Villa & England)

• Forwards: Didier Drogba (Chelsea & Ivory Coast), Jemaine Defoe (Tottorham & England)