Scout Reports

Scout Notes – Champions League – Wednesday

Arsenal’s annual Champions League exit appears imminent following a chastening night in Bavaria, with a hamstring issue for popular Fantasy asset Laurent Koscielny merely compounding the misery.

Bayern Munich 5 Arsenal 1

An injury to defender Laurent Koscielny prompted a second-half capitulation of epic proportions as Arsenal were blown away by Bayern.

Alexis Sanchez had earlier given the Gunners huge hope that they could take the tie back to The Emirates with all still to play for when he finished with aplomb when his initial effort from the spot was saved.

But once Koscielny departed with a hamstring problem early in the second half, Arsenal’s resolve dissolved and three goals in ten chaotic minutes quickly followed.

The Frenchman has started all bar the first match of the season in the league for the Gunners. They conceded four that day – their worst defensive performance of the campaign until last night’s debacle.

The only crumb of comfort for the 16.9% of managers who own the centre-half is that he has until March 4 to recover as Arsenal will sit out Gameweek 26 because of Southampton’s involvement in the EFL Cup final. Those who were contemplating selling him, due to that blank and a Gameweek 27 trip to Liverpool, may well have had their minds made up by this latest set-back.

Kieran Gibbs – at 4.7 a cheap way into the Arsenal defence – was given back-to-back starts for the first time this season.

But Arsenal’s left side proved to be a rich source of attacking joy for Bayern all night and it would be no surprise if Nacho Monreal is returned to the starting XI in the league, if not for Monday’s FA Cup tie at Sutton.

Two regular midfielders, Mesut Ozil and Alex Iwobi, also failed to impress.

The 6.5%-owned Ozil has just three assists and no goals since Gameweek 15, while Iwobi (3.2%) has started the last nine league matches, providing two goals and a pair of assists.

Beleaguered manager Arsene Wenger has options in midfield and Iwobi, in particular, looks vulnerable either to a like-for like swap with Theo Walcott or a re-jig involving Sanchez moving back from his successful stint up front.

Arsenal’s post-Gameweek 27 schedule is generally a favourable one all the way through to the very end of April. But only the ever-reliable Sanchez currently inspires confidence in a team whose limitations were otherwise exposed by a ruthless Bayern.

The second leg with Bayern sits three days after the Gameweeek 27 trip to Anfield, although it’s surely unlikely that Wenger will allow that to influence his teamsheet and approach for the Liverpool clash.

Arsenal XI: Ospina, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny (Gabriel 49), Gibbs, Xhaka, Coquelin (Giroud 77), Iwobi (Walcott 66), Ozil, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sanchez.
Subs not used: Cech, Monreal, Welbeck, Elneny.

454 Comments Post a Comment
  1. suddenorgan
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Was just looking back over some unlikely heroes from last seasons DGWs, Sakho with 15 points, Redmond on 17, Darmian out of nowhere with 17, Lamine Kone with a ridiculous 21.. can't wait for them this season

    1. UnitedFan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Dann as well. 2 CS or something like that

      1. suddenorgan
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        yeah I think Damien Delaney had two clean sheets and an assist

    2. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      You mean there's a reason I held on to Aké? 😀

  2. Tinzelbat
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    For the up coming gameweek I have jakupovic heaton and ranocchia.
    I am definitely playing Ronocchia so do I:

    A - play safe and play heaton and Ronocchia incase one team scores and the other doesn't or

    B - double up on the hull defense

    1. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Always play Heaton imo

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      B

    3. UnitedFan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A to spread the risk

    4. suddenorgan
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      B, Burnley's terrible away record

    5. TLF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      B - Burnley away record is terrible

      1. Tinzelbat
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Burnley last 3 away matches man city arsenal and spurs all 2 1 losses

        1. Irish Madridista ⭐
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Heaton's highest points haul was away at West Ham when he got 12 points 😉

          1. Tinzelbat
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            You've sold me heaton is in every game

          2. Sess!
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            That was due to a pen save though not a CS. Apart from the utd away game (and was ridiculous they didn't concede that game), Burnley don't do clean sheets away from home.

            1. Irish Madridista ⭐
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              Shhh... 😉

              It's just high risk / high reward. He'll be under much more pressure, but that could lead to more saves / bonus if it works out.

              I'm not a fan of rotating keepers at all.

    6. Tinzelbat
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Are burnley so terrible away from home? I tend to disagree they have played most of the big teams away from home and have played pretty well to including a 0 0 against man u. Thanks for the input I will probably go A

    7. Lawrø
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I'd go B, I usually spread the risk but Heaton's away form is too poor to ignore here

  3. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Mark Clattenburgs off to Saudi Arabia.
    No more PL games for him.

    1. Monklane
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      He was doing a "come and get me" to China a few weeks back. Not that he's after the money or anything.

    2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Great news. Shall we all chip in and buy him the one way ticket

    3. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      you know there's a bubble when even the ref gets a fat pay cheque.

      1. Irish Madridista ⭐
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        That bubble is powered by TV and general interest in football...

        Could grow quite a while yet.

    4. Lawrø
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I actually rate him... 🙁

      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Depends who you support Lawro 😉

        1. Jersey
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          no it doesn't.

          he's a very good referee.

          all of Europe thinks so. so does the world.

          1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Lol thanks for that. Are you related to him. All of Europe and all the world eh . I'm sure the masses that do agree with me will all change their mind now

            1. Jersey
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              by saying, "Depends who you support Lawro," you are admitting your subjectivity. that is not a good
              position from which to judge anything.

              objectivity is required.

              he was given the Champions League final last year, the Euro final last year, the FA Cup final last year . . .
              somebody must rate him apparently.

              1. Lawrø
                • 12 Years
                7 years, 1 month ago

                This is one of those arguments that's just not worth having 😆

                Begs the question, are the people that are appointing him objective? Clearly we rate him, Poveglia doesn't but the most important thing is that I doubt anything we say to Poveglia or vice versa will change either of our stances! What's the point? I'm going to agree to disagree on this one 😀

                1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
                  • 14 Years
                  7 years, 1 month ago

                  Lol yer it is subjective. I just think he tries to make it about him and I've seen some absolutely horrendous decision from him that makes me question his integrity. Let's face it he's always been in the media for contrevery. If you were a spurs fan Jersey ( maybe you are for all I know) you will understand. I'll never forgive him for that Mendez goal. Controversy follows him..they even.said it on talk sport earlier. The top referees are the ones that are never talked about..and as the chap on jim whites show says..

                  " if you wanna go Mark...BYE.. but just do it quietly "

  4. Legomane
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Heaton
    Alonso Coleman Holgate Smith
    Eriksen Alli Phillips de Roon
    Costa Lukaku

    [Pickford Pieters Sanchez* Ibrahimovic*]

    1 FT 0.1 ITB
    Thoughts on best moves for this week much appreciated. Cheers.

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Holgate won't start

  5. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Right best few week replacement for Jesus? Have Costa and Lukaku!

    A Kane
    B Carroll
    C Rondon
    D Defoe?

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Kane or Defoe.

    2. UnitedFan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Defoe, Kane not worth his price atm

    3. Demí
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Kane

    4. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      D

    5. Lawrø
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A assuming fixtures stay the same

    6. Clifford☯
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      D

    7. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Kane, assuming that Spurs go back to their preferred attacking formation shortly.

    8. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Rondon never again

  6. Clifford☯
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Heaton Mannone
    Alonso Baines* Brunt* Daniels* amat
    Sanchez Eriksen Alli Sigurdsson* Fletcher
    Costa Lukaku* Rondon*

    1 FT,2.3 ITB
    Having only 6 players for GW28 atm. What transfers would you recommend?

    A) Mannone to Jaku
    B) Amat to Mawson
    c) Anything else

    1. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A imo

      Could also get a West Ham mid in?
      Or Josh King if he's still an option at Bournemouth (haven't checked)

      1. Clifford☯
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers.
        Josh King has started upfront for Bournemouth for last 2-3 games.might get him in for Fletcher.

        1. Irish Madridista ⭐
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Is Fletcher not one of your few GW28 players?

          1. Clifford☯
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            He is but I don't Think he might get more than 2-3 points. King/West Ham mid has a higher ceiling.

            1. Irish Madridista ⭐
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              Still, I'd sell Sanchez for a West Ham mid or King, and keep Fletcher

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A will make 8, Fletcher remember?

      1. Clifford☯
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        My bad ! but i think he might not get more than 2-3 points.

        1. FPLtfs
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          King will most probably give you that too. Keep Fletcher imo.

  7. TheTinman
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Something something Arsenal

    Something something Gabbiadini

    Something something casual

    Something something Sanchez

    Something something blanks

    Something something survey

    Green paint please.

    1. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Something something TL;DR

    2. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Something something McAuley/Evans

  8. Virgil Hilts
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    A) I've got 7 probable starters + Holgate for GW28. Enough?

    B) I've also got 2 keepers with Jaku starting. Can I play Boruc up front instead as he's not very good in goal?

    1. Clifford☯
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      U wot m8 ?

      1. Clifford☯
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        A) Yes
        B) Cannot understand what are you trying to say.

    2. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A) For now.

      B) Yes.

    3. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Same here, it'll probably have to be lol

      Artur is a one isn't he? Probably save a couple of pen's...

    4. Lawrø
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A) Below average on here

    5. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      8 starters is good for GW28. Hope to be in a similar position myself.

  9. Legomane
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Probably been mentioned elsewhere (?) but looks like Lei-Liv match will be GW26 whether or not Lei have FA cup replay :

    Fixture amenments – Circular 13 :

    “Further to the placement of this match on Monday 27 February (as detailed in Fixture Amendments 10), should Leicester City be involved in an FA Cup 5th round replay, this match will revert to Saturday 25 February, 12.30pm, and remain live on Sky Sports.”

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Ah, great stuff. That's cleared that up.

    2. vectorman
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      You forgot to add 'Mane happy returns'.. Sorry I specialise in crap jokes

      No good news, gives us another option as a Sanchez replacement.. Cheers Lego

    3. Dacra
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Nice one, I knee jerked Sanchez > Mane before realising any of this could be an issue..

    4. Lawrø
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Excellent, thank you! 🙂

    5. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      What a shiett I wanted Mane as a perfect replacement...

    6. Legomane
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Welcome all... I was searching for a nugget indicating when this years "Fixture Release Day" for DGW's will be - no news yet 🙁

  10. JJJ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    to fill my team for GW 26 should I bring in

    A- Hull defense, Robertson or Maguire

    B-Hull mid, N'Diaye or Markovic

    C- Hull forward, Niasse

    thanks

    1. Lawrø
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A) This is my preferred option
      B) I wouldn't touch these with a barge poll
      C) Could be a decent punt but it means you won't have the Lukaku-Ibra-Costa/Kane forward line which I much prefer

      1. Lawrø
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        pole*

    2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Not B or C

    1. Tansey
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Even if he's a doubt I'm still captaining Rom

  11. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Have any of you tried oulala fantasy football?
    If so, any good?

    1. MTPockets
        7 years, 1 month ago

        non

      • Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Fantasy bet is the best one imo. Not played this one though

    2. The Big Fella
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Alternative to Andy Carroll for a similar price for next 3 weeks?

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Is Niasse nailed

      2. Kings of Lyon ★
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Rondon

      3. Athletic Bilbo
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Andy Carroll.

        But if the big mans groin is keeping you awake at night, Llorente, Rondon or Niasse

    3. K-win
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Assuming all Prem teams go through to FA Cup…

      Which double double GWers are you looking at with your WCs?

      1. Sess!
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Quadruple GW?

    4. coriswrasse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      That's settled then. Bellerin -> Robertson.