The Premier League has announced six nominees for its player-of-the-week award after the third round of the new season, with Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard, Liverpool forward Alexander Isak and Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma among the contenders.
The shortlist also includes Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, Everton attacker Tyrique George and Crystal Palace defender Tyrick Mitchell.
Ødegaard is nominated after scoring the decisive goal in Arsenal’s victory over Chelsea. The Norway international’s effort proved to be the winning goal for the Gunners and helped them maintain their perfect start to the campaign.
Isak earned his place on the list after scoring twice against Ipswich. The Sweden international was supported by team-mate Gakpo, who created both of his goals with two assists.
Donnarumma’s nomination follows a clean sheet in Manchester City’s match against Coventry. The goalkeeper kept his opponents scoreless as City continued their unbeaten beginning to the season.
Mitchell was another defender to make a significant attacking contribution in the third round. The Crystal Palace player scored twice against Alvaro Arbeloa’s struggling Fulham side.
George completes the six-player shortlist after finding the net for Everton in their home match against Manchester United.
The nominations recognise individual performances from across the Premier League during the latest round, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Everton and Crystal Palace all represented.
After three matches of the new Premier League season, Manchester City and Arsenal share the lead in the table on nine points. Manchester City occupy first place because they have the better record on the relevant tie-break criteria.
The shortlist therefore includes players from two of the early leaders, as well as contenders whose performances came in decisive results for their clubs. Ødegaard’s winning goal, Isak’s double, Gakpo’s creative contribution and Donnarumma’s clean sheet were all central to the results that brought them into contention.
The final outcome will determine which of the six players is named the outstanding performer from the third round. For now, the group reflects the strongest individual displays highlighted by the Premier League from the latest set of fixtures.
Liverpool have two representatives in Isak and Gakpo, while the other nominees come from five separate clubs. The presence of both the goalscorer and the provider in the shortlist underlines Liverpool’s attacking display against Ipswich, while the inclusion of two-goal scorers Isak and Mitchell puts additional emphasis on their finishing in the third round.
With the league leaders level on points, the award nominations provide a separate measure of the weekend’s leading performances. The six candidates are Ødegaard, Isak, Gakpo, Donnarumma, George and Mitchell.