Tottenham Hotspur dominate the north London derby but almost have to settle for a draw as many Fantasy managers endure a similarly frustrating afternoon.
Harry Kane scored his seventh goal in as many matches against Arsenal to secure a 1-0 win, although the scoreline could, and should, have been considerably more emphatic.
Spurs had three times as many attempts on goal as their rivals and six shots on target to the Gunners’ one, with Kane both the hero and the villain of the piece.
The striker’s winner, from a Ben Davies assist, rewarded the 980,000+ (17.8%) Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers who handed him the captaincy.
But that was the only one of four chances, three of which were deemed big opportunties, that Kane managed to convert.
His profligacy cost him the chance of any bonus points and kept Arsenal in the match, with substitute Alexandre Lacazette missing two late chances to grab something from an encounter in which they were second best throughout.
It’s still five goals in five Gameweeks for Kane, but his failure to add any bonus to his six-point haul will be seen as vindication for the decision by many to seek captaincy rewards elsewhere – particuarly if that happened to be Sergio Aguero.
For the first time since Gameweek 21, the Spurs forward was not the most-captained player, with 1,265,966 (22.0%) of armbands instead being handed to Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
Whether the Egyptian will be able to confirm that decision as the correct one – particularly in light of Aguero’s stunning 21-point haul – remains to be seen.
What is not in doubt is the continued decline of the Spurs midfield as a consistent points-scoring unit.
Son Heung-min, who was sold by 101,000+ going into the weekend, blanked for the fourth successive Gameweek and made way for Erik Lamela on 69 minutes, while Dele Alli (two assists in six matches) and Christian Eriksen (two goals in six) also failed to deliver.
Davies thrives again
Instead, it was the backline that impressed.
Davies’ sixth assist of the season brought him level with Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta as FPL’s most creative defender. That has drawn a reaction from the market, with Davies the most signed player ahead of Gameweek 28 – attracting 34,000 owners to this point.
A clean sheet and maximum bonus brought in 12 points for the Welsh international’s 15.1% ownership and they will be hoping he is handed an eighth successive start against Crystal Palace in Gameweek 28 if Danny Rose is given the nod for Spurs’ midweek Champions League tie.
Fellow defenders Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez were handed the other bonus points as Mauricio Pochettino’s side made it three straight home clean sheets in the league.
Ramsey misses out
As for Arsenal, the day started badly when the fourth most popular purchase of the Gameweek, Aaron Ramsey, was ruled out with a groin problem.
And it barely improved after that as Arsene Wenger’s uncharacteristically negative tactics, crowding the central areas and inviting crosses, backfired when Kane headed home.
The Gunners’ attacking weapons were also blunted as a result, with the most bought player ahead of Gameweek 27, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, subbed off on 63 minutes after creating precisely zero chances and having no shots.
That was a huge blow to his 288,000+ new managers, while the 235,000+ who brought in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were equally disappointed.
The striker had no shots on goal, a mere two penalty area touches and 23 touches overall – the fewest of any player who started the match. He was, however, unlucky to be flagged offside when put through in the first half.
All those new managers on Ramsey, Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang could well be left to rue their move further as Arsenal entertain Man City next – if, that is, the fixture even goes ahead.
Should City need an FA Cup fifth round replay with Wigan, then their Gameweek 28 match at the Emirates will have to be rescheduled.
The Man City match-up is hardly an ideal opportunity for Arsenal’s defence to step up either.
They’ve now gone nine matches without a clean sheet and with a visit from Pep Guardiola’s free scorers, or a blank, to come next, further sales of Nacho Monreal, who was moved on by 82,000+ this week, look more than likely.
6 years, 2 months agoI wont be surprised when Salah gets his first hatrick. He has been scoring goals every other week so i don't understand why managers who captained him are unhappy. Cheer up, better things coming ahead 😀