This Much We Know – Gameweek 21

With Gameweek 21 behind us, we cast an eye over a number of issues raised by the weekend’s matches. Palace’s intent to attack under Alan Pardew, Chelsea’s diminishing number of reliable defensive options, Alexis Sanchez’ importance to the Gunners and the lack of cohesion at United are all on our lunchtime menu.

The Chelsea rearguard options have narrowed…
A 2-0 win over Newcastle earned the league leaders a fifth straight clean sheet in front of their own fans at the weekend. Whilst their consistency of defensive returns at the Bridge shows no sign of wavering, Saturday’s team sheet suggests that only two of his back four – John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic – can be relied upon regardless. With Gary Cahill and Thibaut Courtois both benched and Cesar Azpilicueta rested in two of the previous four Gameweeks prior to limping off against the Magpies, Terry and Ivanovic – two of only seven defenders to play every minute of the season so far – look the main contenders for those determined to roll out a Chelsea defensive double-up with their winter Wildcards.

Baines is still an option…
Sold by over 90,000 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers prior to the weekend showdown with City, the Everton left-back once again served a reminder of his points potential by supplying the assist for Steven Naismith’s leveler. Granted, a run of 11 matches without a clean sheet leaves Baines relying on attacking returns more than ever this season but his creativity is still ticking over nicely – eight assists is more than twice the number of any defender, aside from Newcastle’s Daryl Janmaat. Baines’ recent return to form now sees him sit fifth for defenders and highlights the strength of his capabilities, regardless of the Toffees’ lack of resilience.

Carroll’s not a one-trick ponytail…
A stunning strike against Swansea showed that the big target man has more in his locker than mere brute force and aerial dominance. Carroll bullied Garry Monk’s side into submission at Upton Park early last month and clearly fancied his chances again at the weekend as he helped claim a point for Sam Allardyce’s side. Having played a part in five of the Hammers’ last nine goals, he’ll need to retain his form as the fixtures takes a real turn for the worse after this weekend’s home clash with Hull.

Pardew’s got goals on his mind…
Given that Palace had scored just twice in the seven league matches prior to Alan Pardew’s installation, expectations were muted as Spurs rolled up to Selhurst Park on Saturday evening. The new Eagles boss stuck by his promise to attack, though, and saw his side fire in 21 attempts, with 15 shots arriving inside the box – no other team bettered those stats over the Gameweek. Pardew is determined to go on the offensive to ensure Palace’s survival and all of a sudden Jason Puncheon, with a goal and maximum bonus in the 2-1 turnaround, looks a valid midfield option at 5.5.

United are far from the finished article…
As the Old Trafford treatment room starts to empty, Louis van Gaal is more spoilt for choice than ever before. As we saw against the Saints, though, it seems that the United boss is still far from certain over his preferred personnel and the Reds’ lack of cohesiveness saw them meekly surrender their ten-match unbeaten run. Omitting Radamel Falcao from the matchday squad altogether ahead of a showdown with the league’s tightest defence proved disastrous – Angel Di Maria, then Wayne Rooney, were utilised up front in the Colombian’s absence, whilst fit-again Daley Blind spent the match as part of a back three. United face all three of the promoted sides in the next four Gameweeks but their manager’s tinkering is failing to instil us with any sort of confidence in their main men.

We can’t consider shedding Sanchez…
With Santi Cazorla in form, the likes of Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil back in action, and Olivier Giroud free from suspension, the idea of parting company with the premium-priced Arsenal man had entered a few Fantasy managers’ winter Wildcard heads. Sanchez had scored just once in the previous six matches as Stoke rolled up to the Etihad but his two goals and assist earned owners a 19-point haul and elevated him to the summit of the FPL standings. “Essential” is a daunting tag to place on any player but one look at Arsenal’s fixtures after their weekend showdown with City suggests few, if any, will be quite so brave to go without the Chilean from here on in.

The Ospina Option could force a Wildcard rethink…
Perhaps it was mere coincidence that Arsene Wenger’s decision to drop Wojciech Szczesny at home to Stoke earned Arsenal a first clean sheet in seven attempts. We’ve been waiting for signs that the north London outfit can rediscover the steely showings that served up 17 clean sheets in the previous season, and as the fixtures improve dramatically from Gameweek 23 onwards, Sunday’s shut-out hints at a reprisal of that resilience. Post-match, Arsene Wenger insisted the Pole was still his number one but was undecided whether to bring him back into the fold for the trip to City – another start for Ospina, at just 4.8 in FPL, could persuade some to reconsider their goalkeepers for their winter Wildcard.

The Saints back four care little for reputation…
United welcomed Southampton to Old Trafford having scored 22 goals in their opening 10 home fixtures – only their weekend opponents and Chelsea had scored more in front of their own fans. Southampton, though, are made of stern stuff under Ronald Koeman, and for all that’s since been made of their hosts’ failings, let’s not forget that the Red Devils were up against the league’s best defence. Sunday served up a tenth clean sheet for the St Mary’s outfit, who have also kept out Everton and Arsenal in the last five Gameweeks, and with the fixtures starting to turn in their favour, Koeman’s backline regulars may well have just cemented a spot in our Wildcard plans.