The Technical Area – Arsenal Under Analysis
Filed under: The Technical Area - Posted by: Paul
A scrambled, and somewhat dubious, late Mikel Arteta goal against QPR was enough to earn Arsenal their first home win since the Gameweek 4 hammering of Southampton last weekend but, once again, Arsene Wenger’s side failed to impress. While the return of Jack Wilshere was the media’s main focal point, there was a couple of more intriguing aspects of Saturday’s Emirates match worth examining…
Sagna v Jenkinson
Analysing the Gunners’ shape when in possession of the ball, what is noticeable is just how far forward Bacary Sagna (3) featured at right-back. Like Wilshere, the Frenchman was also featuring for the first time this term, with Wenger choosing to drop Carl Jenkinson to the bench after the youngster had played the first eight league matches; a decision the Arsenal boss admitted he didn’t take lightly:
“It was a tough decision, very tough. The team was a bit low in confidence and I felt experience at the back could help. Of course Bacary Sagna has an advantage on Jenkinson in experience. But I am very, very happy and thrilled with what Jenkinson has done until now and he will play again this season of course. It was a difficult decision, but I would like to give credit to Carl. What he has done is extremely promising and he is so young, so where he is now at his age now is fantastic.”
While Sagna helped Arsenal to their first clean sheet in six attempts, it was his attacking thrust down the flank that stands out. Comparing his stats in the QPR match to Jenkinson’s average for the season so far, his offensive forays are far more impressive. Sagna managed 98 touches against Mark Hughes’ outfit, only slightly up on Jenkinson’s 91.2, while both players are equal when it comes to minutes per touch. Indeed, there is little difference in terms of passes received either; just 61 to 57.1 in Sagna’s favour.
| Tchs | Tchs Final 3rd | Mins/Tch | Passes Rcvd | Passes Rcvd Final 3rd | Passes Final 3rd | Crosses | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sagna GW9 | 98 | 47 | 1 | 61 | 26 | 20 | 9 |
| Jenkinson GW 1-8 | 91.2 | 25 | 1 | 57.1 | 16.2 | 13.2 | 3.5 |
| Podolski GW 9 | 62 | 30 | 1.1 | 41 | 17 | 20 | 2 |
The Frenchman, however, had 47 touches in the final third of the pitch compared to Jenkinson’s 25 per game over the first eight league fixtures. He also received 26 passes and made 20 passes in this crucial area – substantially up on Jenkinson’s 16.2 and 13.2 respectively. Factor in his nine crosses on Saturday, to the former Charlton man’s 3.5 average, and it’s fair to say that Sagna brought more than just experience to Arsenal’s first XI against their basement-dwelling London neighbours.
Indeed, Jenkinson’s average position when in possession over Gameweeks 1-8 (left) in comparison to Sagna’s against QPR highlights the difference in each player’s interpretation of the right-back role – a worrying sign for the 20% Fantasy Premier League managers who have transferred the former in since the beginning of the season.
For those eyeing up a straight swap for Sagna as a route into the Arsenal defence, it’s also worth noting his statistics in comparison to Lukas Podolski. The German (number 9 in QPR match above) was actually deeper in possession than Sagna, despite playing on the left of the Gunners’ attacking midfield three. Granted, the decision to sub him off for Andrei Arshavin on 71 minutes will affect his stats but nevertheless, it’s intriguing to see that Sagna had 17 more touches in the final third (47 to 30), made the same number of final third passes (20) and made more than four times the number of crosses than the summer signing from Cologne.
Santi Cazorla
What is also noticeable from the average positions last Saturday is that Santi Cazorla (19) is the furthest forward of any of Arsenal’s starting XI when on the ball. While his number of touches (100) last weekend mirrored his average in the previous eight Gameweeks (100.5), the former Malaga man once again impressed statistically without producing the Fantasy points.
| Tchs | Tchs Final 3rd | Passes Rcvd Final 3rd | Passes Final 3rd | Chances Crtd | Shots In Box | Pen Area Tchs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cazorla GW9 | 100 | 65 | 48 | 43 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| Cazorla GW 1-8 | 100.5 | 49.2 | 28.2 | 26.8 | 3.9 | 1.2 | 3.5 |
Cazorla had 65 touches in the final third, far superior to his previous average of 49.2, and the pattern continues in this crucial attacking area – the diminutive playmaker was also up on passes received in the final third (48 to 28.2) and passes made in the final third (43 to 26.8). While Cazorla was slightly down on chances created, he improved upon his penalty box touches and attempts from inside the box, though he’ll be hoping we forget this close-range sitter.
The main problem for Cazorla, however, is that Arsenal simply don’t have anyone to finish off the multitude of chances he creates. He has provided 34 goalscoring opportunities so far – nine more than any other midfielder – and created a chance every 24.7 minutes; second only to David Silva (22.4) for midfielders who have played more than three times in 2012/13. Yet Cazorla has picked up just two assists. Aside from the 6-1 win over Southampton, the Gunners have scored just two goals in three home matches and have found the net more than once on just three occasions this season. This leads us nicely onto our final protagonist…
Olivier Giroud
The Frenchman arrived on the back of a superb season for Montpellier, where his 21 goals and nine assists fired his side to the 2011/12 Ligue 1 title. While doubts were understandably raised as to whether he could replicate the returns of Robin Van Persie, hopes were nevertheless high of his potential; having been the focal point in a 4-2-3-1 formation, many had assumed Giroud would slot in seamlessly as the lone striker at the Emirates. So far, it hasn’t quite turned out that way.
Having previously lost his place to Gervinho up front, Giroud returned to the first XI and has started the last three league matches, though last weekend was the first time Wenger has begun with his compatriot in an Emirates starting line-up. As the average position map against QPR illustrates, Giroud (12) is simply playing too deep when on the ball. Time and again, he drops back to link up with the Gunners midfield and offers Cazorla few options ahead of him as Arsenal forage forward. With Giroud up top, Wenger’s side simply have no one to stretch opposition backlines and create space for deep-lying players to utilise; all too often, their possession play is congested in the opponents half without offering any real cutting edge.
A comparison with Van Persie is an intriguing one. The maps below show Giroud (left) in possession over his home appearances for Arsenal, with Van Persie’s home games for the Gunners in the 2011/12 campaign on the right. The problem for Wenger is clear and is backed up considerably by the stats.
Last season, Van Persie managed 30.8 touches in the final third per home game – Giroud made 24 on Saturday. The Dutchman’s received 16.3 passes in this area and made 9.8, while Giroud registered 10 and five respectively at the weekend. In a game where the hosts had 67.1% possession and 323 in the final third, Giroud had a touch every 2.4 minutes; again, this is down on Van Persie’s 1.9.
Indeed, from penalty box touches (9.3 to six), to shots (5.3 to four) and shots in the box, with an average of 4.1 per Emirates match double Giroud’s Gameweek 9 output, Van Persie is head and shoulders above Wenger’s new forward.
| Tchs Final 3rd | Passes Rcvd Final 3rd | Tchs/Min | Passes Final 3rd | Chances Crtd | Pen Area Tchs | Shots | Shots in Box | Mins/Attmpt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Van Persie Home 2011/12 | 30.8 | 16.3 | 1.9 | 9.8 | 1.9 | 9.3 | 5.3 | 4.1 | 17.2 |
| Giroud GW 9 | 24 | 10 | 2.4 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 24 |
A crumb of comfort for the Arsenal boss in afforded by the fact that his side are still producing plenty of opportunities for his lone forward overall. Giroud has managed an attempt every 22.2 minutes this term, not too far away from Van Persie’s 20.2 in his final season in north London. The new boy fares worse in terms of shot accuracy, with 38.5% to the Dutchman’s 43.7% but when it comes to goal conversion, the problem is underlined. Van Persie scored with 17.2% of his efforts for Arsenal in 2011/12; Giroud has found the net with 3.8% thus far.
Perhaps it’s a little unfair to judge the former Montpellier man against the deadliest forward in the Premier League but it’s fair to say there’s a substantial difference in both the average positions and statistics that not only can go some way to explaining why Arsenal aren’t producing in front of goal, but perhaps highlight why Cazorla is having difficulty in flourishing as a Fantasy force, in spite of his superb statistics.
Unfortunately for Wenger, next up for the Gunners is a trip to Old Trafford this Saturday lunchtime. As he looks to address his ailing attack, there’s every chance the Arsenal boss will be served a costly reminder of what they once had, as Van Persie looks to add to his seven goals and four assists in just eight starts in a sensational start to life at the Red Devils.
*The Technical Area is put together using the statistics and maps available in our members area. For access to such data and tools on every player, team and match of the 2012/13 season, and for exclusive members articles like this, click here for details.
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October 31 at 9:32 am
King Nil Miss ✩ says:
Bench one from:
Michu – Gerrard – HBA – Mata – Bale
Berbatov – Fletcher – Tevez
October 31 at 9:33 am
NED KELLY says:
Michu
October 31 at 9:33 am
Gav says:
I am thinking i’ll bench BHA this week. Maybe Michu, i dont have him.
October 31 at 9:34 am
Elwood says:
Gerrard
October 31 at 9:37 am
ronty says:
benching Stevie at Anfield is ridiculous
October 31 at 9:38 am
King Nil Miss ✩ says:
It seems Elwood doesn´t trust Liverpool .
October 31 at 9:41 am
Doosra - "Loyalty is the handmaiden to success" - A Noble Quote says:
I don’t, either!
October 31 at 9:45 am
King Nil Miss ✩ says:
Well you hammers sure stick with each other, but I`ll have to play Stevie this week without a doubt.
October 31 at 9:39 am
Doosra - "Loyalty is the handmaiden to success" - A Noble Quote says:
Not really!
October 31 at 9:36 am
Doosra - "Loyalty is the handmaiden to success" - A Noble Quote says:
Ben Arfa, imo.
October 31 at 9:38 am
Fratboy says:
Agree with this unfortunately.
October 31 at 9:42 am
King Nil Miss ✩ says:
Has been a though one to own…
October 31 at 9:55 am
Fratboy says:
yep very t(h)ough
October 31 at 10:02 am
King Nil Miss ✩ says:
October 31 at 9:36 am
iCon says:
Berbmight do you a favour and be out!
Personally i’d go with HBA
October 31 at 9:37 am
thetinkerman says:
The problem with having so much money spread about your attack; you end up benching 7m+ worth of talent on a weekly basis.
I’d much prefer to have a player who I aim to bench most weeks but who will step in should I need him.
For this week, I’d bench HBA and I’d even go as far as to say that I think you should sell him.
October 31 at 9:40 am
rdb007 says:
+1
October 31 at 9:41 am
King Nil Miss ✩ says:
That is my aim too, I reshufled my team and ended up with those 8 for this week, I don´t like this type of headache either, especially if you bench the wrong one.
Anyway, thanks for your opinion lads, it seems HBA wins the poll… for now.
October 31 at 9:44 am
thetinkerman says:
long-term, HBA > Sterling and perhaps Fletcher > Ba seems like a solid move.
October 31 at 9:45 am
King Nil Miss ✩ says:
Stevie -> McAnuff
Fletcher -> RvP
October 31 at 9:52 am
thetinkerman says:
Or that!
October 31 at 9:32 am
Gav says:
have been waiting for Sagna since the start of the season.
Having a tinker, I have 2 frees is it worth doing:
Foster -> McCarthy (or any keeper 4.1 or less) and
Demel -> Sagna
will prob bench Sagna this week if i do get him and play nelsen. or could do the keeper transfer and get Sagna next week although any price change will scupper it.
I’m tempted, what do ya think?
October 31 at 9:35 am
lfc123 says:
I’de wait on Sagna, get him right after Utd game, then you shouldn’t lose out on the price rise. That’s what i’m doing!
October 31 at 9:37 am
iCon says:
Tremmel looks a good option for 4.0m Swans appear to have tightened up a little of late
October 31 at 9:40 am
Gav says:
do we know how long vorm is out for.
My other keeper is Beg so probably wont need the 2nd keeper anyway
October 31 at 9:38 am
Gav says:
ah thats the early game. I guessed it would be on Sunday.
Think your right, can wait on Sagna to be on the safe side
October 31 at 9:33 am
colakim3 says:
Jaaskelainen – Foster
Kompany – Baines – Ivanovic – Johnson – Vermaelen
Pienaar – Michu – Sterling – Ben Arfa – Nolan
Jelavic – Defoe – Ba
I’ve got two free transfers.
Current thoughts are getting rid of Johnson for Shawcross. I’m pretty keen on keeping Michu since he is playing the striker role atm. Not sure who to bench nor who to transfer. Any suggestions?
October 31 at 9:36 am
Elwood says:
I’d Bench: Jaask, Sterling, Johnson and verm
October 31 at 9:45 am
thetinkerman says:
I’d play Sterling ahead of HBA personally.
October 31 at 9:48 am
thetinkerman says:
2 FTs is a perfect chance to sell one or more of your expensive defenders for cheaper ones. You’ll get much better value with cheap starters and can move some money into your weak midfield.
I’m not saying Kompany and Johnson are bad picks, but the money saved by swappin them for cheaper players will gain you a lot more points invested in midfield IMO.
Barfa > Bale is a good starting point. I’d also consider upgrading one of Nolan or Michu to Mata or Cazorla in the long-term.
October 31 at 9:51 am
Shaps says:
Jelavic to Tevez and Johnson to Cuellar would be my choice
October 31 at 9:34 am
iCon says:
Has Morrison(c) krept into anyone else’s thinkings?
October 31 at 9:36 am
Optimus says:
nope..heard he played deeper last game in cmf with gera playing in the hole…gera im tempted by
October 31 at 9:37 am
Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad says:
Stay away. I don’t have him. But too risky IMO
October 31 at 9:37 am
NED KELLY says:
My mate is doing lukaku (C).. always has is (C) on the last game of the weekend
October 31 at 9:37 am
Fratboy says:
If Yacob stays out there’s (unfortunately) a good chance that Morrison could play much deeper. Also with Gera coming into the frey, he’s taking up Morrison’s position in the hole, for the time being anyway…
October 31 at 9:38 am
rdb007 says:
Could pay off, but with RVP, Bale, Mata & Hazard all good options this week, I dont see too many doing it.
October 31 at 9:35 am
rdb007 says:
Now that the season has settled down, I would like to know how much is everyone spending on att/mid/def etc.
Last few weeks have not given us too many clean sheets, and with the emergence of mid priced midfielders,
I strongly feel the urge to spend 30m+ on my front three.
Thus having 3 top strikers, 2 big mids, 2 big defs.
Thoughts?
October 31 at 9:38 am
Doosra - "Loyalty is the handmaiden to success" - A Noble Quote says:
I will have a bejewelled midfield, shortly. I also have van Persie. Crouch is my cheap striker.
October 31 at 9:42 am
rdb007 says:
That is another way of going about it, but do you really feel comfortable captaining anyone from your midfield?
October 31 at 9:46 am
Old School says:
is bejewelled like a vajazzle but on a bloke
October 31 at 9:53 am
Shaps says:
Hit the nail on the head
October 31 at 9:38 am
Elwood says:
3 big forwards if you include Ba/Berbs in that equation
I prefer the idea of 2 big hitters up front and 3 mids and 1 big defender with balanced keepers.
October 31 at 9:45 am
rdb007 says:
Yeah with Ba.
Thing with 3 big mids is, even if you see now, Bale & Mata/Hazard are in form, where as Santi/Silva have not exploded yet.So you essentially have 1 of them not in the best of forms.
With 2 mids you can just keep the in form ‘big’ mids.
October 31 at 9:48 am
Ryan says:
+1 RVP, Ba, Berbatov, Bale, Mata, Caz, Baines.
October 31 at 9:39 am
Coldplay - Krohn-Delhi A True Legend says:
I am taking a different approach. 2 big strikers and 1 bench fodder. 2 big mids and 3 other 6-8 priced mids.
October 31 at 9:42 am
Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad says:
Click my link. It’s plain to see. Have made two like for like trannies this week that’s all
October 31 at 9:49 am
footyjuana says:
I like the Begovic sorensen idea buddy, You can bank on atleast 10-14 CS for the season I guess
October 31 at 9:43 am
Bubbles - No, I will not rate your team. Go away. says:
I’m soon to be loading up on the heavy strikers. RVP, Rooney & Ba from GW11. If Ba is out for a while, then Jelavic. Only Bale as a big mid and Baines as a big defender though.
October 31 at 9:53 am
rdb007 says:
Exactly where I’m coming from. Although I have Bale & Mata as big mids with Baines the only decent defender.
October 31 at 9:45 am
James says:
Ive gone for 2 big defenders (Baines and Ivanovic), 2 big mids (Cazorla, Mata), 2 big forwards (Suarez, RVP). Soon to have Ba in there as well (pending injury news of course), and I have 2 Stoke defenders who are cheap considering their ability to defend.
October 31 at 9:48 am
footyjuana says:
Yup, 30 M–>Forwards(RVP + 2 strikers in 17M)
25M–>Defence(Baines + cheap rotation)
10 M GKs–> 2 well rotation GKs
35-38 M Midfield–>( 2 biggies, one mid level but plays always, and 2 cheapies rotating well)
October 31 at 9:52 am
thetinkerman says:
I think there are 2 valid strategies in terms of money invested in defence vs. midfield
A
2 big defs
2 big mids
1 big def
3 big mids
You could argue either way as there are a few defenders with big goal threat who could also start picking up more cleanies.
At the moment I’d prefer sticking with just Baines and going with 3 of Bale, Cazorla, Mata, Hazard, Silva
October 31 at 9:37 am
Zizou says:
ok i’m working to get rvp back into my team so i’m getting rid of cazorla,
I know his stats are impressive and after this week he has a good run, but then again i would have thought qpr and norwich would be high scoring games for him. prob will regret it but……
anyway my midfield is
mata bale michu fellaini ? (am hoping to spend less than 5.5m)
at the moment i’ve narrowed it down to sterling/mcanuff/gera
what you guys reckon? any better suggestions
October 31 at 9:38 am
lfc123 says:
McAnuff /Taraabt
October 31 at 9:38 am
iCon says:
Who’s on Pens for WBA?
October 31 at 9:39 am
Fratboy says:
Brunt I thought
October 31 at 9:40 am
Optimus says:
i think long took 1 and missed..brunt was probably injured though
October 31 at 9:40 am
Doosra - "Loyalty is the handmaiden to success" - A Noble Quote says:
It is a mash.
October 31 at 9:42 am
iCon says:
Any chance Morrison will get the nod?
October 31 at 9:47 am
Doosra - "Loyalty is the handmaiden to success" - A Noble Quote says:
Unlikely, sadly.
October 31 at 9:48 am
iCon says:
In fact you seem the very man to ask – Noble to Morrison this week; makes sense, right?
October 31 at 9:49 am
Doosra - "Loyalty is the handmaiden to success" - A Noble Quote says:
I’m not sure about that. It depends on the rest …
October 31 at 9:47 am
Fratboy says:
nahhhh
October 31 at 9:51 am
MataMagic says:
gera?
October 31 at 9:42 am
Zoroarke says:
If RVP Is hard to get in, should i stick with Rooney or go out of the way to make way for RVP? thought please. WC active.
October 31 at 9:43 am
Optimus says:
if your on wc you have to shoe in rvp
October 31 at 9:43 am
footyjuana says:
I would try to fit in RVP for sure. Making my WC team post GW 10, and it is hard. But RVP needs to be the 1st name on the team sheet
October 31 at 9:46 am
filobiz says:
in my opinion i’d say leave him out. spread the wealth around – he’s shit hot that’s for sure but SO much money… you can even it out better. not rooney tho..
October 31 at 9:44 am
dinsdale43 says:
If you’re on an active WC, I’d definitely try and make it work with RVP
If you can’t, Rooney and Tevez are both good alternatives
October 31 at 9:45 am
Bubbles - No, I will not rate your team. Go away. says:
If only one, then RVP I’d say. But as you’re on WC, both? The fixtures are amazing.
October 31 at 11:18 am
wakey says:
All i know is somebody somewhere is gonna get a right old thumping off United…and soon…
October 31 at 9:46 am
Makarand says:
Agree with everyone.
October 31 at 9:49 am
Zoroarke says:
Schwarzer Rooney Tevez to McCarthy Giroud RVP
YES OR NO?
October 31 at 9:56 am
ronty says:
if Utd were struggling in the CL,I would have said no.
I can now see him playing every week.
October 31 at 9:45 am
Old School says:
one of my mates just sent me this slightly modified joke…
Susan Boyle has appeared on national TV in defense of Jimmy Saville and Gary Glitter.
Susan state that when she was 15 she attend a Saville / Glitter back stage party and neither of them touched her
October 31 at 9:48 am
Doosra - "Loyalty is the handmaiden to success" - A Noble Quote says:
Blimey. I’ll get your coat …
October 31 at 9:50 am
Old School says:
October 31 at 10:02 am
thetinkerman says:
Not really that funny!
I don’t mind crude jokes but they have to be funny to justify telling them!
October 31 at 9:46 am
dinsdale43 says:
Considering doing Vertong > Gorkss to free up some £££s…
Too risky?
October 31 at 9:48 am
Bubbles - No, I will not rate your team. Go away. says:
Give Vertonghen one more week? That’s what I’m doing, then out after the Wigan game.
October 31 at 9:47 am
Ace Ventura says:
Looking at the next 5 games, which 2 would you want?
1) Bale – WIG mci ars WHM LIV
2) Santi – mun FUL TOT avl eve
3) Pienaar – ful SUN rdg NOR ARS
4) Barfa – liv WHM SWA sot sto
October 31 at 9:47 am
Chris_White says:
Bale and Pienaar
October 31 at 9:49 am
Doosra - "Loyalty is the handmaiden to success" - A Noble Quote says:
1) & 2), imo. And I do!
October 31 at 9:50 am
Ace Ventura says:
I have 2) 4) atm but both are proving a waste of money!
No doubt Barfa and Santi have good fixtures but do we see them picking up points?
October 31 at 9:49 am
Fratboy says:
Bale and Ben Arfa.
October 31 at 9:51 am
Nick says:
Bale and Santi.
October 31 at 10:03 am
thetinkerman says:
They’re already ranked in the order that I’d want them. If you can’t afford Bale and Caz, I’d take Pie instead of Caz!
October 31 at 9:49 am
Chris_White says:
Lets say Ba is ruled out.
Do I play HBA (which is my only available sub) or do I get Defoe as a 1 week punt? He really likes facing Wigan…
October 31 at 9:51 am
Pratik says:
Depends on how pressed you are with transfers….I don’t like 1 week punts for that reason.
October 31 at 9:52 am
Nick says:
This
October 31 at 9:53 am
Chris_White says:
I know, neither do I. It’s just that I fancy Defoe this week + I might risk not fielding 11 players if I stick with Ba. He will most probably come in the week after if fit. The problem is that this makes my plans of getting in Rooney (along with van Persie) in GW11 costly… (-4 instead of free)
October 31 at 9:57 am
ronty says:
+1
October 31 at 9:51 am
Nick says:
Play HBA imo.
October 31 at 9:54 am
Fratboy says:
lol!
October 31 at 9:57 am
Nick says:
Great minds
October 31 at 9:55 am
ZECA says:
this
October 31 at 9:51 am
footyjuana says:
Other than the 5 goals one game, any other record? I believe he didnt play in the same fixture last year(Adebayor was 1st choice by miles then)
October 31 at 9:53 am
Fratboy says:
Play HBA imo.
October 31 at 9:54 am
Chris_White says:
Cheers guys, most likely going to stick.
October 31 at 10:04 am
thetinkerman says:
For £7.9m I’d want a player I can play every week. If you’re having doubts, I’d consider making plans to sell him.
October 31 at 10:07 am
Chris_White says:
I am selling after sot if his dry spell continues.
October 31 at 9:52 am
1justlookin says:
Is there any Defenders that you feel are a must – long term. I have Baines but I can’t think of anyone else. My other 4 defenders are crap and I was looking for a solid points scorer long term as in sick of doing/thinking about who to get in an out
October 31 at 9:54 am
Optimus says:
1 from utd or stoke looking at the fixtures
October 31 at 10:06 am
thetinkerman says:
Agree with a Stoke defender but I’m not so sure about a United defender. I’m sure they’ll tighten up at some point but they discounted players come with the risk of rotation so I’ll be avoiding them until they do tighten up and it becomes more clear how Smalling and Jones will affect team selection long-term
October 31 at 9:55 am
roscola says:
There’s an argument that Sagna’s current price makes him a season keeper. But I go back and forth on whether I want him or not. Obviously, lots of bombing forward (as shown in the article) makes him more attractive.
October 31 at 9:57 am
rvp786 says:
he does bomb forward but what is his history like when it comes to assists and goals?
October 31 at 10:01 am
roscola says:
Not amazing – averaged around 1 goal and 3 assists per season for arsenal. Doesn’t mean to say he won’t up his rate this year; Gibbs seems to have been much more prolific than normal already.
But I just don’t know.
October 31 at 10:07 am
thetinkerman says:
He’s not much of a goal scorer but he’ll whip plenty of crosses in. Whether his team-mates will convert them is another matter.
October 31 at 9:58 am
1justlookin says:
Yeah, I was thinking of him too. Guess Sagna, Rafael and a STK defender is the way to go tho rafa is at risk with smallish and jones coming back
October 31 at 9:59 am
Fratboy says:
One from Stoke, Newcastle, United. Perhaps even a Liverpool defender, there home fixtures (although fairly widespread) are very favourable.
NEWCASTLE chelsea WIGAN swansea spurs SOUTHAMPTON west ham ASTON VILLA FULHAM
October 31 at 9:59 am
ronty says:
Your crest should point the way. The way Sunderland are playing,I see more chances of
a CS than a goal.
October 31 at 10:01 am
1justlookin says:
Yep, Cuellar is on my radar as is Bardo
October 31 at 10:00 am
Shaps says:
I’ve got Riise if you can call him a big hitter who likes his assists
October 31 at 10:08 am
thetinkerman says:
I think Cameron, Cuellar, Newcastle defender, Baines +1 more is a good basis.
October 31 at 9:54 am
Jafooli (C) says:
Alan Brazil: “I was sad to hear yesterday about the death of Inspector Morse, TV’s John Shaw.”
Mike Parry: “John Thaw, Alan.”
Alan Brazil: “Do you know, I’ve been doing that all morning. John, if you’re listening, sorry mate
October 31 at 9:56 am
Jafooli (C) says:
“The man is United – cut him and he bleeds red”. His evaluation on Sir Alex Ferguson
October 31 at 9:59 am
iCon says:
Was fairly set on Noble to Morrison for this week, but there doesn’t seem to be big suport here for Morrison
Any better suggestions what to do with my FT ths week:-
Bego
Baines Ivan Cuellar
Mata Michu Pienaar _______
RVP Tevez Crouch
Fed Hangman Maloney Demel
Cheers
October 31 at 10:02 am
iCon says:
Sorry the blank is Noble, who I think has served his purpose, but now time to go….Also have 2.2m in bank
October 31 at 10:08 am
champoz says:
McAnuff has been busy lately
October 31 at 10:00 am
Stinkfly says:
So…….Gervinho out for 4 weeks, Walcott from GW11 anybody?
October 31 at 10:01 am
Nitin Nagaraja says:
New post – http://www.fantasyfootballscou.....he-rescue/
October 31 at 10:13 am
Makarand says:
Cheers, Nitin.
October 31 at 10:02 am
Pratik says:
OFF-TOPIC
Lg Nexus 4 sounds like a really good buy especially at the price it is likely to be offered…….Brilliant specs (Quad-Core Processor + 2 GB Ram), Android 4.2, wireless-charging etc etc. Have only had 2 phones previously in my life (shocking, I know ), but I’m seriously thinking this might be my 3rd.
Are any of you considering per-ordering it?
October 31 at 10:07 am
rabsi1 says:
agree. great specs. very cheap. great look. pure android. beast phone.
October 31 at 10:03 am
Shaps says:
Bench Lambert (wba) or HBA (liv)?
October 31 at 10:09 am
Makarand says:
HBA.
October 31 at 10:08 am
Makarand says:
Thinking of saving my transfer this week. Thoughts?:
Foster, (Fed),
Baines, Cuellar, McAuley, (Clyne, Demel),
Santi, Mata, Pienaar, Michu, (Guthrie),
RVP, Tevez, Berba. (0.0 bank)
Obviously the lack of Bale is a worry, but since he hasn’t scored or assisted at WHL yet I think I can go through this week without him. Or should I take a hit to get him in?
October 31 at 10:10 am
Why do I play this stupid game that makes me cheer on teams and players I hate?!?! says:
Activated WC last night rather than lose more ground on the leaders. Whatever way I look at it though my squad is so much better without RVP. Is it madness not to have him? Justifying it to myself by saying a) he’s not gonna get big returns every week (see GW 5, 6 & 7 for eg), b) Fergie will rotate for some of the easier upcoming fixtures to give Hernandez & Welbeck playing time and c) he’s well overdue an injury knowing his history!
Very happy with my current selection below, I don’t really need RVP do I?!
Begovic – Mignolet
Rafael – Baines – Ivanovic – Zabaleta – Gorkks
Bale – Michu – Sterling – Mata – Lallana
Berbatov – Tevez – Ba
October 31 at 10:13 am
TorresMagic™ - Check my link for Early Bird qualification - 5 left after GW9. says:
Too much in defence imo.
October 31 at 10:16 am
champoz says:
WC and no RVP? Mad as a cut snake
October 31 at 10:23 am
Kendog says:
Does the thought of a front line with BOTH rvp and rooney sound too daring or stupid?
October 31 at 10:38 am
wakey says:
well…20 points down the swanee…had to do it today for imminenet price rises…team for the next few weeks up until the end of Uniteds easy run
Begovic (Tremmel)
Baines Cahill Shawcross (Cameron Baird)
Michu Fellaini Morrison Nolan (Sterling )
Rooney RVP Defoe
October 31 at 10:41 am
Elwood says:
20 point hit?!? Who did you get in and why the hurry.
Baines I can understand but Nolan and Sterling?
October 31 at 10:54 am
wakey says:
did Baird and Cameron earlier in the week because i had Jenkinson and the broken leg chap from Stoke….so three today…Got in Rooney and RVP ready for next week….Defoe/Nolan/Sterling all attracting a lot of buyers Defoe already went up last night and Nolan/Sterling will follow suit maybe tonight…(sorry 16pt hit…had a ft)
October 31 at 11:54 am
Manani says:
bench one from santi Mcanuff Pineear Giroud Berba
leaning towards mcanuff, but they have QPR.
October 31 at 6:20 pm
Common Barn Utd says:
Rather liking all this tactical talk re 2 big strikers etc, which got me thinking about Sterling. How far forward does he go in the Liverpool formation – are they 4-5-1 or 4-4-2 etc etc?