Great Expectations

Mkhitaryan’s all-round game and discount price could make him essential

Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s all-round game may just make him a near-essential figure in Fantasy Premier League squads this season.

The Armenian’s potential both for goals and assists should make his cost of £7.0m well worth paying, especially in a season where many of the more familiar names in midfield and attack are more expensive.

With just 180 FPL points across two campaigns in English football, now is the time to expect a personal-best total score from Mkhitaryan.

CREATIVITY

There is no doubting that Mkhitaryan’s forte is the ability to provide assists for his team-mates, and his underlying numbers from 2017/18 suggest he’ll be one of Arsenal’s chief creators this term. Even in the first 10 Gameweeks of last season, while he was still a regular starter at Manchester United, only three midfielders created more chances than his 23. Just two of those recorded more than his five assists, Kevin De Bruyne (£10.0m) and David Silva (£8.5m), both with six assists in one more appearance than the Armenian. Upon moving to Arsenal in January, only Mesut Özil (£8.5m) created more chances than Mkhitaryan among Arsenal assets, but the Armenian still provided more assists than his German colleague (four to three).

Where Mkhitaryan really stood out across the season was when it came to minutes per big chance, the most crucial statistic given his game-time was limited to just 20 starts. His 11 big chances created in 1,727 minutes of football averaged out at one every 157 minutes. That was actually better than De Bruyne, who topped the charts both for big chances created (19) and FPL assists (20), but could still only fashion a big chance every 162.3 minutes, compared to Mkhitaryan.

GOALS ON THE SIDE

On top of his creativity, Mkhitaryan also offers a much better goal threat than any of the other midfield options at Arsenal. Of the Gunners assets, only striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) had more shots on goal between Gameweeks 25 and 38, the Gabonese international also the only one of Mkhitaryan’s team-mates to best him for efforts in the box and accuracy too. We recently discovered that Özil had the potential to be Arsenal’s key creator this season, but Mkhitaryan’s ability to combine his similar assist potential with better goal-threat than the German gives him a huge edge as far as FPL is concerned, with a saving of £1.5m.

HOME COMFORTS

Mkhitaryan should benefit from being deployed on the right flank of attacking midfield for an entire campaign in 2018/19, where he is most comfortable. Part of the reason that he struggled to fit in at Manchester United was because he was used in a central number 10 role, but since moving to Arsenal he has switched back out to the right flank. It was in this position that he was so successful back in his Borussia Dortmund days. He has already reaped some of the benefits of a return to the flanks, with Granit Xhaka (£5.5m) the only Arsenal player to attempt more crosses between Gameweek 25 and 38 – and that was a result of the Swiss international’s set-piece responsibilities.

AU-BRO-MEYANG

A full season alongside his former Dortmund colleague Aubameyang will only bring out the best in Mkhitaryan. In the final campaign that the pair were together in Germany (2015/16) at Dortmund they combined for 59 goals and 31 assists between them, their relationship clearly a strong one. That partnership has already been rekindled in part in the latter half of 2017/18. Of the four assists Mkhitaryan supplied since joining Arsenal, half of them were for Aubameyang, who set up one of the Armenian’s two goals in Arsenal colours.

GOOD START

Aside from facing Manchester City and Chelsea in the first two Gameweeks, Arsenal have very appealing fixtures in the early months of 2018/19 which should give Mkhitaryan a clear run at building up confidence. From Gameweek 3 to 10 the Gunners don’t face a single member of last season’s top six. But we shouldn’t necessarily be avoiding Mkhitaryan in Gameweeks 1 and 2. Manchester City are still without their key players as they rest after the World Cup and may name a second-string side at the Emirates on August 12, creating an opportunity for some attacking returns for Arsenal. Meanwhile, Chelsea could take time to adapt to new manager Maurizio Sarri.

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811 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    DDG or Ederson?

    money not an issue

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Ederson

      1. Oooof
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        This I think

    2. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      DDG

    3. JAC THE CAT
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      DDG

    4. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Ederson

    5. FPL Footy Show Pod
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Ederson.

    6. Gringo Kid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      DDG

      1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        both..

    7. Rock n Grohl
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      DDG

    8. Norman Conquest
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      dave saves

    9. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Money is always an issue... but if not, then DDG.

    10. ducnguyentsd
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      if you have money, DDG is best

  2. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Celtic losing 1-0

    1. JAC THE CAT
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Good!

  3. JAC THE CAT
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    “Wasting your wildcard” chapter 1 finished 🙂

  4. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Any advice/thoughts? Plan on doing Davies+Martial to Sokratis/Ramsey after GW2 and then bringing in KDB for Mane come GW4

    Ederson

    Davies Robertson Bailly

    Salah Mane Martial Richarlison

    Aubameyang Wood King

    1. JoeJitzu +42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Very nice, I like it a lot!
      And you have flexibility if things don’t turn out like you planned!

    2. JoeJitzu +42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Maybe just maybe your waiting for KDB might mean you miss out on say Sane or Mahrez points??!

  5. Pilgrim62
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Ederson or Mendy ?

    1. rookie manager
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I feel Mendy, would get the clean sheets, possible attacking returns and another keeper may face more shots to get save points

      1. rookie manager
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Just to clarify that is if it is a choice between those two, not that think Ederson is bad pick for set and forget keeper

  6. Eden Wizard
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    £1ml off Mkhi

    1. Eden Wizard
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Aka not even close

  7. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Sky sources: @LUFC have agreed a fee with @Wolves to sign defender Barry Douglas #ssn

    1. FPL Footy Show Pod
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      ALAW

    2. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Does that mean we'll have a 4m left back?

      1. Eden Wizard
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Alonso#2 is RWB

      2. OwenGodfrey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        No a spanish lad called Jonny came to replace him

        Sounds like a pisstake but its not hahah

    3. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Balls

    4. vartshk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A shame. But if they were willing to let him go I suspect it’s a bullet dodged.

  8. thorvaldsson
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Never did a team like this before feedback would be appreciated.

    Foster Patricio
    Alonso Bailly Vestergaard Durm AWB
    Salah Mahrez Sigurdsson Gudmundsson Kenedy
    Aubameyang Zaha Arnautovic

    1. vartshk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Alonso is probably not worth the outlay. Robertson of liv looks a better option

      1. JoeJitzu +42
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        This ^

      2. theRealMoneyball
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        If alonso is nailed, he'll blow robbo away. Robbo is worshipped here but most people don't think that his teammates will gobble up the bonuses

        1. rookie manager
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          But I thought new style for Chelsea may impact stats he had last year from attacking- Robertson a bit cheaper and Liverpool look serious about defence/keeper, Chelsea more uncertain

    2. FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      same as any other on here give or take a few players.

  9. T.Henry14
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    A) Ederson + Coleman
    B) Pickford + Mendy

    1. rookie manager
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      B for me personally

  10. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    the only player that I'm certain I want in my team is auba as at now despite all the tinkering and the RMT's that I've gone through.

    1. vartshk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Sounds about right. From day 1 or gw3 seems to be the question.

      1. FER FUSCH AKE
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        form over fixtures, never been an argument on ffs!! if a player is hot, the he is hot despite the opposition. Can't forget the numerous times I've been burnt because I snobbed an in form player for another who has "allegedly" easier fixtures, more with the attackers. Can compromise in the case of defenders.

        1. vartshk
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Fair point and this is the approach I’m taking with Arnie. I think the auba question is tougher because the alternative (kun) could be excellent

    2. rookie manager
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I am the same though I keep wondering about lacazette for quite a bit less, they seemed to make a good partnership towards the end

  11. Fire Chief Moe
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Arnie goal for WH

    1. Totalfootball
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Again ??
      wow

      1. Fire Chief Moe
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        4th pre season goal apparently

    2. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Hmmmmm may start with him

    3. Maddi Son
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      It's really annoying that the fixtures are so bad. Otherwise it would be a no brainer.

      1. vartshk
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I think he was pretty fixture proof last year.

  12. Eden Wizard
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Any Cardiff lads around? Is this Ward bloke likely to remain OOP?

  13. England23
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    How does this look?

    Ederson
    Robertson Mendy PVA
    Salah Mkhi Jota Richarlison Jorginho
    Aguero Auba

    Subs: Steklenberg Cedric Kamara Bennett

    Thanks guys

    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Nice but jorigino won’t get many points

    2. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      And the bench won’t play either

  14. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone going with rob green?

    1. JoeJitzu +42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Shhhh!
      Keep that to yourself... the ultimate differential!

  15. England23
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Which option would you chose and who would you chose?

    A. 5.0m MID and 4.5m FWD

    B. 4.5m MID and 5.0m FWD

    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Neither option sounds appealing

      1. OwenGodfrey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I've got B right now. Sorloth and Ward

  16. T.Henry14
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    For now:

    Pickford, (4.0M)
    Robertson, Mendy, Bailly (Cedric, W-Bissaka)
    Salah, Sane, Willian, Richarlison (Cairney)
    Firmino, Zaha, Tosun/Arnie

    1. Pilgrim62
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Willian ?

      1. T.Henry14
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        If he stays, yes. I want a player from the Sari's team because I expect a lot of goals.
        But I'm following the situation around Willian until the last day.

  17. Maddi Son
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone going with Aguero & Lacazette?

    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Me

      1. Maddi Son
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        That extra 1.5m does so much for the rest of the team. Seriously tempted.

        1. rookie manager
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Keep flipping on this - I do think aubama will outperform him pointswise but not sure by how much

  18. Pilgrim62
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Any advise?

    Ederson, Speroni
    Robo, Coleman, PVA, Cedric, 4,0
    Salah, Mahrez, Richarlison, Cairney, 4,5
    Kun, Firmino, King

  19. Big Fella
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Even with terrible half of the year Sanchez scored 152 pts last season. His history is ; 264,167,207.
    How many points can he score this season in your opinion ?
    And how he compare to 0.5 more expensive Lukaku with history of ; 162,221 ,185,135..) ?

    1. vartshk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I’m avoiding United until I can sit through 45 minutes watching them play.

    2. trikster102
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      400

    3. Norman Conquest
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      to be fair he got most them points for arsenal was shocking for united

    4. El Matador
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Under Mou he will be lucky to score half of them points. Save your money.

  20. El Matador
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Which 5m mid to get?

    Ralls
    Cairney
    Neves

    All 3 look decent and have some sort of set piece duties. Just can't decide on which one.

    1. Tmel
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Hughes in the mix too as a 5m option

    2. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Cairney.

  21. Beatle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Is Cech a nailed on starter?

  22. The Mighty Hippo
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    This is awful. I've got Robertson and Mendy in my team so I can't arrange my formation correctly in the "my team" screen, it currently has a left back in central defence and it's driving me mad. One of them may have to go!!!

    1. Lovren an elevator
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A fellow ocd like me. Nice.

    2. No Luck
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Use the convert to right back chip to convert one of your left backs to right back

    3. FPL Laurenzo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I had the same problem so I drafted all left backs for the rest of my defense and it finally distributed everyone correctly.

  23. Lovren an elevator
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Ederson and Mendy....and ....Aubameyang and Mkhi.

    Too much?

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Aubameyang defo from GW3

  24. Bruised Shins
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Rate my current line-up. I think I’m nearly there.

    Fabianski - Leno (if he starts)
    Bellerin - Bailly - Daniels - Kiko F - AWB
    Salah - Richarlison - Moutinho - Miki - Yarmolenko
    Zaha - Firmino - Aguero (switch to Auba GW3)

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Think there are too many risks, with Yarmolenko (Unproven) Daniels (Game Time/Age) Moutinho (V.Defensive)...

      Think you have better option to start with but generally pretty solid

      1. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Aubameyang change for me the same, as I have Aguero

        1. Bruised Shins
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Thanks. All valid points. You’ve convinced me about Daniels & I’ll look at other options.

          I think Yarmolenko is a wild card but picked for that reason. Even though he didn’t play much at BVB I think he has potential for big points when looking back at his career.

          Moutinho I picked because I felt with Neves beside him he may push forward more & is capable of assists. He’s my first alternate on the bench & want someone better than a 4.5m midfielder like Stephens.

          But it’s fantasy football so I’ll probably have a different team next week 😉

          1. Warby84
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Just go with your gut feelings, wild card players sometimes pay off... I know yarmolenko had 2 average seasons but under Pellegrino he may thrive or flop... Worth a gamble is you have other options for a quick change

  25. Chrisirwin01
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    A) Wood
    B) Lamela

    Quiet tempted about taking the punt on Lamela for the first 3 GWs, but Wood just seems nailed. Any thoughts?

  26. Whits
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Please rate my team people...

    Patricio
    Mendy Shaw Robertson

    Salah Mahrez Sanchez Cairney

    Arnautovic Aubameyang Jimenez

    Fabianski
    Cedric
    Wan Bissaka
    Masuaku

  27. Whits
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    A. Keita - Richarlison - Tosun

    B. Sanchez - Cairney - Richarlison