Tomas Rosicky scores twice as Arsenal climb into the top four with a win at West Brom. Jay Rodriguez and Rickie Lambert help steer Southampton to their third straight victory after seeing off former manager Nigel Adkins at the Madejski. Michu is amongst the goals again as Swansea pick up a point at Norwich, while Christian Benteke and Gabby Agbonlahor help Villa to a third win in four as Paul Lambert’s side hand Stoke their third home defeat of the season.
Rodriguez Maintains His Cut-Price Appeal
A goal and assist in the lunchtime clash at the Madejski maintained the former Burnley man’s superb run of form. Rodriguez has now netted in each of the last three and has picked up attacking points in seven of the last nine Gameweeks as he goes from strength to strength under Mauricio Pochettino; all the more impressive given he doesn’t have set-pieces or spot-kicks to bolster his appeal. Indeed, since the departure of Nigel Adkins, he has registered 53 points (pre-bonus), just four less than Rickie Lambert over the same period – a sign of the flourishing form that offers outstanding value at a mere 5.2 in FPL. With home games against West Ham and West Brom and a trip to Swansea in the next three, he looks to have the platform to continue racking up the points as the Argentine’s in-form side climb further up the table. While Lambert failed to find the net, he did, at least, provide his owners with an assist – the sixth time in the last eight he has registered attacking returns for the Saints. Post-match, Rodriguez again spoke of the faith being shown him under the new manager…
“I’m getting a run in the team so I’m getting experience by playing – I think that’s what I needed. I need to get games to improve my form, and now I need to keep working hard because I’ve got a lot to improve. I hope that in each game I can try to get better for the team.”
Canaries Keeper Conundrum
Back in the Norwich XI after serving a one-match suspension, Mark Bunn’s first-team return lasted all of 15 minutes before he was forced off due to a groin injury. With John Ruddy set to turn out for the reserves next Monday as he builds up his fitness after a long-term spell in the sidelines, Lee Camp may be back in the driving seat if Bunn is out for any length of time – a real source of Fantasy frustration, given Chris Hughton’s side have Reading, Villa and West Brom at Carrow Road in the next five. Depending on Ruddy’s fitness levels, though, he may be fast-tracked back to the first-team as Hughton looks for top-flight experience between the sticks to help ensure his side’s safety.
After the game, the Norwich boss gave an update on the situation, saying:
“He felt his groin, I’m not sure that it’s so bad but it was certainly bad enough to come off.”
When asked if Bunn was likely to miss Saturday’s trip to Arsenal, Hughton also added:
“I think so at this moment but it’s obviously one I’d have to think about. We’ll see how he is first and take it from there”
Michu Delivering Again
Swansea summer signing was back amongst the goals again yesterday afternoon, netting the opener as Michael Laudrup’s side halted a run of three straight defeats with a share of the points at Norwich. Having also scored in the previous Gameweek against Tottenham, Michu – who moved back to the role in “the hole”, with Luke Moore leading the line – looks to be picking up form again; prior to the clash with Andre Villas-Boas’ side, he had found the net in just two matches from Gameweek 17 onwards. His owners now face a dilemma though – given that the Welsh club are now without a fixture next weekend, there could well be an exodus on the cards. Certainly, Swansea’s fixtures are far from easy now – with Chelsea, City and United still to come, in addition to games against in-form Southampton and Wigan, Laudrup’s side are likely to be given a wide berth, though Michu’s double Gameweek 36 (MCY, wig) may well be enough to persuade many to simply bench him next week.
The Gunners Midfield Dilemma
Prior to last week, Tomas Rosicky had played 33 minutes in the league all season. An injury to Jack Wilshere, however, afforded the Czech midfielder a chance in “the hole” for the 4-1 win over Reading and he retained his place in Arsene Wenger’s XI for yesterday’s trip to the Hawthorns. Ahead of a double Gameweek which hands Arsenal back-to-back home games with Norwich and Everton, he duly delivered both his side’s goals to blink brightly on Fantasy radars. Coming in at 6.1 he looks an intriguing option for the double and, in a week where Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud failed to deliver, he certainly picked the perfect time to make a persuasive case for consideration. Post-match, his manager was full of praise for Rosicky’s display:
“Fantastic. He’s an important player for us. Unfortunately he was injured for a long time but every year he gives us a little push at the end of the season. That is very important. I hope he finishes his career with us. He still has one year on his contract. I rate him very highly.”
Gervinho’s owners will also be buoyant after the winger delivered again. The Ivorian started on the right again yesterday, with an assist at the Hawthorns meaning he has now produced two goals and three assists since climbing off the bench with 20 left of the Gameweek 30 trip to Swansea. Gervinho comes in at 6.9 in FPL and is gaining plenty new suitors – over 31,000 snapped him up prior to the weekend’s deadline, while he, too, was the subject of Wenger’s praise after the game:
“He has another assist. He is dangerous. When you have to defend, it’s a bit more difficult for him. As long as you have the ball and are going forward, he always looks dangerous.”
Although the pair look in the mood right now, any transfers in should perhaps be held until nearer next weekend when Thursday’s press conference will hopefully give us a little more insight into the club’s midfield injury situation. Judging by Wenger’s comments, Walcott and Wilshere owners could have cause for optimism ahead of the double, with the Arsenal manager revealing “both could be available” for next weekend.
Mertesacker’s One-Match Ban
Despite Arsene Wenger’s defensive tinkering in recent matches, the big German had looked the one reliable option at the back. While the Arsenal boss switched his full-backs and keeper and swapped Thomas Vermaelen for Laurent Koscielny in the middle, Mertesacker had been the only constant, starting each of the last 11 league matches for the north London outfit. Yesterday’s dismissal at the Hawthorns turns many a double Gameweek plan on its head, though; Mertesacker is set for a one-match ban which will keep him out of next weekend’s match with Norwich. In a sense, a three-match ban would’ve been more assuring – Koscielny and Vermaelen would have been nailed on but with Mertesacker available for Tuesday’s game against Everton, investment at centre-half is likely to be left well alone; Wenger is sure to turn to the German to cope with the aerial presence of Marouane Fellaini. Elsewhere at the back, Nacho Monreal started for the seventh league match in a row despite Kieran Gibbs’ availability, while Lukas Fabianski has now been given the nod over Wojciech Szczesny in the last four in all competitions.
Wenger also discussed his recent rotation policy in the heart of the back-four after the game, going on to say:
“I have three quality centre backs and I rotate. In recent times I played only Koscielny and Mertesacker because we won the games and there was no obvious reason to change. Thomas is a quality player.He did very well when he came in.”
Lukaku Back on the Bench
Similar to Michu, the giant Belgian is also without a fixture next weekend though Steve Clarke’s decision to drop him to the bench and roll out a 4-2-3-1 with Shane Long leading the line may make the decision a little easier for his 8% owners. Aside from missing the Gameweek 28 against parent club Chelsea, the on loan forward had started nine of the previous 10 matches he had been available for but having failed to net in the previous two, he was shifted to the bench against the Gunners. Frustratingly, the fixtures look kind over the short-term, too; after next week’s blank, West Brom host Newcastle and Wigan in the following three and also have a double yet to be scheduled. Furthermore, Lukaku’s missed spot-kick against Swansea in Gameweek 29 has proven particularly costly – the Baggies have been awarded a penalty in each of their last two now; Graham Dorrans notched against West Ham last week, while James Morrison netted the hosts’ consolation against the Gunners yesterday afternoon.
Clarke offered this explanation of his decision to drop Lukaku in his post-match comments…
“It was tactical. Every team we’ve put out against the top teams this season we’ve always started with one up front. My call was whether to start with Shane or Romelu. Today it was Shane because I felt his particular style could cause their two centre-halves a problem. By and large it worked out that way. When Romelu and Markus Rosenberg came on we were chasing the game and there was a momentum to the team at that stage. They both made a good impact, which is pleasing.”
Benteke and Agbonlahor in the Points Again
It’s three wins in the last four now for Villa after a superb win at the Britannia. Paul Lambert’s side proved last week’s home loss to Liverpool was no more than a temporary blip and once again had Christian Benteke to thank for a crucial display up top. The Belgian’s form over the last few months has been simply incredible – since the turn of the year, he has scored in nine of his 12 league appearances, averaging over six points per game, and has now netted in four successive Gameweeks. Benteke is now up to 15 goals for the season – only Robin Van Persie, Luis Suarez, Gareth Bale and Michu have managed more – and with Fulham and Sunderland visiting Villa Park in the next three, his barnstorming form looks likely to plunder the points once more.
Gabby Agbonlahor also demonstrated just why he was the recipient of high praise from Lambert earlier in the week. Despite a role on the left flank, he continues to produce for the midlands outfit – a ninth minute opener had Stoke on the back foot from early on and maintained a run of form which has seen him score or assist in seven of his last nine. Similarly priced to Benteke, he remains a real differential with just 0.2% FPL ownership, though the Belgian’s central role and spot-kick duties are likely to sway any Villa investment firmly his way. Agbonlahor also suffered a thigh which saw him forced off, although Lambert is hopeful that this is just a minor setback…
“Gabby was outstanding. He hurt his thigh a little bit but hopefully he will be okay.”
Wilson Worry for Potters
Having seen his side ship three goals to Villa, Tony Pulis certainly doesn’t have his defensive problems to seek. The Potters have now conceded in all but one of the last 14 Gameweeks and will be sweating on the availability of Marc Wilson after the left-back was subbed off early in the second-half with a hamstring problem, according to the club’s twitter account. With a home game against United up next, the situation is ominous for Pulis’ side – they are just one point above Villa now after yesterday’s defeat, though with games against QPR, Norwich and Sunderland to follow the United game, there’s still reason for optimism.
