The Knee Jerk – Saturday

The day’s early kick-off dominates the day and hearts and minds of Fantasy managers as a midfield heavy-hitter announces his return, just as a vital component of the template attack suffers a potential injury setback.

The Game Changer

Fernandinho’s two-goal salvo amongst City’s six goals were clearly up there with the day’s major contributions but, in Fantasy terms, Theo Walcott’s brace for the beaten visitors will have more of an impact.

Handed his first start since his return from injury, Walcott followed up on his two assists from the bench in Gameweeks 13 and 15 with two goals and a double-figure return that will have Fantasy managers on alert.

While Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil have rightly dominated our thinking within the Arsenal midfield to this point, Walcott offers a more explosive alternative with a proven record for goals. Having notched 14 goals and 13 assists last term, Walcott has pedigree and, in a World Cup year, the incentive to impress over the remainder of the season.

While many will contemplate just how today’s devastating defeat will impact on Wenger’s troops, Fantasy managers will now be assessing Walcott’s credentials and perhaps examining the option of trading out Ozil or even Ramsey to capitalise on a player who is capable of surpassing both in the midfield rankings.

With under 4% ownership, Walcott could be a real asset for those searching out a differential with the potential for explosive double-figure returns.

The Selection Poser

While our midfield options appear to have increased, today’s early kick-off may have delivered a major blow to our forward lines.

Sergio Aguero’s withdrawal early on in the second half at the Etihad caused tremors throughout the Fantasy Football community.

The Argentine had earlier notched thirteenth league goal of the season – his third in three outings. A calf injury then ended Aguero’s day, with Manuel Pellegrini later stating that, at this point, he was unsure just “how many weeks he will be out”.

Such a statement would suggest that Aguero will sit out the Gameweek 17 trip to Fulham – although that is far from certain given the hurried prognosis.

A scan is imminent and, fortunately, City’s midweek Capital One Cup tie will bring Pellegrini in front of the press microscope once more.

Very soon we should be clear on Aguero’s situation and at that point we can begin to asses whether it’s worth holding a player who, in recent weeks, has threatened to achieve “essential” status.

A term of absence could signal a shake-up. Aguero is an injury-prone asset who may take time to recover from a spell on the sidelines. While he’s is a vital cog for Pellegrini, the City boss has options with Edin Dzeko, Steven Jovetic and the possibility of a 4-5-1 system helping him to cope without his start striker – Aguero will not be rushed back.

Focus will now switch to Wayne Rooney at Villa tomorrow. Returns for the United man will cement his likely status as the obvious replacement to Aguero, although, given City’s goal output, some will surely consider Alvaro Negredo. The Spaniard claimed his seventh of the season today and has scored in all of City’s last five home matches.