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. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Guys, currently in Florida and trying to finalise my wc before UK deadline. How’s this lot looking?

    Ryan/Foster
    Bed Laporte Duffy Doherty TAA
    Son Erik Jota Mane Tielemans
    Vardy Kun Jimmy

    4.1 still in the bank

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

      Upgrade tielemans knowing you have vardy imo.

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

        Yes am thinking that. The wu stump is to who? Sterling or Hazard are out of range without downgrading elsewhere. Downgrading Doherty > Bennett and Duffy > Dunk makes Hazard doable

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

          Lol...fail. ‘The question is who?’

    2. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Use the funds.

      Trent to Robbo
      Tielemans to Hazard

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

        0.5 short of Hazard

  2. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    What time is the Watford presser ?

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      5pm

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

    First on bench?

    A) Valery (WOL)

    OR

    B) TAA (CHE)

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

      Play TAA

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

    Thoughts on this wildcard?

    Foster - Ryan
    Bennett - Duffy - Dunk - Valery - TAA
    Salah - Sterling - Erikson - Son - Hojbjerg
    Aguero - Jiminez - Deeney

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

    Thought on this would be appreciated. I have so many drafts with double Sterling and Aguero but the don't feel balanced. Thanks

    Lloris Ryan
    Valery Duffy TAA Boly Laporte
    Deuofeu Son Eriksen Jota Mane
    Lukaku Jimenez Aguero

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

      Looking good.

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

        Thanks. Feel like Lukaku could be a big deiffernetial.

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

          differential*

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

          Most forwards this week are prone to rotation, with Rashford past injuries and still recovering Lukaku could be gold

  6. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    RP:

    Bench 1:

    A. Deeney
    B. Bernardo Silva
    C. Mane
    D. Jota

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      B

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

      A

    3. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      D

  7. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Any way to shoehorn a Spur or two into this team? No transfers made yet, 0 ITB

    Etheridge
    Robbo - Doherty - Bednarek (Diop, W-B)
    Sterling - Hazard - Mane - Pogba - McNeil
    Vardy - Rondon (Higuain)

    1. The Rock
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Lose Higauin and bring in Son or Eriksen.

      1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Trouble is, they play different positions.

        1. The Rock
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          No way.

          Downgrade Higuain and upgrade McNeil

  8. The Rock
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Ryan, Foster
    Trippier, Doherty, Kolasinac, Duffy, Bednarek
    Sterling, Eriksen, Son, Pogba, JWP
    Lacazette Vardy, Jimenez

    0.4 in the bank.

    I know people will be concerned with no Liverpool but next GW and the GW after I can use 1 or both of Pogba and Vardy to bring in Firmino/Mane/Salah. Any advice appreciated.

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

      Glad to see you're on Trippier too. Team looks very nice. I'm not keen on pogs myself.

      1. The Rock
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Not convinced by him either but would like some Utd cover for West Ham. I don't have enough right now to bring in Mane for him.

    2. *sigh*
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Gunn in pace of Foster and lose Pogba.

      1. The Rock
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Who to bring in for Pogba though? He's an awkward price.

  9. rnrd
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    you know what, I'm going Sané over Eriksen.

    1. Dave Bauer
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      You crazy goddamn son of a gun. That might just work. Or probably not.

    2. Blame it on Traore
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I wouldn't

  10. Scotty B
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Which 3 would you bench here this week?

    De Gea Gunn
    Pereira VVD Dunk Doherty Bednarek
    Salah Richarlison Maddison Mane Son
    Wilson Higuain Rondon

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

      Higuain, Bednarek and Doherty.

      1. Scotty B
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks, that's what I'm currently on

  11. olidooley
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Gtg with this WC crew?

    Ryan
    Robertson TAA Duffy (c)
    Sterling Mané Eriksen Son JWP
    Aguero Jiménez

    Lloris Deeney Doherty Valery

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

      Yup.

  12. Blame it on Traore
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Will Hughes over Ward Prowse perhaps? Hughes looks better on the comparison tool on here.

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

      Free kicks and certainty of starts swings it JWP's direction for me.
      I do like Hughes though, good player.

      1. Blame it on Traore
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah that is true. Minutes more of a concern with him.

  13. i am jose mourinho
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Who to cap :
    A-Son
    B-Trippier
    C-Duffy
    D-Sterling

    1. Dave Bauer
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      If you have no other Brighton defenders, Duffy.

      If you have some other Brighton defenders, also Duffy.

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

      Son

  14. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Pep presser yet?

  15. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    1. Laporte, Ward - Prowse and Jota + 0.4 in the bank

    or

    2. Bennet, Deulofeu and Bernardo Silva

    ?

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

      1

  16. Forza Juventus
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Just want to confirm my gut feeling, who to start?

    1. Doherty (Sou A)
    2. TAA (CHE H)

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Doc

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

      1

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

      TAA all day long

    4. The Rock
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      1

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

    mendy in or not?

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

      not with zilnicenko back

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

        isn't he injured - hamstring?

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

      Who's that ??
      😛

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

    A) Sterling + Deeney
    B) Deulofeu + Aguero

    Such a tough decision that I’m struggling to decide on! Thoughts?

  19. BOATIES FC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    A. Dunk Bernado Mane
    B Duffy Sterling Hojberg

    A gives me a benching headache this week but looks better for BB in 35...

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

      Is Bernardo fit?

      1. BOATIES FC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        According to MCFC tweets he's fit for the weekend

  20. Klein
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    How happy would i be if brighton lost both cs.

  21. JustPark
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Two words. Fernando Llorente 😉

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

      fernando Torres

    2. Atwood
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Definitely considering him

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

    Kdb owners:
    How many minutes do you expect him to play against Palace, Tottenham and United?.

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

      200

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

      80 - 65 - 90

  23. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Really torn on the captain:

    A) Duffy

    B) Camarasa

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

      A

    2. Dave Bauer
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Always A

  24. BananaMan
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Not seen many WC's with Lukaku in...heres mine.
    BB35

    Gunn - Ryan
    TAA - Duffy - Doherty - Trippier - Valery
    Mane - Son - Eriksen - KDB - JWP
    Lukaku - Vardy - Jimenez
    0.5itb

    Any good?

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

      You have Mane LOL

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

        Have I missed something here?

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

          Bernardo Silva

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

        I have Mane too. In fact I have triple LIV in my WC. :). Good luck.

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

        So?

    2. The Rock
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I'm not convinced by Kaku. I think Laca could be a better option but obviously downsides there too.

      It's a good team. Slightly different with KDB and Lukaku.

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

        I wanted Kaku for the game against WH. Would prob captain him.
        Woul dbe able to bring in Laca for Vardy for the double.

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

    Which one is best??

    1. Robo/Laporte/Doherty/Jota/Doucoure
    2. TAA/Laporte/Bednarek/KDB/JWP
    3. TAA/Valery/Boly/Sterling/Hojberg

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

      3, maybe with Camarasa instead of Højbjerg if you can afford a transfer next week?

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

    B.Silva Aguero Sane

    I think that’s what Pep will play...

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      One can only hope...

  27. anish10
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    BSilva anyone?

    1. BOATIES FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I'm tempted, as above

    2. token_84
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Yup. Same here. Sterling will play midweek. He played 90mins in Cup and against Spurs. With Bernado and Shane fresh surely they will come in.

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

        Shane has enough on his hands with the Brighton game...

  28. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Captaincy

    A Murray
    B aguero
    C son
    D eriksen

    Thanks a lot

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

      C

    2. Blame it on Traore
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I'm thinking Eriksen. Wouldn't be surprised if Son gets benched.

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks

    4. Maneonthemap
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A for me

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Yep doing a as well he ll play a part in both imo

  29. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    How nailed is Trippier to start vs HUD and then both the double games?

    Poch does tend to rotate his full backs

    1. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      It's unlikely, given the CL second leg as well.

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

      I think Walker peters will start this weekend, then trippier wil Start both in dgw- just guessing though!

  30. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    1) JWP or Redmond?

    2) Verdict on Kola? nailed?

    3A) Foster + Valery
    3B) Gunn + Holebas
    3C) Foster + Holebas

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

      JWP
      Almost, still slight risk of rotation though
      3A

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

      JWP , 80% and 3A