Arsenal and Newcastle serve up a post-Christmas cracker in a 10-goal thriller at the Emirates. Theo Walcott has a hand in five of the Gunners’ seven strikes, while Olivier Giroud and Demba Ba both bag doubles. Here’s the follow-up to our early-evening Stock Check:
On the Up
Theo Walcott
In his third straight start as the lone forward for Arsenal, Walcott ran riot this evening with three goals and a couple of assists in a quite sensational display against Newcastle. With a trip to former club Southampton up next and double Gameweek 23 on the horizon, Walcott’s bandwagon is set to roar into action over the next couple of days; with the likes of Gareth Bale and Kevin Nolan now suspended for Gameweek 21 and doubts remaining over Michu’s availability, his transfer in will be a priority for those looking to freshen up their five man midfields.
Olivier Giroud
The Frenchman produced a two-goal salvo after climbing off the bench to suggest Arsene Wenger has options through the middle, though. While Walcott’s starting role is not in question, his performance on the right after Giroud’s introduction was equally eye-catching – certainly, Wenger has plenty of in-form options ahead of the St Mary’s trip.
Demba Ba
Once again, the Newcastle forward was amongst the Fantasy points this evening. The recent schedule had looked against Alan Pardew’s side but Ba’s double at the Emirates means has produced a goal or assist against United, City and Arsenal in the last four. Now up to second in the forward rankings behind Robin Van Persie, Ba continues to look fixture proof, despite his side’s top-flight struggles this term.
Lukas Podolski
A goal and assist from the German proved crucial as the Gunners fought off a valiant effort from their visitors. Podolski is hitting form just at the right time ahead of Arsenal’s double Gameweek 23 – he had notched a goal and pair of assists at Reading in Gameweek 17 and is another firmly on the radar, with an 8.2 price tag furthering his appeal.
Sylvain Marveaux
A peripheral figure in the Magpies’ starting line-up this term, the Frenchman’s display suggests he may be deserving of more game time under Alan Pardew. While Marveaux’s goal will have caught the eye of Fantasy managers, a stunning pass for Ba’s second hints at a player high on confidence right now. If he can maintain his starting berth, a 4.2 price tag is intriguing.
Going Down
Newcastle Defence
Alan Pardew’s backline have now conceded 11 goals in their last two matches, with injuries and suspensions again decimating their chances. The Magpies will now have Mike Williamson back for their home clash with Everton on Wednesday but with a handful of their first-team regulars still unavailable, they are in danger of being drawn into a real relegation scrap this term.
Arsenal Defence
Wenger’s side went into tonight’s game with two clean sheets in their previous three but Newcastle’s trio of goals will lessen the Arsenal backline’s appeal ahead of the double Gameweek. Although Kieran Gibbs impressed going forward with a third assist in his last three, Arsenal’s display at the back suggests he may have to maintain his current form if he’s to pick up the points.
