Arsenal’s old frailties are exposed by two Everton crossed balls, while Bournemouth’s blossoming backline enjoy another set of returns as Leicester City’s dire away form continues at the Vitality Stadium.
Here’s the Stock Check following Tuesday’s pair of matches…
On the Rise
Nathan Ake & Adam Smith
Retained at the heart of the Bournemouth defence at home to Leicester, Ake strengthened his hold on a starting berth, forcing Eddie Howe to re-structure and push Adam Smith into a midfield role.
With Junior Stanislas sidelined, Smith may continue in that advanced position to offer the optimum route into a blossoming Cherries backline.
However, Ake, at 0.5 cheaper, is arguably now the go-to option, even over both Charlie Daniels and Steve Cook, who sit at the very top of the FPL rankings for value among defenders.
A major threat at set-pieces with two goals to his name in just five starts, Ake is a 4.3 option that warrants starts once the fixtures brighten from Gameweek 21.
Seamus Coleman & Leighton Baines
Renowned for their attacking qualities, the pair of Toffees full-backs both fetched returns as Everton rallied to earn the points against Arsenal.
Combining for the equalising goal, Coleman’s header marked his third strike of the season, taking him level with West Brom’s Gareth McAuley. Meanwhile, Baines’ cross provided him with just a second assist of the campaign.
Neither have convinced as Fantasy assets over the season, with the Merseysiders’ defensive form so erratic after a promising start under Ronald Koeman.
While Coleman offers obvious appeal, at 5.5, his price tag remains a major obstacle with Everton’s current crop of fixtures.
Assigned spot-kicks, Baines could yet prove an attractive option but, again, we will need to see the schedule improve before his 5.3 valuation becomes more palatable.
An obliging run in mid-January may yet see the pair edge onto the radar, particularly if Koeman has made further progress with his defence by that point.
In Decline
Theo Walcott
Having been named in the starting line-up, it appeared that Walcott was poised to rise in stock given his apparent “security of start”. However, he was hooked around the 70-minute mark for the third time in four Gameweeks, as Wenger continues to use Olivier Giroud from the bench.
The winger was again ineffectual away from home but, once more, Arsenal themselves were unconvincing having surrendered control after dominating the opening 20 minutes.
Initially priced at 7.5, Walcott still represents value but seems reliant on his home form. He has now scored just once in seven away trips, while Alexis Sanchez has bagged nine of his 12 goals on the road.
However, with strong fixtures to come – including Emirates encounters with West Brom and Crystal Palace – Walcott remains firmly in our sights.
Gabriel
Another “value” option in the Gunners line-up suffered a dent as Arsene Wenger’s side surrendered the three points, exposed in the air from crosses for both goals.
At just 4.8, the Brazilian appears to offer an opportunity as a short-term investment, but the Arsenal defence has now returned just a single shut-out in nine.
Favourable fixtures to follow on from the Gameweek 17 trip to City promise an upturn in fortunes but, having seen Arsenal’s frailties exploited by Everton, the likes of West Brom and Palace will have gained plenty of encouragement for their forthcoming Emirates visits.
