67 points last gameweek! A decent week even with some serious bench pain. Without hindsight was it a mistake to start Mendy with IPS (H) over Konsa with LIV (A)? Unbelievable result for Arsenal, for the first time in PL history no shot on target recorded by Opta by Liverpool at Anfield. Konsa hitting defcon and bonus for a 10 pointer, De Cuyper getting a fortunate assist, clean sheet and bonus as well for 9 points so 19 benched!
So many positives though, Silva came in to the team and came away with an 8 pointer, 1 defcon away from a 10 pointer. Van Hecke goal, clean sheet, max bonus for a 15 point haul. Palmer and Rogers both scoring and a great end to the gameweek with Barry scoring the winner vs Newcastle and also earning max bonus. The big decision last week was whether to go against the template or not and get rid of Thiaw who lost his spot at Newcastle, rather than buy Jackson and fortunately survived no Jackson, his effective ownership is frighteningly high at about 80% last week and probably pushing 90% next week.
Was one of those weeks where it all came together in terms of players I'd transferred in this season returning, Barry, Rogers, Palmer, Silva. Schade is looking like a mistake transfer though, Dango and Anthony coming away with assists in fewer minutes than Schade. He didn't even have a shot. Mbeumo's not delivered any returns yet either but a lot more patience with him as he should be nailed and is playing striker so it's a matter of time until he scores again.
Do we finally buy Jackson now the defence is sorted? Or get Calvert-Lewin, or maybe Mendy to Vuskovic. That's the question.
Let's run through the team for GW10.
🧤 Goalkeeper
- Raya in goal.
🛡️ Defenders
In defence we're going with a back 4 for the first time all season, 4-4-2 with Raya in goal. Double Arsenal defence with Konsa, then Silva, De Cuyper and Van Hecke. Might be a sign of the times playing a back 4 this week for the first time, all the talk this week is about going big at the back with the defcon guys and I was looking at my team after the break which will be a back 4 as well most likely.
The players I want most aren't forwards or mids but the likes of Gabriel, Vuskovic, Muharemovic, Van Dijk.
Every year there's a random hero in the team, like Strand Larsen a couple years back, Mukiele last year. Van Hecke is thrown his name in the mix, so far when playing him he's returned, 8, 8, 6, 4, 15.
Elland road can be a difficult place to visit though so he's looking the weakest link in the back line this week. It's a choice between him and Schade, Schade is facing De Cuyper so I feel I may as well go for the higher upside. Obviously it's possible Schade scores and De Cuyper blanks and then that's the worst possible outcome but if De Cuyper and Van Hecke were to keep clean sheets that's bigger upside since it's returns from two players rather than a return from one and blank from the other. Bit more nuanced with De Cuyper obviously because of all defenders he's likeliest to score or assist even when conceding but the logic is there. An early sub last game to bank the clean sheet, would be more than happy to see that again.
Saliba is back in first team training for Arsenal. Arteta says he played 45 minutes behind closed doors. When do we see him start? Konsa's been faultless so it's harsh to even drop him, I would like to think Konsa is safe until after the international break but I might sell in GW11 when Arsenal have Newcastle away. MCI (H) in GW12 is a massive game. Saliba's been out for so long I wouldn't be surprised if Konsa just keeps playing for at least a few more. What hasn't helped the situation is Konsa had a knee problem in the Champions League. He was feeling his knee in the first half, came off just after 60 mins second half. Arteta said "He's playing a lot. He's played so many games in the last few weeks and he had some issues and we decided to take him off". Saliba didn't play at all though, but Mosquera is there too. The fact that he was feeling it second half and came off second could be seen as a positive. He seemed alright when coming off.
I want to get Gabriel in but need to work out a way that makes sense. Might just wait until De Cuyper or Konsa become a problem (whenever that is), then make the swap. I think it's just one of those you keep playing Konsa until he's a problem, or you can make a case for selling after the break before Newcastle away and Man City home. Obviously Newcastle aren't pulling up roots right now like, but you've got Vuskovic with Hull after the break as an example which is even better.