Scout Notes – Gameweek 25 – Sunday

Mesut Ozil opens the scoring as Arsenal’s title tilt gets back on course with a much-needed win over Bournemouth. Jesse Lingard notches for United again, with Wayne Rooney also in the points at Stamford Bridge, whilst Diego Costa’s scoring streak continues with a sixth strike in seven appearances under Guus Hiddink.

Ozil back in the points

Arsenal reaffirmed their status as title challengers with 2-0 win at Bournemouth, ending a run of three successive blanks. Despite netting twice in the space of 88 seconds, the Gunners were far from a dominant attacking force at the Vitality Stadium, mustering just 10 attempts and six efforts inside the box.

Mesut Ozil ended a run of four straight blanks by opening the scoring with his fourth goal of the campaign, irking the 55,000 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers that shipped him out after the midweek goalless draw against Southampton.

Handed the right wing berth as Joel Campbell dropped to the bench, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain notched his maiden goal of the campaign to double the visitors’ advantage, while Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey picked up the assists. Alexis Sanchez drew his second blank in as many starts since returning from injury but ranked top of Arsenal’s midfield for shots inside the box (two), offering encouragement to his 50,000 new owners. Nonetheless, a single assist in his last eight league appearances remains a real concern, given the hefty 11.0 outlay.

Petr Cech was the prime beneficiary of Arsenal’s fifth clean sheet in seven fixtures, scooping three bonus points for the second time in four outings. Gabriel (4.3) once again got the nod ahead of Per Mertesacker and has now started the last two league outings at centre-half.

With regards to their potential next Gameweek, Arsene Wenger’s troops welcome a Leicester side that’s only failed to score in one road tie and has conceded just two goals in seven outings. After that, a trip to Old Trafford, where United have shipped just five goals, could also prove problematic.

Afobe scoring streak comes to an end

Bournemouth’s three-match unbeaten run came to an end as they recorded their fourth blank in eight match-ups. The Cherries chalked up seven more attempts (17) than their opponents, yet winter signing Benik Afobe accounted for zero of those. Nonetheless, having scored in each of the previous three league fixtures, his 1% ownership will be heartened in the knowledge that the south-coast club now enjoy a favourable quintet of matches (STO, wat, SOU, new, SWA) that look conducive to attacking returns.

On a side note, Junior Stanislas – who alerted us to his budget potential with three goals in a trio of starts from Gameweek 14 – was fit enough for a second-half cameo.

Costa leaves it late

A last-gasp equaliser from Diego Costa took his tally to six goals and two assists in seven starts under Guus Hiddink and secured a well-earned point for Chelsea. The Blues’ offense remains inconsistent, but Costa is building up a head of steam and charts top among all forwards for shots inside the box (16) across the previous four Gameweeks. As such, the former Atletico Madrid frontman is likely to enjoy significant investment before Chelsea’s home encounter against Newcastle, who rank joint-third for goals conceded in away matches (26). Elsewhere, Eden Hazard remains a peripheral figure under Hiddink and was afforded a second-half sub appearance for the third successive Gameweek.

On the injury front, Kurt Zouma had to be stretchered off with what appears to be a serious knee injury. Discussing the incident in his post-match press conference, Hiddink admitted that it’s “very bad” but remained optimistic that the Frenchman wouldn’t be ruled out for the remainder of the season. At a price of 5.4, Zouma – who started 16 of the Blues’ last 17 league matches – has offered the cheapest route into their defence, though his likely absence means that Cesar Azpilicueta (5.7) will be the most budget-friendly option, given that Zouma’s likely replacement, Gary Cahill, comes in at 6.1.

Lingard nets again for United

Manchester United lost ground in their quest for a Champions League berth after conceding a late leveler at Stamford Bridge – the sixth time in seven road trips their defence has been breached.

With his third goal in five outings, Jesse Lingard (4.2) propelled the Red Devils into a lead just beyond the hour mark. Having started each of the last five, the winger looks very unlikely to be dropped on current form and represents a strong pick in the budget bracket ahead of an enticing trip to Sunderland.

Up front, Wayne Rooney delivered attacking returns for the fifth time in six starts by assisting Lingard’s opener, thus increasing his appeal as a high-priced differential (11% ownership). Aside from the Black Cats clash, Man United meet with Watford, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace across the next five Gameweeks, so there’s certainly scope for England’s top scorer to maintain his purple patch.