After a hugely underwhelming first part of Gameweek 5, Fantasy managers are hoping for plenty to cheer about today. We’ve a couple of early kick-offs to enjoy this Sunday, with Arsenal hosting stoke at the Emirates and Palace entertaining Michu and co. at Selhurst Park.
Aaron Ramsey’s legion of new owners will be relying upon the Welshman to continue the form that has seen him notch six times so far this term, while Olivier Giroud has the chance to find the net for the fifth league game in succession – a feat Daniel Sturridge failed to achieve after Liverpool’s blank at Anfield yesterday.
Swansea arrive at Palace on the back of a sensational Europa League win over in Valencia, with Fantasy faith in Michu starting to pick up again after goals in back-to-back matches.
The team news is as follows…..
Arsene Wenger’s initial team sheet saw the Gunners make just a single alteration from the XI that eased past Sunderland in the previous Gameweek. Per Mertesacker returns at centre-half once again for the Gunners, with Carl Jenkinson dropping out as Bacary Sagna moves to his regular right-back berth, having deputised for the German at the Stadium of Light. Unfortunately for Theo Walcott owners, the winger has pulled out through illness at the last minute, allowing Serge Gnabry a rare starting role in midfield. Mikel Arteta makes the bench for the Gunners as he steps up his recovery from injury, while Nicklas Bendtner is also part of the squad.
Mark Hughes also makes just one change to his XI. The Potters new summer signing Marko Arnautovic is handed his first start since arriving from Werder Bremen – he replaces Matt Etherington on the left of Stoke’s midfield.
Ian Holloway makes three changes from the side that were defeated at Old Trafford last weekend. Barry Bannan and Adlene Guedioura are handed starting berths in midfield as Jose Campana and the suspended Kagisho Dikgacoi drop out, while Cameron Jerome starts on the left, with Dwight Gayle moving to the bench.
For Swansea, Michael Laudrup makes two changes from last Monday’s draw against Liverpool. Despite grabbing a goal in the Europa League win in Valencia, Wilfried Bony is replaced by Alvaro Vazquez up front and Jose Canas comes in for Leon Britton in central midfield.
Our Dugout Discussion Chatroom is up and running ahead of today’s busy schedule and will be open right through today’s action, as we brace ourselves for Tottenham’s trip to Cardiff and the Manchester derby later in the afternoon.
