here’s the fantasy premier league match review gameweek 25 – Arsenal V Stoke, Reading v Sunderland & West Ham v Swansea

Arsenal 1 Stoke 0

The Arsenal defensive stats were fantastic and I feel a little vindicated in backing them with all the recent criticism from others.  Obviously the level of  attacking opposition wasn’t up to much which is the only cavaet.  Monreal  started at LB at the very handy price of £5.5m and hopefully when Gibbs returns in 6 weeks or so,  he will move in to an advanced position but he will be safe to then at LB.

Stokes defensive stats were poor with Begovic a 1 man show in keeping the score down.  I saw nothing here to encourage me to invest in the Stoke defence apart from say Wilson when he returns, soon hopefully and GW27 hopefully , at £4.0m

Oxlade Chamberlin had the best shooting stats surprisingly with Giroud and Walcott behind.  Walcott came with the assist for Podolskis free kick.  Podolski continued his returns but doesn’t have the underlying stats to make me want to keep faith in him.  Walcott was wide right but still produced the stats and with the assist gave vindication to his captain selection.  Both Giroud and Walcott are viable options for me.

Wilshire and Diaby led the chances created columns.

Walcott and Etherington were the most forward midfielders.  Walters for some reason was quite deep which is a worry given their good fixtures

Reading 2 Sunderland 1

Surprisingly good defensive stats from Sunderland given they had Bramble at CB and 2 midfielders as FBs.

Readings weren’t great but not too poor.

N’Diaye had the best shooting stats and at £4.5m he’s very good value given he looks like being a certain starter.  His average position was quite deep though so I just see him as a filler rather than another Puncheon or Sterling (as was) who could stand alone.

Kebe was next and with 2 goals he also looks an option at £4.6m.  Readings fixtures are now not great though so again treat him as a filler or rotation if you need to create value

The Pog and Graham were next.  Graham is quite good value at £5.4m.  Sunderland still have good fixtures.  Although a flop this year he has potential from last year and should definitely be on the radar given Sunderlands good fixtures

For those curious fantasy premier league managers Le Fondre didn’t get a shot in his 28 minutes for those who bought in last week

Chances created were led by Johnson and then Harte.  Harte got an assist for those fantasy premier league managers who gambled on him

The most forward midfielders were McLeary and Johnson

West Ham 1  Swansea 0

Great defensive stats from West Ham at last.  Poor from Swansea who are supposed to be the away masters.  West Ham totally dominated this game

Carrol and Nolan led the shooting stats.  Carrol’s price at £8.2m, despite the goal, makes him an unrealistic target.  Nolans stats have come to life again in the last 2 games but I would still be cautious given difficult fixtures ahead.  Nolan will also benefit from Carroll which was obvious even for this game.

Diame and then Michu was next.  The stats for Michu were fairly ordinary despite playing upfront.  However with the Swansea DGW next then its a no brainer to keep him.  They will give a good monitor base though for his form and stats. He hasn’t scored in 7 but stats are still positive suggesting faith rather than exit. .

Carroll led the chances created column.

Diame interestingly was the most forward midfielder for West ham and Pablo for Swansea although there wasnt much in it with Michu.