Who needs a performance this weekend?
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With an international break now around the corner, there is set to be a break from Premier League action, meaning that it is the final chance for Premier League players to head off onto international duty with a spring in their step. These ten Premier League stars could all desperately do with a performance this weekend:
Per Mertesacker (Arsenal)
The Gunners’ defence has been in self-destruct mode recently, particularly against Anderlecht in midweek, and the German needs to marshal his troops to a good performance against Swansea City.
Dejan Lovren (Liverpool)
Lovren is likely to start again for Liverpool against Chelsea on Saturday lunchtime, but Kolo Toure’s display in the Bernabeu showed that there is competition for the underperforming Croatian.
Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
After a ridiculous red card against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League this weekend, Man City talisman Yaya Toure owes a performance to his teammates and fans at Loftus Road.
Emmanuel Adebayor (Tottenham Hotspur)
Adebayor may well be given another chance to impress by Mauricio Pochettino, but with in-form Harry Kane breathing down his neck the Togolese really needs to take it.
Robin van Persie (Manchester United)
With talk that James Wilson could take the place of underperforming van Persie in the United team, it would be a fine time for van Persie to remind us just how good he can be.
Diego Costa (Chelsea)
Okay, it’s hardly a goal drought, but Diego Costa’s ineffectual display against QPR last weekend indicated that his injuries could be getting to him – should Liverpool be afraid of the Spaniard?
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
After resting him for the midweek trip to Real Madrid, Brendan Rodgers clearly believes that Steven Gerrard is still capable of controlling games such as against Chelsea, but the former England captain has not shown it this season.
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
Since being appointed as Arsenal captain in the summer, Mikel Arteta has not had to face anything quite as bad as the three goal collapse against Anderlecht this week – he needs to ensure that the Gunners bounce back.
Leonardo Ulloa (Leicester City)
Ulloa is set to return to the Leicester City team for the trip to Southampton at the weekend, but the Argentine will need to be on top form if the Foxes are to end their recent losing streak.
Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
With Christian Benteke ruled out after his ridiculous red card against Tottenham last weekend, even more of Villa’s goalscoring and attacking burden is set to fall on Gabriel Agbonlahor.