Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Arsenal Triumph In Europe

Arsenal take a giant stride towards the Europa League semi-finals, but an injury to Henrikh Mkhitaryan forces owners to reconsider ahead of a very favourable domestic schedule.

Arsene Wenger’s side will have a 4-1 lead over CSKA Moscow to defend in the Russian capital next Thursday after a breathless first-half at The Emirates during which all five goals were scored.

There were two each for Alexandre Lacazette and Aaron Ramsey, three of which were set up by an imperious Mesut Ozil and the other by Hector Bellerin.

But an away goal for the Russians, following a series of defensive errors by the Gunners, and the Londoners’ poor away form mean the tie isn’t quite done and dusted yet.

Arsenal have kept just three league clean sheets on the road all season – even the likes of Crystal Palace, Swansea City and Brighton have proved more resilient – and they were lucky not to concede more than one goal against a CSKA side clearly intent on attacking.

That, in turn, led to a host of chances for the home team, who had nine shots on target, and Ramsey was unfortunate not to complete a hat-trick when his second-half shot hit the post.

The Welsh international now has nine goals in all competitions this season, seven of which have come at the Emirates – his best tally in home fixtures as an Arsenal player.

Wenger spoke post-match of a job half done, although the tie is probably more heavily skewed in his team’s favour than that, even after Arsenal’s capacity for self-destruction is taken into account.

Then again, they might have to travel to Moscow without Mkhitaryan, who went off just after the hour-mark last night with a knee injury.

Wenger’s immediate prognosis was bleak, particularly regarding Gameweek 33’s visit from Southampton.

“He has a knee problem, we don’t know how bad it is, we have to assess it tomorrow morning. He will certainly be out for Sunday.”

This has already had an impact on the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) market- over the last 24 hours, the Armenian is second only to Mohamed Salah for sales.

And given the situation at the Gunners, the exodus concerning Mkhitaryan is likely to be the shape of things to come for other members of the side as well.

If Arsenal complete the Europa League job next week, they’ll move into the competition’s semi-finals, which will take place on April 26 and May 3.

Gameweek 35’s home fixture with West Ham precedes the tie and they’ll be away at Man United between the two legs.

Double Gameweek 37 then follows, with a home match against Burnley just two days after the second leg and a trip to Leicester City on the Wednesday rounding off a frenetic fortnight involving six fixtures.

Significantly, should the Gunners make the Europa League final, that takes place on Wednesday, May 16 – a mere three days after their final fixture of the season away at Huddersfield.

All of that means rotation of the side’s key players may well be inevitable, offsetting what is otherwise an attractive run-in from which the likes of Ramsey (3.8%) and Ozil (2.4%) could have emerged as excellent differentials.

Indeed, Ramsey has been rested for two of the last three Gameweeks, while Mkhitaryan was restricted to a role off the bench against Stoke last Sunday.

As mentioned above, the Gunners feature in Gameweek 35s’s reduced slate and have a Double Gameweek 37. However, it will be left to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to fly the Fantasy flag for Arsenal as the striker is ineligible for the Europa League.

The only problem for the 13.1%-owned striker is how much service he will receive from a side lacking many of its stars and without much motivation to successfully see out a season now riding entirely on European glory.

Arsenal’s immediate schedule (SOT new WHU) is sufficiently favourable that Aubameyang might be retained by some managers despite the lack of a Double Gameweek 34.

But, for many, the return to fitness of Harry Kane means the 10.8 invested in the Gunners striker could now be better spent elsewhere, particularly if Wenger decides to rotate heavily in his bid for European glory.

408 Comments Post a Comment
  1. nevins84
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Darling you got to let me know
    Should Salah stay or should he go?
    If you say that he is mine
    He'll be here 'til the end of time
    So you got to let me know
    Should he stay or should he go?

    1. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      We're going to the upside down it seems.

    2. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      😛

    3. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      If he stays there will be trouble
      If he goes there will be double [gameweeks]

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        😀

      2. Lord Flashheart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Ha

    4. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      The shareef don't like it - rockin' the Salah.

  2. CAP
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Hi all. I'm a little bit stuck with who to lump first, any suggestions?

    A. Walcott
    B. Wilson
    C. Both -4

    1. Kevtheotter
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      C

  3. Kevtheotter
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    So Salah surely wont be risked this weekend. Of course presser will tell us more but which looks best this week.

    Mhki and Salah --->

    A) Hazard and Gross
    B) Sanchez and Gudmundo

    Cheers

    1. nevins84
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Hazard has been awfull to own id advise everyone to steer clear....

      Probably haul now ive said that...

      1. Kevtheotter
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        (C) Alli and Willian?

      2. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        ^This

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Never overestimate a manager's common sense

    3. CAP
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      A for purely this week

      1. Kevtheotter
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Well its based over the next 2 anyway. FH in 35

    4. Alexis Nonsense
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Both Hazard and Sanchez are awful atm

      Would keep Salah, he'll punish you the rest of season if not

      1. Salarrivederci
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Pretty happy with Sanchez (28) last week though.
        Looking forward to TC him in GW34

      2. Kevtheotter
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Well he only has 5 games left.(Assuming Benched this week) For which I will own him in 35. So only miss 4 games.

        Surely Sanchez 7 games worth more?

  4. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    DRAFT WC TEAM with Bench Boost for GW34 in mind...

    Pope/DDG
    Ogbonna/Chilwell/Lowton/Alonso/Dunk
    Salah/Mahrez/GroB/Willian/Milo

    A Firmino/Abameyang/Vardy (£0.6m ITB)
    or
    B Kaku/Barnes/Abameyang (£2.1m ITB)

    1. Robben Mee Blind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      B. Will you do Auba to Kane for 34?

      1. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Possibly yes

        1. Robben Mee Blind
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          I'm on WC this week too. Think I'm going for Auba, Kane, Barnes with cash remaining to do Aub -> Lukaku for 34

    2. Robben Mee Blind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      You sure about keeping Pope and Oggy? I've played WC this week and getting rid of both. Would like to keep Pope but worried about Heatons return

  5. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Ryan
    Alonso / Morgan / Lowton
    Salah* / Mahrez / Son / Willian
    Auba/ Firmino* / Vardy

    (GK) DDG (1) VDH (2) L Cook (3) Bailly

    Strategies to deal with Kane/Salah:

    A)
    GW33: Salah --> Eriksen
    GW34: Auba --> Lukaku
    GW35: FH
    GW36: Firmino & Eriksen/Son --> Kane & [?] (-4)

    B)
    GW33: Salah & Firmino --> Kane & [6.7m] (-4)
    GW34: Auba --> Lukaku

    1. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      B

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Who do you suggest for the 6.7m MID? Unfortunately I can't get Lingard due to Bailly (a thorn in my WC side).

  6. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    A Mkhi to son, no hit, leave salah on the bench and play lukaku
    B Mkhi and salah to alli and eriksen for -4, bench lukaku

  7. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    FPL have just renamed Wilson.

    Now reads 2pts below the team strip

  8. Bleach †
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Is getting Christensen on WC too much of a risk?

    1. Robben Mee Blind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I think so with Chelsea poor form. It's Alonso or avoid imo (I'm going for Alonso on my WC)

    2. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      why... is he not nailed?

    3. Ten Season Wonder
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I believe so yep

    4. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      No. Good fixtures, seemingly nailed, DGWs, fairly cheap.

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        For me the positives outweigh the negatives for exactly the reasons above.

  9. St. Joseph
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Play Salah or Barnes this week?

    Any chance Salah 1 pointer coming in on 80th mins?

    1. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      If he is going to play he is starting

      1. Alnair
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        That's not a given at all.

        1. Zilla
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          True, I am stating my opinion/prediction. But if he is going to play then why Klopp wouldn't start him? If he isn't ready to play or Klopp wants him safe then he won't play any second.

  10. pablo discobar
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Rumours of Auba injury. Apparently mentioned last night on TV?

    Seen it on various message boards too, any truth behind this?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Give us a source

      1. SW6
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        This. If you've read it somewhere, show us where or don't post 🙄

      2. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        His arse?

      3. semiconductor
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        FH gw34 WC36 BB37. So i need the players for gw33+gw35.

        I'm selling stans+ (mkhi or walcott) to get 2 playing both gw 33+35

        1. Milo+ozil or milo+silva/sane?
        2. Sell walcott or mkhi(maybe fit for gw35)
        3. Are these good transfers?

        1. semiconductor
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Sorry. Meant to be a post

    2. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Oh ffs.....do I not need that.

    3. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      can't see any news off it anywhere so unlikely but id love if that's true

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Me too, but I think he is pulling our dinkles.

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          *yanking ya toggle

    4. Salarrivederci
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Probably just people who do not understand Aubameyang ineligibility in EL

      1. Kevtheotter
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        100% this

    5. Pras (FPL)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Say it isnt so...

    6. Salarrivederci
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      "Seen it on various message boards too"

      Stop trying to scare me of giving him the armband and link those 'message boards' or I'll report you 😉

    7. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      This is the first time I'm hearing about this. I guess I'm living under the rock then.

  11. ChuckN
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Best mid for 8.5 and under with great 33 and 35 fixtures and a DGW37?

    Need to sell Mkhi.

    1. Ten Season Wonder
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Can you not stretch to Dele? otherwise Sonny.

      1. ChuckN
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Needs to play 35

    2. Kevtheotter
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Do some research mate

      1. Kevtheotter
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Sorry that sounded harsh but this is part of the game isn't it? Just asking for people to suggest players for you seems like...whats the point?

        You cant just filter the players under 8.5Mid on the transfers tab and look at their fixtures?

        Its really not that hard

        1. ChuckN
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Oh kindly jog on. 90% of comments on here are like this. I contribute plenty.

        2. ChuckN
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          And filtering players doesn't provide opinions. But glad I got yours!

    3. RIDZ
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Willian

    4. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Ramsey!

  12. Mr. Clueless
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    On WC:

    Ddg/Pope
    Christensen/Davies/Maguire/Lowton/Valencia
    Son/Gross/Maharez/Willian/Lingard
    Kane/Vardy/Barnes

    0.5 ITB

    Please rate this WC excluding Salah (Am I going to regret this)

    And what to do with the extra 0.5 ITB

  13. N00B
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Who to play this week ?

    a) Ryan, Schelotto
    b) DDG, Scheletto
    c) Ryan, Morgan

  14. Salarrivederci
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Özil nailed next 3 ? 😉

    1. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I guess, won't get a hattrick of assist every match he plays tho

      1. Salarrivederci
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Just need him to give me 2 assists each game then 😉

        1. Zilla
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          😀

    2. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Of course. Assists galore incoming!

  15. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    If I owned Dele I would be captaining him this GW.

    1. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      i'm captaining harry instead 🙂

      1. Ten Season Wonder
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Maguire?

        1. #FPLBhuna
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          potter.

          1. Zilla
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            Has been killing it in Quidditch tbf

            1. #FPLBhuna
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 11 months ago

              locked in (c)

  16. Jayben23
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    WC Team looks like this?

    Fabianski Adrián
    Monreal Robertson Chilwell Davies Goldson
    Sterling Salah Son Mahrez Milivojevic
    Kane Aubameyang Quaner

    GTG?? or is there anything else i can do?

    I dont have FH so planning long term for GW37

  17. JoBro
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Will Jones not take Smalling's place now?

    1. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      possibly but smalling's hardly put a foot wrong

      I can see a Bailly return just for the sake of his physical presence - here's hoping its not for Smalling.

  18. Jayben23
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Whos got more minutes and points till the end of the season?
    1. Davies
    2.Christensen

    1. Ten Season Wonder
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Davies, but I wouldn't want him with Danny Rose lurking

  19. HD7
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Ryan
    Alonso Lowton Morgan
    Salah* Mikhi* Willian Mahrez
    Murray Vardy Auba

    Subs: De Gea, Gudm, Tark, Baily

    Was planning to do Mikhi to Son in 34 but after yesterday do it now?

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Yes

  20. RIDZ
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Jones or Smalling?

    any recommend defenders maximum 4.4 (not Morgan, Chilwell, Dunk)

    1. Ten Season Wonder
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Trent? (no DGWS though)

  21. Mooster©️
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Defender on wc:
    Dunk/Duffy or Alexander-Arnold?

    1. Ten Season Wonder
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Brighton defender

  22. ludaslol
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Should I do it?

    Mkhi + Salah for Son & Eriksen (No spurs cover right now) then get either son/alli out for a city in 35. And bring Kane in for 36??

    1. ludaslol
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      or Son + Alli

      1. Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Wait on Salah news but that would be v tempting.

    2. Ten Season Wonder
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      of the three Spurs mids, I would rather Dele.

  23. Ashwatts93
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Vert - Lingard - Aubameyang with money to ITB to change to Lukaku

    or

    Firmino - Salah - Sahko No Change to Lukaku for Gw 34

    1. Bleach †
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      First.

  24. Hart-ake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Without a FH in 35, how many players is enough to get out?

    Is 8 sufficient for instance? Depending on who those players are of course.

    1. ludaslol
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I wil be around 8. WIll captain Auba aginst WH probably hopefully it pays out

      1. Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Salah vs West Brom though...quite a dilemma that week.

  25. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    is BB better in GW34 or GW37 ??

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Depends on your players 😉

      1. FCSB
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        DDG Hennessey
        Robertson Morgan Christensen Lowton Hunemeier
        Salah Willian Mahrez Alli Gross
        Kane Aubameyang Barnes

        a couple of needed if i go with BB 34

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          So you are boosting with Hennessy, Hune, Lowton and Gross ?

          Hune won’t play and Hennessy has a single game - not the best ?

          1. FCSB
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            agreed... I need to make changes...

            hennessey has a good GW34 fixture and plays 35... so i may keep him over someone like ryan

            lowton i think i'll stick with

            gross >> lingard??

            hune... who is the best cheapest option?

            1. Hotdogs for Tea
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 11 months ago

              Ah, no free hit ? In which case I would pack the bench with players that have a game in 35 and ignore BB in 34 and plan for it in 37 🙂

              1. FCSB
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 11 months ago

                sound advice brother!! thanks

    2. Kevtheotter
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      What makes one GW better than the other in your opinion?

      1. FCSB
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        the opportunism of the fixtures... i was set on 37 but i think 34 may be the way to go now i have WC'd

      2. oli500
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        the amount of doubles, more of the top 6 teams at home in 37, and much better fixtures for the better teams (chelsea v liverpool aside)

        im going for it now - on my WC now with FH for 35. will need to make a couple of changes for 37 but looking pretty good

        lloris - fabianski
        morgan, christensen, lowton, smalling, mustafi
        mahrez, alli, willian, gross, lingard
        kane, perez, auba (out for lukaku for 34)

        1. FCSB
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          not too dissimalar from my team:

          DDG Ryan
          Robertson Morgan Christensen Lowton Hunemeier
          Salah Willian Mahrez Alli Gross
          Kane Aubameyang Barnes

          so you think wait and BB in GW37 ?

          1. oli500
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            if you can plan it out i would

            i dont see the value in the BB for 34 apart from the fact it's easier to plan for as 37 is still a few weeks away

            there are some really good fixtures for the big boys in 37

            if you have the FH for 35 may be worth sacking off salah too as if you take that away and he doesnt play tomorrow he only has 4 fixtures left including chelsea and one game directly after a CL game

  26. hogree
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Current situation: (WC last week)
    DDG - Ryan
    Lowton - Dunk - Alonso - Morgan - TAA
    Salah - Mkhi - Son - Mahrez - Gross
    Barnes - Vardy - Auba

    Looking sketchy, I obviously want to get out Mkhi and Auba for the DGW. However, issue is if I want Kane in, I have to get a midfielder 5.7 or less in space of Mkhi which just isn't great.

    So I'm thinking of gambling on a Salah to Alli shout...

    How does this look as a plan to people?

    GW33 1 FT --> Salah to Alli
    BB GW34 Mkhi + Auba --> Lingard + Kane + 0.7 ITB
    FH GW35

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I am in a similar boat. Thinking of getting Spurs MF in this week and take a hit to get Kane in next week for Auba, but I am very hit averse (only -8 so far this year) so a bit worried. If you are happy to take hits good plan.

  27. theodosios
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Cap Auba or Mahrez and why?

    1. Salarrivederci
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Auba cause Gunners form at home and Southampton form in general.

      1. theodosios
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah, it could be another 3:0 or 4:1

  28. Pras (FPL)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Choose one:

    A. Christensen, Cork, Vardy
    B. Alonso, Lingard, Barnes

    1. theodosios
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      B

    2. Kevtheotter
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      B

    3. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      B

  29. Humlesnurr
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    If auba continues to perform it will be hard to ditch him as planned. Who would you rather for GW 37?

    A: Alonso - Firmino
    B: Christensen - Auba

    B will give me Kane - lukaku - auba which is fairly nice 🙂

    1. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      B for me, fairly clear-cut

    2. Humlesnurr
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Yeah. Alonso does not justify his price tag these days.

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      B. Thinking of dumping Alonso myself.

  30. RIDZ
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Lingard+Vardy looks better for me rather than Lukaku+don't have any idea who it is

    1. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      If this "don't have any idea who it is" player is Milivojević you're gonna be fine. Jammy pens are just around the corner.