Scout Notes

Willian dominates in Aubameyang’s first game as FPL midfielder

FULHAM 0-3 ARSENAL

  • Goals: Alexandre Lacazette (£8.5m), Gabriel (£5.0m), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£12.0m)
  • Assists: Willian x3 (£8.0m)
  • Bonus: Gabriel x3, Willian x2, Lacazette x1

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£12.0m) delivered for his legion of FPL owners with a second-half strike in Arsenal’s Gameweek 1 3-0 win at Fulham.

Despite a quiet first half, the premium midfielder curled home a goal very reminiscent of the strike he netted against Liverpool in the Community Shield last month.

Crucially, it was Aubameyang’s switch in position that made his Gameweek 1 outing satisfactory for his 1.5 million captainers. A combination of a goal and yellow card would have made for just five points last season, but reclassified, it afforded him a total of seven, considering Arsenal kept a clean sheet.

There was some concern over Aubameyang’s positioning in the opening period, which saw him operating rather wide and tracking back a lot. Aubameyang’s defensive duties were a far from ideal development, not just because it initially limited his attacking threat but also because it meant he had to make several “forward’s challenges” on the opposition, earning him a first-half yellow card.

Furthermore, Aubameyang’s opening day goal was severely overshadowed by a surprise monster haul from new signing Willian (£8.0m), who is surely set to become the bandwagon midfielder for Gameweek 2.

The former Chelsea man was not even expected to start at Fulham, having missed most of Arsenal’s pre-season campaign. But he came straight into the side, displacing the in-form Bukayo Saka (£5.5m) and registering a hat-trick of assists. It could have been an even bigger haul for Willian, who hit the post with a free-kick in the 27th minute.

Alexandre Lacazette (£8.5m) was another unexpected starter, at the expense of Eddie Nketiah (£6.0m), and he opened the season’s scoring in scruffy style. The Frenchman tapped home after Marek Rodak (£4.5m) saved an effort from Willian.

“[Lacazette] is in my plans. He is a player that I like a lot. But he has Eddie [Nketiah] on his back, or next to him I would say, he’s gonna push him and whoever is in better shape is going to play. The same for the rest of the team.” – Mikel Arteta

“It was the best way to start the season. We wanted to win and have a clean sheet and respect what the coach wanted. Everyone is happy. He wants us to be perfect. We worked in the week for this kind of game. We have a lot of big ambitions. I want to help the team to be on top, I know it is my job. I am really happy [at Arsenal]. It is only the press and other people that say I am not. I want to play and win titles. We want to be aggressive with and without the ball and improve every aspect of our game.” – Alexandre Lacazette

Willian was again the provider at the beginning of the second half, with centre-half debutant Gabriel (£5.0m) heading home his corner.

And he bagged a hat-trick of assists when Aubameyang converted his cross-field pass in the second half, the premium midfielder cutting inside Denis Odoi and curling home.

“With Willian I knew the performance would come straight away.” – Mikel Arteta

As a result, Fantasy managers are targeting Fulham’s defence for attacking returns moving forward. They face Leeds next, who exploited Liverpool’s well-documented ongoing defensive issues at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.

Despite impressing with the ball in spells, the Cottagers were suspect in defence at Saturday lunch-time. There was too much space afforded to an unmarked Lacazette for the first goal, Gabriel rose unchallenged in the box for the second and Aubameyang found it too easy to cut inside the right-back for the third.

Michael Hector (£4.5m) denied the FPL midfielder a brace by clearing an Aubameyang shot off the line in the 79th minute, as the Cottagers struggled to keep the scoreline respectable.

Reflecting on a tough opening day for his side, Scott Parker told the BBC:

The big lesson today is to understand the fine margins in this division mean you can get punished. At this level you have to be clinical and make teams pay and on the flip side the first time they get in our box and they score. I didn’t like the second half as much. The second goal was a poor goal. At that moment we have to understand how crucial it is and I felt we were a little bit weak and accepted it. When you are a team like us that has come from the Championship you can’t let defeat after defeat really cripple you. We are going to lose more than we win but as a team you have to keep learning and developing. It has been a quick turnaround for us. We have brought players in that will improve us and hopefully there will be more. We need to get them up to speed quickly. Set plays are vitally important. We looked a little accepting. There is a realism here. Teams that struggle in this league are teams that let things get to them. We may lose two or three on the bounce, the important thing is to not let defeats get to you.” – Scott Parker

Arsenal admittedly almost conceded instantly after an early error from Gabriel, who had not played a competitive match since March. The defender allowed an Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£5.0m) back-pass to go by him, which nearly saw Aboubakar Kamara (£5.0m) get on the scoresheet but the FPL midfielder was denied by quick reactions from Bernd Leno (£5.0m).

However, beyond that, it was a relatively routine clean sheet for the Gunners as Arteta continues to transform them at both ends of the field.

While Gabriel will take plenty of headlines for his goal, Arsenal’s shut-out was, in part, earned in no small part by Rob Holding (£4.5m), who operated on the right-hand side of Arteta’s back three and is looking increasingly comfortable there. On the defender and defensive midfield team-mate Mohamed Elneny (unpriced), the Arsenal manager told BT Sport:

“Elneny is a player who has been excellent in training from day one. He’s a player I know well, having played with him. Rob (Holding) is another one is exactly the sort of player we want at the football club. He had a difficult time but he worked really hard in training. He’s playing really well.” – Mikel Arteta

There remains one slight caveat with Arsenal’s defence moving into Gameweek 2. While they were assured at Craven Cottage, Fulham did not offer very much going forward. It was Kamara who started up front for the hosts as popular FPL asset Aleksansdar Mitrovic (£6.0m) found himself on the bench following a slight injury from international duty.

Fulham XI (4-2-3-1): Rodak; Bryan, Ream, Hector, Odoi; Reed, Cairney; Cavaleiro, Onomah (De Cordova-Reid 75′), Kebano (Anguissa 63′); Kamara (Mitrovic 63′).

Arsenal XI (3-4-3): Leno; Tierney, Gabriel, Holding; Maitland-Niles, Xhaka (Ceballos 79′), Elneny, Bellerin; Aubameyang, Lacazette (Nketiah 87′), Willian (Pepe 75′).

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1,955 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Hunt
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    My Saka punt seems to have gone a little awry. Would I not stand corrected if I said that his season now looks destined to be cameos & cups?

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Still think he’ll start a fair amount of league games. Just won’t know which 🙂

      I’d look to move him on

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Leeds attacker can be a good option. Would wait for a week to see which one though

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

      I’m in this boat too. Think he might struggle to get a permanent place and he’s too expensive to be bench fodder.

      He’s my number one priority for squad improvement as of now.

      But I would like to save a transfer for a mini wildcard ahead of GW3.

    4. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      They won't change a winning team. I would get rid. Headache you don't need in fpl.

    5. The Hunt
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Cheers. I’d really like to hold off until the West Ham game to see what happens but a price drop at this stage of the season could prove too awkward.

  2. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    At first I’ve been reluctant to offloading Ings just after GW1 but after watching yesterday’s game the Martial move may be in fact the wise one. Of course will wait and see how Spurs def performs today but unfortunately Ings does not appear to be worth 8.5 (As I’ve initially thought).

    1. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He's still a good option was denied a goal at the death by a stunning save. But I'm selling for Martial as was always the plan.

  3. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Fingers crossed Kane is benched so I get Tyrick points...

  4. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I see people shipping out Mane, don't they know he may likely haul next game and Salah blanks?

    1. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      They're morons. They just buy whoever scored best and sell who did worst to fund it very week

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Haha #tactics

        • Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          What do you expect from people who own Mane in the first place..

        • Coolbean
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          What a weird statement. If you read the forums in the past many weeks prior to GW 1, didn’t most already have the transfer plan of Mane to Bruno after GW 1? What has changed? Mane scored a hattrick? 😆

        • Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          actually they are probably selling for Bruno and not a player that has scored best this week ... I will be selling Salah to get Bruno so that must make me a moron too - we will only know after GW2 though 🙂

        • Roysgotnoboys
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          It’s how you win the game. Buy the players who scored the most points last week

    2. Spambo
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Anyone got the link to ff scout mods and cons league?

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

        Its on Joes Twitter bio

      2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Google.com

        Type in the name of the league along side fpl

        Boom

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

      Alot of chat about going Auba - Kdb

      I think the play could be save FT Gw2

      Auba/£6m Fwd to Kûn/Greenwood

      Feel more confident in giving Aguero the armband over Kdb

      1. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Even Aguero doesn't know if he's fit enough

    4. Sterling Archer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Asm played well yesterday, I know it's early but think I picked the wrong toon player, Wilson looks sharp and will get plenty chances

      1. Azathoth
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        And ASM will create a lot of them.....be patient.

      2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He played well but did nothing FPL wise. Think he had like one shot outside the box. Created nothing .

        Wilson was very impressive. Jamal lewis could got up the pitch at times too

      3. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Went both. Agree that Wilson looks the one but he’s an extra 1m. Happy to see how ASM looks home to Brighton.

    5. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Leeds fans! Who's the best mid to own from Leeds? Costa, Harrison, or Klich?

      1. InterUranus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Klich will play every week and is on penalties.

    6. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Werner 9.7k transfers in. Do you think some people expect his returns on Monday to count towards their gameweek 1 score? Bit like how the Sky fantasy game works.

      1. The Legend Squad
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Either that, or disappointed Ings holders

    7. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Salah could hit 300 points at this rate.

      1. Hairy Potter
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Steady on

    8. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ings to 4.5m (bench fodder) then Alli to Salah??

      1. Muchentuchel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Wouldn't do that.
        He won't get 2 pens in every match and Liverpool might even lose the next 2.

    9. The Legend Squad
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Fernandes (c) vs Palace

      Or,

      Auba (c) vs West Ham

      I’m thinking it’s Auba. Save the FT this week, then do Auba & Son to KDB & Fernandes next week for free.

      1. Roysgotnoboys
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Auba for me. He looked good

        Palace looked decent From what I saw (only watched MOTD)

    10. Muchentuchel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      First proper FPL hangover. Nearly everything went wrong.

    11. Uncle John from Jamaica
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Chaps

      Would you rather have

      A) Auba and Kante (Current two)
      B) Greenwood and Rashford for a -4

    12. Tashi Tshering
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Is it worth going for early wildcard guys for my team?

      McCarthy(Nyland)
      TAA Vinagre Egan (Mitchell, Douglas)
      Salah Auba ASM Saka Son
      Werner Ings(Davis)

      1. InterUranus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Can't be thinking about early wildcard before the end of GW1 lol

      2. Chandler Bing
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Don't

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

        no. Looks fine
        Nothing a little tinkering won't fix.

      4. Muchentuchel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Sure it is!
        You need to get ManUtd and City players to the squad. TAA is too expensive to have in the next two Liverpool matches.

      5. One Man
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I always regretted gw2 wildcards. Your team actually looks V good.

      6. Roysgotnoboys
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Lol

    13. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Tempted to do Ings to Wilson and use the 2m on my backline in the coming weeks.

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

        Ings can only get better

        1. Monklane
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I see what you did there.

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

            🙂

    14. Tashi Tshering
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      In gw 2 which is the wise decision to made?
      A. Salah out Bruno in
      B. Salah out KDB in
      C. Ings out Jimi in