Robin Van Persie grabs a double in Arsenal’s final home game of the season. Yossi Benayoun scores his second in four starts. Wes Hoolahan provides a goal and assist for the Canaries, while Grant Holt notches his fourteenth of the campaign in a six-goal thriller at the Emirates:
Robin Van Persie
With just a single game in yesterday’s Premier League schedule, the Arsenal skipper was afforded centre stage and he didn’t disappoint those who handed him the armband. Despite failing to score in his previous four at the Emirates, Van Persie was the runaway leader in the Captain Poll this weekend, with 55% of the votes cast – a couple of goals against the Canaries handed his owners a 10 point Fantasy Premier League (FPL) return. This was only his second double-figure points haul in the last ten Gameweeks and, indeed, his first at home since Gameweek 24. The surprise 3-3 draw now hands Spurs and Newcastle a lifeline in the race for third place – both are just two points behind the Gunners ahead of this afternoon’s games against Villa and City respectively. Arsenal, meanwhile, will hope to spoil the part at the Hawthorns next Sunday, as they roll up to West Brom for Roy Hodgson’s last game in charge – their task looks anything but easy, though; the Baggies have five clean sheets in the last six in front of their home fans.
Arsenal Midfield
While Thomas Vermaelen’s Fantasy owners were left frustrated after the Belgian failed to register a single point, the Gunners midfield joined their skipper in earning profit. Tomas Rosicky continued his recent upturn in attacking consistency by chalking up another assist. The Czech midfielder now has three in his last four starts, compared to just one goal and one assist prior to Gameweek 34. Alex Song’s superb creative season was highlighted by yet another assist – the 6.0 priced midfielder has provided twelve for the campaign; only four players have registered more in FPL this thus far. Yossi Benayoun kept his place on the left, with Gervinho staying wide right in Theo Walcott’s absence – the on-loan Israeli international grabbed his side’s second, bringing his recent total to two in his last four appearances.
Grant Holt
Left out of the starting line-up for the previous game against Liverpool, the 5.1 priced forward returned to the Norwich first XI as Paul Lambert opted for two up front at the Emirates. Holt vindicated his manager’s decision by grabbing his first goal since Gameweek 32 – his fourteenth of the season. With three goals and 17 bonus points also thrown in, Holt is the second top outfield player in terms of value this term, having accrued 131 points over his 35 appearances. A final match of the season see out-of-sorts Villa roll up to Carrow Road, offering Holt further opportunity to finish the season with a flourish a week today.
Wes Hoolahan
The Canaries playmaker chipped in with a goal and assist contribution as Norwich ended their three-game losing streak. Hoolahan has started six of his side’s last ten matches and has now produced attacking returns in all but one of those first-team appearances since Gameweek 28 – clearly, he has strong potential as a budget Fantasy forced but, despite his obvious impact, continues to remain a victim of Lambert’s rotation policy. Jonny Howson, on the other hand, is clearly favoured by the Norwich boss – the former Leeds man has started every one of his side’s last nine games and played a significant part yesterday, providing the assist for Steve Morison’s late equaliser.
