Walcott Ruled out for Six Months

Walcott Replacements

Right, I'm sure this is the question that is on everyone's mind so let's look at the options available to replace Theo.

1. OBVIOUS

a) Ozil - 9.9m - 17.5% ownership - 6.33 PPG

It seems like a very straightforward transfer from Theo to Ozil for those who can afford it. 4 goals and 8 assists in 15 appearances is a very good set of returns and averages to a 6.33333 PPG based on the games Ozil has featured in. With a decent set of fixtures coming up in avl, FUL, sot until the last chance to use the WC, as well as CPA after that, he seems the best option as it allows for Arsenal coverage with very little other options at the moment. As will be discussed with Cazorla below, it really depends where he is deployed. If he is shifted to the right, he could prove to be less efficient and, with 2 away games in the next 3 before the last chance to WC, he may not score as highly as is expected. Long-term though, he seems like a very solid option and will no doubt finish in the highest scorers. Moreover, this will most likely be the most common transfer for those who can afford him so his price will probably go up quite quickly.

b) Yaya - 10.1 - 45% ownership - 6.31 PPG

Monster ownership and he is the 2nd highest scoring MFer in the game and 3rd highest scoring overall. No need to say too much here. Plays for a very attacking team, is currently on pens (for this GW and maybe next), seems to have become a set piece specialist and whenever he scores and you don't have him, you potentially face a red arrow. Nonetheless, City have a host of attacking players (Silva, Nasri, Navas, Negredo and soon Aguero) so he faces stiff competition for points and baps although this has not deterred him so far this season. Fixtures coming up include new, CAR, tot until last available WC time so 2 very average fixtures and 1 very juicy one. With the Capital One Cup though there may be rotation but Yaya is very rarely affected by this.

c) Hazard - 10.4 - 32.3% ownership - 6.25 PPG

Once again, a high ownership and is instrumental in anything that Chelsea do. Unlike Yaya Toure, the rest of Chelsea's attacking options, with the exception of Oscar, are either too inconsistent or massive rotation risks. This means that Hazard is often in the points for Chelsea and is currently the highest scoring MFer in the game (and 2nd overall). Good fixtures coming up with hul, MAN UTD, WHM so I would expect Hazard to score quite well here. Also, with Lampard out for a while, Hazard also boasts penalties and this makes him an even more premium option, reflected of course by his massive price tag.

d) Lallana - 7.3 - 23% ownership - 4.5 PPG

For those looking to save some money in order to fit in Aguero in the very near future, Lallana is a great option as well. He seems instrumental in everything that Southampton do. Fixtures coming up include a very favourable WBA, sun, followed by ARS so it's a mixed bag but in general you'd have to say those are quite favourable.

2. DIFFERENTIALS

a) Cazorla - 9.5m - 2.4% ownership - 3.43 PPG

Cazorla offers an alternative route into Arsenal 'coverage', for those who believe in that sort of thing. Indeed the good set of fixtures for Arsenal make Cazorla a very enticing option for those who can't afford Ozil or for those looking for a differential. He has not been at his best this season but has had a few good performances recently to give some optimism to those looking to invest in his services. Looking at his stats and ICT index, it would seem that returns should be round the corner as he has been doing very well recently with a lot of touches and goal attempts. In my opinion, it simply depends on where he will be deployed following Walcott's injury as he is clearly much more effective when playing the number 10 role he was in last year. If Podolski comes in on the left, Cazorla could play in the hole with Ozil shifted to the right and this would make him a very good option indeed but it is very hard to predict what the situation is. Nonetheless, as has already been stated, the stats are good and it could be a case of 'explosion imminent'.

b) Silva - 9.3m - 5% ownership - 6.27 PPG

As already been said about Yaya Toure, Man City score a lot of goals. Silva's PPG is on par with Yaya Toure and Ozil but his stats are simply immense. He is fundamental to every thing that City have to offer, and what's more, he is actually a differential for those looking to climb up the rankings. Fixtures in the next 3 are not great but with City going goal crazy on a weekly basis, it would not be surprising to see Silva rack up the points once again. Aguero's imminent return will also surely benefit him and, if he stays fit, looks like a top bet long-term.

c) Oscar - 8.7m - 11% ownership - 4.94 PPG*

Oscar's PPG is not as high as some of the other premium options but, it does not truly reflect the situation as despite featuring in 18 of the 20 GWs, he has not started all of these. I suppose this is part of the problem with him being a rotation risk but now that he is back from injury, he seems like he will be pivotal to Chelsea's title bid. He has good fixtures in the short-term and, more importantly, he is a man on form with 1 goal and 3 assists in his last 2 PL games (despite only starting 1 of the 2), as well as a goal against Derby yesterday. A double-up does not seem crazy as, unlike teams with a host of attacking options such as Arsenal and City, Chelsea seem to rely on 2 main men (Haz & Oscar) so it always seems likely that if there are goals he may be involved.

d) Gerrard - 8.7m - 4.7% ownership - 4.88 PPG

Unlike Oscar above, Gerrard is anything but a rotation risk. With most set pieces and penalties under his belt, Gerrard can get points from any game and under any circumstances. That said, he plays a lot deeper than the rest of these options so he is less likely to have explosive returns but in the long-term he will quietly rack up the points as he is assisting 2 of the most clinical strikers in the PL in Suarez and the soon-to-return Sturridge. Fixtures coming up include sto, AVL, EVE so they are indeed very favourable for Gerrard, especially with Liverpool's great home record this season.

CONCLUSION

In my opinion, the Walcott > Ozil transfer is the most obvious and rightly so. 😯 does indeed have a very high PPG and his price is sure to increase following this tragic injury news. Moreover, he offers the very important Arsenal coverage for their favourable fixtures, something which nobody else can do at the moment as Ramsey is injured and Giroud seemingly out of favour with the FFS crowd despite a goal and an assist in his last 2. That said though, Cazorla's stats are immense and returns could be just round the corner but, as I have said, it is highly dependent on his position in the next few fixtures as he is simply not as effective on the left.

For those brave enough to go with no Arsenal, or perhaps hope that Ramsey will be back by GW22 perhaps, I would highly recommend the very effective (when not injured) David Silva despite the 2 tough away fixtures.

Assuming most have Hazard and one of Yaya or Silva though, it is understandable why they would seek Arsenal coverage and Ozil is definitely the safe option. That said though, if we are speaking strictly short term, I would back both Oscar and Gerrard to score very well in the next 3 with the former being particularly on form. For those wanting more of a punt that could result in a series of 2s, as well as potentially very explosive returns, then go for Cazorla. He is slowly finding form and we all know what he can do when he hits top gear.

I currently have Silva and Hazard and it would take a hit for me to bring Ozil in unfortunately so I am trying to decide between Cazorla (punt) or Oscar (safer option). What are you lads doing?