Mesut Ozil is ruled out for three months due to knee ligament damage. Scott Dann is expected to make a quick recovery from a knee injury for Palace, Esteban Cambiasso returns to action for Leicester, Andre Schurrle is a concern for Germany, whilst Liverpool’s Lazar Markovic pleads for patience after a slow start to the season.
Gunners Rocked By Ozil setback
Arsene Wenger is set to be without his record signing for up to three months after Ozil was ruled out of action by German national doctors yesterday. A statement on the DFB website went on to say:
“The MRI examination today at National Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt in Munich revealed a partial rupture of the outer band of the left knee joint. The treatment is conservative, with six weeks of immobilisation of the knee joint. Mesut Ozil is likely to be (out for) 10 to 12 weeks.”
The Scout Says: With Aaron Ramsey still sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Ozil’s loss (which could see him miss out until Gameweek 20) looks poised to force another reshuffle in the Gunners’ midfield ahead of a very kind run of matches. Alexis Sanchez seems far less likely to be omitted from the XI now – the Chilean has started just one of the last three league outings but looks vital over the upcoming schedule as Arsene Wenger’s side attempt to bounce back from their 2-0 loss at Chelsea. For those who feel Sanchez’ 10.3 price tag is a little too expensive, though, Santi Cazorla (8.2) could be moved into “the hole” if Wenger opts for a 4-2-3-1, whilst Theo Walcott (9.0) is edging towards a return in the next few weeks and bearing in mind Arsenal play just two of last term’s top eight in the next nine Gameweeks, there’s still plenty of points potential on offer at the Emirates.
Cambiasso Boost for Foxes
The Argentine midfielder recovered from a knock that kept him out of the weekend draw against Burnley and played the full 90 minutes in a 3-2 reserve team win over Aston Villa yesterday.
The Scout Says: Cambiasso’s absence against The Clarets persuaded Nigel Pearson to shift from 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2, with Dean Hammond and Danny Drinkwater handed the central midfield berths. With the South American back on board, though, his manager now faces a dilemma after wide men Riyad Mahrez and Jeffrey Schlupp both scored in the weekend draw. Certainly, Hammond looks the likeliest to make way if Pearson opts for a four-man midfield, though a switch back to three up top would immediately place question marks over Mahrez and Schlupp once again, with Cambiasso looking a certain starter, regardless of formation. The veteran has already scored once in his two starts for The Foxes and, at 5.0 in FPL, has five decent fixtures (new, swa, WBA, SUN, qpr) to stake a claim as a budget contender.
Dann Ruled Out for Eagles
The Palace defender is expected to remain out for three-to-four weeks with the knee injury that saw him stretchered off on 12 minutes at Hull last Saturday. Palace had initially feared Dann would be sidelined for a long-term period but scans have confirmed a far more positive prognosis.
The Scout Says: A month-long absence would forced Dann to miss upcoming showdowns with Chelsea, West Brom, Sunderland and United before returning to host Liverpool in Gameweek 12. Dann has started every league fixture for Neil Warnock and has helped his side register clean sheets in both their home matches under the new manager, though on the road it’s been a different matter, with at least two goals conceded in all of their three away encounters. Brede Hangeland looks the likeliest candidate to deputise, though at 4.9, the former Fulham man is pricier than Martin Kelly (4.5), who has started six of the Eagles’ seven matches so far and looks a far more reliable pick.
Germany Hopeful on Schurrle
The midfielder has been nursing a knock that has forced him to miss training with the German national side for the last two days but reports suggest his country still remain optimistic he’ll be fit to face Poland on Saturday.
The Scout Says: After starting three of the first four Gameweeks, Schurrle looked to have climbed in the Chelsea attacking midfield pecking order before being named as a sub in the subsequent two. Emerging from the bench in Gameweek 5 at City, the German netted his second of the season – equaling Eden Hazard’s tally, despite playing 304 minutes to the Belgian’s 592. Schurrle returned to the first XI for last weekend’s win over Arsenal but with Willian offering strong competition for the role on the right, he’s likely to remain no more than a punt as Jose Mourinho alternates the pair in order to deal with the busy schedule – frustrating for Fantasy managers, given Schurrle’s undoubted eye for goal.
Markovic Pleads for Patience
Liverpool’s summer signing has discussed his start to the season and admitted he’s yet to find his feet on Merseyside.
“You know how things go in football, I’m getting there and adjusting well. It will take a little more time, but, all in all, I feel okay. I feel great there and everybody has been great with me. I could not wish for more. I’m happy and that is the most important thing. My team-mate is the legendary Steven Gerrard, the fans love me and Anfield is great. But, as I said, I just need a little bit more time.”
The Scout Says: Having served up a seven goals and four assists in 49 appearances across all competitions for Benfica last season, it’s fair to say the youngster isn’t renowned as a prolific performer. Indeed, question marks were raised over Brendan Rodgers’ decision to splash the cash in his summer of restructuring and so far, he’s been named in the first XI on just two occasions in a slow start in his new surrounds. With QPR, Hull and Newcastle in the next four, investment in the Reds is picking up pace – both Adam Lallana and Jordan Henderson staked a claim by getting amongst the goals last weekend, and with Raheem Sterling looking key for the Merseysiders, Markovic looks poised to continue as an impact sub, with his blistering pace a worthy weapon against tiring backlines late on in matches.
Pardew to Turn to Forgotten Wingers
Alan Pardew is set to reward both Gabriel Obertan and Sammy Ameobi for their impact against Swansea with starts against Leicester in Gameweek 8.
The latter was introduced from the bench at the Liberty Stadium, providing a crucial assist in a 33-minute appearance. Post-match, Pardew revealed his admiration for the player but underlined his frustration with Ameobi to this point:
“We’ve had to have the patience of a saint with Sammy and he’ll admit that. Now we need to see him deliver. The threat to him is still there – this is a big season for him. He did particularly well when he came on at Swansea. He’s someone I’ve spoken about so many times over the past few seasons, talking about his potential. He’s been a young player in the shadow of his brother for a long time. But this is a guy who is quick and has fantastic technical ability – he should be ripping this division up really, but he hasn’t been.”
Meanwhile, Obertan was handed a first start of the season against Swansea and, like Ameobi, provided the ammunition for Papiss Cisse to guide Newcastle to a priceless point. Pardew made it clear that he has recognised a change in the former United winger this term:
“Gabby had a great spell when he first arrived then lost his way a little bit. He’s had to earn the trust of our fans and our staff to get a chance. But this season he looks really focussed. Remember, he’s only a young man and he could be a big player for us this year.”
The Scout Says: Both Ameobi and Obertan are available as 4.4 midfield options and could tempt investment as budget candidates. The latter looks the most secure of the two and, given Pardew’s comments and his decision to drop Remy Cabella to the bench, it’s clear that the Magpies boss is willing to invest in the forgotten winger at a time when his tenure at St James Park remains in doubt. In three appearances so far this term, Obertan has created a goalscoring opportunity every 30.6 minutes – a faster rate than Cabella who has registered 32.9 for the same stat. More significantly, Cabella’s supply has faltered, completing just 13% of his crosses compared to Obertan’s 57%. While Cabella offers a far greater goal threat, it could be that Pardew is looking to rely on Cisse to the get the goals, prioritising a reliable supply to the striker. Obertan could well benefit from that policy, providing Fantasy mangers with another 4.4 midfield starter to rival Burnley’s George Boyd.
