Scout Notes – Gameweek 16 – Sunday

Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud both find the net as Arsenal move to the summit. Jordan Henderson serves up a goal and assist in his first league start under Jurgen Klopp, Craig Dawson notches for the Baggies, whilst Steve McClaren’s super subs end Tottenham’s 14-match unbeaten streak as Newcastle climb out of the basement.

Ramsey Nets Again for Buoyant Gunners

Arsenal climbed to the top of the table after securing their first three points in an as many road ties by way of a 2-0 win over Aston Villa. Buoyed by a hat-trick against Olympiacos in midweek, Olivier Giroud converted from the penalty spot in the eighth minute to maintain his fine recent form – the France international now boasts six goals in eight outings and nine in his previous nine away matches.

Aaron Ramsey (8.1) doubled the visitors’ advantage with his second successive league goal since being handed a central midfield role. The Wales international is relishing the opportunity to operate from a deep-lying berth and ranks joint-top among midfielders for attempts (11) since returning from injury in Gameweek 14. Priced 1.6 below Mesut Ozil (9.7) – who bagged his 13th assist of the campaign at Villa Park – Ramsey offers an enticing alternative to the German playmaker by virtue of his superior goal threat. Theo Walcott (one our this Gameweek) earned the assist for Giroud’s strike but harbours less appeal due to his rotation risk.

Fantasy owners of the Gunners’ backline profited from their first clean sheet in five match-ups. Although the North Londoners’ home clash against Manchester City next Gameweek should prove a stern test of their title credentials, they do lay claim to the second-best defensive record (five goals conceded) at home. Moreover, Arsenal remain at the Emirates for three of the next four Gameweeks (MCI, sou, BOU, NEW), which bodes well for their shut out prospects.

No End in Sight for Villa’s Struggles

Remi Garde’s side extended their winless run to 15 matches – a spell of poor form that’s only matched by York throughout the Football League. Despite mustering 18 attempts against the Gunners, only Norwich City notched fewer accurate shots (two) than the Villans, illustrating their lack of quality in the final third. Nonetheless, the West Midlanders enjoy an excellent schedule through to Gameweek 26 (new, WHU, nor, sun, CRY, LEI, wba, whu, NOR), which could throw up a couple of bargain differentials to consider for our subs benches should Garde somehow manage to turn their toils around.

Henderson Makes His Mark

Divock Origi netted in the 95th minute against West Bromwich Albion to rescue a point, strengthening his claim for a starting berth over Christian Benteke. The latter chalked up the joint-most attempts (six) among forwards over the weekend but failed to test Boaz Myhill once. Couple this with the fact that Daniel Sturridge is suffering with another niggling injury and it’s fair to say that Liverpool’s forward line lacks Fantasy intrigue at present.

Jordan Henderson assisted Origi’s late strike and opened the scoring for the Reds, alerting us to his differential potential at the 6.5 mark. Indeed, Christian Eriksen (seven) was the only midfielder to card more attempts (five) than the Englishman, who racked up a 13-point haul in his first league start under Jurgen Klopp. Rounding off Liverpool’s attacking output, Adam Lallana popped up with his second assist in five appearances. Both men are well placed to produce further returns as the Merseysiders gear up for a favourable quartet of fixtures (wat, LEI, sun, whu). At the back, it’s one clean sheet in seven now for the Merseysiders, though Alberto Moreno owners were again left disappointed – the Spaniard created five scoring opportunities for his team-mates but failed to bring home the points.

Baggies Backline in the Points

West Brom’s extended their unbeaten run to four matches with a third consecutive draw. Craig Dawson drew the Baggies level in the first half with his second goal of the season, while Jonas Olsson – having been thwarted by an offside flag earlier in the encounter – headed home 17 minutes from time. Although Tony Pulis’ troops conceded in each of their previous six outings, their next batch of fixtures (BOU, swa, NEW, STO) looks more conducive to shut outs. Dawson (5.1) is doubtless the safe route into their rearguard, though, with Olsson (4.3) only starting as Jonny Evans was again shifted into central midfield to cover for Claudio Yacob, who missed out due to a family bereavement.

Chris Brunt and Salomon Rondon grabbed an assist piece for their efforts. Given that West Brom have racked up just 16 goals, place bottom for attempts (140), bottom for shots inside the box (83) and second-bottom for shots on target (48) throughout the course of the campaign, most Fantasy managers will be content to focus on Pulis’ defence.

Magpies Building Momentum

Spurred on by their 2-0 home win over Liverpool, Newcastle United mounted a second-half comeback to run out 2-1 victors against Tottenham Hotspur. Aleksandar Mitrovic poked home Chancel Mbemba’s stooped header from inches out, before assisting Ayoze Perez’s 93rd minute winner. Both forwards had to settle for cameo roles at White Hart Lane but will be knocking on the manager’s door ahead of the visit of Villa next Gameweek. With four home clashes in six (AVL, EVE, wba, ars, MUN, WHU), Steve McClaren’s troops now have the chance to continue their ascent up the table, though with question marks remaining up front, Georginio Wijnaldum (6.9) looks the most secure option, having scored all seven of his goals at St James’.

Kane Blanks as Spurs Slip to Defeat

Spurs’ 14-match unbeaten streak came to an end at the hands of the Magpies. Eric Dier broke the deadlock with his third goal this term, but the hosts faded in the second half and were unable to capitalise on their territorial dominance. The Lilywhites notched just one clean sheet in their previous seven league ties, but the likes of Dier and Toby Alderweireld are compensating for that shortcoming with their penchant for set-piece goals.

Christian Eriksen graced the scoreboard with his seventh assist of the campaign. As mentioned above, the Denmark international gave his utmost to arrest a seven-match barren streak, firing off two more attempts (seven) than any midfielder. Eriksen is yet to score a goal from open play this term, but there’s definite scope for that to change during Spurs’ agreeable trio of upcoming fixtures (sou, NOR, wat). Harry Kane owners, meanwhile, were left frustrated after the frontman blanked for the third successive league outing – worryingly, he’s managed just three touches in the box and two close-range attempts over that period.