At first look, it is the divisive figure of Mesut Ozil that has benefited most from Arsene Wenger’s switch to 3-4-2-1 after a 20-year love affair with a traditional four-man defence.
The German playmaker scored in Wenger’s trial run on Teesside just over a week ago, before impressing in a ‘free role’ alongside the inevitable match winner Alexis Sanchez at Wembley.
However, there might be a hidden gem in the Gunners ranks for Sportito contests across the final month of the season. Step forward Arsenal’s full-back turned left winger, Nacho Monreal.
The Spanish international hasn’t scored in the Premier League since March 2013, but turned in Alex Oxlade Chamberlain’s cross to bring Arsenal level in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final win.
Playing as a left winger in Wenger’s revised formation, yet still classified as a defender, Monreal holds more appeal than the right-sided Oxlade Chamberlain, who has effectively taken on more defensive responsibilities despite retaining his Sportito status as a midfielder.
In a time of serious fixture congestion for the biggest teams, Monreal has so far been immune to rotation by his manager. England international Kieran Gibbs, his long-term rival for a first team place at the Emirates, has started just three times in the Premier League this season.
For this week’s ‘Football Premier League Rescheduled matches WINNER TAKES ALL’ contest on Sportito, which comes with a guaranteed prize pot of £200, Monreal is likely to be one of the first defenders on your team sheet. It’s especially the case given that Manchester United, the league’s meanest defence so far in 2017, face a tricky looking top four shoot-out at the Etihad.
Mixed with his new-found attacking appeal, Monreal will also be a strong contender for 4.00 clean sheet points against Leicester. The Gunners have shut out the opposition in 40% of their home matches, while one of their three away clean sheets came at the King Power Stadium in August.
Monreal will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of his Spanish counterpart Marcos Alonso, another notable contender for your Sportito XI this week. Stationed as a midfielder for Antonio Conte’s Blues, Alonso returned a record defensive haul of 28.25 against Leicester in January.
The post Nacho obvious choice – Why Monreal can be the game changer appeared first on Sportito Fantasy Sports Blog, Strategy, Picks, Tips and Advice.
