Scout Notes

What next for Aubameyang after double-digit haul hots up Golden Boot race?

Arsenal 4-0 Norwich

  • Goals: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang x2 (£11.0m), Granit Xhaka (£5.1m), Cédric Soares (£4.8m)
  • Assists: Aubameyang
  • Bonus Points: Aubameyang x3, Xhaka x2, Hector Bellerín x1 (£5.4m)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) finally rewarded his patient owners with two goals, an assist and a double-digit haul in Gameweek 32+.

Faith in the Arsenal forward had ebbed away since the Premier League restart, especially after blanks against Brighton and Southampton.

However, if Aubameyang and his 24% ownership were rather unlucky in Gameweeks 30+ and 31+, they were more than repaid by the Fantasy fates in Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Norwich.

For the opening half an hour, the Gabon international did not look any more dangerous than usual, afforded three opportunities that were far from clear cut.

In the ninth minute, Aubameyang cut inside on his right foot from his usual wide-left station, bending a shot straight at Tim Krul (£4.6m). Shortly after, Reiss Nelson (£5.3m), who found plenty of space against Jamal Lewis (£4.4m) in the first half, lofted a clipped cross to the back-post, but Aubameyang could only nod a tame effort at Norwich’s goalkeeper. It was the same story a few moments later when Dani Ceballos (£5.2m) got around the back of Lewis’ flank, his cross too high for Aubameyang to bring under control.

These were the sorts of chances, mixed in with some bad luck, that had led to those recent blanks, but arguably, the forward’s luck was due based on what happened next.

The first stroke of good fortune occurred in the 31st minute when his high-press on Krul, and the goalkeeper’s over-confidence on the ball, led to him winning possession in the Norwich penalty area. Pulled a little wide by the tackle, Aubameyang had no problems sliding the ball into an unguarded net.

His involvement in Arsenal’s second goal was much more about Aubameyang’s own skill. David Luiz (£5.7m) played an excellent crossfield ball from the back to Kieran Tierney (£5.3m), who slid Aubameyang into an advanced position on the left-hand side. His quick-thinking fed a rapidly approaching Granit Xhaka (£5.1m), who pulled his shot back across goal and underneath Krul.

Lady Luck (who we assume captained Aubameyang for Gameweek 32+) then smiled again in the 67th minute when Josip Drmic (£5.3m) played a blind ball back to his defence from a wide-position, sliding Aubameyang instantly into a one-on-one with Krul. With the confidence of an earlier under his belt, Arsenal’s number 14 made no mistake from close-range.

While we cannot rule out the flukey nature of Aubameyang’s two goals against Norwich, his latest outing might just ask some questions of his remaining owners.

Many of those who held onto him for Gameweek 32+ (this author included) did so after watching the unfortunate nature of recent blanks, seeing enough efforts on goal to predict a haul at some point. Therefore, you could argue that Aubameyang’s luck evened out over the three Gameweeks we’ve had so far.

And the position that period has left the striker in is certainly an interesting one. Not only has he become Arsenal’s fastest ever player to reach 50 Premier Leagues (77 games), he is now joint-top of the race for a second Golden Boot in a row. Sharing that prize with Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) and Sadio Mané (£12.5m) last season is almost certainly motivation enough for Aubameyang to end the season on a high, especially with his contract situation still up in the air.

“I’m really happy that Bukayo signed (the contract). We’ll see. We’ll talk with the club and see what happens. I’m really focused on the games. Since Mikel is in we’re doing well. We’re working well. We have signs we’re improving.” – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

“A credit to him. He’s always trying to be the best and help the team. I am really happy for him not just for the goals but his attitude overall.” – Mikel Arteta

However, the remaining fixtures for Arsenal are not pretty at all. Up next is a Wolves side with seven clean sheets from their last eight, then it’s Leicester and Spurs, before Liverpool come to the Emirates Stadium in Gameweek 36+.

That same caveat of fixtures also applies to other Arsenal assets recently considered by Fantasy managers.

While Wednesday evening was one of much-needed rejoicing for Aubameyang owners, those invested in Nicolas Pépé (£9.2m), Bukayo Saka (£4.7m) and Eddie Nketiah (£4.4m) were left ruing what could have been. Even though the Gunners ran out as 4-0 winners over Norwich, that trio were all left on the bench. Saka stayed there all evening while Pépé and Nketiah emerged for one-pointers.

Saka seems the most likely to hold his place in Fantasy teams considering his price and position, fully capable of operating as a useful fifth-midfielder. Furthermore, this was the first time since the Premier League’s restart that Saka had been absent from the starting line-up, so he was more than owed his rest.

However, despite Joe Willock‘s (£4.7m) late shot nearly earning him an assist, Nketiah remains a rotation threat for those looking at going ultra-cheap in the forward line. This was the second time in four matches that the former Leeds loanee was superseded in the centre-forward role by Alexandre Lacazette (£9.3m). Considering that Mason Greenwood (£4.3m) has started each of the last two, earning praise from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the process, the Manchester United man, who has nicer fixtures too, arguably looks a better option for the run-in than Nketiah.

Meanwhile, Emiliano Martínez (£4.3m) proved his worth as a budget goalkeeper once again. He has now contributed to two clean sheets in a row for Arsenal, although he stopped short of amazing his 2.0% ownership with his five-point haul. Norwich’s rather subdued nature led to just two saves for the goalkeeper, one short of an additional point and he picked up a yellow card just after the hour-mark.

Also, the chances of Martínez earning starts from his Fantasy owners over the next four matches seems low, considering those aforementioned tough fixtures against Wolves, Leicester, Spurs and Liverpool. A Gameweek 37+ trip to Aston Villa looks like the next chance for Martínez to ask his owners a difficult question from the bench.

Despite drawing a fourth successive blank, Norwich did offer some threat at Arsenal, although, as usual, fell short of actually finding the net.

Ben Godfrey (£4.4m) stepped out of defence and into midfield in the 19th minute, firing a fierce shot from distance against Martínez’s post.

Kenny McLean‘s (£4.8m) powerful free-kick forced a diving save from the Arsenal goalkeeper just short of half-time before Daniel Farke made some changes at the break.

Teemu Pukki (£6.5m) and Emi Buendía (£6.0m) were both withdrawn allowing for a very central front-three of Drmic, Todd Cantwell (£4.6m) and Adam Idah (£4.4). This new set-up could be something that Farke tries in the remaining games of 2019/20 as it nearly led to a breakthrough in the 46th minute, Idah stinging Martínez’s palms with a fierce shot from the edge of the box. During this period, Norwich arguably saw more joy going forward than Arsenal, but all their confidence was dispelled when Drmic handed the game to Aubameyang in the 67th minute.

Arsenal XI (3-4-3): Martínez; Kolasinac, D Luiz, Mustafi (Holding 46′); Tierney, Ceballos, Xhaka, Bellerín (Cédric 77′); Aubameyang (Pépé 82′), Lacazette (Nketiah 76′), Nelson (Willock 58′).

Norwich City XI (4-1-4-1): Krul; Lewis, Tettey, Godfrey, Aarons; Trybull (Idah 46′); Cantwell (Stiepermann 75′), McLean, Rupp (Vrančić 75′), Buendía (O Hernández 46′); Pukki (Drmic 46′).

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FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 32+

1,380 Comments Post a Comment
  1. aapoman
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    On a WC. Note have KDB and Pulisic in the draft already!

    Doherty and Foden (double City mids)
    or
    Boly and Willian (double Chelsea mids)

    1. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Doherty and foden for me

    2. The_Fish
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    3. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

  2. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What to do with Richarlison and DCL?
    How did they do last night if anyone watched the game? Bad injury for Richa?

    1. No Totti No Party
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Everton have good fixtures, but i don't believe them by now, many other good options

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Keep Richarlison sell DCL

    3. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I will ditch Richa.

  3. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who to bring in for first on bench?

    A. Foden
    B. ASM
    C. Mane > Salah

    DDG
    TAA Doherty Aurier
    Mane KDB Son Fernandes
    Jimenez Ings Greenwood
    Martin Lascelles Guendouzi Simpson

    1. No Totti No Party
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Look carefully what gw u will gonna use him, A and B looks nice

  4. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any thoughts on what I could do to improve here. I have 0.0m in the bank and 2 free transfers??

    Pope Button
    TAA Doherty Maguire Lascelles Kiko
    KDB Salah Fernandes Sako Hayden
    Rashford Jiminez DCL...
    ...

    1. No Totti No Party
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      U can go Rash, Sako -> Willian/Puli Green
      Rash is better but you will get che player

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Rash to Greenwood and cheapie to decent MCI asset?

  5. balint84
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    have 2ft
    A) save Richarlison, first sub Ayew
    B) sell Rich, get Pulisic, also have Mount
    C) get Mahrez, also have KDB

    other move is to sell Söyüncü for Aurier

    1. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C

  6. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Morning all, best moves here with 2FTs and 0.2m itb

    Ddg
    TAA • Doherty • Aurier --- Holgate Kiko
    Salah • KDB • Bruno • Sarr --- Guendouzi
    Jimmy • Rash • DCL

    A: Sarr + Aurier >> Pulisic + Taylor (rotates great with holgoate/kiko)
    B: Sarr + Rashford + Guendouzi >> Pulisic + Martial + Connolly (-4)
    C: Salah + Sarr + DCL >> Pulisic + Mahrez + Jesus (-4)

    Leaning towards option B (over A) becuase the downgrade from Aurier > Taylor is bigger than the "downgrade" from Rash > Martial

  7. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Playing BB this week. Trailing ML leader by 40 pts.
    Best move here?

    A. Son + Cantwell + Jota > Martial + Mahrez + Greenwood
    B. Son + Jota + Basham > Mahrez + Greenwood + AWB
    C. Jota + Cantwell + Doherty > Greenwood + Mahrez/Martial + Boly
    D. Jota + Basham > Greenwood + AWB
    E. Any other suggestions

    Pope Hendo
    TAA Doherty Gomez Taylor Basham
    Salah KDB Bruno Son Cantwell
    Dcl Jimenez Jota

    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C for me.

    2. balint84
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      c

      1. n14mul
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        c could possibly give your 2 players (greenwood & mahrez) who are not 100% starters

  8. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Morning lads. Any suggestions on how to spend 2FTs (or one) here? Possibly just DCL > Greenwood and roll a ft?

    Patricio
    TAA/Taylor/Aurier
    Salah/KDB/Bruno/Son
    Rashford/Jimenez/DCL

    Martin/Lascelles/Holgate/Guendouzi

    0.1 itb. Cheers!

    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A good team. Yes DCL is the weak link so you may as well just do Greenwood.

      1. Silecro
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers ! he is probably nailed for the next game, and I would prefer to enter next gw with also 2 free transfers, so that is something im looking at

    2. The Reptile
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I have a similar team and thinking of Son to Pulisic or William as no Chelsea cover

    3. TKC07
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      DCL/Guendouzi to Greenwood/Willian?

      1. Steiger
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        This

  9. No Totti No Party
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pope - Hendo
    Salah - KDB - Bruno - D.luiz - Grealish
    Auba Jimmy Jota
    2 FT
    A:Grealish Jota -> Green Puli/Willian
    B:Jota / Auba -> Kane/Rash Green
    C:Grealish D.luiz Auba -> Green Son Pili/WIllian -4
    D: Something else ?

    1. balint84
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      b

  10. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    what to do with my 2 FTs guys?

    Patricio Button
    TAA Doherty Aurier Lascelle Robinson
    KDB Mane Bruno Bergwyn Luiz
    Rash DCL Jim

    Maybe DCL + Berg to Greenwood + 9.5 Mid (Mahrez?)

  11. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    With 10.3m ItB. This is how my team looks like

    Martinez
    Awb Doherty aurier lascelles
    Salah son pulisic
    Jimenez rashford Greenwood

    Button Hayden* guendouzi Ngakia*.

    I am planning to do Ngakia to taa or/and Hayden to KDB for hits . What would you suggest from below and why

    A) Ngakia to TAA for -4 (lascelles benched)
    B) hayden to KDB for -4 (lascelles benched)
    C) both A &B for -8 ( lascelles and benching headache )

  12. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Wanted to get for the gw to finish to sell Sarr for pulisic and now can't afford . Keep or sell for Foden ? Foden would be in my starting 11 . Thanks

    1. balint84
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      save foden

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        What do you mean ? Thanks

        1. balint84
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          i wouldn't sell him, if i had

    2. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      keep foden, I think he will get game time

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sorry guys I meant sell Sarr for Foden ? Good move ? Thanks

  13. balint84
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    first sub Boly or Van Aanholt?

    1. Hitmonlee
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Tough but probably PVA due to attacking threat

  14. n14mul
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    On a wc and currently on 2 drafts, I would appreciate if you could tell me which one would be more ideal with a bb to play later

    A.
    Martinez Patricio
    TAA Digne Aurier Taylor Boly
    Salah KDB Bruno Martial Foden
    Ings Greenwood Jimi

    B.
    Martinez Patricio
    TAA Holgate Taylor Boly Wan bis
    Salah KFB Bruno Martial Foden
    Ings Jimi Maupay/Connor

    Thank you

    1. Hitmonlee
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

  15. Hitmonlee
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A or B please?

    A) -4
    Son > Pulisic
    DCL > Jesus
    Fernandez > Taylor

    B) Free
    Son > Pulisic
    Then Jesus for free next week

    Current team for 33+
    Pope
    TAA / Saiss / Maguire / Fernandez
    Salah / KDB / Bruno / Martial / Son
    Jiménez
    DCL first bench

    Thanks all!

  16. circusmonkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Got 2 FT.
    Planning Auba to Jesus.
    Could also do Foster to Ederson but could just hold the transfer.
    What do you think?