Jack Wilshere picks up the Fantasy points with a goal and assist in Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Villa. Mesut Ozil’s away woes continue as Olivier Giroud returns from illness to notch, whilst Christian Benteke finally rediscovers his eye for goal as the hosts lose at home for the seventh time this term.
Wilshere the Midfield Hero for Gunners
Whilst the fallout of Theo Walcott’s season-ending injury persuaded over 88,000 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers to acquire Mesut Ozil last week, Wilshere remained relatively under the radar, with just 13,000 snapping up his services. The summer signing was left overshadowed, however, after returning a sixth blank in nine away appearances at Villa Park – Wilshere, on the other hand, racked up a goal and assist in the 2-1 triumph as Arsene Wenger’s side returned to the top of the table.
Despite being deployed in a deep-lying role against Paul Lambert’s side, Wilshere’s display looks likely to earn him a role in managers’ wildcard thoughts, as he continues the form that harvested an assist against Cardiff in the previous Gameweek. At 6.1, the versatile Wilshere has now started seven of the last eight league games he has been available for and, with Ozil’s poor continuing (one assist in his last four appearances), some may even be having second thoughts over the German’s long-term role in their Fantasy squads as Aaron Ramsey closes in on a comeback. Nonetheless, two strong home games in the next three (FUL, sou, CPL) look prosperous for Ozil, bearing in mind he has produced double figures in four of his seven home games thus far.
Gnabry on the Right Again
Elsewhere in the Gunners midfield, Serge Gnabry’s second successive start in all competitions caught the eye of Fantasy managers. Priced at just 4.2 in FPL, the youngster continued as Theo Walcott’s replacement on the right, getting the nod ahead of both Tomas Rosicky and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Given the above-mentioned couple of home games, he may well prove a worthy punt – Arsene Wenger certainly had no qualms about throwing him into the north London derby last weekend and clearly has faith in the teenager. The issue, of course, is he’s far from certain to keep that regular role – Mikel Arteta missed out with a calf complaint last night and it’s arguable that Wenger would have fielded Wilshere on the right if the Spaniard had been available.
Post-match reports suggest Rosicky requires nose x-rays after picking up a knock – the Czech midfielder’s possible absence would certainly lessen the competition for Gnabry. Also on the injury front, Nacho Monreal may have suffered a broken metatarsal according to his manager.
Giroud Finding his Form
Having missed the last two in all competitions with an ankle problem and illness, the Frenchman returned revitalised for the visitors last night. Giroud’s first-half strike, following on from his Gameweek 19 winner at Newcastle, means he has now scored in back-to-back league starts for the first time since mid-September – indeed, with an assist also accrued over the previous three, he is starting to hint at a return to the consistency that was symbolic of his first few league appearances this season. There’s no doubt Giroud is a frustrating Fantasy asset but last night’s display took him to fourth in the FPL forward standings and, with a security of starts under Wenger, a drop in price from 9.6 to 8.5 may entice more wildcarders over the next few days ahead of the Fulham showdown.
Benteke Ends Scoring Drought
At last, the long goalless run is over for the Villa forward. A diving header in the second period wasn’t quite enough for the home side but Benteke will be nonetheless delighted as he finally notched a league goal for the first time since September. Clearly, the Belgian rises to the challenge when faced with the Arsenal defence – he’d previously bagged a brace at the Emirates in Gameweek 1 and his owners will be hoping for more of the same as he travels to Anfield next. Benteke scored twice in the corresponding fixture against Liverpool last season and, with the Reds mustering a mere three clean sheets in the last 18, the Villa forward will be buoyed on the back of last night’s morale-boost.
