Given Arsenal’s blank gameweek, a hectic period of transfer activity amongst Fantasy Managers saw folk clambering for midfield replacements for Cesc Fabregas. A number of names were banded about to replace the Spaniard – some of whom “smashed it” (Ashley Young, Stewart Downing) and some who certainly didn’t (Raul Meireles, David Silva). Unfortunately for many, investment in the duds appeared to outweigh the Fantasy funds that went the way of the blossoming Villa duo.
With Liverpool facing West Ham’s obliging defence, and given his recent goalscoring form, Fantasy Managers looking at Raul Meireles would have seen another opportunity for the Portuguese midfielder to add to his impressive points tally. However, heads were in hands after just 50 minutes when the playmaker was forced off with a knee injury sustained in the first-half. How long this keeps him out for remains to be seen, but, given Liverpool’s stiffening fixture list, we may now see his growing list of owners forced back to the drawing board. With Martin Kelly also picking up a hamstring tear, today’s events at Upton Park did not fall kindly for Fantasy Managers.
David Silva meanwhile, was nowhere to be seen during today’s Eastland clash with Fulham. There had been some discussion that the diminutive Spaniard was due a rest, but given his recent form, many felt that he was now an established figure in the Citizens midfield, adding a dollop of creativity to the spadework put in by those around him in the engine room. Alas it wasn’t to be and, with squads already stretched this week, a rather unwelcome zero will be adorning a number of first elevens. Confirmation from Roberto Mancini that Silva picked up a knock in the midweek Europa league tie will offer little crumb of comfort to those who overlooked Young and Downing in the Spaniard.
Birmingham’s Carling Cup Final win demands at least some of our attention. From a Fantasy Football perspective, Robin Van Persie appeared to pick up a knock scoring his goal and Arsene Wenger’s decision to substitute him in the second-half may well be a result of the earlier knee injury. Alternatively, the Arsenal manager could well have been simply taking a precaution with the talismanic striker in light of a congested fixture list. Whatever the reason, there will be some concern about the dreaded R-word for RVP.
Naturally there will be conflicting opinions on Wenger’s possible rotation policy over the upcoming period, with the view that the Gunners will need to be sure of three points in their forthcoming Premier League games and consequently need their best players on the pitch. With a Champions League second leg in Barcelona looming however, it would be no surprise to see Van Persie preserved when Sunderland arrive at the Emirates next weekend – particularly if today’s knock is still lingering.
My main concern from today’s final is the psychological effect the defeat will have on the Gunners. There was a lot of chat prior to the Final that this would be the catalyst that would spark Wenger’s young team to come of age and have them push on. Given the outcome, one must question whether the reverse will happen and that this result will see them collapse on all fronts. Only time will tell whether today’s shock defeat is to have a significant impact on Arsenal’s season but the re-investment in their assets may well be done with a little more hesitation following Birmingham’s triumph.
