Robin van Persie steps up his rehabilitation from a knee injury. Arsenal have a number of doubts for tonight’s clash with West Ham, who are sweating over the fitness of Kevin Nolan. Elsewhere, Alan Pardew explains his recent formation change and Mark Hughes heaps praise on Stoke’s in-form Marko Arnautovic:
Van Persie Edges Nearer Comeback
The United forward posted a video update on his progress from a knee injury on his official Facebook page to suggest he could be poised to return before the end of the season.
The Scout Says: After returning from injury back in January, Van Persie racked up four goals and an assist in seven league appearances and also fired a Champions League hat-trick against Olympiacos. Stretchered off towards the end of the 3-0 win over the Greek outfit, he was pencilled in for a return to action at the end of April – coinciding with a very favourable couple of weeks for David Moyes’ side. A Gameweek 36 home clash against Norwich is followed by the visit of Sunderland and Hull in Gameweek 37, and with Wayne Rooney still struggling due to a toe problem, the Dutchman’s potential return could prove timely for both United and Fantasy managers if his rehabilitation keeps on schedule.
Gunners’ Injury Concerns Rise
Arsene Wenger had much to discuss on the injury front during yesterday’s pre-match conference. The Arsenal boss conceded he has a number of worries for tonight’s home clash with West Ham, including a certain Welsh midfielder:
“We have plenty of uncertainties for muscular problems and fatigue. Who could be available who was not in the squad on Saturday? Maybe Rosicky and Koscielny – we’ll have to test him definitely today. The main uncertainties are Monreal who had to come off with a dead leg. Podolski had a little [muscle] problem but I think he will be alright. Then there is Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ramsey (both muscle tightness). They are the main problems.”
The Scout Says: Judging by images taken from the Gunners’ first-team training later in the day, Wenger may have been slightly cautious in his assessment. Ramsey, Koscielny and Podolski were all pictured taking part in the action, raising hopes of their participation ahead of a favourable run of five matches for the north London side. Over 25,000 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers drafted Ramsey in after he returned from injury last weekend – with Hull, Newcastle, West Brom and Norwich all still to follow, his 19% of FPL owners will be hoping his 113-minute run-out against the Latics hasn’t taken its toll too much.
Nolan Worry for Hammers
The Hammers may have to do without their skipper for this evening’s Emirates trip. Speaking to the press yesterday morning, Sam Allardyce went on to reveal:
“Kevin Nolan is our problem at the moment. He came off with a hamstring against Liverpool, obviously that’s one that we have to be very careful about. It’s unusual for Kevin to sustain a muscle injury, I think it’s the first of his career, but we’ll be very careful about how we handle him. Kevin is going to desperately want to play, so we’ll probably wait until tomorrow to see how he is.”
The Scout Says: Somewhat surprisingly, Nolan is still owned by over 11% of Fantasy managers as we head into the final four Gameweeks. After producing three sets of double-figure displays in four matches over February, he’s since embarked on a run of six appearances without a goal or return. A possible absence tonight may convince many to part company, with a move to Christian Eriksen looking an obvious swap ahead of a run which sees the Hammers face Spurs and City in their final two fixtures.
Hughes Full of Praise for Arnautovic’s Recent Displays
The Potters boss talked up the recent performances of the controversial Austrian, who finally seems to have settled into life in the Premier League:
“It’s fair to say he came with a little bit of baggage, but we were probably exactly what he needed to get out of the environment he found himself in. It’s not easy to come in and have an impact, certainly as a creative player. It’s easier for defensive-minded players. When you are a creative player the onus is on you to win games and that’s more difficult. But once he’s got to grips with it, the second half of the season has been good for the team and good for him.”
The Scout Says: With a goal and two assists in the first five months of the season, it’s fair to say Arnautovic’s initial impact was minimal for the Staffordshire outfit. As Stoke begin to find their feet under Hughes, however, the Austrian has started to deliver with a degree of consistency, chipping in with a goal and six assists from mid-January onwards. Arnuatovic’s assist in the 1-0 win against Newcastle took him to eight for the season – a tally bettered by only five other midfielders and more than double any other Stoke midfield option. With Cardiff, Fulham and West Brom still to play, Hughes’ in-form side are afforded further chance to pick up the points and cement a place in our plans for next term.
Pardew Explains Formation Change
The Newcastle boss discussed his decision to roll out a 3-5-2 tactic for Saturday’s trip to Stoke, as he unsuccessfully attempted to address a run which had seen his side lose the previous three fixtures without finding the net:
“To give the senior players a platform to win the game. And I thought they contributed well to that. We have talked about it, trying this system. We have got an overflow of centre-backs at the moment but are lacking in other areas for sure. I just think we are missing some key players. I know they have heard that. But it does have an impact. When you haven’t scored and you don’t have that confidence in the group. You can argue that we are trying to install that.”
The Scout Says: With first-choice full-backs Mathieu Debuchy and Davide Santon sidelined, the Magpies manager moved away from the usual four-man backline and handed Steven Taylor a rare start. Pardew utilised young left-back Paul Dummett on the left of midfield, with Vernun Anita on the opposite flank, whilst Hatem Ben Arfa was once again deemed worthy of only a sub appearance, in spite of the lack of options. Newcastle have now scored just once in six matches, and whilst few, if any, Fantasy managers will be investing at this stage, their final two home games against Swansea and Cardiff suggest Pardew may yet give the Tyneside fans something to smile about.
