Game Week 25 is nearly here, and a Tuesday start time means all the Draft Fantasy managers need to set lineups ahead of their normal schedule.

With the January transfer window still open, a few more players have swapped clubs and we have even been treated to some new signings from outside the Premier League.

This week’s waiver wire features a little bit of everything and, as we approach the final third of the season, this is a crucial period to set yourself up for the stretch run.

Henrikh Mikhitaryan, MID, Arsenal

Mikhi is officially a Gunner. Alexis Sanchez has garnered most of the attention, and rightfully so, but the Armenian international can be much more than an add-on.

As we pointed out in last week’s waiver wire column, the Armenian international was one of the top fantasy midfielders in the game to start the season.

However, things have gone sideways since then, and fans have been left wondering what went so wrong.

For the better, Mikhi has a bit of Mesut Ozil in him, in that they both are attack-minded and deft passers. However, on the flip side, both have also been accused of being emotionally fragile, and that they need to be coddled by their managers in order to perform.

Now they’ll both be patrolling the Arsenal midfield, at least for the rest of he season.

Mikhitaryan should start for Arsene Wenger’s side, and if he has any gumption at all, everyone involved will have a lot to prove.

If he is still available in your league, the new signing has the potential to be a solid third midfield option.

Next up: Away to Swansea, home to Everton, away to Spurs.

Toby Alderweireld, DEF, Spurs

Let us get the fixture warning out of the way immediately: the next few are brutal.

However, Alderweireld is an automatic starter for Spurs and he would be a lovely player in all fantasy settings for the last ten games of the season.

Despite Edinson Sanchez filling in, the Colombian has had enough own goals, cards, and early subs to try everyone’s patience. Alderweireld will reclaim his spot from Sanchez, no questions asked.

Alderweireld’s ownership is still very high, but there has been necessary turnover in competitive leagues, so scan the wire if he is on waivers.

Outside of Marcos Alonso, the Belgian is just about as good as any defender to pick up a clean sheet or headed goal in any given match.

Next up: Home to Manchester United, away to Liverpool, home to Arsenal.

Guido Carillo, FWD, Southampton

 

It was somewhat surprising to see Manolo Gabbiadini back in the starting XI against Spurs last gameweek.

However, seeing as the Italian didn’t do much last match, while Shane Long is more of a hustle player than an out-and-out striker, and Charlie Austin will not be back for some time, Mauricio Pellegrino may throw new record signing Guido Carillo straight into the mix.

Long may still start semi-regularly, but he can do so on the wing or as a sub instead of playing up top.

Carillo will feed off crosses into the box, which is something that the Saints can do well when they put their mind to it.

He hasn’t hit double digit goals in any of the past three seasons for Monaco, but the allure of raw athletic potential is why he cost the large sum that he did.

Draft Fantasy optimists will hope Carillo has the same kind of immediate impact that Gabbiadini did last year.

As a new signing, he is completely available before the next Game Week. The real prize may be winger Quincy Promes if Southampton can nab him next.

Next up: Home to Brighton, away to West Brom, home to Liverpool.

Aaron Lennon, MID, Burnley

Lennon is another player changing squads in the January transfer window, and like almost all the others (Sanchez, Mikhitaryan, Walcott), it should be a good thing to restart under Sean Dyche at Burnley.

The Englishman still has pace and he should get a substantial amount of minutes playing on the wing.

All good-natured fans will hope that Lennon has moved past the personal demons that have plagued him the last several years, and Draft Fantasy managers can go one step further and root for his return to form.

Everybody loves a comeback and Lennon’s personal story even fits with Burnley’s surprising over performance this season. It is a good fit, and he’s available in virtually every league.

Next up: Away to Newcastle, home to Manchester City, away to Swansea.

Javier Hernandez, FWD, West Ham

Javier Hernandez has suddenly gone from want-away sub to probable starter and important striker for David Moyes.

Andy Carroll is out for the umpteenth time, while his fill-in Marko Arnautovic appears to have a multi-week injury, and Manuel Lanzini is out.

Even Michail Antonio is an issue, but the utility man will at least try to return in the next week or so.

Chicharito will have to overcome all the other absences and problems within a squad that still faces the threat of relegation, but he has always liked a scavenger’s goal or two, even if the team isn’t firing on all cylinders otherwise.

Moyes has little choice but to keep him and start him.

His equalizer against Bournemouth is a good omen for things to come and he is available in half of all leagues.

Next up: Home to Crystal Palace, away to Brighton, home to Watford.