Aaron Ramsey and Lukas Podolski both bag a brace as Arsenal hammer Galatasaray. Steven Gerrard’s equaliser is not enough as Liverpool slip into the Europa League. City confirm Sergio Aguero is out for up to six weeks, while Jose Mourinho talks rest and rotation ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Sporting Lisbon.
Ramsey at the Double
The Welshman netted twice in an emphatic 4-1 win in Galatasaray before being withdrawn at the break with a minor hamstring problem. Lukas Podolski also bagged a brace as Arsene Wenger handed the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck the night off for the Gunners’ trip to Turkey.
The Scout Says: With Sergio Aguero’s former owners now sitting with plenty of budget to spare, Ramsey is staking a real claim for our consideration as a midfield upgrade. Having also scored in the weekend loss at Stoke, the Welshman is starting to suggest he’s on his way back to last season’s heroics. Post-match, Arsenal indicated he’s “absolutely fine”, though given his propensity for picking up injuries, Fantasy managers will be eagerly awaiting Arsenal’s Friday morning press conference before making a move for his services. Sanchez’ omission is good news for his owners ahead of the weekend home clash against Newcastle – Wenger had previously suggested the Chilean’s fitness was “in the red zone” and is clearly doing all he can to protect his star striker.
Gerrard Leveller Not Enough
A home draw with FS Basel saw Liverpool slip into the Europa League last night. Having dropped Steven Gerrard for the second time in three Gameweeks at the weekend, Brendan Rodgers recalled his skipper to the starting XI but was without Kolo Toure at the back, due to a groin problem. After seeing his side going a goal behind, Gerrard’s equaliser was unable to prevent the Reds from finishing the group stages with just a single win in six matches.
The Scout Says: Gerrard has now scored in each of his last two starts – a sign that his manager’s rest and rotation policy is paying off and is likely to continue, leaving Fantasy managers unable to trust the pitch time of a player who was previously nailed-on under Rodgers. The Reds boss hauled off Rickie Lambert at the break and seems unconvinced by his summer signing once again ahead of the weekend trip to Old Trafford. Last night was a big opportunity to give their ailing season a shot in the arm but their exit means morale will be rock-bottom ahead of Sunday’s encounter as United look to heap further misery upon them by racking up a sixth straight win.
Aguero Out For Up to Six Weeks
Manuel Pellegrini finally confirmed his star striker is set for a spell on the sidelines yesterday. Aguero is out for four-to-six weeks with the knee injury that forced him off early during the weekend win over Everton.
The Scout Says: The transfer markets are set to go into overdrive on the back of yesterday’s news. A six-week absence could take us up to January 20 – meaning Aguero would miss seven rounds of fixtures before returning in time for the Gameweek 23 trip to Chelsea. As discussed in yesterday’s Digest, Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic now have the chance to stake a claim for our consideration as the champions prepare for a superb run of upcoming fixtures. With Leicester, Palace, West Brom, Burnley, Sunderland and Everton in the next six, City still have plenty of goal potential and if one, or both, of their frontmen can step up in Aguero’s absence, the festive schedule could still make them valid options.
Jose Talks Rotation
The Chelsea boss confirmed he is set to start Diego Costa for this evening’s Champions League clash with Sporting Lisbon. Mourinho will, however, hand the likes of Eden Hazard, John Terry and Willian the night off as he looks to give his first-team regulars a breather over the hectic festive period:
“Terry, Willian and Hazard are on holidays. I would like to give the whole squad the time off but these three play all the time and I have good solutions for these positions. We have so many matches to play in December and we are one of the few teams in the Premier League that also plays the Capital One Cup in this moment. Everybody has periods to rest we don’t have. This game gives me the chance to rest these three players. We had already the fifth yellow card to Diego (Costa), the fifth yellow card to Matic and now the fifth yellow card to Fabregas, which give them a rest. Step by step match after match we are trying to find a little period for them to breath and to face this second part of the December month.”
The Scout Says: Whilst Hazard owners will be delighted with the news ahead of a home clash with Hull, his decision to play Costa backs up recent quotes that he’s not happy with the forward’s match sharpness. Mourinho is clearly reluctant to tinker too much with his team right now and although Chelsea are already through to the Champions League knockout stages, has resisted the urge to make wholesale changes to his XI. With Filipe Luis likely to step in for Cesar Azpilicueta tonight, those holding the likes of Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill and Oscar will be hoping Mourinho chooses to manage their minutes in next week’s Capital One Cup clash with Derby rather than omitting them from league duties over the festive period.
