Arsenal fall to defeat in Barcelona to tumble out of the Champions League. Nicolas Otamendi is optimistic of returning for City this weekend, Jan Vertonghen is nearing his Tottenham comeback, whilst Alberto Moreno is a doubt for Liverpool’s Europa League clash against United this evening.
Wenger’s men sent packing
Arsenal succumbed to a 3-1 defeat (5-1 aggregate) at the Nou Camp last night. Mohamed Elneny drew the visitors level in the 51st minute with his maiden goal, while Alexis Sanchez supplied the assist. Arsene Wenger resisted the opportunity to rest key players, given that the likes of Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Hector Bellerin and Laurent Koscielny all lasted the distance. Mathieu Flamini started alongside Elneny in the double pivot but was replaced by Francis Coquelin just before the break due to an injury. Young Alex Iwobi was surprisingly handed a start on the left flank, with Sanchez moving over to the right, as Wenger opted to bench the likes of Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud and Joel Campbell.
The Scout Says: With a mouth-watering double Gameweek 34 (CRY, WBA) on the horizon for Wenger’s troops, Sanchez’ 11% ownership will be encouraged that the Chilean wide man has delivered attacking returns (one goal, two assists) in three of his last four starts across all competitions, illustrating his growing influence. Although most managers will opt for the consistency of Mesut Ozil, Sanchez’s superior capacity for explosive hauls renders him a compelling differential ahead of this weekend’s trip to Goodison, where Everton boast the top-flight’s worst defensive home record. Wenger’s decision to start Iwobi last night is certainly worth monitoring. Priced at 4.5 in FPL, the youngster would offer a very intriguing route into their attack if he can nail down a starting berth over the run-in, given that Sanchez and Ozil are 10.8 and 9.8 by comparison.
Van Gaal issues injury update
Ashley Young and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson returned to training on Wednesday but, according to Louis van Gaal, are not fit enough for Manchester United’s Europa League clash against Liverpool. Antonio Valencia, meanwhile, will also miss out, despite building up his match sharpness for the Under 21s last week:
“Ashley Young has been two months away but Borthwick-Jackson is another case. He has been about three weeks away so that is different. For every player, it is difficult after an injury to come back in the team and I give always the example of Marcos Rojo, who was the exception because I didn’t have other full-backs so I forced him to build up his capacity in the first team. He struggled, as you have seen, and I have given him 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 50 minutes, 70 minutes and then, at the end, 90 minutes, but he is now very tired yet he has to play maybe tomorrow. It is not easy for someone who has been out and maybe operated, so it is also a big transition for these kind of players. “
The Scout Says: By virtue of Man United’s favourable home ties (AVL, CRY) in their double Gameweek 34, they’ll be under greater scrutiny over their next three match-ups (mci, EVE, tot). Defensively, the return of the above-mentioned trio should increase rotation at the full-back slots, ensuring that the attractively priced Marcos Rojo (5.0) remains a risky proposition. Ultimately, Chris Smalling and David De Gea represent the only secure routes into a defence that charts bottom for goals conceded (seven) and top for clean sheets on home turf (nine).
Otamendi optimistic on weekend return
Nicolas Otamendi is confident that the dead leg he sustained against Dynamo Kiev will subside before the Manchester derby this weekend:
“It’s very similar to a dead leg injury I have had before – I will have a test [on Wednesday]. The blow wasn’t that serious but it was better not to continue and come off. The test I hope it shows nothing and am hopeful I can be there on Sunday.”
The Scout Says: Given that Vincent Kompany was also forced off on Tuesday, a return for Otamendi would be welcome news for Manuel Pellegrini, whose side have now chalked up three straight clean sheets ahead of Sunday’s visit from United. Although City are currently one of only five sides with a double Gameweek 34 and fixture in Gameweek 35, Kompany’s possible absence may deter many from investing in their rearguard, with rotation in the full-back berth lessening our options further. Having started 23 of the last 24 league matches, there’s no doubt that Otamendi is a secure starter under Pellegrini but at a price of 6.5, his average of 3.6 points per appearance – the fifth-highest amongst City’s backline – hasn’t proved value for money.
Vertonghen nearing Spurs return
Mauricio Pochettino hinted that Mousa Dembele and Christian Eriksen will be rested during Tottenham Hotspur’s midweek clash against Borussia Dortmund:
“We will see about Eriksen, but maybe he needs to rest a little bit. Maybe Dembele too. They have some things, but not big issues. But maybe they are not available tomorrow.”
The Argentine boss also confirmed that Jan Vertonghen and Clinton N’Jie could be back in contention after the international break, given that they’re expected to return to training next week:
“Jan and Clinton N’Jie are in a very good situation now. We expect from next week they start to train with the group and maybe for after the international break they will be available to be selected.”
The Scout Says: Considering that Spurs fielded a weakened XI in the first leg at Dortmund and subsequently fell to a 3-0 defeat, owners of Harry Kane and Dele Alli will be hoping Pochettino also takes it easy on the pair tonight ahead of Sunday’s home clash with Bournemouth. Nonetheless, with back-to-back clashes against Liverpool and United also preceding Gameweek 34, many Fantasy managers will be mulling over their Spurs quota, with some potentially eyeing up exits for Kane, Alli and Toby Alderweireld to take advantage of other teams’ busier schedules. Turning our attention to the North Londoners’ recovering players, Vertonghen’s return to the fold would eliminate Kevin Wimmer as a budget route into their rearguard. Priced at 4.6, the Austrian has enjoyed a temporary stint alongside Alderweireld at centre-half, starting each of the last seven Gameweeks, though will surely drop to the bench once Vertonghen’s fitness is up to scratch.
Moreno a doubt for Reds
Having felt a twinge in his hamstring during training yesterday, Alberto Moreno will be assessed this morning to determine his availability for the Reds’ meeting with Man United.
The Scout Says: With a single assist to his name all season, Moreno has flattered to deceive as a Fantasy product. The Spaniard boasts some very decent underlying statistics (top for key passes and fifth for attempts among all defenders) but, in spite of a pair of doubles to follow, the gradual reintegration of fit-again Jon Flanagan’s raises questions marks over Moreno’s security of starts over the run-in. Ally this with Martin Skrtel’s imminent return to first-team action and it’s fair to say Jurgen Klopp has plenty of defensive options at his disposal. If Liverpool progress past United tonight, the German may continue to rotate his options to cope with the packed schedule, which may well leave Simon Mignolet as their only safe source of defensive coverage for our wildcards.
