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. Steve The Shrewdie
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Llorente Captain for a punt?

    Yeah or Nay?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      No

      -Everyone

    2. Big Col
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      No, may not even play or gets a 10 min cameo

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

      That is one brave punt!

    4. Steve The Shrewdie
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I figure he is going to get a start here - so well worth it imo!

  2. YEAH PITCH!
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Vote

    A) Robbo
    B) TAA

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      B

    2. Neetan
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A

    3. Big Col
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A for security

    4. Jedi_Reed
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A

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

      A easily

  3. Ziyech on the Bench
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Meow Pogba (c)

  4. yanky
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    a) foster and tripper
    b) lloris and TAA

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

      B

    2. Neetan
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      B

    3. Big Col
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      B

  5. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Even though I am wc34 bb35 I decided to pick some form single game week players
    Ederson-Foster
    Duffy-Dunk-Trippier (laporte-Valerly)
    Jota-Sigurdsson-Mane-Son-Eriksen
    Vardy-Jiminez(Deeney)

    Gwe 35 sigurdsson out Salah in - dunk out mariappa in -4
    Gwe 36 vardy out firmino in

    Already cashed out on Robertson as gives me more Liverpool flexibility.

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

      Jota over Deeney?

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

      No City attack could hunt you

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        That's the thing I think it will help me based on the fixtures rotation etc. Could be wrong obviously!

      2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        It did you were spot on!

    3. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      who u C out that bunch ?

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Son most likely after that Duffy or vardy.

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

    Feel set on WC/BB team of:

    Lloris, Foster
    Robertson, Duffy, Dunk, Kolasinac, Doherty
    KDB, Mane, Eriksen, Son, Ward-Prowse
    Aguero, Deeney, Jiminez

    G2G?

    1. Big Col
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      looks good!

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      GTG.

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

      Whom will you play, Deeney or WP?

      1. Tronity
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        I'm on Deeney at the moment

  7. Kuzser
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    How do I finish my team?
    ML rival has Vardy, Aguero and Sterling, but no WC and Liverpool mids

    1. Robbo Laporte - JWP Salah - Aguero Deeney
    2. Robbo Laporte - Mane Sterling - Vardy Deeney
    3. Taa Laporte - Deulofeu Sterling - Aguero Vardy
    4. Taa Verto - Deulofeu Sterling - Aguero Firmino
    5. Taa Doherty -KDB Mane - Aguero Deeney

    Foster Ryan
    Valery Duffy Doherty _ _
    Son Eriksen Jota _ _
    Jimenes _ _

  8. dee_top
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    G2G with this WC team? Last squad

    Lloris | Foster
    Laporte | Duffy | Robbo | Dunk | Valery
    Sterling | Son | Eriksen | Jota | JWP
    Kun | Vardy | Jimmy

    1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      13 players same with me

  9. Neetan
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Who scores the most in GW 34 & 35:

    A) Firminho (CHE & car)
    B) Deeney (ARS & hud, SOU)

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

      Id Say Deeney, but ive got both currently in my team

  10. #FPLBhuna
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    a) laca, jota
    b) sane, deeneyy

    1. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A

    2. UnitedFan
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A

    3. Big Col
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A

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

    What's the latest on Kiko Fermina?

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

      Don't go near him, had him since before Xmas, he seems to have a new injury every other week.

  12. UnitedFan
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone remember why Alderweireld didn't start 2 of the last 7? Injured or just rested/rotated?

  13. The Pep Revolution
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Who would you classify as essential to get on a wildcard this week for the DGW in GW35?

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

      scroll through any page, bones of all RMTs are the same.

  14. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Will Ljorente start is he worthy the investment on a WC?

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

      better/safer picks out there

  15. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Why are so many getting Vert? Can see Poch playing Sanchez and Alde..

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

      Most are going Lloris or Trippier..who could also be rotated.

    2. Rsforstar
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      no way

  16. kennethrhcp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    keeping 3 Liverpool players (TAA, Robertson & Salah) on WC mad or good?

    Bench TAA this week & then they have car for the BB

    1. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Same.

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

        is that as a pool fan or FPL manager?

        1. El-Kloppico
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          FPL.
          Liverpool pushing for top spot and got good fixtures for CS imo.

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

      I'm doing same

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

        don't feel too crazy so!

        thanks

    3. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I would rather have 2 attackers and a defender so would recommend a defender +1 attacker on a WC. Then get another one after.

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

        i'm covered in 35 with the front 8 (I think anyway) so would be an easy switch in 36 if I felt I needed Mane/Firmino. just switch TAA + someone out for max -4

  17. Roy Rovers
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Probably the best WC team you have seen this week.....l

    Lloris
    TAA Duffy Dunk
    Eriksen Son Salah Deulofeu
    Aguero Jiminez Firmino

    Foster Doherty Bednarek JWP

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

      Ha
      Similar to mine.

      Like it 🙂

      1. Roy Rovers
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers Amey....trying to set up for rest of season as well.

        Hope it goes well for you!

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

          Yep
          Thank you & GL bro !!

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Until sterling destroys you 🙂

      1. Roy Rovers
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Prefer Aguero after midweek.....can’t see Sterling starting....might be wrong.

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

          Yea I think they'll rest their best player seeing as the title is wrapped up

          1. Roy Rovers
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            I said I might be wrong .....

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

      Firmino, Deulofeu -> Deeney, Mane

      1. Roy Rovers
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers but Firmino = Form.

  18. El-Kloppico
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone taking a punt on Sanè? Sterling will be mainly used in CL imo and Mahrez did not impress.

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

      would love to but funds tied up elsewhere

  19. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Sterling or Salah, on WC

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

      Sterling, save FT to get Salah back for HUD GW 36

      1. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        worried about him away at cardiff in 35

    2. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Salah will surely get 90min. Sterling might only get a max of 60min in 2 matches imo.

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

        Thats 120 mins plus 2starts which is at least 2 times start points

        1. El-Kloppico
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          60min in 2 matches i meant. 30min per game at max.

  20. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Which option for WC gw 34 and BB gw 35?

    A) Lloris, Dunk, Camarasa, KDB

    B) Ryan, Trippier, one of Redmond/JWP/Deulofeu, B Silva

  21. Ribus
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    No love for Murray here?

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

      He's too old to be loved

    2. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Ssshhhh.. he's my punt.. the home soil bully and the guy who'll keep BHA in the PL

    3. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      yeah, sod it, im captain him, managed minutes but hey ho

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

    anyone backing Hazard over sterling? more minutes, very important for the team.... only not a double game week. However, unlikely sterling will play both so no real difference. What are people's thoughts?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      if only he had some easy fixtures over liverpool

  23. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Hi, any thought on this WC team?

    Lloris
    Robbo, Laporte, Duffy
    Sterling, Son, Erik, Jota
    Kun, Vardy, Jim
    [Foster, Doherty, Valery, CHO]

    Vardy -> Firmino next week
    Good luck all

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

      G2G

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Good

  24. Max City
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    On a WC

    Ryan
    Tripper Duffy Dunk Laporte
    Eriksen (C) Son Maddison
    Firmino Vardy Jimenez

    Ederson Doucoure Doherty Martial

    WC, £3.1

    Any suggestions how to spend my 3.1itb?

    1. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Play Martial.. over bobby mayB

  25. Maddamotha
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    People with Vardy keeping through doubles or going to swap him for someone else?

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Downgrading to Deeney which frees up funds to get salah for TC 36

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

      bringing in firmino

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Not sure, lets wait till tonights game?

    4. Dybala10
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Looking at Deeney, Firmino or Lacazette but in no rush to sell.

    5. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Keep for this week

  26. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Managed to free up an extra 0.5,

    Should I get kdb over eriksen? Own son also (on wc)

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Nope

      1. Rhodes your boat
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Think he plays all of next 3, will swap to salah for 36

      2. Rhodes your boat
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        *do you think?

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

      That's a downgrade

  27. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Slight change, too much city?

    Foster Ryan
    Robbo Doherty valery Duffy Trippier
    Kdb sterling eriksen son Jota
    Aguero Deeney Jimenez

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Prefer mane to kdb

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

      sterling to hazard?

    3. mikess
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I've learnt the hard way by avoiding Laporte the past two doubles. So that's my only gripe. Rest is solid

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers guys

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

      Im going too with 3 city.
      G2G.
      Can get Salah Mane with ease

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Yep, downgrade one of kdb and eriksen to get salah

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

      In gw36 i mean

  28. Indio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    How's this WC/35BB team looking please? Guessing it's pretty template apart from the planned switcheroo*, as I know most folks are building FTs for 36.

    Lloris Foster
    Robbo Duffy Dunk Doherty Bednarek
    Mane Sterling Eriksen Son JWP
    Deeney Jimmy, Vardy (C)

    *Money itb for Vardy > Kun in 35.

    Thanks all.

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

    GTG?

    Ryan
    TAA, Laporte, Duffy
    KDB, Mané, Eriksen, Son
    Aguero, Jiménez, Deeney

    Foster, Doherty, JWP, Valery

  30. mikess
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Genuine thoughts on Lukaku for a punt this week?

    His record vs West ham is great. But then away at his old club then City at home