Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Arsenal Fluff Audition

Newcastle underline their fine home form, while also showing up Arsenal’s wretched away record, in a 2-1 win that highlights the risks of opting for Gunners assets over Gameweek 35’s reduced set of fixtures.

Rafa Benitez’s side made it four straight wins to all but secure their Premier League place for next season, with goals coming from the in-form Ayoze Perez and Matt Ritchie.

It was also their fourth consecutive victory on home soil; a run under early threat when Alexandre Lacazette opened the scoring from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s assist.

The latter had been sold by 217,000 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers ahead of Gameweek 34 due to Arsenal’s single fixture, but the transfer tide is already turning in preparation for next weekend’s schedule.

Some 12,000+ managers have moved for the Gabon international as the Gunners have what had looked to be a plum home match-up against West Ham, making him the sixth most popular purchase of next weekend.

Aubameyang certainly has the form – he has now returned points in five successive Gameweeks and has six goals and two assists in eight matches since arriving at the Emirates.

But coach Arsene Wenger chose to station him on the left flank at St James’ Park, handing Lacazette another chance to up his match sharpness ahead of the Europa League semi-final as Aubameyang is ineligible to play in the competition.

He still looks sure to start domestically, but if Lacazette continues to get the nod as the Gunners’ central striker, Aubameyang’s appeal will lose some of its shine ahead of both Gameweek 35 and his side’s Double Gameweek 37, which involves a visit from Burnley and a trip to Leicester City.

At least those with the Free Hit chip to employ next week can bring in Arsenal assets without having to fret over their wretched form on the road, with Wenger’s team playing three of their final four fixtures away from home.

They’ve now lost five straight league away matches and haven’t kept a clean sheet on their travels since Gameweek 17.

Lacazette played the full 90 minutes at St James’ Park and has now scored in two of three Gameweek appearances since returning from injury.

He could potentially retain his starting berth for Gameweek 35 as the match is four days before the first leg of the Europa League semi-final with Atletico Madrid.

But Wenger has consistently rested his big hitters prior to European action, and Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Laurent Koscielny and Hector Bellerin didn’t even make the squad for today’s match.

Nacho Monreal did feature on Tyneside, but he and his fellow key assets will likely have their minutes carefully managed, if they feature at all, against West Ham next weekend, leaving us with few concrete options to exploit Arsenal’s appearance in the six-fixture Gameweek 35.

Geordies nearly sure now

The same cannot be said for Newcastle, who are as good as safe in 10th place and could provide some decent differentials for a run-in, like Arsenal, that also involves a fixture next week and a Double Gameweek 37.

Their schedule (eve WBA wat tot CHE) is promising, particularly if Chelsea reach the FA Cup final and rest key players in Gameweek 38 as a result.

And their form is excellent, with that fine run at home augmented by an overall record of just one defeat in nine Gameweeks.

Perez (2.0%) has now scored in three successive matches, having netted twice in the first 30 Gameweeks of the season.

In fact, he has a goal and an assist from his last two fixtures and, at 5.3, could come into consideration as a budget striker.

Strike partner Dwight Gayle’s pitch-time now looks threatened by Islam Slimani, whose impact off the bench helped them to the points against the Gunners.

The day’s other goalscorer, Ritchie (1.8%), has been overshadowed by Kenedy’s recent form on the opposite flank, but he has now scored in three of Newcastle’s last four home matches.

On the downside, both Gameweek 37 clashes are away; a fact offset somewhat by their home fixtures involving West Brom and a cup-chasing Chelsea showing erratic form.

Defensively, the Magpies have conceded just six times in seven Gameweeks since goalkeeper Martin Dubravka arrived – only Liverpool (four) are more resilient.

So for those still with Wildcards, Florian Lejeune (4.3) and DeAndre Yedlin (4.4) have an assist each to go along with two clean sheets from their last four starts, with the American recording only his second attacking return of the season in Sunday’s victory.

1,609 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Viper
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Anything to be concerned about Kane owners?

    And Pochettino hinted he could rest the striker for tomorrow’s league clash at Brighton.

    Poch said: “We need to assess him after his injury. He has played a lot since then. But this defeat was not down to him, it was because of our first 20 minutes.”

    Taken from the sun admittedly but there's still a quote there

    1. andy85wsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Nothing to be concerned about now as we can't do anything about it 🙂

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

        🙂

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

        I'll take it on the chin if Lukaku gets rested too. Otherwise I'm sulking 🙂

        Kane with his second dgwk 3 pointer?

        1. andy85wsm
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Don't see Lukaku getting rested personally but with the FA Cup matches there's bound to be a few surprises. Anyone that has already played a full game is at risk (aside from people like De Gea etc)

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

            Had plenty of rest during the game

    2. Aguerrrooooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      lets hope he gets a nice rest 🙂

    3. ajones1608
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      It's never good when you swap him out for Hazard who miraculously becomes good again.. But long term he will come good again no doubt.

      Good point there, him resting Son on the weekend also point towards that

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

        Would have thought Lamela will drop out for Son

        1. ajones1608
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Possibly, but he could look at players like Lucas etc. Spurs were pretty good when Kane was out of the team because defenders couldn't really work them out. Brighton who will probably look to defend there's no point in having Llorente when you could have 4 players chopping and changing constantly

    4. doy
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Knew I should have waited until GW36 to bring in Harry.

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

        It was him or Lukaku so hopefully Lukaku blanks again and we'll be glad of the extra transfer

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

          I have both, brought in Lukaku on my WC32 and was fearful of not owning Kane in DGW34!

    5. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Son was rested so I can easily see him starting up front with Kane coming on for last 20 minutes before the FA cup game on Saturday

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

      I hope so!!!

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

      He want's golden boot - he play's every minute he can IMO

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

        Hope so. As Son owner not so worried. And as said above, no point to worry, there is nothing we can do.

    8. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I went without kane as I know he's a slow starter after injury but I wouldn't read into anything Poch says. I can see kane starting midweek. Until we sealed top 4 officially I think that is priority . Hope so anyway over a Mickey mouse cup that lost its magic in the early 90s

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

    A)Can I use my transfer this week before the free hit?
    B) If I clicked the free hit first, do I lose the transfer?

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

      A) No

      B) your transfer is the free hit. It doesn't matter if you had two or not

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

      Thanks. Not that I don't believe you, but can someone else confirm A? As it doesn't make reference to this specific scenario in the rules section of FPL

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

        Trust me, you can't use it 😉

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

          Your team reverts back to exactly the way it was. Even if you made 10 transfers, your team would go back to the way it was once you hit free chip. I'm pretty sure it makes reference to that on the rules?

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

        It say's your team reverts back to the previous gameweek's team. Which is the one before you made any transfers.

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

        I wouldn't trust him either - he does look a bit dodgy 😉

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

          A slithery ol snake 🙂

        2. Going Home
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Says the ball tamperer... 😉

      4. the Penman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        You don't keep the player transferred in before you use your free hit. If you want him for 36, you need tk transfer him in at 36 not 35.

    3. doncastro
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks guys. The confusion is since you're making a regular transfer. Then later using the free hit chip. It might seem like to you that this was all encompassing but it didn't to me 😛

    4. doncastro
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Free hit now active 😀

  3. LC1
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Pope
    Robertson Monreal Baines
    Sterling Sane Mane Salaha Zaha
    Aub Jesus

    Hows this looking for first draft of FH team?

    Any feedback is much appreciated.

    Cheers.

    1. ajones1608
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Arsenal & Everton defenders I just cannot trust at the moment. The front 7 is awesome but maybe look at other sides for defence?

    2. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      GTG

    3. DMil
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Wouldn't touch Monreal, Arsenal look ropey at the back and that's likely to continue with constant rotation around EL.

    4. zon
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Ars defence a bit dodgy, I can see Arnie score one or two there. I'd rather go with double Burnley or Pool.

    5. ritzyd
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      For me it's surely triple Man City / Arsenal / L'Pool with a couple of extras (burnley DF & Zaha for example)

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

      I doubt Robertson (and Salah) will play.

  4. lumaunited
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Best GK for GW 35?

    1. Z3US
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Probs Ederson to be honest..

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

        This

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

      Ederson or Pickford.

  5. lumaunited
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Alonso info?

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

      Nothing yet. The timing of any (likely) ban will be interesting. Will it be in time for Thursday night? If not, he should be a starter.

      1. the Penman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        They usually have 3 days to appeal don't they? So if we dont hear anything by 7:45 tonight...

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

      Didn't the referee see the incident?

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

        Said he was too close to see it 😆

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          It’s the same when I pee

  6. Saka Rice
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    why are people saying sterling is an awesome pick for this gameweek? he played full minutes he could easily get rested, whereas sane didnt play full minutes so surely he is a better pick?

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

      Rested for what?

    2. doy
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Pep should play his full strength team at home to Swans just before the trophy parade....nothing to rest for, they ain't in the FA Cup.

    3. ajones1608
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Depends what Pep does to his team. As he could go 3 at the back with Sane operating as a LWB, this means Sterling up top with Jesus so that would make him more appealing.

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

        We gotta see what Pep says re: Aguero too.

    4. ritzyd
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      One of Pep's favorites though?

  7. GreenArrows
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    No idea how I have a green arrow so far, got 49 with 14 DGWs + salah and (C) Lukaku....went from 31k to 26k

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

      good on ya mate!

  8. ritzyd
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    What an awful gameweek so far - played Free Hit.

    Original side: 59 plus Mahrez & Maguire to go again
    FH Side: 29 with 11 left to play

    Who wins?! I have a horrible feeling it will be my original side!

    FH team for GW34 (looked good on paper!):
    De Gea
    Alonso - Maguire - Lowton
    Sanchez (C) - Alli - Mahrez - Lingard - Gross
    Kane - Vardy

    So need De Gea, Alonso, Lowton, Sanchez (C), Alli, Lingard, Gross, Kane & Vardy to net at least 31 points :~

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

      Very likely your current fh team wins

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

        Hope so after the first round of fixtures!

  9. doy
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Essential players for GW35 imho:

    Sterling, KDB, Jesus, Auba, Salah, Zaha, VVD

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

      This!

      My GW35 FH team includes 5 of them 7....Sane instead of KDB and Roberston instead of VVD

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

        Great minds think alike 😉

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

    Morning all,

    Anyone managed to beat 65pts on RMT with a realistic FH team? If so, what is it?!

  11. KickIt
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    No new article yet? I want to start talking about city rotation. Have no FH so any player I get in GW35 will need to stay in the team.

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

        Timing 🙂

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

      With no competitions left to play besides bpl and trying to break tons of records he should go first team mostly. Also depends on whether kunout or not for rest of season for Jesús minutes

  12. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Morning.
    How the bloody hell are we?

    1. Andy'81
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Good, Tis a beautiful day where I'm at, my Fantasy team blows the same as everyone else's this GW so far.

  13. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    after all the kane vs kaku debate in my head they both have been disappointing. maybe I should just chill out a bit more

  14. zon
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    First look at FH team for GW35. Looking good?

    Karius (3.9)
    VVD Coleman Lowton (Long Lascelles)
    KDB(c) Sterling Salah Zaha Arnie
    Jesus/Kun Auba (4.5)

  15. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    My ML opponent used his FH and WC months ago. I have 14x DGW this week with BB. He is currently 15 points ahead of me because his SGW players have smashed it!

    I think us late chip players have been dealt a really shitty hand this season. First we got a really crap DGW35 with poor fixtures. Next weeks FH is a complete minefield too. The PL is wrapped up, CL positions established and relegation more or less done. Plus Arsenal and Liverpool are in the latter stages of their European comps with nothing to play for in the PL. Rotation will be rife next week 🙁

    Feeling hard done by 🙁

  16. WorldCupDanB
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Is there any chance Alonso could be retrospectively red carded and so banned for the next game? If he is will he get FPL points taken away for a red card on the basis that the game week hasn't ended?

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Yes and no.

    2. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      He will be retrospectively banned, not red carded. So no, no points will be taken away.

  17. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    FH Team, 0.1 ITB, thoughts?

    Hennessey, Speroni

    Baines, Robertson, Chambers, Long, Rosenior

    Salah, Mane, Sterling, Sane, Zaha

    Aubameyang, Jesus, Perez

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

      Looks good imo. You sure Chambers will play?

  18. Still Unsure
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Morning all!
      What are your 35 FH teams looking like then?

      After a couple of tweaks I'm currently on this, but input welcomed!

      Pope
      Coleman - van Dijk - Mustafi
      Salah - Sterling - Sane - Arnie - Zaha
      Jesus (c) - Auba

      Subs: Hennessy - Perez - Lowton - Long

      Not sure on Mustafi but he's in there at the moment.

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

        I would get 3 Liverpool

    • Walcoff life
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Thoughts on this top-heavy FH-team?

      Pickford
      Mustafi - Yedlin - Long
      Sterling - Sane - Salah - Mane
      Jesus - Firmino - Auba

    • Bavarian
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      FH next week:

      Pope (Hennessey)
      Baines-Mustafi-Robertson (Long)
      Salah-D.Silva-Sterling-Arnautovic (Milivojevic)
      Aubameyang-Jesus-Firmino

      Thanks...

    • Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Score prediction for Arnautovic tonight?

      I say 5 points.

      1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        And shaqiri will get 10

    • jose1
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I’m chasing 45 points in my ML. My rival has his FH and I can only assume he will have a safe template team. What are some good differentials?

    • GreenArrows
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Anyone on here in the The home stretch league?