Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey fire Arsenal to victory in Marseille. Oscar notches for Chelsea but the hosts are shocked at the Bridge by Basel. Philippe Coutinho is ruled out until the end of October with a shoulder injury, Nacer Chadli remains absent for Spurs’ Europa League game tonight, Roberto Martinez could use Kevin Mirallas through the middle and Stephane Sessegnon is set for his West Brom debut against former club Sunderland.
Ramsey in the Goals Again
With Olivier Giroud passed fit to lead the line, Arsenal continued their superb recent form with a vital away win in France. Man of the moment Aaron Ramsey was again crucial to the Gunners’ victory, while Theo Walcott backed up our suggestion in yesterday’s members article that the goals were on their way by opening the scoring as Arsene Wenger’s side won on the road for the tenth time in all competitions.
After the game, much of the talk understandably focussed on Ramsey. The Welshman now has six goals to his name this term already and his new-found eye for goal was lauded by his delighted manager:
“Honestly, I didn’t expect him to score so many goals. He’s especially improved in his passing, his technical quality. He was always in good positions in the box, but scoring is a bit cyclic. You have periods when it goes in and others when it doesn’t. For me the most important thing is the quality of his game.”
The Scout Says: After his brace in the weekend win at Sunderland, there seems no stopping Ramsey right now. While the hype has surrounded record-signing Mesut Ozil, the Welshman has staked his claim as a serious Fantasy prospect with a series of displays that continue to defy the doubters. A deeper role in the double-pivot has meant Ramsey has never flourished as an attacking option before but his goal-getting ability has already persuaded almost 300,000 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers to snap up his service this week alone. For Walcott, his owners will be hoping last night’s strike will prove the spark the winger needed to embark on a scoring spree as the Gunners prepare for a superb run of domestic fixtures.
Jose Gets the Blues
Jose Mourinho rested John Terry to the bench, while Juan Mata was once again used as a substitute for last night’s shock home loss to Basel. Ahead of a home derby with Fulham at the weekend, Mourinho kept faith in Samuel Eto’o up top, while Eden Hazard, Oscar and Willian lined up behind the Cameroon international. Oscar delivered another goal on the European stage courtesy of a Frank Lampard assist but the hosts recent poor form continued as the Swiss side bounced back to register a surprise win. After the match, Mourinho admitted Eto’o is yet to find his form since moving from Russian side Anzhi.
“Samuel maybe lacked sharpness and this doesn’t surprise really when you are some years in a place that doesn’t motivate you and you are out of the big stage, maybe you’re there not for the right reasons and you lose huger and appetite. Now he has that back, he has that motivation, he wants to succeed and play and is happy to be at this level. He is participating a lot in the collective game. For the sharpness and the click to score, we have to wait but he is a great player and he will score goals.”
The Scout Says: It’s one goal in three games now for Chelsea as they continue to struggle to find the net. With a host of premium priced options all prone to their manager’s rotational whims, the Blues are rapidly dropping off Fantasy radars this term – Mourinho’s reluctance to seemingly place faith in Juan Mata is proving costly and despite a run of three favourable games in the next four (FUL, nor, CAR) many are wary of investing in the Stamford Bridge outfit in light of their stuttering form. A settled line-up would surely help Chelsea find their feet but as the fixtures come thick and fast, rotation looks on the cards as Mourinho attempts to keep his bloated squad happy.
Coutinho Out Until October
Liverpool were dealt a huge blow yesterday afternoon when Philippe Coutinho was ruled out with the shoulder injury that forced him off during Monday’s draw at Swansea. An article on the club’s official website revealed the Brazilian is set to undergo a procedure which will keep him on the sidelines until late October – sparking a Fantasy selling spree as hordes of owners jump ship
The Scout Says: There’s little doubt Coutinho has failed to live up to the pre-season hype this time round and over the next few days and weeks we can expect significant sales for one of the most popular players across the Fantasy games. For Brendan Rodgers, the blow has been lessened by Luis Suarez’ impending return – the Uruguayan (who stepped up his fitness drive with a 90-minute run out in a behind-closed-doors match against Burnley’s development squad yesterday) serves the last of a 10-match ban this weekend and will be available for the following Gameweek away to Sunderland. If Rodgers retains the 4-2-3-1 formation, Suarez could be handed the role in “the hole” vacated by Coutinho’s absence or potentially move to the right in a 4-3-3 – either way, the situation looks set to boost Victor Moses’ prospects over the next few matches. The Nigerian’s instant impact against Swansea on Monday certainly puts him in the driving seat for the role on the Reds’ left regardless of formation, though summer signing Luis Alberto staked a claim for inclusion earlier in the week by bagging a hat-trick for the club’s Under 21s in front of the onlooking Rodgers.
Chadli Still Sidelined for Spurs
Andre Villas-Boas has confirmed Nacer Chadli is out of Tottenham’s Europa League clash with Norwegian outfit Tromso this evening. The Belgian remains unavailable due to the “small strain” in an adductor muscle that kept him out of Saturday’s win over Norwich, with his manager revealing:
“He’s making good progress, so hopefully we’ll see him involved again soon. The rest of the players apart from Lennon and Capoue have trained. The team is ready for the challenge.”
The Scout Says: Whilst Chadli has hardly made waves since arriving at the Lane this summer, his absence bodes well for Gylfi Sigurdsson’s chances of an extended run in the starting line-up. The Icelandic star served notice of his potential by scoring both Spurs’ goals in the win over the Canaries – granted, his game time has been far from consistent under Villas-Boas and, while there still a real concern over his long-term minutes, Chadli’s absence will surely see Sigurdsson handed another start as the north London outfit head off to Cardiff on Sunday. While big-money buy Christian Eriksen has earned over 95,000 new owners this week, Sigurdsson remains somewhat under the radar – only 50,000 have snapped up the 6.9 priced midfielder despite his 16 point return in the Gameweek gone by.
Sessegnon Set for Baggies Bow
West Brom boss Steve Clarke was handed some good news yesterday after club record signing Stephane Sessegnon finally received his work permit. The Baggies boss – who admitted Shane Long and Matej Vydra remain doubts for this weekend – has revealed Sessegnon will go straight into the squad to face former club Sunderland at the Hawthorns on Saturday.
The Scout Says: A start for Sessegnon against the Black Cats could see a change of formation from Clarke as he attempts to pick up a first win of the season. The Baggies boss rolled out a 4-4-2 against Fulham last weekend and handed Morgan Amalfitano and Victor Anichebe their debuts but a move to 4-2-3-1 seems likely in order to accommodate the Benin international. Anichebe could well be the one to lose out, with Amalfitano, Sessegnon and Chris Brunt lining up in the attacking midfield three behind lone forward Nicolas Anelka.
Injury Boost for Di Canio
Paolo Di Canio will welcome back John O’Shea and Emanuele Giaccherini for the Hawthorns showdown after both recovered from injury. O’Shea was, of course, suspended for last week’s game with Arsenal but has since recovered from an injury picked up on international duty, according to his manager:
“They are ready to be selected. We know Giaccherini is crucial, and O’Shea – our captain – is a crucial player. There is no doubt they will be in the game.”
The Scout Says: The duo’s return will be key to the Wearsiders’ hopes of climbing off the foot of the table after picking up a single point in four matches. Di Canio is yet to field his strongest side due to injuries – Steven Fletcher only returned to the first XI last weekend – and Giacherrini will be looking to add to his account after grabbing a goal in the Gameweek 2 draw at Southampton. O’Shea’s presence at the back will be equally as vital as Di Canio attempts to stop a run which has seen his side concede three times in each of the last two league matches.
Mirallas May Be Utilised Centrally
Everton boss Roberto Martinez admitted he could use Kevin Mirallas through the middle more often this season after shifting the Belgian up front late on in the second-half against Chelsea on Saturday.
“Kevin Mirallas is now in a stage of his career where he can play in many positions and understand a different way of playing. He played in that position at his previous club Olympiakos, so we are all very aware of that option. At that time [against Chelsea] we were defending really well and were comfortable, but it is important to have pace and mobility up front. Kevin always gave us that outlet and that real threat going forward. We need to be able to adjust and adapt and Kevin as an individual showed what he can do.”
The Scout Says: With Romelu Lukaku added to the ranks and providing competition for the lone forward role along with Nikica Jelavic and Arouna Kone, Mirallas’ chances of starting in the lone forward position look slim at best. Clearly, though, his versatility is a real asset to Martinez’ game plan and could be crucial mid-match, allowing the Toffees boss the option of tightening up in midfield or freshening up his options on the flank. The Belgian continues to shed owners after failing to score or assist in the opening four Gameweeks but his manager’s words highlight just how important Mirallas will be to the Blues this term – with Lukaku on board, an upturn in Fantasy potential could be just around the corner.
