Premier League | Vermaelen unavailable for Fulham match

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Arsenal continues to be without key reserves as Thomas Vermaelen joins Mikel Arteta, Thomas Rosicky, Nacho Monreal, and Nicklas Bendtner in being unavailable for the Fulham match.

In addition to these key reserves, Arsenal will also be missing Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott. While this isn't great for squad depth, it is great for fantasy managers who won't have much rotation to worry about with Serge Gnabry/Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain the only real uncertainty for Week 22. This situation will be short lived however, as Vermaelen, Monreal, Arteta, and Bendtner are likely to be available for Week 23 while Rosicky could go in an emergency with a mask protecting his recent facial surgery.

Source: Arsenal.com

Fri, Jan 17, 2014 08:49:00 AM

Schlupp closing in on his comeback

Jeffrey Schlupp returned to full training on Thursday, but he is unlikely to be considered for the squad which travels to Watford this weekend.

Speaking ahead of the trip to Vicarage Road, Roy Hodgson confirmed the 25-year-old is back with the group after missing the previous month. "Jeffrey trained today, which is great news and is much earlier than we expected after his nasty injury at Huddersfield. It's probably a bit close to think about including him on Saturday, and even though not out of the question, in an ideal world I would like him to have at least another weeks’ training." Schlupp has timed his comeback perfectly following his second major setback of the year [he suffered knee ligament damage in January] as Palace look to secure their top-flight status during the run-in. The Eagles are currently five-points above the drop zone knowing that a win would probably be enough. If it doesn’t come here, then they will fancy their chances with matches against Leicester, Stoke and West Brom coming up.

Source: Crystal Palace FC website

Apr 21 - 6:01 AM

Aubameyang may drop to the bench on Sunday

Despite his impressive form of late, Arsène Wenger could drop striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for the game against London-rivals West Ham United.

The 28-year-old has scored five in his last 5 appearances, as well as providing two assists, but Wenger hinted that he may use Sunday as a dress rehearsal for this weeks’ Europa League semi-final against Atletico Madrid, ruling the ineligible Aubameyang out. "I would say most of the time, after the Europa League games, it was a help because I could rest some players and bring someone fresh in," said the soon to be departing Arsenal manager. "[But] when you prepare for the Europa League it is a handicap because he cannot play." Alexandre Lacazette is expected to start while Danny Welbeck, who is a shoo-in for Thursday, is another who could benefit. Mesut Ozil, Laurent Koscielny and Hector Bellerin are poised for a recall after the trio were rested at St James’ Park last time out. Aaron Ramsey [shin laceration] has not participated in full training but he will be available for Sunday.

Source: Arsenal FC Website

Apr 21 - 6:22 AM

Jonny Evans back in contention for Albion

Jonny Evans knee injury has healed to the point where he has been deemed available for the Week 35 match-up with Liverpool in the Premier League.

If I'm a center back playing for a team about to be relegated, the last thing I want to see on my way back from a leg injury is Liverpool and Mo Salah. Perhaps Evans gets a start regardless but it is hard to see much logic in bringing a player back into that environment regardless of how much recent success Albion have had against the Reds. It seems unlikely that many people will be counting on Evans for fantasy purposes but keep in mind that the cautious play would be waiting until next week to bring him back into the starting line-up.

Source: espn.com

Apr 20 - 4:23 PM

Sturridge back but ineligible against LIV

Daniel Sturridge returned against Manchester United but will not be eligible to play for West Brom due to the terms of his loan from Liverpool to West Brom.

Daniel Sturridge hasn't produced the sort of impact that West Brom were hoping for when they rescued him from the fringes of the Liverpool squad as the January transfer window drew to a close. As is usually the case with Sturridge, injury has been the main culprit. Now, however, with his health at least temporarily good again he finds himself unable to help as Albion face his parent club in the league. Look for Salomon Rondon to get the start at forward.

Source: espn.com

Apr 20 - 4:27 PM

Gerard Deulofeu training but now ill

Gerard Deulofeu made a quick impact at Vicarage Road but injury and now illness have derailed his season at Watford and look likely to continue to do so in Week 35.

The Hornets don't have much incentive to push Deulofeu given that their position in the Premier League next season is secure. Their Week 35 match-up is much more important for Crystal Palace than it is for the home-standing Hornets. Players like Deulofeu, Sebastian Prodl and others who have been ill will not be pushed. On the heels of only four goals over their past six Premier League matches including being shut out in Week 34, it wouldn't be at all surprising to see more listless action from the home side as the season winds down at the Vitality Stadium.

Source: espn.com

Apr 20 - 4:32 PM

Aaron Ramsey available but questionable

Will Arsene Wenger's "strong side" promise include Aaron Ramsey for the Week 35 home match against West Ham?

Between Arsene Wenger's surprising resignation and the looming Europa League semi-final, just about anything is on the table for Arsenal's starting line-up on Sunday. Aaron Ramsey is returning from a deep cut suffered against CSKA but is healthy enough to feature. Whether he will play is less certain as the Gunners look to conserve resources for their mid-week match against Atletico Madrid that many think, over two legs, will anoint the Europa League winner. It wouldn't be wise to base a fantasy strategy around the notion that Aaron Ramsey will start.

Source: espn.com

Apr 20 - 4:36 PM

Will Mesut Ozil play against the Hammers?

With the Europa League far more important to the success of Arsenal's season, it is reasonable to wonder if Mesut Ozil will play this weekend.

Yes, Arsene Wenger has promised a representative starting line-up against the Hammers, presumably in an effort to hold off hard charging Burnley and eliminate the embarrassing possibility of finishing behind the cash-poor Clarets in the final standings. Whether that is enough for Wenger to risk his German World Cup Winner against the Hammers with the Europa League semi-final test against Atletico is another question entirely. Ozil's likelihood of playing should be viewed skeptically and caution should be applied to fantasy and betting situations.

Source: espn.com

Apr 20 - 4:39 PM

Charlie Adam returns from suspension for WK35

With the Potters and Paul Lambert fighting for their Premier League survival, Charlie Adam returns from suspension to help aid the fight.

Let's face it, at this point in his career Charlie Adam is more last ditch hope than he is integral part of a winning Premier League starting eleven. That said, with relegation looming as a more and more likely possibility, Paul Lambert will be happy to have Adam and his knack for scoring the odd spectacular goal available off the bench but it seems unlikely that Adam will start with Burnley coming to the Bet365 Stadium in Week 35.

Source: espn.com

Apr 20 - 4:47 PM

Glen Johnson back in training for Potters

With Moritz Bauer having taken Johnson's starting spot under Paul Lambert, it seems unlikely that Johnson's return to training will have a significant impact on the manager's thinking for this weekend.

Moritz Bauer has been a nice find since coming to the Premier League in January. He hasn't been a revelation but he's been a healthy, capable right back which is something that the Potters have lacked since Glen Johnson's arrival as the presumptive starter. Johnson has struggled to stay healthy and has forced makeshift answers including Geoff Cameron and Mame Biram Diouf neither of whom has played much right back heretofore in their careers. Look for Johnson to play no more than a role on the bench this weekend if he is healthy enough for that as Bauer continues his run of starts.

Source: espn.com

Apr 20 - 4:52 PM

Kostas Stafylidis still out with rib injury

Kostas Stafylidis has been a solid option at left back for Stoke City since his arrival in January but Erik Pieters will certainly start in Week 35 with the Greek defender out with broken ribs.

It is a shame that Stoke City came so late to the party of finding solid outside backs for their squad. In August, it could have contributed to a middle of the table season at the Bet365 Stadium. In January, it seems like a little to little a little too late with Moritz Bauer and Kostas Stafylidis. Too many matches were played with makeshift options across the defense as injuries decimated the presumed starters. Look for Stafylidis and Bauer to get other Premier League jobs next season should the Potters indeed be relegated at the end of this season.

Source: espn.com

Apr 20 - 4:56 PM

Funes Mori, Williams back for Everton

Everton's Ramiro Funes Mori is in contention to start against Newcastle after returning from injury last week.

The Argentine international returns just in time to make a push for the World Cup team after playing in a competitive match for the first time in more than a year after recovering from an ACL injury. Ashley Williams is also in contention against Newcastle on Monday after returning from suspension, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin is expected to be fit after missing last week with a minor injury. Said Allardyce: "I am very enthusiastic [about Funes Mori’s comeback], he has trained with the first team since returning from his injury. He came off the bench and, when needed, I feel we will give him his opportunity. It is good to have a player of his experience back in his squad."

Source: Everton club website

Apr 20 - 12:36 PM