Well that was one to forget. All the hard work from the first 3 gameweeks has gone to pot as the side has been smacked with a massive red arrow. 40 (-4) was a gameweek rank of 6 million! I don’t think I’ve had a lower gameweek rank in my whole life. The 2 transfers were longer term moves but both blanking and ending up net 7 points down hurt.
The backline were the only positives from the week. Robertson (finally) and Zinchenko both kept clean sheet. Digne got an assist for 5 points while Lundstram came off the bench for the injured Martial against Chelsea. Heaton conceded once against Palace but picked up a consolation save point.
Captain Sterling blanked in a 4-0 win was the real downfall this week. It was only a 3 point difference from vice captain Salah who assisted in 3-0 win away to Burnley. However, the similarly priced Aguero braced and assisted in the same game which was the real rank killer. Mount blanked as he was pushed out on the left hand side unlike his previous central role. The next two games aren’t the easiest on paper, so I was hoping he’d deliver against Sheffield United.
Up top there was a full house of blanks. Greenwood replaced Lucas Moura who was dropped from the side and he didn’t make the XI even in the absence of Martial. Barnes failed to score for the first time this season against Liverpool but I didn’t bring him in for this game rather his next run of games. Pukki also failed to score for the first time this season as West Ham managed to keep him quiet.
Transfers – Martial/Lucas -> KDB/Ceballos (-4) Injuries have forced another hit but the wildcard is still intact as I’m happy with the majority of players.
A Man City triple up looks really important over the next month or so with Man City’s fixtures and form. Ceballos has arguably better fixtures and looked impressive when he’s played. His uncertainty of constant starts is the only real concern.
On paper the defence looks strong. Heaton is tasked with West Ham who look strong going forward with the likes of Haller in fine form, so I’m hopeful of save points at least. Robertson faces Newcastle who’ve just once in every game this season except for when they played Arsenal in gameweek 1. Digne plays Bournemouth and he’s looked great going forward all season.
Martial’s injury sees Ceballos come into the side. Arsenal face just 1 Top 6 side in their next 12 games. He’s looked very impressive and with the injury to Lacazette he should see more game time at a great price. Mount travels to Wolves who haven’t started the season strongly mainly due to their Europa League qualifiers. They’ve now qualified and had a week off with the international break. Sterling and new signing KDB face a Norwich side who are plagued with injuries. I don’t think you can ask for a better time to play the newly promoted side with no fit centre backs available. Salah faces Newcastle and he’s had the international break off to rest up after playing in AFCON before the season started. He should be fresh and raring to go as one of the key players this week.
Pukki has his toughest test yet as he faces Manchester City. Thinking positively Man City are without Laporte and The Canaries will be playing at home. Barnes starts a long term patch of great fixtures against Brighton. A goal would be nice after his blank last week but he’s picked up a knock during the international break but should play.
Captaincy: Like ever it came down to Salah or Sterling but the Englishman takes it again this week. Both are great fixtures but defensively I think Norwich are worse with so many injuries and their attacking mentality. There should be goals like last week but hopefully Sterling is involved this week.
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