The Gameweek treated us to another powerful display from a Man City side who appear to have a new swagger about them – goals are top of the agenda, a mandate that is being directed via the flair of the impish David Silva – our player of the week.
City boast a 100% record along with the red side of Manchester, but it’s a Midlands side that deserves credit for ending the Gameweek with an identical record. This week’s digest focuses on a flourishing Wolves outfit, whilst dwelling on the decline of Arsenal as a Fantasy force – this week’s talking point.
The Player
David Silva’s display at the Reebok demonstrated that, around City’s new expensive recruits, it’s likely to be the Spaniard who remains the constant provider of quality and creativity.
Admittedly, Silva’s Reebok strike was somewhat fortuitous – Jussi Jaaskelainen, normally a reliable shot-stopper, should have read the swerve of the ball and prevented a soft goal. Even so, it’s impossible to detract from Silva’s influence on a match in which City once again showed an encouraging hunger for goals.
Silva’s Fantasy returns are surely set to profit from this new attacking verve. His assist count is set to surpass double figures while his eagerness to link with Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko has already seen him increase his goal threat – emphatically emphasised by his two goals in two games. Most significantly, in a squad prone to rest and rotation, Silva’s influence looks so substantial, it seems unlikely that Roberto Mancini will go into many matches without the Spaniard. That situation may change should Samir Nasri be ensnared but, right now, Silva looks untouchable in a side that seems intent on beating opponents with sheer goal power.
The Team
While City and United have flexed their muscles with back-to-back wins, few would have anticipated that Wolves would rank up alongside them with a 100% record. Despite the undoubted quality on show in Manchester, Mick McCarthy’s side deserve our attention this week for having disposed of Martin Jol’s Fulham with apparent ease at Molineux on Sunday.
Wolves look a beautifully balanced outfit. Matt Jarvis has made a storming start to the campaign on the left-flank, realised by a goal and the assist for Kevin Doyle’s opening strike on Sunday. Stephen Hunt provides assured supply from the opposite wing and, whilst his performances are yet to show real Fantasy profit – it seems only a matter of time before he’s also amongst the points. Those two wide men supply a strike force of Steven Fletcher and Kevin Doyle who are both off the mark this season and resultantly brimming with confidence.
The spine running through the side is also strong – the acquisition of Roger Johnson and Jamie O’Hara has added rigidity and a huge battling influence. O’Hara is another player yet to return Fantasy points this term but, like Hunt, it won’t be long before we see him come to the fore.
The cauldron of a local derby at Villa up next will provide the biggest test so far. Another win for Wolves is not inconceivable however – particularly if Jarvis and Hunt can pin back Villa’s wingers and get at their full-backs.
The Talking Point
Arsenal’s decline from a top four superpower to a side desperately trying to plug holes as the injuries and departures bite, is saddening for the neutral.
Saturday’s display at the Emirates demonstrated that Arsene Wenger’s squad is now stretched to a point that they are struggling to compete with emerging threats for their top four status. It won’t have escaped Wenger’s notice that Samir Nasri, a player still perhaps poised to depart the Emirates, was their most creative and determined force. Emmanuel Frimpong alongside him at least provided some much-needed verve, but his second-half dismissal for a careless late challenge demonstrated that Wenger’s commitment to youth can only partially fill the cracks that are now appearing at an alarming rate.
It means there are slim pickings for Fantasy Managers. A month ago it was almost inconceivable to look beyond Robin Van Persie for a role in our squads – his consistent threat and goal-getting seemed irresistible. So far however, Van Persie has not only been unable to influence matches and offer Fantasy returns, he’s also looked out of sorts, almost disgruntled by the diminished force he now leads.
A trip to Old Trafford this weekend to face a United side with two wins and a squad rich in thriving young talent, looks a daunting prospect. Arsenal have fixtures to follow that provide them with a platform for recovery but injuries and suspensions will need to clear, confidence will have to flow once more through Wenger’s squad. Maybe then we can begin to take notice once again, but that could be weeks in coming.
