Premier League's top 10 dribblers

Dribbling has been described as an art form, as pace wingers and creative maestros slalom in between opposing players. The Premier League boasts some of the best dribblers and technicians in world football,Thanks to Opta, we bring to you the Premier League's top ten dribblers, in order of most dribbles completed (stats correct up to 13 December 2012).



Newcastle's slaloming Frenchman is top of the tree, completing over half of his attempted dribbles. Ben Arfa's impressive ability with the ball at his feet also sees him top the list as Europe's best dribbler so far this season.

Suarez has been Liverpool's talisman so far this season, finally finding his goal scoring boots with ten league goals. The Uruguyan is also leading the charts with the most attempted dribbles, however he has been pipped to top spot in terms of completed dribbles.

At joint third are Santi Cazorla is enjoying his brilliant debut seasons in the Premier League, with Cazorla showing just why he is one of Europe's top midfielders.

Raheem Sterling to become a "special talent" for Liverpool in the future, the wonder-kid justifies the hype surround his fledging talent.

West Ham's midfield enforcer come in at joint fifth, Diame joined West Ham from Wigan last summer for a fee of £5.5million.

QPR's Moroccan magician continues to impress despite they are still in search for a win.

QPR's Samba Diakite is arguably surprising entrants, He is very effective going forward, completing 30 dribbles this season.

Newcastle's Davide Santon is one of the most underrated player in Premier League with 30 dribbles completed this season.

Tottenham's understated powerhouse comes in at nine. Dembele has been a revelation since arriving in the Premier League, and has continued to impress since joining Tottenham earlier in the season.

At number ten is Chelsea's Belgian wizard Eden Hazard. The attacker has flourished since joining the European champions this summer and rightfully features in this list.

Dembele ruled out of derby

Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas says the north London derby against Arsenal has come too soon for Moussa Dembele to be considered.



The Belgian playmaker has missed Spurs' last eight matches with a niggling hip injury but had hoped to be fit in time for the Emirates Stadium clash.

Villas-Boas said he hoped the 25-year-old would not need surgery to rectify the problem but may still not be ready in time for next week's Europa League trip to Lazio.

But Villas-Boas said: "Dembele does not have a chance, not for this game. There is a 50% chance he will be back for the Lazio game.

"I think surgery at the moment is out of the question, hopefully."

Villas-Boas also gave updates on Jermain Defoe, Kyle Walker and Aaron Lennon, who all suffered hamstring injuries in last week's 2-1 defeat to Manchester City, with the latter most likely to be ready to face the Gunners.

"They haven't trained with the team yet. They have had lighter sessions on their own," Villas-Boas said of the trio.



"We will have to see today how they return to see if there's any disturbance. Lennon had a scan yesterday, and it's fine on his hamstring."

Real Madrid 'make Dembele contact'

The agent of Fulham midfielder Moussa Dembele has told reporters that Real Madrid are looking to secure his client's services this summer.

Dembele, 25, had an impressive 2011-12 season in the Premier League and has caught the attention of several top sides, with Manchester United among those linked.

The Belgium international featured in a deep-lying midfield role under Dutch manager Martin Jol and won over many of his previous critics as he inspired Fulham to some impressive results in the second half of the season.

Jan de Visser, of the Sports International management agency, has claimed that they have received several approaches for their player, including one from Real Madrid.



"Real Madrid have contacted us and asked about the possibility of signing Moussa Dembele," De Visser told De Telegraaf. "They are not the first big club who have contacted us this summer for him."