Anfield Doubts Mount As Fabregas And Van Persie Miss Pre-Season
As we tweeted earlier today, Arsene Wenger has confirmed that neither Cesc Fabregas or Robin Van Persie will see pre-season action before the opening weekend of the season.
Talking to Arsenal TV Online, the Gunners boss counted them out of Saturday’s friendly against Legia Warsaw and suggested that they may not be available for the opening game at Anfield the following Sunday.
“Against Legia Warsaw you will see the players we saw [in the Emirates Cup]…I believe [Alex] Song will be short, you have a little chance to see Denilson and a very little chance to see [Abou] Diaby – but Fabregas and van Persie will not be ready.”
With both Fabregas and Van Persie suffering from potential World Cup hangovers and without the benefit of a pre-season runout, it would appear that their chances of playing a major role against Liverpool are slim to say the least…
The news will surely curtail any Fantasy investment in the build up to the season kick-off but, as we’ve alluded to previously, it does offer us options elsewhere in the Arsenal ranks.
Wenger’s side are one of the few who have genuinely impressed in pre-season and while the Gunners boss has been busy talking up the role that Jack Wilshere has played, astute Fantasy Managers will surely have noticed the form of both Samir Nasri and Marouane Chamakh.
Nasri in particular has enjoyed the most profitable summers. He’s been handed the freedom of an attacking role playing off Chamakh and has responded with four goals, his last strike being the decisive goal against Celtic in the Emirates Cup last weekend.
He would seem odds on for the same role at Anfield, even if Fabregas were to be thrown into the mix. Available at 7.5 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) and Metro games, Nasri presents an intriguing if perhaps short-term route to attacking points from Arsenal’s opening matches.
As for Chamakh, he would appear to be more of a gamble given that he is yet to face Premier League defence. At 8.0 in the FPL there are proven strikers such as Darren Bent and Gabby Agbonlahor available for just 0.5 more, both of which perhaps offer greater long-term security for starts. It’s a similar story in the Metro game where Chamakh can be brought in for 8.7, although the price jump to the likes of Bent is greater – the Sunderland man comes in at 9.2 in that game.
If you need further persuasion you can get Sir Paulos’ full Scout Report on Chamakh from earlier in pre-season righthere. A new poll will also be launched shortly to assess your view on the early season prospects of both players.
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