Scout Notes

Golden Boot race hots up as Aubameyang and Vardy score again

Arsenal 1-1 Leicester City

Goals: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.9m) | Jamie Vardy (£9.7m)

Assists: Bukayo Saka (£4.7m) | Demarai Gray (£5.0m)

Bonus Points: Vardy x3, Aubameyang x2, Kasper Schmeichel (£5.4m)

A late goal from Jamie Vardy (£9.7m) earned Leicester City a point and denied Arsenal a fourth straight league win.

A sluggish return from lockdown meant more Vardy family members had issued writs against Coleen Rooney than scored Premier League goals, until the striker broke a three-match drought with a brace against Crystal Palace in Gameweek 33+.

His patchy form had lost him close to 600,000 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) owners since Gameweek 28, but three goals in the last four days means he’s now back in the top five for transfers-in heading into the weekend’s fixtures.

Vardy is also two goals clear of the pack in the race for the Golden Boot; a gap that had been reduced to one when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.9m) opened the scoring last night.

The Arsenal forward had been in poor form himself, with four blanks spanning the start and end of lockdown, but three goals and an assist from Gameweek 32+ onwards has now brought in 26 points for his 23.1% ownership.

What it hasn’t done is persuade many to bring him into their Fantasy squads. Aubameyang is not even in the top 30 for Gameweek 35+ purchases as an immediate schedule involving the North London Derby and then a visit from Liverpool seems too rich for most people’s blood.

Fixtures trumping form? Presumably, because the Gunners were unlucky not to make it four league wins on the bounce, and ten victories in their last 13 matches in all competitions, last night.

That they didn’t was down to a superb display by Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel (£5.4m), who made five stops during a one-sided first-half, and a red card that reduced the home team to ten men for the final 15 minutes of the match.

Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah (£4.4m) had only been on the pitch for four minutes when he failed to control a sliding tackle on the rain-slick pitch and he went in high and studs-up on James Justin (£4.7m). He was initially only booked for the challenge, until VAR had other ideas and referee Chris Kavanagh agreed once he’d taken a look on the pitch-side monitor.

A Foxes team that had threatened only intermittently before the sending-off were ruthless after it. 

Manager Brendan Rodgers went from a 3-4-1-2 to a 4-5-1 formation, which hugely improved the supply line to Vardy, as although the forward ostensibly had a strike partner in Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.7m), the Nigeria international dropped very deep for much of the match, leaving Vardy isolated up front.

The pair did combine well on occasion, with Iheanacho having a goal ruled out for offside in the first half, but once Harvey Barnes (£6.0m) replaced him and Nketiah trudged off a few minutes later, the visitors used patience, and the width of the pitch, to stretch Arsenal.

The tactic finally came good with six minutes to go when Vardy slotted home a cross from the impressive substitute Demarai Gray (£5.0m), although VAR had a long, long look at possible offsides before the goal was finally confirmed.

Rodgers was somewhat one-eyed in his post-match reaction to the result.

“I thought a point was the minimum we deserved. At 11 versus 10 we managed it really well, got the goal and unfortunate not to have got a second.” – Brendan Rodgers

Arsenal would have been extremely unlucky not to get something from a game they ran for lengthy spells.

Schmeichel earned two save points and a bonus for his superb display, denying Bukayo Saka (£4.7m) and Hector Bellerin (£5.3m) with fine stops and Alexandre Lacazette (£9.2m) with a brilliant one.

He could do little about the goal, however, as Aubameyang finished following fine work by Saka.

The 5.4%-owned midfielder, made it two straight Gameweeks with a haul – and three in his last four starts – as Arteta continues to use him as part of a front three.

But what is great news for some is potentially less pleasing for others – Lacazette was handed the central striker role last night, meaning Aubameyang’s owners had to make do with their man cutting in from the left flank.

Arteta, however, believes the move does not harm his attacking threat.

“He is scoring a lot of goals coming from that position, he’s done it all his career. We know he can play as at nine but at the moment the balance of the team is a little bit better like this. He is a team player.” – Mikel Arteta

The stats back the boss up – Aubameyang and Lacazette had exactly the same number of shots (two), all of which were inside the area, and they also had one big chance each. The Gabon international also had four penalty area touches to his teammate’s two.

While the Gunners’ attacking prowess has rarely been in doubt, their defensive improvement has been impressive under Arteta.

A fourth straight clean sheet was beyond them last night, in part thanks to Nketiah’s indiscretion, but the much-maligned Shkodran Mustafi (£5.1m) has been a man transformed in recent weeks, although his major contribution last night involved taking a stray Vardy boot to the face, an (entirely accidental) incident that the Arsenal coach thought should have led to the forward’s dismissal.

“I was agitated for a previous incident that was a red card. The referee has made a decision and we have to learn from that, as well it is our fault because it is the fourth time since I have been here we have played with 10 men and we have to reflect on that.” – Mikel Arteta

That speaks volumes for the, let’s just say, ‘more robust’ Arsenal that is emerging under their new coach, and although few Fantasy managers seem keen to invest right now, their final two fixtures – away at Aston Villa and home to Watford –  should tempt plenty more.

The situation is, essentially, reversed for Leicester.

The Foxes travel to Bournemouth and then host Sheffield United next. Small wonder, then, that Vardy is enjoying purchases.

But they end the season with a trip to Tottenham and a potentially huge home game with Manchester United that could determine which of them earns a Champions League spot for next year.

That will mean a motivated, and mostly rotation-free, side from now until the end of the campaign, but Leicester’s patchy form – a win, a loss and three draws – since Gameweek 30+ is not wholly convincing.

Arsenal (3-4-3): Martínez; Kolasinac, D Luiz, Mustafi; Tierney, Xhaka, Ceballos (Torreira 80), Bellerín; Aubameyang (Maitland-Niles 90+3), Lacazette (Nketiah 71), Saka (Willock 71).

Leicester City (3-4-1-2: Schmeichel; Söyüncü, Evans, Bennett (Gray 76); Justin, Tielemans, Ndidi (Praet 82), Albrighton (Fuchs 59); Pérez; Vardy, Iheanacho (Barnes 59).

MEMBERS ANALYSIS

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672 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    It’s the hope that kills you.

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

      That’s why I own DCL - as he provides no hope.
      Just makes it easier

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

        Wise Dragon!

  2. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Hopefully Mahrez makes it past 60 mins today!!!! Haha

    1. gedda
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      The thing about Mahrez is he doesn't need more than 30 or so.. Good shout those who kept faith.

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        That’s true mate!! Points wise it seems all or nothing with him like 1 points or 10 points!! Haha

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

    No Sterling = cricket score

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

      As seems to be the weird pattern of the last year

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Not weird at all once you realize Sterling doesnt participate in build up play and thus is basically a dead weight. Silva, Aguero, De Bruyne, Foden, Mahrez, anyone can be on the end of the attack tapping the ball in. All those others can also play the through ball though.. which Sterling cant.

        Jesus is on the pitch this time instead of Kun though, which speaks against a repeat cricket score.

        1. Tinkermania
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Why does Sterling play all the games against top 6 and must win cup games?

  4. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Seems like we have a new twitter ITK

    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/22048831

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

      Only if Sterling doesn't -feature- ... otherwise, in the bin he goes.

  5. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Salah > Sterling has went well then lol

    1. Superflymonk
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Oh, dear. Better hope Salah gets rested, because if he starts...you should change your name to Maximus Redimus Arrowmus

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I knew they had been too green lately, something had to give

        I'd imagine this will likely also now be the gameweek where Salah magically decides to break his terrible away scoring duck with Mane on the pitch (3,6,5,3,2,3,6,2,3,2,2 = 37 from 11 games!)

        1. Goonsquad245
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Or maybe Mane isn’t on the pitch tonight...

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Again would be pretty standard FPL fayre, given he's started every away match this season bar two!

    2. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Top it off with a hit to get Mendy in as well and we're laughing

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Sounds about right 🙂

    3. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Buuuhuuu.. now to watch Salah kill us later with a hattrick.

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        No doubt see above ^^^

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

          And when we sell him...37 points in 1 GW.

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Ah yes, I see you too are familiar with the wonderful ways of the FPL Gods 🙂

  6. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Don't think Burnley will lose tonight. Draw or away win. The former likely...

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      i’m all in for 0:0

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A disgusting 0-0 would be fine by me

      Pope GK + Taylor first sub on standby to cover for the Razcal

  7. ClassiX
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is Mendy (ManC) injured, out of favour or unfit? Not even in matchday squad. Has he been naughty again?

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I've got to go back to work

      that feeling of fury when you refresh the score after half an hour and it's 0-0

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        failure reply

  8. michaelington
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Cant believe I’m scared of not owning Foden. What have we come to. Guaranteed a hatful tonight

    1. Superflymonk
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He won't change your rank that much, not highly owned. But those who have him could do really well

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      If he was 8m, you wouldn’t have scared

  9. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sources saying Pep will take Mahrez off in the 59th minute

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      brown source?

  10. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    On my livescore app they had listed the City bench before the actual team. Got me sweating quite a bit, before realizing all 3 of my players are starting. And without Sterling, it will be a massive trashing too

  11. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Some games Sterling has been benched for this season.

    8-0 Watford
    1-6 Aston Villa
    5-0 Burnley

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

      Man City typically humiliate Newcastle.

      Newcastle have half their first team missing and nothing to play for.

      Man City coming off the back of an embarrassing defeat and are angry...

      86 - 0 final score prediction?

      1. Rolls-Royce
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        No KdB, Sterling(c)

        *deletes team*

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

        I'll probably win my minileague right now if that happens :p

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

      Can I retrospectively do Salah > Foden for a hit?

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

      Also, good memories of that Watford match. Sterling (C) with KDB (VC) & Montoya 6 points off the bench 😎

    4. Superflymonk
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Encouraging

    5. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      We all hope for these monster victories but they don't often come off. Expecting a moderate to medium win.

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

        5-0

        KDB x 1
        Foden x 2
        Mahrez x 1
        Silva x 1

  12. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    This is where we think we have the ability to predict Pep's line ups

    Next week he will start Stones as the False 9 just to keep you guessing

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

      Laporte was a centre-forward for the last 5 mins of the Southampton match.

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Never understood where this "pep likes to play false 9" bs came from. He has done it on less than a handful of occasions in PL games for City. He clearly prefers having a real striker.

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        It is not every week that his main striker is injured

        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          He plays Jesus pretty much every game when Kun is out, no pattern at all of playing Sterling as false 9 regularly as owners seem to claim

  13. Isco Disco
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    So who has taken the risk and went for Foden(C)?
    Chasing 80 pts in ML so need a big big haul from the youngster

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

      Me

      1. Isco Disco
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Good luck mate
        Hope we made the right call and get rewarded this GW

    2. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nice choice given you're chasing.

    3. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Right here. Non-KDB owner, though. Which will kill me.

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

        Living up to your name 🙂

  14. michaelington
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    So Mahrez or Foden haul this week, no point knee jerking as they’ll be benched at the weekend.

    1. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Then Riyad comes straight outta my team

  15. Party time
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling cameo please

      1. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yes. As my bench is Lascelles, Guendouzi and Simpson. Bring him on!!

    • drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Hopefully we a certain itk so us freehitters can get that city lineup in time for norwich gw 38, gonna be a bloodbath

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

        Ye it could be the difference between winning and losing leagues

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

          already to far behind in ML so just going for a decent rank

    • linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Raz and Pep killed me... a year of good feeling and work to finally captain sterling today and kill my season...

      1. Rolls-Royce
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        He'll come on and score a hattrick. No worries.

    • KINGS
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Would you trade for any of these midfielders for Antonio?

      Mahrez, KDB, Bruno, Martial, Salah

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

        No

      2. DannyDrinkVodka
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Mahrez after tonight probs

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

        Read that back to yourself.

    • linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Hope streling stay on the bench.. Have KDB vc

      1. Revival
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Depends, if City go 3-0 up early there is a chance he might not be needed. The 5 sub thing is probably your biggest concern.

    • Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      KDB (C) and Foden enough cover for City game?

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Same here

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

        Obviously

    • Sancidino
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Took a hit for Garcia... That went well

    • drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling usually stays on bench when benched

      1. DannyDrinkVodka
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        that would be great

    • Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Garcia a good transfer for gw35?

    • Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      To top it off, Nketiah off the bench if Sterling doesn't come on.

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

        Noooo

      2. Basil1977
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        bad week when you are hoping for a 1 point cameo

    • Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      This is the worst part of the week... I'm filled with hope... only to come crashing down

    • Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      So Sterling obviously pissed Pep off in those first 59 minutes against Southampton

      What the hell did he do?

      That's a very stark message from Pep

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

        Don’t know. Sterling looked fresh and played well. I was pretty sure he would start after just 59min and Jesus 90min.

      2. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Hes an attacking midfielder who can only do tap ins. Im surprised Pep has had so much faith in him for so long.

        1. bench boost for every gamew…
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          are you just fishing for comments? This is absurdity.

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

        City assets don't get dropped in the sense of the word. They get rested.

      4. bench boost for every gamew…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        he knows Newcastle will be utter tight, so he plays with a similar tactic like he did vs watford, nothing to do with Sterling, just he does not suits this kind of approach by Pep. Pep probably just said approximately just that to Sterling before the game. not a stark message,just plain tactical.

        1. Tinkermania
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          He scored the winner last time against Newcastle 😉

          1. bench boost for every gamew…
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            which is related to a tactical tweak somehow? It could be other reasons like being in red zone etc

            1. Tinkermania
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Imo, he knows Newcastle are shite and they are missing players too. If he had to win this game to win the league, do you think Sterling would be on the bench?

              1. bench boost for every gamew…
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 8 months ago

                Have no clue but i take into account that they have nothing to play for. If he would play sterling if they needed won, who knows? All i know he did not play Vs Watford earlier in season, had he given up already? No. Why rest sterling then? Tactical reasons.

                1. Tinkermania
                  • 4 Years
                  3 years, 8 months ago

                  No one was surprised when the line up was announced against Liverpool. Seems every one agrees that was Pep's best eleven!

          2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            He’s no Bruno that’s for sure 😉

        2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Fair enough makes sense

          And is also supported by Sterling’s Big chances count at home (5) vs away (21)

          Should have taken that into account and gotten Mahrez tbf - schoolboy error

          1. Tinkermania
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Don't think those are the stats Pep looks at.

            1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              I’d be worried if anyone thinks Pep looks at those stats tbf

    • Dosh
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Wth happened to Mendy?

    • johnt
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Leader in ML has Sterling (C) and Deeney (VC) - 2pts - ouch!

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

      In the pub for the WHU game, Stella, stake pie and chips on the way, my 3 City and 3 Wolves start, feels good.

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

        Living the dream!! Enjoy it

    • DannyDrinkVodka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I so badly wanted to do Salah>Foden, DCL>Kane(c) for a hit but instead I settled for Salah>Sterling as I ran out of balls