Having rinsed through our Goalkeeper and Defender Watchlist rankings, we now turn to midfield – an area of our Fantasy squads that has, so far, largely disappointed having been overshadowed by outstanding defensive returns and an array of prolific strikers. A certain Swansea asset points the way forward, however, offering the potential of continued returns in the coming weeks, backed by a Arsenal’s consistent Welshman and a pair of North London playmakers.
Michu’s run of three goals in three games, coupled with his rest and Swansea’s Capital One Cup exit, promotes the Spaniard to the very top of our midfield rankngs. Whether deployed as a central attacker, or playing off Wilfried Bony or Alvaro Vazquez, Michu continues to represent the Swans biggest threat and is producing the kind of under-the-hood statistics that saw him fetch 18 goals in his debut season. Following this weekend’s clash with Arsenal, the fixtures could hardly be kinder to Michu and the Swans, with a run of six favourable encounters that seem tailor made to boost his stock still further.
Aaron Ramsey remains difficult to ignore and, given the injury to Theo Walcott that has seen the winger tumble temporarily form the rankings, Ramsey looks to be the obvious replacement in light of his irresistible form. Despite his recent displays, there are concerns that we will see rest and rotation when Arsene Wenger’s injury list clears but, for now, Ramsey’s pitch time looks assured in a team that is flowing with creativity and confidence. The weekend trip to the Liberty will put both to the test with the former Cardiff City man no doubt eager to impress.
Team-mate Mesut Ozil is another candidate to fill the hole left by Walcott’s injury. The German playmaker has adjusted seamlessly to life at the Emirates, helping himself to four assists in two starts to underline his Fantasy potential. The rising price tag is an obstacle, as is the appeal of Olivier Giroud and the continued form of the mid-price Ramsey. Even so, Ozil is a tempting proposition and he sits within our midfield top five as the Gunners look to test their outstanding away form at Swansea, West Brom and Palace over the next four Gameweeks.
Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen is sandwiched between the Gunners assets, providing a suitable route into Andre Villas-Boas’ outfit. While Paulinho and Erik Lamela offer alternatives below and above Eriksen in the price brackets, the Dane offers a middle ground with the potential for goals and assists playing up in support of Tottenham’s lone striker. With Roberto Soldado seemingly struggling to convince Fantasy managers, Eriksen looks to be the current weapon of choice, although Paulinho is certainly a very viable alternative for those looking for coverage of Tottenham’s form and fixtures.
Hatem Ben Arfa completes our top five although his position is severely under threat from the likes of Kevin Mirallas and budget pick Robbie Brady. Ben Arfa blanked in the 3-2 home defeat to Hull and will need to convince over the next two away trips in order to maintain his stock following two outstanding displys against Fulham and Villa. The weekend trip to Everton looks tough for the Frenchman and he’ll come up against Mirallas, a player who has so far disappointed in Fantasy terms. The Belgian now appears to be under severe pressure from Barcelona loanee Gerard Deulofeu, who bewildered Fulham in the Capital One Cup in midweek. Deulofeu’s time will come and Mirallas must now feel pressure to produce but, having linked well with compatriot Romelu Lukaku for the winning goal at Upton Park last time out, we’re backing Mirallas to produce and hold off the challenge from the young Spaniard – for now.
Brady’s goal and assist returns in the Tigers’ win at Newcastle confirmed his potential as a budget asset and has seen him enjoy another price rise this week. With Robert Koren sidelined through injury, Brady’s role at set-plays has been promoted further and with spot-kicks also a factor, he looks an extremely favourable short-term starter for Hull’s back-to-back home encounters with West Ham and Villa.
Liverpool’s Victor Moses is looming and threatening a rise up the rankings once we’ve seen how the return of Luis Suarez impacts his role and potential, while United’s Antonio Valencia is also present, as a means of covering United’s superb run of Old Trafford fixtures over the next three. While the acquisition or Wayne Rooney or Robin van Persie will always be more desirable, Valencia appears to have cemented his starting role and will always be a factor should David Moyes’ side click into attacking form over the next month.
Lower down the rankings, Stoke City’s Marko Arnautovic and West Ham’s Ravel Morrison offer punts in the low-to-mid price bracket. Morrison is a rock bottom option as a bench midfielder with promise but, having netted in his last two outings, he looks set for a continued run of opportunities while both Stewart Downing and Joe Cole remained sidelined. Arnautovic is perhaps a stronger long-term option. The Austrian appears to be pivotal to Mark Hughes’ attacking plans and could eventually be deployed in a central attacking role. Right now he’s exerting his influence from the flank and has earned two assists in his two starts in all competitions. With fixtures in his favour, Arnautovic looks an intriguing differential for those looking to take a risk and free up funds with their Walcott replacement.
