Unexpected shape-shifting from Wenger, surprise Swede-benching from Mourinho and a warning shot from Harry Kane. This, and more, occupy our thoughts as we continue to chew over Gameweek 33.
Mourinho’s mind games will keep us guessing…
Dropping Zlatan Ibrahimovic to the bench for the first time in the Premier League, Jose Mourinho’s Sunday teamsheet at home to Chelsea delivered the most unwelcome dose of uncertainty on the eve of Manchester United’s Double Gameweek 34.
It’s difficult to decipher the real impact of Jose’s selection, with confusion surrounding the logic behind it.
Initially suggesting that the veteran was tired after facing Anderlecht – a fact confirmed by the player himself – Mourinho backtracked post-match, declaring that his decision to play Marcus Rashford through the middle was no more than a tactical choice.
Regardless of the reasoning, the conflicting statements certainly raise doubt over Mourinho’s intentions from here on in.
Handed just eight minutes off the bench against the Blues, Ibrahimovic’s appeal as an armband option for the clashes against Burnley and Man City have arguably suffered a dent.
Frustratingly, Rashford took his chance and, in doing so, now justifies Mourinho handing him another opportunity before the season is out.
While his side are still pursuing Europa League glory, it’s clear that Mourinho’s teamsheets have the potential to seriously scupper our best-laid plans.
Arguably, a win for Anderlecht on Thursday would be the ideal solution.
That would leave United with the league campaign as their main focus and kill any doubts that Ibrahimovic, and the likes of Antonio Valencia, could be spared minutes at Turf Moor.
Wenger’s has taken everyone by surprise..
That chastening 3-0 loss at Palace clearly gave Arsene Wenger food for thought, with the Arsenal manager springing a surprise 3-4-2-1 set-up for last night’s win at Middlesbrough.
While the performance was far from emphatic, the Gunners did enough to suggest that they warrant a top billing ahead of their double Gameweeks 36 and 37.
Stationed in a central support role behind Olivier Giroud, Alexis Sanchez ended a three-match barren streak to return to the top of the FPL standings, while Mesut Ozil’s winner took his tally to two goals and a pair of assists in four.
At the back, the Gunners have just two clean sheets in ten, but if they rediscover some resilience, Wenger’s three-man backline could yet promote the likes of Gabriel as a cut-price option for our second Wildcards nearer the doubles.
It remains to be seen if Wenger saw enough on Teesside to convince him to persist with his new set-up. However, he was clear on the intention – to inject some much-needed confidence back into his side.
Fantasy managers will welcome that: a motivated and free-flowing Arsenal over the run-in would be a gift.
Monday was progress, but there is still much work to be done before we can be confident in heavy Arsenal investment.
Firmino is a perfect pre-Wildcard punt…
A match-winner against West Brom on Sunday edged the Brazilian into fifth position amongst FPL midfielders. Quietly and efficiently, Firmino has filled the void left by the stricken Sadio Mane.
The former Hoffenheim man has now produced returns in six successive league outings, delivering three goals and four assists over that period.
Starting the season at 8.5, he remained relatively overlooked and boasts a season-high price of 8.8 – indeed, only 12% own him compared with team-mate Philippe Coutinho’s 22%.
Back-to-back clashes against Palace and Watford mean that Firmino could well be worth our short-term consideration, particularly for those then able to refresh with the wildcard in Gameweek 36.
…as is Arnautovic…
A goal and assist at home to Hull City delivered a 12-point return for the Stoke City wide man – his second double-figure haul from his last six league appearances.
Just like Liverpool’s Firmino, Arnautovic is blessed with a run of upcoming fixtures that could help maintain recent form. Owned by just 1% of managers, he’s now set to face Swansea City, West Ham and Bournemouth over the next three Gameweeks.
With our double Gameweek 34 midfield options appearing limited, those still wielding wildcards may well consider turning to the Austrian as an unlikely option.
Second only to Tottenham’s Son Heung-Min for shots inside the box over the last four Gameweeks, by ten to 13, and with the Potters safe and free to express themselves, Arnautovic could be in his element and in profit.
Maguire is finally delivering on his promise…
Back in the Hull City starting XI after recovering from a knee problem, the defender was unleashed from a right-back berth in the 3-1 loss at Stoke.
It’s fair to say that Maguire’s raids forward were a key ploy in the Tigers’ attacks. He had more touches in the final third than any team-mate and fired four shots on goal – more than any defender in the Gameweek – on his way to scoring for the second successive league appearance.
Those goals have been more than merited. Since nailing down a starting berth in Gameweek 15, Maguire has produced more shots and attempts in the box than any FPL defender.
Owned by just 0.5%, he entertains Watford and Sunderland in the next three as the Tigers look to extend their exceptional recent record at the KCOM Stadium, having won seven and drawn one of eight home matches since the arrival of Marco Silva.
Kane is in a punishing mood…
While almost 200,000 FPL managers ensured that they leapt upon Harry Kane’s potential ahead of his home encounter with Bournemouth, many others were left cursing their hesitation or lack of that spare Spurs slot.
The striker’s 12-point haul was not spectacular, but it was enough to see him established as the top points scorer among the ten most favoured captain picks and demonstrated again what a force he can be.
He will now go to Palace in Gameweek 34 with real momentum and it’s difficult to ignore his claims – not only for a place in our line-ups, but also the captaincy – even in a Gameweek where Zlatan Ibrahimovic will clearly be the major draw.
Lest we forget, Spurs and Kane have previous for spoiling the double Gameweek party. Only last season they delivered a major haul to punish those who sold on their asset in the pursuit of twin-fixture assets.
Palace will offer stubborn resistance and Kane boasts just one double-digit haul away from White Hart Lane all season. But the form and confidence being shown by Mauricio Pochettino’s men is intoxicating and could easily outshine Ibrahimovic’s contribution to Gameweek 34.
Benteke can steel Zaha’s thunder…
With Wilfried Zaha hoovering up new owners at pace via the fall-out from the out-of-sorts Gylfi Sigurdsson, Christian Benteke is struggling to keep pace.
Slots in our forward lines are so precious, it’s perhaps no surprise to see the Belgian lag behind his midfield team-mate but, based on Saturday’s events, it’s the striker who heads into the Palace double Gameweek as the man most likely to deliver.
Edging towards his unplayable best, Benteke has mustered 16 shots in the box over his past four Gameweeks, with his seven efforts on target returning goals in three of those matches.
Zaha’s threat is an unpredictable and potentially explosive option, but Benteke carries the most direct threat to the Liverpool and Spurs defences.
