Arsenal record buy Pepe makes Europa League best XI after match-winning display
Here we run through the best WhoScored rated XI from Thursday's Europa League action, with additional information about their Football INDEX share prices when applicable. The average age of this week's best rated XI is impressively just over 24.
Goalkeeper: Matvey Safonov (FC Krasnodar) - 8.73 rating
FC Krasnodar picked up an impressive 2-0 win away to Trabzonspor on Thursday night, notably keeping out what is regarded as the best attack line in Turkish football this season. Despite the scoreline, the Russian outfit required a standout display from 20-year-old goalkeeper Matvey Safonov, who finished as the WhoScored Man of the Match. Safonov made seven saves, in addition to three clearances, to prevent Trabzonspor from scoring at home for only the second time this season.
Right-back: Jonas Svensson (AZ Alkmaar) - 8.17 rating
Jonas Svensson was suspended for AZ Alkmaar's last Europa League match and showed his importance to the side in their 6-0 win on Thursday night. The 26-year-old right-back registered an assist and created a further two goalscoring chances. Svensson also had one shot, drew three fouls and completed 93.8% of his passes against a poor FC Astana outfit.
Centre-back: Phil Jones (Manchester United) - 8.46 rating
Football INDEX share price - £0.36
Manchester United's run of 11 away matches in all competitions without a win came to an end on Thursday after the Red Devils recorded a hard-fought 1-0 win against Partizan Belgrade in Serbia. Phil Jones made the most of a rare start to stake a case for regular minutes with a WhoScored Man of the Match display in Belgrade. The 27-year-old won six aerial duels and eight tackles and interceptions combined, while completing three dribbles for the second Europa League match in a row.
Centre-back: Artem Shabanov (Dynamo Kyiv) - 8.28 rating
Artem Shabanov rescued a share of the points for Dynamo Kyiv in their home encounter with Danish side Copenhagen. Shabanov headed in from a set piece moments into the second half and was a rock at the back. The 27-year-old made seven tackles and interceptions combined and completed as many clearances. The Ukranian also won two aerial duels and completed 92.9% of his passes.
Left-back: Sergio Escudero (Sevilla) - 9.17 rating
Football INDEX share price - £0.49
Sergio Escudero is one of two Sevilla players in our best rated XI. The 30-year-old registered an assist in their 3-0 win at home to F91 Dudelange and was denied a goal by the frame of the goal. The Sevilla left-back was a constant menace going forward, completing four dribbles and registering five key passes. Escudero also made four tackles and interceptions combined.
Right wing: Calvin Stengs (AZ Alkmaar) - 9.72 rating
Football INDEX share price - £1.79
Calvin Stengs is the highest WhoScored rated player from Thursday's Europa League action after his star man display in AZ Alkmaar's 6-0 thumping at home to Astana. The 20-year-old is in red hot form for Alkmaar and that continued in midweek. He played a direct hand in two of the six goals Alkmaar scored (one goal, one assist). Stengs had eight shots in total, while also registering four key passes and completing three dribbles.
Central midfield: Teun Koopmeiners (AZ Alkmaar) - 9.09 rating
Teun Koopmeiners has been in wonderful goalscoring form for AZ Alkmaar this season and has almost scored as many goals this season as he managed during the entirety of the last campaign. His rich vein of form in front of goal continued on Thursday night as he netted twice against Astana. The 21-year-old had six shots in total and registered four key passes. The young midfielder was also key defensively for the Dutch side, completing four tackles and interceptions combined.
Central midfield: Franco Vazquez (Sevilla) - 9.29 rating
Football INDEX share price - £0.42
Franco Vazquez has made a terrific start to the Europa League group stage and is currently the third highest WhoScored rated player in the competition. The 30-year-old helped Sevilla secure a routine 3-0 win over F91 Dudelange with a brace from midfield. Vazquez impressively had eight shots on Thursday night, hitting the target with five of those. The Sevilla midfielder also won three aerial duels, had 122 touches of the ball and completed two dribbles.
Left wing: Oussama Idrissi (AZ Alkmaar) - 9.13 rating
Oussama Idrissi netted his first European goal of the season in AZ Alkmaar's big win on Thursday. The 23-year-old was unfortunate not to score against Manchester United last time out in the competition but finally got on the scoresheet this time around. Idrissi had five shots against Astana, while registering six key passes. The Alkmaar No.11 impressively also completed 91.7% of his passes.
Forward: Nicolas Pepe (Arsenal) - 8.42 rating
Football INDEX share price - £2.92
Nicolas Pepe has endured a relatively difficult start to life at Arsenal but Unai Emery will hope Thursday's match-winning display off the bench will help kickstart his career in north London. Pepe scored two free-kicks late on, including one in stoppage time, as Arsenal came from 2-1 down at home to Vitoria de Guimaraes to win 3-2. Pepe was on the pitch for only 15 minutes but made his presence felt to rescue the game for the home side.
Forward: Myron Boadu (AZ Alkmaar) - 8.30 rating
Myron Boadu is the fifth and final AZ Alkmaar player in our best rated XI and also the youngest overall. The 18-year-old was sent off in his last appearance for the Dutch side but responded in tremendous fashion on Thursday with a goal in their 6-0 win. Boadu hit the target with two nof his five attempts on goal and impressively completed 90.9% of his passes.
