Southampton and Arsenal both deliver a clean sheet in the first match of their Double Gameweek 36, with the Saints’ stopper Fraser Forster the big ticket item thanks to a spot-kick save at Anfield. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain proves a deadly differential, though Alexis Sanchez blanks again as the Gunners defeat a much-changed Manchester United at the Emirates.
On the Rise
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Reinvented as a right wing-back in recent weeks, the midfielder showed just why he was voted Arsenal’s April Player of the Month by providing assists for both goals in today’s win over Man United.
Sitting in less than 2% of FPL squads, Oxlade-Chamberlain was picked up by just 17,000 FPL managers last week after serving up just a single assist from Gameweek 16 onwards.
With both Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil doing little to justify their premium price tags, today’s haul highlights the England international’s value at a mere 5.8.
Double Gameweek 37 clashes against Stoke and Sunderland now await, before a final day home encounter with Everton. Those with Wildcards still in hand may well find a place for Oxlade-Chamberlain as the Gunners’ bid for a top-four finish gains momentum.
Fraser Forster, Jack Stephens
Drafted in by a combined 193,000+ FPL managers for their Double Gameweek clashes with Liverpool and Arsenal, the Southampton backline and keeper chalked up a fourth clean sheet in seven matches in today’s goalless draw at Anfield.
The result can be credited to Fraser Forster, who ended James Milner’s 100% record from the spot to also earn maximum bonus in the first of his pair of fixtures.
The Saints’ stopper followed on from Man United’s David de Gea, after the latter ended Double Gameweek 34 as joint top for returns, thanks to a 17-point haul over matches against Burnley and Man City.
Owned by just 4% of FPL managers, Forster picked up 16 points from today alone to steal a march on his Double Gameweek rivals ahead of the Gunners’ midweek visit.
The top target in Southampton’s defence, Jack Stephens was transferred in by over 66,000 new owners last week.
Granted, he was somewhat fortuitous after conceding the spot-kick, yet Stephens once again highlighted his ability to collect bonus when his side earned the shut-out – he’s now earned additional points from each of the Saints’ last four clean sheets.
At a price of just 4.2, the schedule suggests he’ll continue to flourish – Southampton have a Double Gameweek 37 that includes a trip to Middlesbrough before a final day home clash with Stoke City.
In Decline
Alexis Sanchez
It’s a single goal in seven now for the Chilean, who continues to look a shadow of his former self in Arsenal’s 3-4-2-1 formation.
Second only to Man City’s Gabriel Jesus for transfers in last week, Sanchez was the runaway leader in this week’s Captain Poll and claimed over 492,000 armbands (11.2%). Yet he mustered just two attempts on goal, with neither finding the target.
A midweek blank against the Saints will place major question marks over his captaincy credentials for Double Gameweek 37 at a time when the likes of Man City, Chelsea and Tottenham’s big hitters also play twice.
Gabriel
While premium-priced trio Laurent Koscielny, Petr Cech and Nacho Monreal vindicated the recent raft of Double Gameweek investment, the Brazilian’s run of five successive stats came to an abrupt end against United.
Acquired by over 51,000 FPL managers last week, Gabriel was replaced by Rob Holding in the back-three as Arsenal chalked up a fourth clean sheet in their last five at the Emirates.
With Sunderland and Everton still to pay visit and a trip to Stoke as part of Double Gameweek 37, the prospect of further defensive returns may well be on the cards for Wenger’s outfit. Gabriel’s security of starts, however, looks far less certain.
Manolo Gabbiadini, Nathan Redmond
Over 108,000 FPL managers acquired the Italian for Double Gameweek 36 – more than any Southampton player – yet today’s blank means he’s served up just a single assist in his last five league outings.
Worryingly for his 8% FPL owners, Gabbiadini failed to register a single shot on goal and did not touch the ball in the penalty area before being replaced by Shane Long on 68 minutes.
While a midweek visit from Arsenal still affords a degree of hope, the Saints’ attack is causing reason for concern – they have failed to find the net in three of their last four matches.
Another blank against the Gunners and those holding Gabbiadini may well consider their options, given that one of their Double Gameweek 37 matches is against Man United. The return of Charlie Austin to reserve action on Friday night also offers Puel food for thought as he attempts to address his side’s woes in the final third.
Second only to Gabbiadini for transfers in among the Southampton contingent, Redmond fared even worse in the first of the Saints’ two Gameweek 36 matches.
Benched for the second time in three as James Ward-Prowse was handed a recall, he ended with one point as a second-half substitute.
With Puel’s rotation clearly still a factor, the 67,000+ who acquired the 5.9-priced Redmond for the two matches could also be seeking alternatives, given that nine other teams will also play twice next time around.
Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino
The most transferred out player ahead of Gameweek 36, Coutinho recovered from the leg problem that forced him off at Watford on Monday night.
Yet despite playing from start to finish, the 19%-owned playmaker could not breach the Saints’ resilient rearguard and extended a run that had seen him score in four of five appearances prior to limping off early at Vicarage Road.
Unable to add to his tally of five double-digit home returns, Firmino also failed to produce the goods. After a run of returns in six successive appearances over Gameweek 27-33, he has now drawn blanks in each of the Reds’ last three league fixtures.
While a final day visit from Middlesbrough still looks encouraging, Liverpool now travel to a West Ham outfit that has chalked up four clean sheets in five and kept out Spurs’ attack on Friday evening.
Devoid of a Double Gameweek 37, the exodus is already picking up pace – the pair are among the three most sold midfielders since the deadline passed, with Coutinho leading the way as over 12,000+ look elsewhere.
Manchester United
United’s bid for a place in next season’s Champions League via success in the Europa League continues to wreak havoc with Jose Mourinho’s domestic teamsheets.
The Red Devils’ manager made no secret of his intentions to rotate prior to the match and was good to his word as key players such as Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford, Antonio Valencia, Eric Bailly and Daley Blind were all omitted from the XI.
United may have a Double Gameweek 37 to follow, but the first of those fixtures is away to Spurs and takes place just three days after their Europa League semi-final second-leg clash with Celta Vigo.
Should United prevail against their Spanish opponents on Thursday, they would clinch a place in the final, which takes place on May 24 – just three days after the end of the Premier League season.
Essentially, in terms of schedule, progressing past Celta would hand the Old Trafford side a run of four matches between May 14 and May 24. Given that three of them would be league fixtures, many holding United regulars – perhaps aside from David de Gea – could now cut and run with Mourinho potentially set to continue his recent shuffles.
