Arsenal have sprung a late surprise by adding Robin Van Persie to their squad for Tuesday’s hugely anticipated Champions League clash with Barcelona.
The Dutch striker was previously written off by Arsene Wenger with a knee injury. The Gunners boss had stated:
“It is a ligament at the back of the knee, a tear in the ligament. It is three to four weeks, I take the short delay because I am an optimist but it could be four. As well it is the international break during that period so whether it is three or four [weeks], for us it is the same.”
With this earlier news that Van Persie was set to be out on the sidelines for a lengthy spell, a massive 162,555 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Managers reluctantly shipped him out during gameweek 29. But with the striker now in the squad to face Barcelona and Gameweek 30 not until 19 March, one would presume that we will see him back earning Fantasy returns ahead of schedule.
This news will be greeted with elation from Arsenal fans and Van Persie-owning Fantasy Managers alike. The forward has been in blistering form in 2011 since returning from injury, finding the back of the net 10 times in just 7 Premier League outings. He has also made 5 assists and picked up 15 FPL bonus points, making him a must have for the majority of Managers. He is clearly a crucial asset for the Gunners, perhaps best illustrated by the 0-0 stalemate against Sunderland on Saturday.
Before Fantasy Managers hastily transfer back the Dutchman, or indeed gloat about the fact that that he may have been retained, it is worth considering that if Arsenal draw with Manchester United in the FA Cup this weekend, then their gameweek 30 fixture with West Brom will be postponed to accommodate the replay. Therefore, Arsenal could yet draw a blank in gameweek 30.
Will Van Persie actually play against Barca though? The article confirming his place in the squad mentioned that the 19-man group will be cut to 18, ahead of Tuesday’s game. Could Van Persie be the player to drop out? Is Wenger playing mind games with Pep Guardiola? Is Van Persie actually anywhere near full fitness?
We will have answers within 24-hours, while the outcome of Saturday’s Cup tie at Old Trafford will decide whether Van Persie will ultimately have the opportunity to make an early return to Fantasy action.
