The Digest – Gameweek 29

Our last look at Gameweek 29 assesses the flourishing form of Arsenal’s frontman, the impact of the “Sherwood effect” on Villa’s fortunes, and the dilemma brought about by Sergio Aguero’s underwhelming displays for City.

The Player

Olivier Giroud’s clinical run of form continued as he bagged a goal and an assist in Arsenal’s comfortable 3-0 victory over West Ham United this Gameweek. The French striker has only failed to deliver attacking returns in one of the Gunners’ previous eight match-ups, tallying six goals and three assists in that period.

In a Gameweek where many of the main captaincy contenders such as Sergio Aguero, Harry Kane, Eden Hazard and Alexis Sanchez all let us down, Giroud’s consistency shows little sign of abating. Moreover, his 8.4 price tag compares favourably with his peers, particularly when you consider that Giroud boasts a faster scoring rate (0.86 goals per 90 minutes) than the revelatory Kane (0.81 per 90) so far this season.

The underlying stats over the past four fixtures illuminate Giroud’s ascent as a Fantasy force. Only Diafra Sakho (16) and Kane (14) have fired more attempts from inside the box than the former Montpellier marksman (13) during that stretch, while no forward has created more chances (nine). In FPL terms, Giroud has bettered team-mate Sanchez by 31 points to 14 over that period – underlining his growing importance to the Gunners’ cause and Fantasy squads alike.

All things considered, Giroud looks set to be a permanent fixture in Arsene Wenger’s first team through to the season’s denouement. The only slight concern would be Arsenal’s involvement in cup competitions increasing the risk of rotation – although you’d wager that the battle for the top-four berths is so finely balanced that Wenger won’t tinker too much with his starting XI. Eight starts in the last nine league matches also underline his security of pitch time.

Those managers mulling over Giroud’s acquisition will doubtless be influenced by Arsenal’s blank Gameweek 33 and the prospect of a double Gameweek 34 when their home tie against Sunderland is eventually rescheduled. Tough match-ups against Liverpool and Chelsea in the next four might instill caution in potential investors, yet goals against both Manchester clubs and Liverpool this term prove Giroud’s no flat-track bully.

The Team

Following a tortuous 27 Gameweeks, the Aston Villa faithful have finally been given something to cheer about with the return to form of strike duo Gabriel Agbonlahor and Christian Benteke. Manager Tim Sherwood’s switch to a two-man frontline appears to have done the trick, sparking a six-goal spree for the Villains’ pair in their last two fixtures – more than doubling their tally for the season.

Whether it’s a recalibration on the players’ part or a product of Villa’s more direct brand of football, Agbonlahor and Benteke have certainly tested the opposing goalkeeper with increasing regularity, fashioning seven shots on target in the last two, as compared to their combined two attempts on target in Gameweeks 26 and 27.

However, they aren’t the only beneficiaries of Sherwood’s arrival; Charles N’Zogbia and Scott Sinclair have also experienced an upturn in fortunes since the ex-Tottenham manager took the helm at Villa Park. Having been cast into the wildness under the stewardship of erstwhile boss Paul Lambert, N’Zogbia has started Villa’s last three matches in all competitions, notching two assists in the process. Sinclair, meanwhile, has registered three goals in all competitions since he was welcomed back into the starting line-up.

In defence, Leandro Bacuna has impressed in the absence of suspended Alan Hutton. The right-sided winger has filled in for Hutton – who’s now served his ban – in Villa’s previous two clashes, serving up two assists in their last encounter. Sherwood was quick to lavish praise on the Netherlands U21 international after their 4-0 win over Sunderland, insisting he “looked like Cafu” against the Black Cats rearguard – casting doubt on whether Hutton will reclaim his starting role next weekend.

With trips to United, Spurs and City in the next five, in addition to a blank Gameweek 33, Sherwood’s side still have plenty to do but there’s no doubt the new manager has instilled a real sense of optimism which may yet help sweep the midlands outfit to safety.

The Talking Point

With only three goals in nine appearances since returning from injury, there’s no question that Sergio Aguero has struggled to justify his lofty valuation across the Fantasy games in recent matches. At a time when the likes of Chelsea have a double Gameweek 34 confirmed and Arsenal and Liverpool could also be in our plans, the Argentine’s role in our three-man frontlines is, for many, becoming increasingly at risk.

Tellingly, six of Aguero’s last seven league goals have arrived when the Sky Blues lined up in a 4-4-1-1 formation, as opposed to the 4-4-2 that’s been employed by manager Manuel Pellegrini in recent Gameweeks. Clearly, the Chilean boss wants to afford pitch time to the likes Edin Dzeko and Wilfried Bony, yet the evidence seems to suggest that Aguero’s performed better this season as the spearhead of City’s attack.

Aguero’s 10 attempts on goal in the past two Gameweeks show’s he’s still positioning himself to score, yet only two attempts on target betrays the haphazard nature of his recent efforts. With West Brom and Palace up next, in addition to a Gameweek 33 home encounter with West Ham at a time where the likes of Arsenal – and potentially Liverpool, FA Cup progress dependent – are without a fixture, the vast majority of his owners will be content to hold for now.

Nonetheless, the fact that Aguero is the most transferred out player in the Gameweek so far is perhaps a sign of what’s to follow. Given Kane’s price and level of returns, few will be willing to part company with the Spurs frontman but, at a cost of 13.0 in FPL, Aguero takes up a lot of budget at a time where the likes of Diego Costa, Giroud and possibly Daniel Sturridge will soon be jostling for our attentions up front.

Certainly, given his propensity for explosive returns, it would still be a bold move to sacrifice the South American but if his form continues to struggle, the Aguero-out trade could, for many, be the catalyst to shake up our squads and roll the dice over the final few rounds of fixtures.