Aubameyang could reward patience despite goalless run

The ongoing battle between premium options Harry Kane and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang took another interesting turn on Sunday afternoon.

Arsenal were beaten for the first time in 22 matches, while their number one centre-forward was outscored by his Tottenham counterpart for the second time since the north London derby.

We’ve got all the Fantasy talking points from Southampton in this latest Scout Notes article as well as our observations from Crystal Palace’s 1-0 win over Leicester.

Southampton 3-2 Arsenal

Goals: Danny Ings x2 (£5.4m), Charlie Austin (£5.5m) | Henrikh Mkhitaryan x2 (£6.7m)

Assists: Matt Targett (£4.2m), Nathan Redmond (£5.2m), Shane Long (£4.7m) | Nacho Monreal (£5.4m), Alexandre Lacazette (£9.6m)

Arsenal’s defeat at Southampton was the third league match in a row without a goal for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.5m). The Gabonese international has largely frustrated his owners since drawing their attention with a brace against Spurs in Gameweek 14. The fact that Harry Kane (£12.6m) has outscored him by 18 points to nine over that time only rubs further salt into the wound, as many managers had to choose between the two of them when replacing Sergio Aguero (£11.2m) for Gameweek 15.

However, Aubameyang owners can take comfort in some aspects of his performance at Southampton. He actually had the same number of penalty box touches as Kane in Gameweek 17 but did considerably more there than the Spurs man, registering more efforts on goal and more on target too. No other Arsenal player had as many shots in the 18-yard box as Aubameyang against Southampton and, according to the expected data, he was the biggest underachiever not only of the whole match but also the entire Gameweek. Aubameyang was especially unlucky not to score what looked a certain close-range goal in the 30th minute with Jan Bednarek (£3.9m) making a truly excellent recovering sliding challenge to deny him. All things considered, it does appear as if he still the best way to invest in the Gunners’ favourable fixtures, which see them host Burnley up next. That said, it does look as if the Clarets are making some defensive improvements.

Meanwhile, there was further frustration of a different kind for owners of Alexandre Lacazette (£9.6m). He was named on the bench for the third time in Arsenal’s last four matches, coming on at half-time. That means since Gameweek 14 he has played just 160 minutes of football. Yet another absence from the starting line-up for the Frenchman caused more headaches for his 10.2% ownership. However, where the problem lies for those in possession of Lacazette is the fact that he still registered attacking returns, picking up an assist for Henrikh Mkhitaryan‘s (£6.7m) second-half strike. He has now been involved in three Arsenal goals in his last four appearances, suggesting that once he is given another 90-minute outing he will start living up to his price-point. It remains a possibility that Unai Emery will factor Lacazette back into his first XI plans very soon. With Southampton 2-1 up at half-time, it continued the incredible statistic that Arsenal are yet to lead a Premier League fixture at the interval this season and seeing their 22-match unbeaten run end may also cause him to make changes for the Gameweek 18 visit of Burnley.

Putting himself back on the FPL radar was Armenian midfielder Mkhitaryan, who scored both of Arsenal’s goals at St. Mary’s Stadium. No player on the pitch had more shots than him, although only one of them was inside the penalty box and there was an element of fortune about his second as it took a deflection off a defender. Mkhitaryan still cannot be seriously considered for inclusion on account of his place within in the team. It is clear that Emery is still not sure of his best XI considering he has made 15 half-time substitutions in 17 league matches thus far. The problem is especially evident in midfield, with Mkhitaryan starting four of the last seven Gameweeks. He has been used as a substitute on three occasions, sometimes to good effect, so he could be one to keep his place but we still need to see more from him.

The Arsenal defence largely remains a no-fly zone for Fantasy managers as the Gunners are still awaiting their first away clean sheet of the campaign. In fact, they have been conceding on average 2.5 goals per league match on the road under Emery.

“It’s true we need to improve and concede less chances to the opposition. Only when we analyse this match can we take a more real opinion about the goals we conceded. One reality is we need to improve and concede less. We are scoring a lot, we are second in the table for goals scored, but we have also conceded a lot – at least more than we want for our objective.” – Unai Emery

Arsenal’s rotten luck with injuries at the back continued on the south coast too as Sead Kolasinac (£5.0m), Hector Bellerín (£5.5m) and Stephan Lichtsteiner (£4.5m) all sidelined before or during Gameweek 17. Kolasinac missed out on the trip to Southampton altogether with a tightness in his thigh while Bellerín and Lichtsteiner were both forced off the pitch at St. Mary’s. Sokratis Papastathopoulos (£5.1m) and Shkodran Mustafi (£5.4m) were both absent through suspension on Sunday and while the Greek should be back for Gameweek 18, Mustafi is still struggling with a hamstring injury.

“We are going to wait tomorrow and Tuesday, and Wednesday we are going play, and then Saturday also. We need every player. Bellerin has a small injury – he is going to be some weeks off I think. Sokratis is coming back and we will see how Mustafi and Kolasinac are, and it is good news Koscielny can be with us for the next matches. It is not a good result but it was important for us [to have them back].” – Unai Emery

There were fitness boosts for Nacho Monreal (£5.4m) and Laurent Koscielny (£5.4m) who returned to the side but both looked as if they lacked match practice. The latter especially, considering it was his first start of the season, looked a little too flat-footed for Danny Ings (£5.4m) opening aerial effort. Southampton came into the match as the only side without a headed goal but had already scored two such strikes by half-time, demonstrating the obliging nature of Arsenal’s defence.

“It was very good news for Koscielny, a very good performance over 90 minutes. Physically, he could play the 90 minutes.” – Unai Emery

Just two games into Ralph Hasenhüttl’s Southampton reign and he seems to have already had a huge effect on them. This was the Saints first home win in the Premier League since April and also the first time they had scored three league goals in a match since beating West Brom in February. Crucial to their success on Sunday was the intense press they applied to Arsenal, a hallmark of Hasenhüttl’s playing style. That is something we have not seen from Southampton this season, and it was clear that the harrying of their opponents was what helped them secure a deserved victory.

Ings was a huge part of the Saints’ pressing from the front, which is no surprise given that he has spent the last three years of his career under the master of ‘gegenpressing’ Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. Hasenhüttle was especially pleased with his contribution, and the fact that he scored twice surely cements his place as the first-choice Southampton forward if he can stay fit, considering the attributes of the alternatives.

“(Ings) was very hard working for the team. I think it was good to see that he gave his body for the team despite his recent injuries.” – Ralph Hasenhüttl

“I’ve had good experience in my career and great coaching, so having a guy like the coach that we’ve got now is huge for me, because I love to press, you know, all over the pitch. It’s almost as good as scoring a goal when you win the ball back for your team and counter-attack.” – Danny Ings

Charlie Austin (£5.5m) still remains as a viable alternative if Southampton want to revert to using a target man, of course. He came on to continue a remarkable scoring record against Arsenal. Austin had scored in each of his previous four meetings with the Gunners and made it five from five by diverting Shane Long‘s (£4.7m) cross into the net late on.

Hasenhüttl set Southampton up in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Jannik Vestergaard (£4.6m), Maya Yoshida (£4.1m) and Bednarek as the back-three. Matt Targett (£4.2m) and Jan Valery (£4.0m) were chosen as the wing-backs adding more incredibly budget options into the mix if the Saints defence ever looks strong enough to cover. The former provided inch-perfect delivery for Ings’ opening goal and could offer serious creative potential if he holds his place amid an injury for Ryan Bertrand (£4.8m).

The extra man at centre-back allowed for more adventurous play out from the back too. Whenever Southampton won the ball back, Vestergaard was prepared to make a runs out through the pitch to join attacks. On one occasion in the first half, he followed Nathan Redmond (£5.2m) as far forward as the edge of Arsenal’s penalty area.

The former Norwich City midfielder was a key player for Southampton as both he and Stuart Armstrong (£5.1m) topped the creativity charts for the match. Unfortunately for the Saints, Redmond was forced off injured in the second half.

“It was a pity to lose Redmond. Hopefully, he is not too injured because also he played a very good match. We’ll have a look.” – Ralph Hasenhüttl

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (£4.4m) also turned some heads by pushing further up the pitch than usual against Arsenal. Despite being deployed in the deeper midfield role, he was often joining in Southampton attacks on the edge of the penalty area. Given that he is still nailed on as a starter for the Saints, he may be of some use to his owners especially over Christmas.

Mario Lemina (£4.8m) missed out on the game after picking up an injury in training.

“Yes, he was injured. Yesterday he trained but then couldn’t train anymore. I don’t know, hopefully (it’s not too serious). It’s about his stomach muscles hurt him too much and if he’s not 100% it’s better to say no and use someone else.” – Ralph Hasenhüttl

Southampton XI (3-4-2-1): McCarthy; Vestergaard, Yoshida, Bednarek; Targett, Romeu, Hojbjerg, Valery; Redmond (Long 63′), Armstrong (Johnson 90+4′); Ings (Austin 71′).

Arsenal XI (3-4-2-1): Leno; Monreal, Koscielny, Lichtsteiner (Maitland-Niles 74′), Bellerín (Lacazette 45′); Xhaka, Guendouzi, Torreira; Mkhitaryan, Iwobi (Özil 70′); Aubameyang

Crystal Palace 1-0 Leicester City

Goals: Luka Milivojevic (£6.0m)

Assists: Andros Townsend (£5.7m)

Gameweek 17 proved to be yet another when owning Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£4.3m) came in handy for Fantasy managers affected by rotation. He and the Crystal Palace defence got their second successive clean sheet at Selhurst Park as they held off Leicester City. That they were able to go the full 90 minutes unbeaten was all the more impressive considering that important defender James Tomkins (£4.3m) was suspended and Wayne Hennessey (£4.5m) had to drop out late with an injury.

“It was good to get a clean sheet today, and especially pleasing of course because we lost the goalkeeper and we didn’t know about that until yesterday, so Vicente Guaita, who in my opinion did very well having been thrust in without much preparation.” – Roy Hodgson

The Eagles certainly had to work hard for the shutout as the Foxes recorded a higher expected goals score than the hosts. Not surprisingly, the defensive job done by Mamadou Sakho (£4.9m) and Martin Kelly (£3.9m) earned them bonus points. While it’s a trip to Manchester City next for Palace, this renewed clean sheet potential at home bodes well for the visit of Cardiff on Boxing Day and Watford in Gameweek 22.

“We have had quite a few (clean sheets), and our defensive record for a team in our position in the table is actually quite good. We have had those couple of defeats where we have conceded three in each, and if it weren’t for those, it would be exceptionally good.” – Roy Hodgson

Wan-Bissaka still looks like the best Palace defensive asset to own given his sureness of starts and marauding runs up the right flank. Hennessey had been similarly appealing until Gameweek 17, his fitness now in doubt and Vicente Guaita (£4.2m) putting on a stellar performance. He may have played his way into contention for the starting berth, making an incredible save at close-range to tip a certain Jamie Vardy (£8.8m) goal onto the post in the second half.

“Vicente Guaita made a good save because I know Jamie Vardy from when we were together at England and when he is played in that close to goal, I was expecting the ball to hit the back of the net. The good fortune was that the keeper got a hand to it and that it came back into his arms.” – Roy Hodgson

After over two years of trying Palace have finally won a Premier League match without Wilfried Zaha (£6.7m) in the side. That should also be a huge confidence boost ahead of their Christmas fixtures. It was Jordan Ayew (£5.7m) who took his place up-front in the 4-4-2 system against Leicester.

“It was a fact, but like all facts there’s often a story behind them. I think there’s been a lot of occasions that we’ve done more than enough to win games when (Zaha) is not playing, and we’ve played very well without him, but if it then turns out that good performance was a draw or an unfortunate defeat, the stark fact remains that we played, he didn’t and we lost. It’s nice we’ve managed to put that one to bed, but to be honest it’s something that’s got people talking and writing more than it’s actually got us thinking too much about because we’ve always known this day would come. It’ll be nice that there will be a different press conference next Friday, or maybe not because it will still be Wilf dominated because people will be telling me that we can win without him!” – Roy Hodgson

Andros Towsend (£5.7m) continued his involvement in Crystal Palace’s attacking play, picking up his second assist in four matches. That means he has now returned in both of the Eagles’ last two Selhurst Park outings.

Meanwhile, Leicester have now gone two Gameweeks in a row without scoring, even with Vardy making his return to the starting line-up on Saturday. However, they were a little unlucky not to come away with something from the game so owners of Chelsea and Manchester City defenders (their next two opponents) shouldn’t get too confident of clean sheets just yet.

“In the second half we huffed and puffed but as I said again we were probably the better team, in their half for the majority of it, creating chances were limited. Obviously, Vards had a great chance and it was a great save from the goalkeeper. On another day it goes in and we come away with a draw, but it’s disappointing to lose the game. It was down to fine margins throughout the day and there wasn’t too much between the teams. It was tight and cagey, especially in the first half. Either side could have gone in with a lead in the first half.” – Harry Maguire

There may be some concern for James Maddison (£6.8m) owners amid the Foxes’ scoreless run as he was replaced at half-time by Rachid Ghezzal (£5.1m). Initially believed to be injury-related, manager Claude Puel later revealed it was a tactical decision. That doesn’t bode well for Maddison’s place in the team.

“It was a choice at this moment because of the poor intensity we have had in the first half and to try to bring something to the game. I think for example Rachid came in with a good attitude and he had two good chances. He was unlucky and he produced good passes behind the line also. He did a great pass and influenced the game.” – Claude Puel

Ben Chilwell (£5.1m) was unable to come through his injury doubt but there was a return at the back for Harry Maguire (£5.4m). The England defender made his first Premier League appearance for five Gameweeks.

“It was great to be back out there again. I have been fortunate with injuries in my career, this is the longest one I have had. It was six weeks to the day since I played at Cardiff so it was nice to be back out there and play 90 minutes with the boys. I’ve missed it over the past six weeks. I had a little pinch in the first 15 seconds but it felt really good apart from that. I’m happy to be back out there and hopefully, I can kick on now for the rest of the season.” – Harry Maguire

Crystal Palace XI (4-4-2): Guaita; van Aanholt, Sakho, Kelly, Wan-Bissaka; Meyer (Puncheon 90+3′), Milivojevic, Kouyaté (Schlupp 65′), McArthur; Ayew (Sørloth 78′), Townsend.

Leicester City XI (4-2-3-1): Schmeichel; Fuchs, Maguire, Morgan, R Pereira; Ndidi, Mendy; Gray (Iheanacho 73′), Maddison (Ghezzal 45′), Albrighton (Okazaki 89′); Vardy.

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