Scout Notes

Clues to Arsenal and Chelsea line-ups following Europa League wins for both

As per usual, there were clues to upcoming Premier League line-ups in the latest Europa League action.

Arsenal and Chelsea both recorded positive results in the first legs of their quarter-finals, increasing their chances of remaining in the competition.

The longer the two clubs stay in the Europa League, the more they will be forced to rotate players between their continental and domestic commitments.

That said, it does make it slightly easier to predict their starting line-ups for Double Gameweek 34 on this occasion.

Arsenal 2-0 Napoli

Goals: Aaron Ramsey (£7.1m)

Own Goals: Kalidou Koulibaly

Assists: Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£4.4m), Lucas Torreira (£4.7m)

Alexandre Lacazette (£9.4m) looks the most likely Arsenal striker to start against Watford on Monday night after Thursday night’s Europa League action. After featuring from the beginning of the Gunners’ last four Premier League matches, he was substituted after 67 minutes against Napoli, with Unai Emery’s men 2-0 the good.

Meanwhile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.9m) played the entire 90 minutes and looks set to be named on the bench once again. The Gabonese forward has been used as a substitute in three of the last four Premier League matches. Obviously, Arsenal don’t play in Double Gameweek 34 until Monday night, when they travel to Watford, so he could still be used but Emery is likely to want to preserve him for the second leg. That takes place next Thursday, just three days after Arsenal’s involvement in Monday night football.

What shape Arsenal opt to use at Vicarage Road remains to be seen after Emery tinkered with his 3-4-2-1 formation at Everton in Blank Gameweek 33. That had an impact on Sead Kolasinac (£5.0m) as he was taken off to facilitate a switch to a back-four, but he managed to play the whole game against Napoli. Emery went for a similar system, keeping a three-man defence and four-man midfield with wing-backs on the flanks.

Where he tweaked things from the defeat to Everton was playing two strikers and one central attacking midfield, rather than a solitary forward supported by two number 10s. That saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan (£6.8m) benched for Aubameyang to come in, although he did feature as a second-half substitute for Mesut Özil (£7.9m) who had kept his place.

Aaron Ramsey (£7.1m) came into the side and was one of the standout performers, scoring the opening goal. However, his inclusion is just further proof that Arsenal’s attack is a rotating minefield for Fantasy managers. The Welshman is consistently one of the Gunners’ best performers when he is on the pitch but has started just five of the last 10 in the Premier League.

“(Ramsey was) Awesome. Awesome. His performance in this moment for us, he wants to do something important with us, to help us. He feels a lot for Arsenal. When he is with our supporters he gives us more than all he can to do the best performance, not individually, but in the collective.” – Unai Emery

The victory for Arsenal saw them make it eight wins in a row at home in all competitions. It is their longest run in that respect since October 2017 and proves just what they can offer Fantasy managers when playing at the Emirates Stadium. However, between now and the end of the season the Gunners have just two more fixtures there, the Double Gameweek 34 meeting with Crystal Palace and Brighton’s visit to north London in Gameweek 37.

By contrast, four of Arsenal’s remaining fixtures are away from home, against Watford, Wolves, Leicester and Burnley. The Gunners have lost seven of their last 11 on the road in all competitions, winning just two. Even Emery admitted after beating Napoli that a trip to Vicarage Road would prove difficult on account of Arsenal being away from the Emirates.

“Watford, Monday, will be a very difficult match away to a good team who will feel stronger at home with their supporters. The same against Napoli next week. We need to be competitive and strong to try to do the same situations we are doing at home. Sometimes away we lose the spirit we have at home. This is our challenge to find success, we need to be consistent like we are at home.” – Unai Emery

Arsenal XI (3-4-1-2): Cech; Monreal, Koscielny, Sokratis; Kolasinac, Ramsey, Torreira (Elneny 77′), Maitland-Niles; Özil (Mkhitaryan 67′); Aubameyang, Lacazette (Iwobi 67′).

Slavia Prague 0-1 Chelsea

Goals: Marcos Alonso (£6.3m)

Assists: Willian (£7.1m)

Eden Hazard (£11.1m) continues to be used only sparingly for Chelsea in the Europa League as they toiled to a 1-0 win in Prague. The Belgian did not start the match but was introduced for Pedro (£6.3m) on the hour mark. Maurizio Sarri admitted that he did not actually want to use Hazard and wouldn’t have done if his side were winning at half-time.

“No, at the beginning of the match I wanted him on the bench because I thought that, probably, the match was really very difficult. Probably I’d need to use him. Of course, if at the end of the first half we were 1-0, I wouldn’t have used him.” – Maurizio Sarri

It will be interesting to see when the Chelsea manager will start to put more first-team players into his continental line-ups as the seven changes he made from Blank Gameweek 33 caused Chelsea to look sloppy in possession from the get-go.

“We knew very well that, to play here, is really very difficult. The opponents are really very physical, very aggressive. And so we knew very well that we had to face difficulties during the match.” – Maurizio Sarri

Once again, Willian (£7.1m) showed promise in the Europa League, although he continues to disappoint in the Premier League. He hit the cross-bar against Prague and provided the assist for Marcos Alonso‘s (£6.3m) late winner.

The left-back has been showing some attacking promise once again in recent weeks but has not started in the Premier League since the first match of Double Gameweek 32. With Emerson Palmieri (£5.2m) not involved against Prague, it is possible that Alonso could be on the bench against Liverpool.

Callum Hudson-Odoi (£4.2m) was not in the match squad for Chelsea on Thursday night, causing some to believe that he will get another Premier League start at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. However, Sarri insisted that he does not yet know if he will play, explaining that the youngster needed rest.

“Oh, I don’t know. But in my opinion, he needed to rest. And so, in this match, he was out. Emerson was also out. But of course he is in my mind for the next match, but I have to see the last two training (sessions).” – Maurizio Sarri

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Kepa; Alonso, Christensen, Rüdiger, Azpilicueta; Barkley (Loftus-Cheek 75′), Jorginho, Kovacic (Kanté 59′); Willian, Giroud, Pedro (Hazard 59′).

2,428 Comments Post a Comment
  1. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Can I improve this WC?

    Lloris - Foster
    Laporte - Trent - Duffy
    Salah - Eriksen - Son - Jota
    Aguero - Jimenez - Vardy

    Foster - Deulofeu - Doherty - Valery

    Vardy can be Troy or Bobby for 35?

    1. Samwise
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      tell you in a few weeks

  2. King Kun Ta
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    A Ryan & Vert

    Or

    B Lloris & Dunk

    Allready have Duffy. Ta!

    1. Nolberto Solano
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I went for A myself. Ryan more likely to get save points then Lloris swung it for me

  3. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Anything you would change?

    Lloris
    Doherty - Dunk - Duffy
    Mane - Sterling - Son - Jota
    Kun - Jimi - Vardy

    Subs: Foster - JWP - Holebas - Valery

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      G2G mate

    2. Slip it like Stevie
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Looks good! Like the holebas pick, he's been playing well recently so should be pretty nailed in next fex matches

  4. footballcandy
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Bednarek just as nailed as Valery?

    Need 0,1

    1. Richd
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Sure

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Bednarek is more nailed than Valery

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

    How's the WC looking?

    Ryan.
    Duffy. Kolasinac. Dunk.
    Sterling. KdB. Son. Eriksen
    Aguero. Vardy. Jimenez
    Gunn. CHO. Valery. TAA.

    Will assess for BB 35.
    Most probably a midfielder & Vardy make way for Hazard/Mane/Salah & Firmino/Deeney/Laca.

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Triple city attack.
      Lets go.

  6. boogle
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    I think I'm set - 1.0 ITB - any changes? Will do Camarasa > JWP/Hojbjerg next week:

    Lloris
    VVD Duffy Dunk
    Mane KDB Son Eriksen Camarasa
    Aguero Jimenez

    Foster / Deeney Valery Doherty

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Would rather just get JWP now and use the FT to get rid of Dunk next week.

  7. Roysgotnoboys
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    A) Sterling, Salah, Wilson
    B) Mane, Erkisen, Aguero

    Thanks

    1. rudeshipyard
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      B!

      if there your options, i think mane and aguero are good shouts!

      Avoid wilson go vardy instead

      1. Roysgotnoboys
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks already have Vardy

        Current team is:

        Ryan
        Laporte, Duffy, Trippier
        Sterling, Salah, Jota, Camarasa
        Vardy, Jiminez, Wilson

        0.6 ITB so guess B would give an overall better team but kinda like Wilson with those fixtures even with poor form

  8. AFC49
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Duffy or Son captain?

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      that depends how much your leading/chasing by to make a ballsy move to C Duffy.

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

    Trailing by 100pts pretty sure everyone ahead of my will C son.. Moura a good punt? Or duffy

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I'd rather go for Eriksen/Sterling i.e. proven haul capable players

      1. WannabeScout
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        On WC don't want neither in my squad

    2. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      wow 100 points...need to go full differential if you really want to close that gap, all or nothing 🙂

      1. WannabeScout
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Exactly all or nothing.. Moura as diff as could be right.. Season over might as well

        1. Luke2000
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          im 70 points behind, and ive risked picking Moura as a big differential this week
          Might play false 9 if we're lucky

          1. WannabeScout
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            We are lucky

  10. NUFCAndrew
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Hazard + Pogba > Son + Eriksen for -8?

    Or Hazard to Son/Eriksen for -4?

    Cheers

    1. NUFCAndrew
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Please

    2. King Kun Ta
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Haz to Son

    3. FULLSERVICECOVER
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      -4 is more than enough

    4. CAPTAIN_WALES
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Just Hazard... Pogba on pens and they are playing WH. I know he hasn't been playing the best as he is further back, but you never know he could produce some attacking returns, plus he also has a DGW next

  11. Evasivo
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    GTG?

    Etheridge
    Dunk Duffy Doherty
    Knockaert Sterling Mane Eriksen(VC)
    Jimenez Vardy(C) Aguero

    Gunn Hojbjerg Bednarek TAA

    1. Garlana
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Nice a few differentials, I could say what I'd change to make it closer to my team...but there's no fun in that, looks good.

      1. Evasivo
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Exactly!! Everyone has their own choice, but think its a nice balance

  12. BulgarianOwls
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    pick one for bench

    A) Jota (sou)
    B) Deeney (ARS)
    C)Robbo (CHE)

  13. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Final dilemma before I can sit back and relax... which pair?

    A) Sterling + Deeney
    B) Deulofeu + Aguero

    Thank you:)

    1. golfboy
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      B is what I've gone with. Sterling gametime worries me more than Agueros

    2. FULLSERVICECOVER
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A... I personally think aguero and sterling minutes will both be managed,but deeney gets more minutes than deu.

      1. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        I do agree. Does Aguero outscore Sterling considerably though...to be honest doubt it.

  14. FPLMarc
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Alongside Mane, Son, Aguero and Jimenez, would you choose:

    1) Eriksen (HUD), Camarasa (bur, bri) & Murray (BOU, CAR)

    2) Sterling (cry), Camarasa (bur, bri) & Murray (BOU, CAR)

    3) Eriksen (HUD), Sterling (cry) & Deeney (ARS)

    [Option 3 has fewer GW34 matches but more in GW35. And next week, Deeney will be in Murray’s spot regardless.]

    1. golfboy
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I like 1. I've had Sterling in my draft WC's until today but think I'm going without, just worried about him getting benched. But could easily start and haul. Who knows!

  15. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Which is better?

    A- Laporte, Sterling, Murray.
    B- Holebas ( if fit), Hughes, Aguero.

    1. Werner Bremen
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A

    2. rudeshipyard
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A

  16. Werner Bremen
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Is a -12 hit in gameweek 35 acceptable to have 9 DGW players in my BB squad?

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      If the incoming players cover the hits, why not

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      RIP

    3. clodhopper
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      It will be a minus 6 if they play all games

  17. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Aurier news making me re-think...

    A) Eriksen, Doherty, JWP

    B) Pogba, Laporte, Redmond

    C) Pogba, Tripper, Redmond/JWP

    1. FULLSERVICECOVER
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A for me

  18. Game&Watch
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Gtg?

    Ryan Foster
    Duffy Dunk Laporte Trippier Bednarek
    Son Eriksen Sterling Mane JWP
    Kun Rash Jimenez

    Possibly Rash to Deeney for GW35 and Sterling to Salah for GW36

  19. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    GTG?

    Ryan
    Laporte Duffy Jonny
    Sterling Son(c) Eriksen Jota
    Kun Auba Jimenez

    Bench: Foster Doucoure TAA Valery

  20. Richd
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Remember with your WC you wanna score the most points possible each week!

    Np

    1. zLaTaN@uNiTeD
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Thoughts on lacazette? Is deeny better option than laca in dgw?

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Triple Brighton & Camarasa ?
      😛

  21. LIARS POKER
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Who to bench this week

    A) Deeney
    B) Jota (have Jimenez)

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      B

    2. Fire Chief Moe
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Im benching Deeney and playing Jota and Jimi

  22. Garlana
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    I like this team...but I've 3.3m itb...burning a hole in my hand, any obvious changes/improvements?

    Ryan
    Trippier, dunk, Duffy
    Sterling, eriksen, Jota, son
    Aguero, Jimi, deeney

    Foster, laporte, Robo, jwp.

    1. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      LIV attack?

  23. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Bottomed. Help fellas !

    Gtg ? Bench order right?

    Lloris
    Duffy-Dunk-VvD
    Salah-Eriksen-Martial-Son-Siggurdson
    Jimenez-Aguero

    Foster-Deeney-Doherty-Bednarek

    Feeling bad to bench Deeney and Doherty but idk who to bench instead them ???

  24. HD7
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    WC team is ready... I hope
    Thoughts guys?

    Lloris Foster
    Laporte Duffy Robbo Doherty Valery
    Sterling Eriksen Son Camarasa Jota
    Aguero Jimenez Deeney

    35: Camarasa to JWP
    36: Eriksen to Mane

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I love the Camarasa pick as I have him too.

      Camarasa > watford mid for me DGW35

    2. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Looks about same as mine.

    3. King Kun Ta
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Close to mine....thing is i still have Mane. Swap to Eriksen on WC for a extra DGWer next week?

  25. King Kun Ta
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Ramsey nailed?

    1. teneighty
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Sadly, not even close.

      1. King Kun Ta
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        A shame seeing him play yesterday. No real Arsenalpicks for the next week....isn’t it!

  26. Bookmark
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    On my WC, BB next GW, need help

    Lloris Foster
    Dunk Duffy Valery TAA ______
    KDB Mane Eriksen Son _____
    Jimenez Aguero Vardy

    A. Laporte & Hojbjerg (2x BHA def)
    B. Boly/Jonny & Delofeu/Doucoure (2xBHA def)
    C. Cathart & Jota (2xBHA & 2x WAT def)

    Next Gw
    Vardy -> Laca

  27. Z3US
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Is Gunn nailed on for Soton?

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Last 6 games 3 wins 3 losses against top 6.

      Yes

  28. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Better option?

    A) Sterling, Bednarek, Doherty & Ryan

    B) KDB, Laporte, Dunk & Gunn

  29. Werner Bremen
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Pogba to Sterling in 35 for a hit?

    1. rudeshipyard
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Yes or KDB

  30. Lingard’s Shin Guards
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Last decision.

    Who to bench out of TAA and Doherty?

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Doherty