After a fortnight of waiting, we’re finally back in the game. We’ve knocked our heads together to come up with our next “Scout Selection Committee” picks and as you’ll see, we’re backing the Gunners to bounce back big-time.
The threat of rotation at Man City has played a major part in the selection and resulted in a last-minute change of heart. Edin Dzeko was nailed-on but there’s a niggling doubt over his game time this weekend; with Mario Balotelli suspended for European matters in midweek, there’s a chance – however small- Roberto Mancini could rest the Bosnian and play the temperamental Italian and as a result, we’ve reluctantly omitted him. After much deliberation, then, here’s the picks for Gameweek 4:
Arsenal may have been hit for eight in their last match of the campaign, but what better way to come back to domestic action than to face the only side yet to find the net this season? With that in mind, the Gunners goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny finds his way into our Fantasy thinking. While Brendan Rodgers’ side have seen plenty possession, their lack of any cutting edge is proving costly and an Emirates showdown make the young Pole a solid option.
Fully recovered from a leg injury described by his manager as “serious” only a fortnight ago, John Arne-Riise takes his place in the Scout Picks after a remarkably quick recovery. The left-back squares up to Blackburn at home and with Steve Kean’s side struggling for any semblance of form, Riise’s rampaging left flank runs looked primed to cause plenty trouble for an out-of-sorts Rovers.
Today’s news from Man City that Kolo Toure is still a couple of weeks away from match fitness should cement Joleon Lescott’s place in the starting XI for at least another Gameweek or two. With Roberto Mancini keen to rotate, Vincent Kompany seems the best long-term option but for the immediate future, Lescott’s greater goal threat makes him a viable option for the home game with Wigan.
Hamstring scare now over, Leighton Baines makes his way into this week’s Scout Picks. Everton entertain Aston Villa at Goodison Park and with the left-back on set-pieces and penalties in light of Mikel Arteta’s departure, his selection is a no-brainer.
Ritchie De Laet looks a good budget pick this weekend. A home game with below-par West Brom offers the on-loan centre half a chance to replicate his previous performance at Carrow Road- De Laet scored and picked up all 3 Bonus Points in the 1-1 draw with Stoke.
As mentioned in our recent Watchlist piece, Theo Walcott has grabbed three goals in four starts for Arsenal so far this season. Arsene Wenger will be looking for a response from his team after the 8-2 hammering at Old Trafford and an Emirates showdown with Swansea looks like affording the Gunners the perfect chance to respond.
As mentioned above, the threat of rotation hanging over Man City has played a major part in our selections. With Samir Nasri’s hand injury perhaps placing a question mark over his availability, we’ve opted for the security of David Silva. The little Spaniard has sparkled in every game so far this season and the home game with Wigan should ensure that continues.
Clint Dempsey has been playing up front of late for Fulham, with Bobby Zamora out injured. Dempsey’s eye for goal seen him grab the Cottagers’ goal at Newcastle in Gameweek 3 and he’s also found the net a couple of times in Europe already. The arrival of Bryan Ruiz may threaten his role in the front two, but Dempsey has found the net regardless of where he plays; a Craven Cottage showdown with Blackburn offers him a chance to continue his goalscoring ways.
The influx of new players may have caught the headlines, but Adel Taarabt is still the main man at QPR. Though Joey Barton is likely to take his fair share of corners, the Moroccan should still be on free-kicks and spot-kick duties and with Newcastle arriving at Loftus Road, Taarabt will be looking to steal the spotlight from Barton and take centre stage.
Wayne Rooney is just impossible to ignore right now. The Man United forward is in the form of his life and with the champions up against a Bolton side that have conceded three goals in each of their last two games, Rooney looks in the mood to put Owen Coyle’s side to the sword.
Robin Van Persie ensured he comes into tomorrow’s game against Swansea with a four-goal haul for Holland against hapless San Marino in the recent Euro 2012 qualifiers. Brendan Rodgers’ side were hammered 4-0 by Man City in their only away trop of the season and the Gunners are odds-on favourites to dish out the same sort of treatment. Goals look high on the agenda and the Dutchman will surely feature strongly.
