Say What – Gameweek 30

We have a bumper edition of Say What? this week, with plenty of sound bites for your Friday afternoon perusal. Arsene Wenger discusses Olivier Giroud’s form and the fitness of Alexis Sanchez. Louis van Gaal praises Juan Mata’s new role, Ronald Koeman is calm over Graziano Pelle’s lack of goals, whilst Alan Pardew explains the importance of set-pieces to Palace’s prospects.

Wenger on Giroud’s progress…

Olivier Giroud has netted in each of Arsenal’s previous five league clashes, rounding off a sensational month with a brace against Newcastle last Gameweek. Having struggled to reclaim the lone striker berth in the face of competition from Alexis Sanchez earlier in the campaign, the French marksman has now established himself as the prime candidate for Gunners coverage in many Fantasy managers’ eyes. Boss Arsene Wenger insists that Giroud’s combination of finesse and physicality renders him among the best frontmen in the league. Arsenal’s head coach went on to suggest that the striker has improved immeasurably on a technical level and benefitted from a spell on the sidelines at the start of the season:

“I think he is one of the best strikers in the Premier League because he scores the goals, he has a presence and he’s a fighter as well. Above all he is a team player, he fights for the team. He is a player who has a good mental strength because at 22 he was playing in division three [in the French league]. Now he plays at Arsenal and there is still room for improvement for him. He benefits from the fact that he has not started a few games at the start of the season. He has also improved his technical game. Technically he is a much better player and that’s why he scores goals. His touch, his link-up play, his finishing, has all improved. If you saw footage of when he first arrived and watch him today it is obvious he is better.”

Giroud full of confidence…

The Gunners forward concurred with his manager’s claims after taking his tally to eight goals and three assists in the last nine Gameweeks. Speaking to Radio Monte Carlo ahead of France’s friendly with Brazil last night, the Gunners forward proposed that he is in the best form of his Arsenal career and also went on to address the criticism surrounding his performance against Monaco in the first leg of their Champions League clash:

“I am in my best period since I arrived at Arsenal. I need to continue like this, I don’t want to stop here. I scored 16 or 17 goals last year. I would like to do better and to help my team reach its aims. That is what is most important. Finishing second or third [in the league] would be very good, even if we’ll be ready if Chelsea slip up. Winning the FA Cup is also an objective. I am continuing my progress. I feel really good at Arsenal. It’s important to keep improving… I did an interview one week before the game against Monaco. We spoke about a lot of different topics and the journalist said to me: ‘Giroud is not the same as Agüero and Diego Costa.’ I simply replied that I was a good attacker, I let the statistics speak for themselves. I know who I am, I know what I say. Apparently, it was not the right moment because I lacked efficiency during that game [against Monaco]. It is good to show you have mental strength in coming back stronger and I proved that the critics don’t hurt me. I have created a shell around me, in the good and the bad moments.”

Wenger admits Sanchez fitness concerns…

Alexis Sanchez’s form has dipped in recent months, following a breathless start to the campaign in which he notched eight goals in nine starts for the Gunners. In contrast, Arsenal’s previous 11 fixtures in all competitions have only harvested one goal for the Chilean livewire, which manger Arsene Wenger attributed to a combination of a positional change (Olivier Giroud’s reinstatement shifted Sanchez onto the flank) and fatigue. The former Barcelona star has featured in 39 matches in all competitions for the North London club so far this term, prompting Wenger to consider resting Sanchez:

“He’s a bit fatigued and in a position where he has scored less. He wants to force his game and then is more involved in physical battles. Maybe goalscoring is on his mind, so he wants to do too much and he wants to force his game. I’m tempted to give him a break at some stage. I have been for a long time. It’s not that he won’t let me, I will decide that. It’s just that every game now is so important, you always have a hesitation to do it.”

Rooney pleased with move up front

The United skipper has discussed his delight after being moved into an advanced role in recent weeks. After being mired in central midfield for much of the season, Rooney has been stationed up top as a result of Robin van Persie’s ankle injury and scored three times in the last four Gameweeks. Given that the Red Devils have won all four of those fixtures in the Dutchman’s absence, their captain is hoping he can continue in his preferred position, though accepts his new role is by no means permanent:

“When you play as a centre-forward, you want to score goals, so I’m pleased I’m doing that. I actually spoke with the manager [Van Gaal] and he thought it was better for the team for me to play in midfield. So that’s what I did. I played there. I’m sure in other games he might put me back in midfield but I’m delighted to be playing up front and scoring goals. It’s helping us win football matches. It’s a role I know I can play [in midfield] and I’ve said that many times. But as a centre-forward, your job is to try and score goals. Thankfully, I’ve gone back up front and I’m doing that.”

Pellegrini explains Bony’s lack of pitch time…

Since returning victorious from the African Cup of Nations, Ivory Coast striker Wilfried Bony has featured in the first XI in only two of Manchester City’s five league clashes. Having drawn a blank in his debut start for the Sky Blues at home to Leicester City, the former Swans marksman was on target in last Gameweek’s match-up against West Brom, guiding a shot in from close range after the ball fell to him in the penalty area. City head coach Manuel Pellegrini commended Bony for taking his chance against the 10-man Baggies outfit while explaining that the £30 million signing had been eased into contention following an extremely busy international break:

“It is important for him because he has just arrived in our squad and he has come in from playing six games in 18 days in the African Cup of Nations. That is not good at this moment of the season for the players, and that is why he is not always in the starting XI. It is the important thing, not just for Bony but for every player, to take chances in the way he did today.”

Koeman relaxed over Pelle’s lack of goals…

It’s not unfair to state that Graziano Pelle’s form has plummeted since the halfway point of the season. Prior to the turn of the year, the Italian forward had delivered a solid return of eight goals in 19 starts for Southampton. In 2015, however, Pelle has failed to record a single goal in 10 outings, extending his goalless steak to 13 league appearances. Pelle’s lack of form encouraged Saints manager Ronald Koeman to replace him with Shane Long for their visit to Stamford Bridge, before reinstating the ex-Feyenoord frontman for a Gameweek 30 home clash against Burnley. Notwithstanding Pelle’s barren run, Koeman is confident his star striker can end the season strongly if he carries on working hard for the team and doesn’t complicate his play:

“It’s sometimes difficult for the strikers when they have something a little bit struggling and then they try to do something different what they don’t need. It’s difficult but he was working well, a bit unlucky in two situations in the second half but the goals will come – no problem. What you have to do is work hard for the team and the players – they understand his situation, and that’s football. Don’t be nervous, keeping working and if you get a chance then score and don’t make it more difficult than that possibility was.”

Pardew on the importance of set-pieces to Palace…

One of the most prominent changes in Crystal Palace’s brand of football since the appointment of Alan Pardew has been their increased productivity from set pieces. Between Gameweek 21 and Gameweek 30 (Pardew’s tenure), the Eagles attempted a staggering 61 attempts from set plays – 20 more than second-ranked West Ham. Coupled to that, their corner conversion rate is at 45.6%, as compared to 19.1% during Neil Warnock’s reign. Speaking on Goals on Sunday, Pardew said that set pieces were a problem at former club Newcastle United because they didn’t replace the technically gifted Yohan Cabaye. At Selhurst Park, Pardew is thrilled to have the luxury of calling upon a handful of players with great delivery and centre-halves that attack crosses:

“The set play situation (at Newcastle) was a problem. I kept telling the board and the scouting team that we needed to get somebody to score from set plays. Delivery was a problem after Cabaye and we struggled. I come to Palace and in place were two or three attackers of the ball, great delivery and a system that was in place. I’ve just kept that going. I want to take no credit for it whatsoever. I gave the job to Keith Mullen and probably there is a bit of Tony Pulis in that and we’re doing a fantastic job. But you need players to execute and if you have aggressive centre-halves and aggressive strikers you can score goals.”

Van Gaal on Mata’s new role on the right…

Spurred on by the standing ovation he received for his performance against Spurs the weekend before, Juan Mata took all the plaudits at Anfield last Sunday with an excellent two-goal display. Having been consigned to a bit-part role in the six match-ups prior to the Tottenham clash, the former Valencia star has been an influential presence in the Red Devils’ midfield since, executing more successful passes (110) than any of his team-mates in the last two. Manager Louis van Gaal answered questions on the midfielder’s upturn in form, revealing that Mata’s new role as a false right winger affords him more opportunities to impact the game:

“Juan is one of my better players. I looked for balance and now I have found a position where he plays very good and he also scores two goals and marvellous goals. If you are playing good we have to play like a team and now he is playing as a false right winger in the combination with Herrera and Valencia. It gives him more opportunities.”

Martinez lauds Lennon display…

Everton boss Roberto Martinez sung the praises of Aaron Lennon after the diminutive winger scored the winning goal in the Toffees’ trip to Loftus Road last weekend. The on-loan wide man – who also earned an assist in the 3-0 win over Newcastle – has now served up 15 points in the last couple of Gameweeks since a move to 4-4-2 and his manager reckons his performances are improving as the season progresses:

“What’s pleased me most about Aaron is that since day one, when he arrived, he wanted to contribute, he wanted to be a big part of the team. He had a real will, he wanted to show he had fresh legs and that he could help the team – and I thought it was his best performance by far for Everton. Not just scoring the goal [but how] he worked for the team. Defensively he was a real help, and he is a player who looks as if he’s been with the group of players for a long, long time. That pleased me a lot.”

Coleman looking for more goals…

Although Seamus Coleman has been far from the dominant attacking threat that thrust him into the spotlight last season, the Irish right-back has still managed to notch five goals in all competitions. Everton’s recent reversal of fortunes – following a five-match winless streak – has coincided with an increase in Coleman’s threat, as evidenced by his goal and assist in a 2-1 victory over QPR last time out. The Toffees defender is determined to better his tally of seven goals in the last campaign and register another three goals before the summer break.

“I got seven last season and you always want to do better than you did the previous season. That goal puts me on five but most important was winning the game. Before the game I knew I hadn’t scored in a while in the league. I was talking with Ross Barkley before the game saying I was due one. Thankfully when I got in there I didn’t have anything else on my mind but to score and thankfully it went in.”

Coutinho on his role and current form…

Philippe Coutinho is on track to record his most productive campaign since making the switch from Inter Milan to Liverpool in 2013’s January transfer window. The Brazilian playmaker has tallied four goals and eight assists in 27 appearances this term – one shy on both accounts of his return last season. In particular, Coutinho has flourished from Gameweek 17 onwards, delivering attacking returns in eight of his 14 starts. In an interview with Standard Sport, the midfielder stressed the importance of the Reds’ pressing game while also stating that he’s working hard to improve his goal output:

“My function is to defend without the ball and that is something our team does well: pressuring without the ball. Then, when we’ve got the ball it is easier. That is one of the reasons we are playing well and consequently individually we also improve. Sure I have improved from last year – especially on marking as it is something my manager requests from me a lot. I am happy with my form but I know I must keep improving. I do think I need to improve on scoring more goals and that is something I am working hard at.”

Phil Jones on his defensive partnership with Chris Smalling…

For the first time this season, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling  were fielded as Manchester United’s central defensive partnership for back-to-back fixtures. Injuries (Marcus Rojo) and suspensions (Jonny Evans) elsewhere in the Red Devils’ rearguard engendered this rare occurrence, one which Jones is hoping will be repeated next Gameweek. The former Blackburn Rovers defender reckons Smalling is a great foil beside him in United’s rearguard but conceded that there’s strong competition for places:

“It had been documented that me and Chris were going to be the next centre-backs at United but it has not gone how we would have liked it. Somebody told me the other day that we have actually only played alongside each other about four times in four seasons [before Sunday’s game]. You cannot build a partnership on four games. Hopefully, now we have had back-to-back games together, we can keep it going and keep playing well together. We complement each other well. But it is not just Chris and I going for the position though. We have some great players in the squad. Marcos Rojo has come in and done terrific. He has been a great addition to this squad. It is healthy and it is what we expect and what we want.”

Garry Monk on Bafetimbi Gomis’ confidence…

Having scored just once in the opening 25 Gameweeks, Bafetimbi Gomis registered his second goal in the last five league outings as Swansea clinched a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa last Saturday. The France international spurned two good chances earlier in the tie but composed himself late on to slot past Brad Guzan from 12 yards. Swans Boss Garry Monk is confident that Gomis can build upon his performance at Villa Park and become a regular scorer after a lengthy steeling-in period. Monk was keen to praise the former Lyon striker for his tireless work ethic and suggested that a lack of sharpness is the only thing holding him back.

“We know what the headlines would have been if we hadn’t have won that game. But Bafe deserved that with the perseverance he had. He didn’t let it affect him when he had a couple of good chances and neither did the team. The commitment and effort he has shown in recent weeks has been top. He’s getting good chances, he’s getting clever, he just needs to get sharper with it and I’m sure it will come. What I liked was after missing those two chances he didn’t let it get him down, he kept pushing and the determination was there to get in the right places. He’s played Champions League football, played at the highest level; he’s scored a number of goals every single season. It’s been difficult for him with Bony having done so well, the game time being limited, it does take time to settle and a team needs to adapt to a new striker which is something we’ve been working on. But without a doubt he can score regularly for us like he has done through his career – that’s why I brought him in. I wouldn’t have done so if I didn’t think he could compete and do well in this league. It’s been a difficult start but I work with him every day and he’ll get better. The confidence from that goal will do him the world of good but more importantly is what the team do and he’s very much a team player and you can see that with his work rate.”