Alexis Sanchez strikes a timely double with Theo Walcott providing an able midfield sidekick as Arsenal see off Bournemouth. Meanwhile, the Saints’ Charlie Austin’s ascent as a mid-price frontman is proving hard to ignore, as another blank from Everton’s Romelu Lukaku sees his transfer exodus pick up pace. Here’s the Stock Check from Sunday’s quartet of matches.
On the Rise
Alexis Sanchez
The Chilean followed Sergio Aguero’s lead by bagging a brace as Arsenal got the better of Bournemouth at the Emirates.
Doubts had been mounting over Sanchez’ value for money – he’d blanked in five of the previous six and had scored just once at home prior to Sunday’s performance.
With Olivier Giroud back on the bench, though, Sanchez was deployed as the central striker once again and served a timely reminder of his armband potential by producing a fifth double-figure haul of the season.
In a weekend when Kevin De Bruyne was benched for City’s trip to Burnley and Philippe Coutinho’s ankle injury potentially sparking a major exodus, Sanchez’ appeal has clearly been boosted by recent events.
Theo Walcott
Utilised as a sub against PSG in midweek, Walcott was reinstalled to Arsene Wenger’s first XI for the Cherries’ encounter.
The wide man has how started 12 of the opening 13 league fixtures – only missing the Gameweek 10 trip to Sunderland with a minor injury.
Today’s haul takes him onto 71 points – that’s fifth amongst midfielders and just two behind Roberto Firmino.
Having managed just two 10+ points hauls, Walcott may lack Sanchez’ explosive appeal, yet, at a price of 7.8, he continues to offer excellent value for money in the mid-price bracket.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
After netting twice at Swansea in Gameweek 11, the big Swede took his tally to three goals in his last two as he hints at a step up in consistency.
Indeed, this was the first time Ibrahimovic has scored in back-to-back top-flight appearances since Gameweek 2, having missed last week’s clash with Arsenal due to suspension.
After a series of inconsistent displays, it’ll take more than today’s goal to convince many to reconsider Ibrahimovic, yet with some fine fixtures to follow, he’s likely to remain United’s chief attacking force over the festive period.
Charlie Austin
The Southampton forward took his tally to six goals in nine Gameweeks by netting a quick-fire winner against Everton earlier this afternoon.
Despite being devoid of both Dusan Tadic and Sofiane Boufal, Claude Puel was once again able to rely on Austin to carry the Saints’ main threat – he has now been involved in 77.8% of his side’s goals when on the pitch.
Having started each of the last eight, any concerns over Austin’s minutes look unfounded. With clashes against Palace, Middlesbrough, Stoke and Bournemouth in the next four, he looks well set to keep on delivering value for money at just 6.8.
Cedric Soares
Southampton’s right-back continues to look like a lucky charm for Puel.
A 1-0 win over Everton means that the Saints have chalked up a clean sheet in each of the last five league matches that Cedric has started.
Priced at just 4.9, he’s the cheapest route into the St Mary’s rearguard and underlined his value for money by also chipping in with two bonus points today.
Having also kept out Liverpool last week, Southampton’s defence looks ripe for investment right now, with Puel’s outfit set for some excellent upcoming fixtures to augment their appeal.
Dimitri Payet
The Frenchman’s cross for Diafra Sakho’s opener at Old Trafford means he now has six assists in 11 appearances.
Considering he managed a total of 13 assists last season, Payet’s upturn in creative output is worth monitoring. Indeed, he has now provided 11 key passes more than any player over the first 13 Gameweeks.
Granted, West Ham’s next two matches – against Arsenal and Liverpool – may persuade many to overlook him for now.
Nonetheless, the schedule from Gameweek 16 onwards, which kick starts with back-to-back home clashes against Burnley and Hull, could see that 9.7% FPL ownership climb sooner rather than later.
In Decline
Romelu Lukaku
It’s one goal in the last five fixtures now for the Everton frontman, who is already the most transferred out forward in the Gameweek by some margin.
Even the underlying numbers afford little optimism – a single off-target free-kick was all Lukaku had to offer today as the Toffees’ slide down the table continues.
With clashes against United, Arsenal and Liverpool in the next four, the big Belgian seems set for a significant exodus as the schedule turns against Ronald Koeman’s side.
Olivier Giroud
Despite netting for the fifth time in as many appearances with a strike against PSG, the Frenchman remains unable to find a way into the Arsenal first XI in the Premier League.
Many expected Giroud to start up after he led the line in midweek but he was again utilised off the bench and has yet to start a league match this season.
Granted, he supplied a late assist to vindicate the 50,000+ transfers in last week but with Sanchez and Walcott grabbing the goals, Giroud remains no more than a Plan B.
Wenger’s post-match confirmation that Giroud picked up a hamstring problem and is set to be assessed merely strengthens the idea that Sanchez will remain the central striker for next week’s trip to West Ham.
Carl Jenkinson
We’d expected the Arsenal right-back to offer a decent short-term option in the absence of Hector Bellerin but, having started against PSG in midweek, Jenkinson was omitted from the squad altogether this afternoon.
Wenger was made to rue his decision to start Mathieu Debuchy when the Frenchman limped off within 20 minutes due to a hamstring injury, with Gabriel his replacement. Jenkinson may well be handed a reprieve for next week’s clash with the Hammers but with Bellerin expected back in mid-December, the former looks best avoided.
Wilfried Bony, Bojan
Bony and Bojan were marked as the fall guys for last week’s home loss to Bournemouth as both dropped down to the bench for the Potters’ trip to Watford.
Bony had started nine straight matches since arriving on loan from Man City but with midweek reports suggesting that his parent club could sell the Ivorian over the winter window, Mark Hughes opted to bench him despite switching tactics and opting for two up front.
Bojan’s omission was just as surprising, given that Joe Allen sat out today’s fixture due to suspension. Installed to the starting XI for the first time in seven Gameweeks last weekend, the Spaniard’s immediate demotion is indicative of how far he’s fallen under Hughes this season.
Allen owners, meanwhile, will be optimistic he could return to the role in “the hole” at home to Burnley next weekend after he was shifted to the double-pivot against the Cherries last time out.
Juan Mata
We had hopes that Juan Mata could emerge as a viable option but the Spaniard was hauled off just after the hour-mark against West Ham, suggesting his minutes will continue to be in question. That’s likely a symptom of Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s return to the United reckoning which could dent Mata’s pitch time from here on.
