With good fixtures to come and a load of injuries the Arsenal situation is complicated at the moment but with injuries comes opportunities for others. We look at the the team, the fixtures, the injuries, the likely lineup going forward and the opportunities for FPL managers
Fantasy premier league gameweek 8 – The Arsenal conundrum
The Team
After 7 rounds Arsenal are in 8th place with 2 wins 4 draws and 1 loss. They are 6th equal in goals scored and 8th equal in goals conceded. Only 1 clean sheet though. They are 6th in points per game at home although they’ve only scored 5 goals which is less than Hull. They’ve conceded 4 which is mid table at home but no clean sheets. Away from home it’s similar 9th place in Points per game and fairly mid table in goals scored and conceded.
So a pretty ordinary start for a team that finished forth last season
The fixtures
Here’s the next 6 fixtures:
Hull (H)
Sunderland (A)
Burnley (H)
Swansea (A)
Man Utd (H)
West Brom (A)
A pretty good set of fixtures with Hull as a good starter for any transfer options
The injuries
Here’s the injuries from www.physioroom.com
D Ospina Hip/Thigh Injury no return date
M Ozil LCL Knee Ligament Injury no return date (Seems like he will not be back this year)
M Arteta Calf/Shin Injury 18th Oct 14
A Ramsey Hamstring Injury 1st Nov 14
Y Sanogo Hamstring Injury 18th Oct 14
M Debuchy Ankle/Foot Injury Dec 14
O Giroud Ankle/Foot Injury Dec 14
Koscielny has had an injury scare but is expected to be fit for GW8. Chambers is suspended for GW8
The likely lineup
Chambers is suspended for GW8. Bellerin is likely to step in
If they were to go more defensive then Flamini could replace Wilshere or Cazorla
Walcott will be back in training soon and likely to start back slowly from the bench given the time of the layoff
The opportunities
Welbeck (£7.3m)
With a goal and an assist in his first 4 Arsenal games, a 25% return rate and an FPL point every 20.2 minutes it’s hardly a fantastic start for the former United man in the premier league. Alot has been held on the hat trick in the Champions League against Galatasaray which was impressive but counts for nothing in the premier league. He is outstanding value though for an Arsenal striker and with good fixtures and a midfield that can create chances you’re going to get tap ins from them like his Villa goal. His underlying stats are ok.
The one advantage is that with the high ownership midfield 4 of Sterling, Di Maria, Fabregas and Siggy (the lowest being Di Maria at 38%) Welbeck means you don’t have to take the risk of selling one of them unless you go 3-5-2.
Sanchez (£10.3m)
2 goals and an assist in 6 games at an FPL point every 16.8 minutes and a 50% return rate isn’t pulling up trees but it’s reasonably solid start for the former Barca man. He’s also not cheap. However he has the talent and the fixtures to get the returns although he’s not setting the world alight with his underlying stats so far
Wilshere (£6.4m)
Doesn’t really have much of return record and it’s 1 goals and 1 assist in 5 starts at a return rate of an FPL point every 20.4 minutes. This follows from last years 22.6 mins. Is playing centrally and advanced but will have a gametime issue when Ramsey potentially returns in GW10.
The Ox (£6.4m)
Started ok but it’s only 1 goal in 3 starts and 4 sub appearances. Ozil’s injury should see him starting but the return of Walcott could ultimately see him losing his spot and be the person who he subs.
Chambers (£4.6m)
Suspended for the Hull game but with Gibbs the next closest value wise at £5.3m and rotatable he’s the best defensive option by some distance given his value.
Summary
Welbeck seems the best option to me with Sanchez looking the most secure. Walcott when he is starting is a proven fantasy performer though and a real option. The Ox and Wilshere are good value but both have gametime risk. Chambers although suspended for GW8 is a no brainer in defence.
Thats it. Hope you enjoyed the different articles during the first week of the international break. Tomorrow the regular articles start.
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fantasy premier league gameweek 8
fantasy premier league gameweek 8
