Bang in-form and with a series of appetising-looking fixtures ahead, the time is right to unleash the Flying Dutchman, Robin van Persie.
Fantasy Football (In association with Champion)
Statistics can often be misleading and used out of context to prove the most inane of arguments (63 per cent of people know that), but every once in a while, there are a couple of facts that come your way that you simply can’t ignore.
The record of Robin van Persie is a case in point. The Dutchman’s talent is obvious and him remaining at Arsenal is absolutely key to their future progress, but a glance at his record for the Gunners in recent times shows just why Arsene Wenger is keen to resist the multi-million pound offers and lucrative contracts that have been dangling in front of club and player in an attempt to lure him away from North London.
Van Persie, who recently netted his 100th goal for the Gunners, has scored 23 of Arsenal’s 45 goals in the Premier League in 2011 and has a quite exceptional record of 28 goals in his last 35 games in all competitions.
More impressive than scoring half of Arsenal’s goals in the Premier League and nearly a goal every game is the fact that it has come while playing for a side that, shall we say, haven’t exactly been setting the world alight in the last ten months.
Van Persie has only really burst into life in the last few weeks with braces against both Bolton and Sunderland that led to 27 points in his last three games. Granted, at £12.1 million he’s expensive (only Wayne Rooney in the entire league is dearer), but a study of Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures shows that it’s worth getting him into the team, even if it means taking a points hit to reshuffle the side.
Arsenal play Stoke, West Brom, Norwich, Fulham and Wigan in the next six weeks and have only a tricky trip to Chelsea next week that would be deemed as a game where three points is not the most likely outcome. The only worry with the fragile Van Persie, of course, is doubts over his ability to remain injury-free throughout that period.
If he can do that, then there should be plenty of benefits to be reaped from drafting him in. With the early-season momentum of Rooney and Aguero stalling somewhat, Van is your only man.
JOE’s Fantasy Football Picks
Top Dollar: Rafael van der Vaart (£9.7 million). Continuing the Dutch theme, we’re going for the slightly rotund Rafael van der Vaart, who despite his obvious talent, continues to look puffed out and completely spent after an hour every week.
He’s been taken off early in his last four games, but his lack of fitness hasn’t stopped him contributing some impressive tallies with three goals and 28 points in his last three games.
Mid-range: Luis Suarez (£9.5 million). £9.5 million might be stretching it a bit for mid-range, but we’re willing to make an exception in the case of Suarez, who has averaged nearly a goal in two so far this season and will cause plenty of headaches for the Norwich rearguard at Anfield.
Bargain Basement: Kyle Walker (£5.4 million). Walker has played 90 minutes for Spurs in the last five games, all bar one of which have ended in victories. Loves to bomb forward from right back and as he showed against Arsenal, he can’t half hit a ball either.
Irish Pick: Leon Best (£5.4 million). Given his outstanding recent form, Jonathan Walters came to mind, but one can’t ignore Stoke’s poor form away from home, especially when they’re facing Arsenal at the Emirates. Instead, we’ve gone for Leon Best, who hasn’t scored in his last three, but should get plenty of target practise against an abysmal Wigan at St. James’ Park.
Captain’s Pick: Robin van Persie (£12.1 million). His statistics brook no argument. On his day he’s the most lethal striker in the league and he’s had plenty of days like that recently. Against Stoke at home, you’d fancy him to deliver the goods once again.
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