Our pre-Gameweek members article which focuses on the main captaincy contenders arrives once again this afternoon. As always, we take a three-part approach which includes the weekly poll standings, the Opta statistics and our Rate My Team projections to help steer your thoughts on the armband conundrum.
The Captain Poll
With a double Gameweek on the horizon, Alexis Sanchez is the runaway leader in this week’s poll and has earned over 67% of the votes cast so far. Having served up eight double-figure hauls for the season, the Chilean is undoubtedly the most explosive option in Arsenal’s XI ahead of their double Gameweek, though his form has been very erratic in recent months – in spite of a run which saw his side win nine and draw one of their last 11, Sanchez has surprisingly blanked in nine of his last 12 appearances.
Arsene Wenger’s side dominate the upper echelons, with only one non-double Gameweek player earning a place in our top five. Olivier Giroud takes second spot with 9% backing, despite approaching the double on the back of a four-match goalless spell.
Aaron Ramsey (5%), Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil (2%) offer real differential armband options for those willing to overlook Sanchez. The Welshman has produced points in four of his last seven appearances since recovering from injury, with three double-figure hauls delivered over that period, though he remains a doubt for Sunday’s trip to Old Trafford. Cazorla has just a single assist in five but his underlying stats suggest he’s been more than a little unlucky not to bring home the points. Ozil has produced ten or more points in four of his seven home appearances since returning from injury, though has delivered just a single goal in his previous seven league outings now.
Elsewhere, Sergio Aguero’s 23-point haul against QPR took his tally to eight strikes in the last five since City switched to a lone forward system. The Argentine now makes his way to the Liberty, where Garry Monk’s side have conceded in seven of their last eight. Harry Kane, meanwhile, is backed by 1% ahead of Tottenham’s final home match of the season.
A goal and assist in his last two have persuaded 1% to take a punt on Jermain Defoe for Sunderland’s pair of fixtures. Team-mates Patrick van Aanholt, Jordi Gomez and Connor Wickham are all outside bets, though the Spaniard has racked up 20 points in his last two appearances and has spot-kicks to bolster his appeal.
