The Week Ahead - Quick Edition

I was hoping to do some additional meaningful scouting yesterday while watching some more FA Cup action but there wasn't a lot worth observing really. Here are a few thoughts and then I'll get on quickly to my player picks:

• Wes Brown Knock - No definitive news yet but Wes Brown went limping off at the 60 minute mark in their match against Boro and it doesn't look particularly good for the defender given the quick turnaround between matches.
• Campbell Back - Frazier Campbell didn't take long to remind us why he was a bright prospect before he was injured. He scored a nice goal, ran fluidly, and was generally dangerous albeit against second division competition. Given his price (5.45), he's an interesting option when Sunderland have a good match-up.
• The Ox Continues - Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain started again for Arsenal and continued to impress. Tell me again why Arshavin was starting over this kid? Seriously, can anyone tell me? In any event, despite his strong contribution my best guess is that it wouldn't have been a terribly productive fantasy day if it had happened in the league. You can take a risk on him if you're so inclined but I wouldn't get my hopes up too high at this early stage in his career. My guess is that he's unlikely to be as productive as Sigurdsson.
• Sagna Back - Those who stuck around to the end with the Arsenal match will have noticed the presence of an actual specialist fullback returning to the line-up as a late substitute. Great news for Arsenal although his price is still rather high (9.31) despite the extended absence. More importantly, his presence (and Djourou's absence as a makeshift right back) likely increases the value of Arsenal's other defenders and Szczesny.
• Flipping the Script? - We're getting to the time of year when Arsenal usually disappoint greatly (see the February/March meltdowns of the last few seasons). Could it be that the second half comeback against Villa represents a different script than the one we're used to? Could it be that they're actually gaining confidence heading into the homestretch rather than losing it? A team that features a lot of parts that came together late in the summer transfer window PLUS some young players coming to maturity AND some key players making their way back from serious injuries last season might take some time to get their act together. I'm not saying that's what IS going to happen but there does seem to be some upside with this group.

Forwards

• Robin van Persie - His FA Cup performance aside, RvP has been slowing down noticeably in terms of fantasy output. Don't get me wrong, he isn't producing BADLY, he's just not on the same transcendent pace he was in the early going. There are more mediocre performances and even a smattering of flat out poor ones. Given the price, this is a risk. Given this week's opponent, there is hope that he'll return to his early season form.
• Craig Bellamy - His price isn't crazy and he's been producing very nicely when he's started in Suarez's absence. Just ask Jeremy how many times Bellamy has caused him to text "grrr" to me over the last month or so. [Grrrr! -J]
• Frazier Campbell - See above. The match-up isn't GREAT but it isn't bad. Norwich don't have the tightest defense in the league.
• Emmanuel Adebayor - In all honestly, I'm flipping a coin between recommending K2 here over Torres. Both have been incredibly frustrating in recent weeks and K2 gets the nod because a) he's been better far more recently; b) the match-up is better; and c) he's playing at home.