Fantasy Football Report: Arsenal's Comeback and Week 11

Having experienced yet another hectic weekend in the Premier League, I'll be looking at the players that have produced solid performances in comparison with the fixtures ahead. 

I'll be looking at everything from those tricky 6.5 million midfielders that may not have caught your eye, to players returning from injury, and the strikers who are in outstanding goal scoring form.

Midfielders are the key to this week's fantasy report, as we take a look at who have really dominated the center of the park in recent weeks.

HOT Team of the Week: ARSENAL

RVP

“He’s too expensive…12 million for Robin Van Persie, you must be having a laugh.”

Not one of my favourite memories from back in August, but then again I do love to be proved wrong.

Don’t get me wrong, I rate the Dutchman. He’s tall, powerful and has a natural finish, as good as anyone else’s in the league but I didn’t think he’d notch such a hot run of form considering Arsenal’s transfer woes.

Nine goals in five games, 10 and two assists so far for the season—he’s the man on fire at the moment.

Arsenal’s Premier League fixtures up to 15 January:

West Brom (H), Norwich (A), Fulham (H), Wigan (A), Everton (H), Man City (A), Aston Villa (A), Wolves (H), QPR (H), Fulham (A), Swansea (A)

Read ‘em and weep.

Despite the Gunners shock start to the season, most football fans would expect Arsene Wenger’s men to take the initiative here and re-build their season.

Remember the Arsenal boss refused to rule out the title, and although seemingly out of reach, Champions League re-qualification is a must for obvious reasons.

Aaron Ramsey

Aaron Ramsey has enjoyed a nice start to the 2011/12 campaign, and is in my team at only 6.6 million; one goal and four assists in nine games in the EPL.

Promising AND more attacking than Scotty Parker (6.5m) and Manchester United’s Anderson (6.2), although dearer than Tom Cleverly (5.3)—who recently returned from injury versus Everton.

The Welshman has also clocked up 90 minutes in every game except Week 8, as he did not play.

Cheap, attacking-minded and did I mention CHEAP?

Rafael Van Der Vaart

The Dutchman has been on prolific goal scoring form recently, finding the net six times in the past five matches.

Tottenham’s next 11 fixtures:

Fulham (A), Aston Villa (H), West Brom (A), Bolton (H), Stoke City (A), Sunderland (H), Chelsea (H), Norwich (A), Swansea (A), West Brom (H), Wolves (A)

Fingers crossed RVV doesn’t pick up any injuries, for 10.3 he should be one of your three 10 million  midfielders. He’s certainly one of mine.

Jonathan Walters

The Stoke City "midfielder" has experienced a recent run of form, proving his intent to pull all the strings for Tony Pulis’ side this season.

Hit double figures twice, including three goals and two assists, Walters has been used on the wings as well as upfront.

Bolton (A), QPR (H), Blackburn (H), Everton (A), Tottenham (H), Wolves (A)

Looking for a consistent player, who starts and finishes every game for under 6.5m? Look no further.

Walter is also Stoke's first-choice penalty taker.

Demba Ba

As Newcastle United fans sang their Demba Ba song to the tune of "Get Get Down" by Paul Johnson, the Senegalese international bagged his second hat-trick in five games and secured third place in the Premier League.

Eight goals in nine appearances for the Magpies, Ba showed Tony Pulis exactly why they shouldn't have refused him in the summer.

The 26-year-old netted seven times in 12 league games for West Ham last season—an indicator he’s more than capable to score goals in the English top flight.

For 6.6 million, he’s nothing else but a bargain—preferably supporting two highly priced strikers (Suarez, Aguero, RVP, Rooney, Torres etc).

Juan Mata

The Spanish wizard usually refers to David Silva, however the former Valencia man has made a big impact at Stamford Bridge since his summer arrival. 

Nine-and-a-half mill maybe looks pricey, but considering he is still adapting to the pace of the English game, Mata has impressed.

He can count himself unlucky to see himself subbed before halftime against QPR two weeks ago, after Jose Bosingwa and Didier Drogba both picked up red cards.

The 23-year-old has bagged two and assisted on four other occasions.

Minutes played: 526

Contributions: 6

Mata contributes either a goal or assist every 87.7 minutes.

Tip of the Week

Pick your strikers very carefully…

Last week, I took a risk by replacing Didier Drogba (who got me minus0two points following a red card against QPR) with Fernando Torres.

Not only did I put the £50 million man in, but I made a decision to make him my captain as I predicted a high-scoring game with him smack bang in the middle of it all.

He’s the man who claims he can cope with the pressure, despite a lacklustre start to his Chelsea career. Nevertheless, I believe it is moves like this that will win you the league.

Keeping faith in your captain will always return favourable points, especially when others opt to keep changing them up.

Pick a captain and stick with him. Consistency is the game’s best strategy, especially with big players.