The FPL Gods treated us pretty well last week and there’s excitement in the air as Premier League teams prepare for a busy two months.
Last week, Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham and Liverpool all picked up expected victories, but there were some surprise results across the country.
Two 3-3 draws grabbed the headlines, but not as much as Watford’s 4-1 victory over Manchester United, which eventually cost Ole Gunnar Solskjaer his job.
After 11 weeks, it’s fascinating to see so many usually fantastic forwards struggling for goals. Just five strikers have scored more than 50 points this season, and only Michail Antonio and Jamie Vardy have done so from the “expensive” bracket of frontmen.
Defenders stole the show last weekend, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger and Joao Cancelo all scoring double-figures for our team.
Our midfield and forwards let us down a little, but we head into Gameweek 12 with renewed optimism in what is a crucial stage of the season.
With that in mind, it’s time to make a few changes to our team, with fixture swings causing concerns.
Goalkeeper – Aaron Ramsdale
Ramsdale was a one-man army at times against Liverpool, making a string of incredible saves to keep the score 0-0.
In the end, his efforts were in vain as Arsenal lost 4-0, but Ramsdale still came away with one bonus point.
There’s a chance he can grab a clean sheet this week, though, with Newcastle United coming to town.
Defenders – Joao Cancelo, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger and Ben White
How can we drop Cancelo, TAA or Rudiger after last week’s heroics?
Cancelo’s assist was the stuff of dreams, while Rudiger grabbed a goal andTrent added two assists of his own.
The only change to our back four sees Ben White return to the fold from our bench – risky, we know.
A double Arsenal backline might keep us awake for the next few nights, but we will roll with the punches and hope Newcastle struggle on their trip to the capital.
Those that fancy a home win to nil can back it at 6/4, and Arsenal do have a great record in this fixture, winning the last six without conceding.
Midfielders – Mohamed Salah, Emile Smith Rowe, Son Heung-Min and Diogo Jota
Here is where our two transfers come into the fold, with Jota the man to own at present. He scored against Arsenal last week and with Roberto Firmino out injured, he has every chance of playing for the foreseeable future.
He’s also got the chance to retain his place, with both Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane due to play in the Africa Cup of Nations next year.
After watching Tottenham beat Leeds, spending the extra money on Harry Kane makes no sense, especially when he has struggled in the Premier League.
Son was also quiet against the Whites, but he’s much cheaper and allows us to spend our funds elsewhere.
Smith Rowe might have blanked last weekend, but his eye for a goal means he stays in our team for the clash with Newcastle.
It’s just dawned on me that we have three Arsenal players; I hope I don’t have to apologise this time next week.
We continue to talk up Mo Salah, so he needs no introduction, and he retains the armband as he continues his scoring streak.
Forwards – Michail Antonio and Hee-Chan Hwang
We’ve taken a bit of a gamble on a Wolves forward, with their next two matches catching the eye.
They play Norwich this weekend before taking on Burnley and neither side have shown they can defend this season.
Hwang has 40 points for the campaign and having linked up well with Raul Jimenez, it’s worth the gamble for the next few weeks.
Dean Smith got off to a winning start as Norwich boss last week, but Wolves look great value at 23/20, having lost one of their previous seven.
As we mentioned last week, Antonio is on borrowed time but having lost to Wolves, the Hammers will be looking to prove a point against City, so he gets another week in our team.
Captain – Mohamed Salah
*All odds correct at time of writing.