Goals from Cheikhou Kouyate and Mauro Zarate fire West Ham to victory at the Emirates as Theo Walcott is shifted to the bench. Liverpool get the better of Stoke at the Britannia thanks to a Philippe Coutinho long-range effort, Graziano Pelle maintains his pre-season form at St James’, as Magpies new boy Georginio Wijnaldum helps earn the hosts a point.
Walcott Benched as Gunners Falter
Theo Walcott’s omission from the starting line-up was the chief topic of discussion among Fantasy managers prior to kick-off. The Gunners winger sat third in our Captain Poll for Gameweek 1 but dropped to the bench, with Arsene Wenger favouring Olivier Giroud as the lone striker and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the right flank. Even this early into the season, Walcott owners will be having second thoughts in light of yesterday’s teamsheet, with Alexis Sanchez returning earlier than expected to push for a start away to Palace next weekend.
Despite firing off more attempts at goal (21) than any other side over the weekend, Arsenal struggled to fashion many clear-cut chances against West Ham’s well regimented defence, with Giroud’s league-high tally for shots inside the box (five) somewhat belying his lack of threat. Given that Wenger previously said he’d rotate the Frenchman and Walcott depending on the nature of the opponent’s defence, the latter could well be afforded a start against Crystal Palace next Gameweek – the Eagles’ attacking instincts under Alan Pardew could expose their backline to Walcott’s pace.
Petr Cech turned out an uncharacteristically mistake-laden performance on his debut for the Gunners and was at fault for both goals. With three favourable matches (cpl, new, STO) in the next four, though, the 5.5-priced shot-stopper is unlikely to shed too many owners. The heavily-backed Hector Bellerin will need to be monitored after he missed out with a muscle injury.
Adrian Defiance Keeps Arsenal at Bay
Cheikhou Kouyate and Mauro Zarate (both 5.5) etched their names onto the scoresheet as Slaven Bilic’s troops bounced back from their Europa League exit in impressive style. Kouyate racked up a decent haul of attacking returns last season (four goals and three assists) but faces competition from the likes of Riyad Mahrez (brace against Sunderland) in his price bracket. Zarate, meanwhile, looks set for a run in the side after Enner Valencia was ruled out for up to three months, presenting us with an alternative to the likes of Callum Wilson and Troy Deeney in the third striker slot.
Reece Oxford – at the age of 16 years and 235 days – became the youngest player to don the Irons strip during the Premier League era. Classified as a defender by the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), Oxford (4.0) lined up in central midfield alongside Mark Noble and Kouyate. His out-of-position potential is sure to turn a few heads, yet Pedro Obiang – who returned to training earlier this week – could well displace the youngster when Leicester City visit the Boleyn Ground. Elsewhere at the back, Adrian earned 11 points in the FPL game, courtesy of six saves and maximum bonus.
Dimitri Payet operated in the hole behind Diafra Sakho and Zarate, delivering the cross for Kouyate’s opener. The 7.5-rated playmaker’s silky touch and surprising turn of pace could engender further attacking returns as West Ham embark on four excellent home clashes (LEI, BOU, NEW, NOR) in the next six Gameweeks, which means they are sure to attract attention at both ends of the pitch.
Coutinho Stunner Steals it for Liverpool
In an otherwise insipid affair, Philippe Coutinho’s moment of class – a trademark long-range effort – consigned Stoke City to defeat four minutes from time. The Brazilian playmaker was comfortably the Reds’ most potent threat, fashioning more shots (three) than the rest of their midfield combined. At 8.0 in FPL, Coutinho sets us back 1.0 more than both Jordan Henderson and James Milner (7.0) but could certainly emerge as the prime pick this term if he’s more ruthless with his finishing.
Left-back Joe Gomez posted an 11-point haul by virtue of an assist, clean sheet and three bonus points. Priced at 4.5, the former Charlton defender is sure to receive a significant boost on his 4.5% ownership, despite the fact he’s a rotation risk with Alberto Moreno waiting in the wings. If Gomez can nail down that starting berth, he could be employed in a budget rotation strategy that exploits Liverpool’s favourable upcoming home ties (BOU, WHU, NOR, AVL) while circumventing their tricky road fixtures (ars, mun, eve, tot).
Christian Benteke fed off scraps on his debut, managing just one attempt at goal throughout the 90. Nonetheless, his 42.6% ownership will have no qualms about retaining the Belgian’s services, given that those above-mentioned four home fixtures take place over the next six Gameweeks.
Pelle Amongst the Goals Again
Graziano Pelle opened the scoring at St James’ Park with a free header, before Shane Long nodded in an equaliser in the 79th minute. Saints’ excellent raft of upcoming matches (EVE, wat, NOR, wba) should encourage Pelle’s 16.4% ownership to back the Italian frontman during that stretch, bearing in mind he’d already notched seven times over the pre-season schedule.
Although he spurned two good chances to seal the victory in injury time, Sadio Mane’s knack for engineering goalscoring opportunities bodes well for the coming weeks. Similarly, Dusan Tadic (7.0) – one of our three Differentials this Gameweek – served up the joint-most chances of any midfielder (six) this weekend, underlining his assist potential.
Cedric Soares looks a fine replacement for the departed Nathaniel Clyne from a Fantasy perspective, with the Portuguese right-back’s rampaging runs giving rise to the cross for Pelle’s goal. Having picked up a yellow card in the first half, though, Soares was replaced by Cuco Martina in the second period to avert the risk of being sent off. Elsewhere in defence, Maya Yoshida was selected ahead of Steven Caulker alongside Jose Fonte and, at 4.5, appears to be in the driving seat for a first-team place if Ronald Koeman fails to add to his options over the remainder of the transfer window.
Jay Rodriquez (7.0) made his long-awaited return to Premier League action on the left wing of a 4-2-3-1 set-up. The English winger tallied 15 goals and three assists in the 2013/14 campaign but will clearly need time to get back up to speed – he was handed just over an hour by Koeman, though Long will be looking for a start next weekend after emerging from the bench to grab the equaliser.
Wijnaldum Opens Magpies Account
Georginio Wijnaldum (7.0) and Papiss Cisse (6.5) got off the mark as Steve McClaren kicked off his tenure with a deserved point. Wijnaldum provided a much-needed goal threat from midfield in the number ten berth, notching two shots inside the box. Cisse, meanwhile, could be a steal in the mid-priced forward bracket if he can replicate his explosive scoring of last season that saw him chalk up 11 goals in just 1,158 minutes. With six tough fixtures in the next seven, though (swa, mun, ARS, whm, CHE, mci) few will be looking at the Tyneside team until the Gameweek 9 mark.
McClaren’s decision to hand Fabricio Coloccini and Chancel Mbemba starting roles at centre-half despite a lack of pre-season minutes looks to have put paid to Steven Taylor’s chances of emerging as a valid option in the 4.0 defender bracket.
The impressive Vurnon Anita had to be substituted in the 68th minute after taking a heavy fall. McClaren revealed after the match that the Dutchman’s injury is not as bad as first feared, with a medical assessment forthcoming at the start of the week.
