Fantasy Premier League

Ramsey's advanced role can reap rewards

By The Scout 4 Aug 2016
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The Scout looks at why Arsenal midfielder, and Santi Cazorla, could be worthy of investment by FPL managers

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Arsenal midfield duo Aaron Ramsey and Santi Cazorla will be hoping to re-emerge as regulars in Arsene Wenger's starting XI this season.

With premium-priced pair Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil looking guaranteed starters for the Gunners, Ramsey (£8.0) and Cazorla (£7.5m) have the potential to offer Fantasy Premier League managers value alternatives in the centre of the park.

Restricted to only 15 starts due to injury last time around, Cazorla is favourite to partner new boy Granit Xhaka in the double-pivot in Wenger's 4-2-3-1 set-up.

Looking at the new ICT Index, the Spaniard's playmaking abilities were sorely missed by the Gunners last term.

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Santi Cazorla in action during Arsenal's pre-season programme but he could miss their opening PL fixture against Liverpool

He finished in the top six midfielders for Creativity in the previous two seasons with scores of 1187 and 1355 but, with his minutes diminished, registered a tally of only 615 in 2015/16.

Having produced 205 and 168 points in two of the last four seasons, though, Cazorla has shown he's more than capable when fully fit and is also expected to remain first-choice for penalties for the north London outfit.

For his part Ramsey approaches the 2016/17 campaign on the back of a superb UEFA Euro 2016 tournament for Wales.

After managing only five goals and as many assists for Arsenal in 2015/16, the midfielder turned in a series of displays that proved pivotal to his nation's progress in France.

Handed an advanced central role, the Welshman supplied a goal and four assists in five appearances as Chris Coleman's side advanced to the semi-finals.

Wenger will surely have taken note and, with Xhaka on board, there's a hope that Ramsey will be played further forward and cement a role alongside Sanchez (£11.0m) and Ozil (£9.5m) in the three positions behind a lone striker.

A look back to the 2013/14 campaign serves as a timely reminder of his talents.

Ramsey racked up 10 goals and nine assists in 23 Premier League outings, registering 6.3 points per match - far superior to last year's average of 3.8 points.

Both the Welshman and Cazorla currently sit in around 1% of FPL squads but with concerns over the Spaniard's fitness for the season opener against Liverpool (14 August: Arsenal v Liverpool), it is Ramsey who is staking a claim for a place in our initial squads as he looks to build on his summer momentum.

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