Scout Notes

Aubameyang delivers as Ceballos offers potential in Arsenal win

Arsenal 2-1 Burnley

Goals: Alexandre Lacazette (£9.5m) Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) | Ashley Barnes (£6.5m)

Assists: Dani Ceballos (£5.5m) x 2 | Dwight McNeil (£6.0m) 

Bonus Points: Ceballos x 3 Lacazette x 2 Aubayemang x 1

Arsenal emerged victorious with a 2-1 victory over Burnley in their first home game of the Premier League season with Alexandre Lacazette (£9.5m) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) getting the goals.

Dani Ceballos (£5.5m), making his first Premier League start for the Gunners, put in a stellar performance, contributing two assists and collecting maximum bonus points.

In a man of the match display, the onloan Real Madrid man underlined his exciting potential to be a value for money route into the Arsenal attack this season. 

He played a crucial role in the attacking play and also had a hand in the Gunners’ corners and free-kicks but also helped break up Burnley’s offensive efforts.

Dani Ceballos was comfortably Arsenal’s man of the match against Burnley

At a price of £5.5m and after such an impressive debut, it will be difficult for managers to ignore Ceballos who unquestionably has the ability to start for Arsenal on a weekly basis.

And given the void that has been vacated by Mesut Ozil’s (£7.4m) ongoing absence, Ceballos looks to have the confidence and ability to contribute assists that the Gunners’ have been crying out for in the Emery era. 

Ashley Barnes (£6.5m) struck an early equaliser after Lacazette had put Arsenal in front, with the forward making it three goals in two games for the Clarets to stake his claim as an early frontrunner for the best budget forward in 2019/20.

Ashley Barnes and Dwight McNeil celebrate a goal for Burnley

Barnes took his goal well after a battling run and through ball from Dwight McNeil (£6.0m) rewarding the 3.9% of managers who had backed him to deliver against Arsenal. 

Despite a nervous first-half performance that culminated in a booking for Aubameyang, the Gabonese forward scored a crucial goal for the Gunners after cutting in from the left, burying his well-struck shot past Nick Pope (£4.5m) to give Arsenal the lead. 

Owned by 29% of managers, the performance of Aubameyang was relatively re-assuring given his well-taken goal, even if it was a long-time coming.

The premium forward was a peripheral figure in the first half, having been deployed on the right flank of attacking midfield.

Aubameyang was frustrating to watch for his Fantasy owners but he delivered a second goal in two against Burnley

It was not until the second period, when Nicolas Pépé (£9.5m) replaced Reiss Nelson (£5.5m), that Aubameyang really got going.

This substitution saw Aubameyang move to the left, with Pépé, making his home debut, taking up the right-wing station.

Emery’s decision to deploy the premium striker in both a left and right-sided role at various stages Saturday afternoon’s fixture will be an area of potential concern.

When we consider the assured positions of other premium options such as Harry Kane (£11.0) as a centre-forward, Raheem Sterling (£12.1) as a winger and Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) as a right-sided attacking midfielder, this is a level of consistency Aubameyang cannot really offer. That said, the Arsenal man still outscored all of those big names in Gameweek 2.

Despite his yellow-card for encroachment on a Burnley free-kick, Aubameyang picked up one bonus against Burnley, meaning he has a total of 12 points over two Gameweeks in 2019/20. 

If Lacazette can continue his goalscoring form alongside occupying the central striking role for Arsenal, then the Frenchman is certainly worthy of monitoring with regards to attacking Arsenal coverage given his favourable price-tag at £1.5m less than his Gabonese counterpart. 

Pépé’s introduction at half-time did not lead to any attacking returns for the £72m signing, but glimpses of his potential were on show at The Emirates. The former Lille striker will now be looking to nail down a starting berth and prove himself to Emery as a worthy candidate to feature alongside Aubayemang and Lacazette regularly.

Despite failing to record a second consecutive clean-sheet, Pope was exceptional at times for Burnley, making seven saves in total as well as a number of crucial blocks to prevent the scoreline developing into a mauling for the Clarets. 

Nick Pope made seven saves against Arsenal

There remains indisputable value in both Pope and the likes of Matt Lowton (£4.5m) James Tarkowski (£5.0m) Ben Mee (£5.0m) and Erik Pieters (£4.5m) who have a favourable run of fixtures from Gameweeks 5 to 8 after navigating an away trip to Wolves before hosting Liverpool at Turf Moor. 

The early momentum that Arsenal have now picked up after successive victories over Newcastle and Burnley is a stark contrast to Emery’s debut season with the Gunners, where successive defeats to Manchester City and Chelsea in Gameweeks 1 and 2 made for difficult reading. 

If Emery and Arsenal can translate this promising initial form into continuous winning momentum, then there is no doubt that they have a number of primarily attacking assets who can deliver for Fantasy managers – namely Lacazette and Aubameyang.

But Saturday’s victory was both a day and performance that belonged to debutant Ceballos with his two assists and a Man of the Match performance. 

Members Analysis

Lessons learned from Gameweek 2

4,582 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Yankee Toffee
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Potential WC, thoughts?

    Pope, Heaton
    AWB, M Niles, Montoya, Soyuchu, Lundstram
    Mane, KDB,Sterling, Ceballos, Dendoncker
    Kane, Pukki, Barnes

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I would not be wildcard-ing to that back line.

    2. Totalfootball
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Attack looks good but defence..

    3. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Awful. Sorry.

      Kane ruins a lot of your balance.

  2. liboo
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    degea button

    vvd robbo taa walk-petrer zinch
    sterling bsilva fraser hayden dendo
    kane king greenwood

    u thing i must wildcard ?

    1. Leeds2116
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      yes hahaha thats not good

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No.

      What can you manage by downgrading TAA/VVD and Fraser/Bilva?

      Btw, I like the DDG pick.

      1. liboo
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        i have 2ft

  3. Leeds2116
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Cantwell best to chose for 4.5?

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes. It's him or Dendoncker. Honestly they're both tremendous value.

  4. Leeds2116
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    best 5.3 def and less?

  5. rdpx
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    What time do the leagues update?

    Or have they all gone home for the night?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Classic leagues look updated.

  6. Slam
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Salah+Wilson -> KDB/Son+Kane
    For a hit, crazy or inspired?

    1. rdpx
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Let's find out!

    2. droben
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I would not leave Salah yet, he cannot score every game and after Arsenal, there are 2 easy games.

      KDB+Kane from options - Rather double City then Spurs, expect that you have Sterling or Aguero.

  7. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is the official game still updating? (they're really having some issues, aren't they?)

    I'm seeing Wilson as 5 points, but calculating him for 6 (90min + assist + 1 bp).

    1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      The other Wilson got a bonus, sorry.

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Oooooh. Well, that would explain it.

    2. The Big Fella
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Which Wilson?

    3. rdpx
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      It's taking way too long

      I have asked a couple of times if anyone thinks it seems to be reading longer than usual, but no-one has responded yet!

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        For my question, at least, it was related to Harry Wilson, not Callum. I was looking at the wrong Wilson.

  8. Leeds2116
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    What about this wild card

    DDG - Button
    Zinchenko - Digne - VVD - Kelly - Lundstram
    Salah - KDB - Maddinson - Ceballos - Dendonker
    Pukki - Kane - Jota

    Leaves me 1.3 in the bank..

    1. JohnBlack
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Sterling over Kane

  9. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Seventeen overnight fallers, madness!

  10. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pope Heaton
    VvD Digne Diop Zinchenko Robertson
    Zaha KdB Salah Sigurdsson Stephens
    Jimenez Wilson Greenwood

    2 FT, 0 ITB
    Robertson + Zaha/Siggy -> 4.5 + Son

    Can't seem to find decent 4.5 defenders.
    The last time I posted, I was suggested Pieters and Soyuncu. Any others that come to your mind?

    1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Diop? Great fixtures. Terrible defence 😉

      Montoya?

      1. Slitherene
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Already have Diop. Isn't Dunk a better option?

  11. money face bandwagon
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Amazed that people are already wildcarding

    1. Leeds2116
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Why ? when you got 4 guys not starting kinda have too

      1. money face bandwagon
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        How about taking out 2 for a -4 then use the bench?

      2. CellinoArmy
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        It will mean they'll be taking plenty of hits later on though, you want to time the wildcard at an international break to avoid the misery of international break injuries and also capitalise on price changes.

        1. Slam
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Price change point is a myth for IB breaks and you know it

          1. CellinoArmy
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            It's worked for me in the past but you are right not worth the hassle for 0.1/0.2mil at max thanks to fpl rules

          2. money face bandwagon
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Yes agree. Price changes have been at a minimal during ib. I usually wc on gw7-8 where I got enough info of who are the starters or I would wildcard for a big fixture change. If not I would just keep it for a rainy day

    2. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I WC-ed to get Hazard in last season for GW3. Think GW3 is common early WC-ers.

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        15/16, remembered I WC-ed to get Vardy and Gomis in for GW3.

      2. money face bandwagon
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Think people can easily manage kdb by downgrading a pool city and upgrade a mid price mid for a -4? At this stage imo I would save ft and take a -8 if needed to do 4 transfers like a mini wildcard.

        1. Differential C (Mark)
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          If people need only 4 players to transfer out, than yeah, I agree a WC is a waste.

          I have only 2 players I want out, Fraser and Laca. Already did Pukki for Laca, between Son and KdB for the 2nd FT.

          1. money face bandwagon
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Imo I would get son in if there is indication that he will start.

  12. CellinoArmy
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts?

    Pope
    Digne, Zinchenko, Zouma, Lundstram
    Mane, De Bruyne (C), Siggy, Barkley, Neves (V)
    Abraham
    Subs:Heaton, Gomez, Adams, Wilson

    1FT 3.5ITB

    Thinking of Gomez for alderweireld or bissaka or Wilson for Firmino

  13. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I'm really hoping that Chelsea show us something decent today. So much potential there.

    Either Barkley or Mount to really blossom or Tammy Abraham to have a blinder. Abraham would be pretty exciting to happen as a 7.0m Chelsea forward is quite appealing.

    1. CellinoArmy
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Hoping for Zoomy, Barkley and Tammy to come through vs Leicester. Leicester looked fantastic vs wolves though so won't be easy. Norwich might be the match Chelsea come into their elements.

    2. Scratch
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not sold on getting one of their forwards, they'll always share minutes even if one is clearly in form.
      Would love to see Willian get a run, quality player. And further down the line CHD could be an absolute steal

  14. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I hate all these little nobbers using their triple captain, free hit etc in the first few weeks skewing the top 10k.

    1. rdpx
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      We all gonna be hard pushed to beat Sterling TC 20pts last week, DGW or no DGW

      1. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I agree but that's hindsight. These are people's second and third teams etc.

        1. rdpx
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          It's always hindsight though isn't it?

          I kept my TC last season and stuck it on Sterling DGW and I think he got like 1 point.

          In hindsight that was a very poor decision.

      2. CellinoArmy
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Just TC pukki for when they play Chelsea, if United can hit 4, pukki will easily hit double digits

  15. Leeds2116
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    DDG - Button
    Zinchenko - Digne - VVD - Kelly - Lundstram
    Salah - KDB - Maddinson - Ceballos - Dendonker
    Pukki - Kane - Jota

    Thoughts 1.3 in the bank or is this just silly

  16. Lingard’s Shin Guards
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How’s this WC?

    Pope (4.0)
    VVD Digne Zinchenko Montoya (Kelly)
    Sterling Mane KDB Son (Dendoncker)
    Pukki Jota/Barnes (Greenwood)

    0.4 itb

    1. money face bandwagon
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Good team. Imo I would gamble and also take out vvd until alisson is back. Maybe for a utd defender?

    2. Totalfootball
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Looks good

  17. liboo
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    what u think about that WC

    pope button

    sterling debruyen mane ceballos maccin

    kane rashford greenwood

    ??

    1. Skid Vicious
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Could look great with some defenders

  18. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I'd love Sanchez to keep falling and then get a run of games. He could be gold at 7m and an absolute gift at 6.something

    1. Frank Black
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Are we talking about Alexis? You do realize his agent was in London a few hours ago talking details of his contract with Inter, right?

      They reached the agreement after Dzeko renewed with Roma.

      1. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Didn't know that! So he will be a bargain then it seems...... In Fantasy Serie A

    2. CellinoArmy
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Same for Alisonn a few months out will give a discount keeper when he's back.

      Moise Keane could be a snag too

      1. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Hopefully not a few months! I have double Liverpool defence (but will be selling one of them most likely) and need him back ASAP plus Salah so no space for him. He will be a bargain though.

  19. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    At least points are showing on the bench now.. FPL Towers at least moving in the right direction, albeit incrementally at snail-pace

  20. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Kane should storm the captain poll next week

    1. Scratch
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Obviously a great option but so is Sterling. Scored 6 games in a row vs Bournemouth

    2. money face bandwagon
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      People should be finding it tough to fit him in as many are stuck w the pool defenders. The emergence of kdb/son and pukki also used transfers. I guess kane will not be highly owned by the serious players. Just captain sterling and see how it goes imo

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I’ve got Kane though..

        1. playforfun
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          oh well your answer is "should storm captain poll ", not whether u had him or not

  21. L'Aeroplanino
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Heaton
    Zinchenko TAA VVD
    Dendocker Trossard Salah Sterling Moura
    King Vardy

    Button O'Connell Wickham Rico

    1.5itb 2FTs

    What to do here? need Digne? Cheers

  22. Quackadoodz
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Hi all, how do I improve on my team for GW3? Appreciate any responses!

    Ryan
    Lund, Emerson, AWB
    Sterling, Salah, KDB, Martial
    Barnes, Rashford, Pukki

    Subs: Button, Rico, Niles, Dendoncker

    Thinking of perhaps downgrading Salah to free up that 1m to upgrade Niles to Walker/Digne.

    Cheers!

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Need to know FT and ITB?

      1. Quackadoodz
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        1FT and 0.0itb

  23. BigBillyBass
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    This look alright for GW3?

    Pope (Heaton)
    TAA Robbo Digne Zouma (Lundstram)
    Sterling Mane Ceballos Perez (Dendoncker)
    Kane(c) Jota (Greenwood)

  24. rdpx
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Does anyone know what time the leagues update please?

    1. rdpx
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      So I guess no-one has a clue

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        No idea what is going on with FPL Towers so can’t help you. Their software is atrocious

  25. ragsyboys
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Chances of Moura starting next match ?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      30%

    2. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Son is back. Moura a great impact player but who knows really

  26. Yankee Toffee
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Potential WC, went Son over Kane in a 352

    Pope, Heaton
    AWB, VVD, Montoya, Soyuchu, Lundstram
    Mane, KDB,Sterling, Ceballos, Son
    Pukki, Barnes, 4.5

    1. The Big Fella
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Wait for the international break - Son may not even start!

  27. HammersFan
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Kane or son for a spurs attacker?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kane

    2. BigBillyBass
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kane

    3. Lingard’s Shin Guards
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Son

  28. HD7
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pope
    Digne VVD Laporte TAA
    Salah Sterling Perez Martial
    Jota King

    Subs: Button, Rico, Greenwood, Dendonker,

    1M ITB*
    2 FT

    Pope to De Gea (0.1 short) so do King to Chicha also after GW? Worth it?

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      King > Pukki

      Although I'd really look to find a way to get Son/KdB in.

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Isnt Pukki like Kings price - 6.5?
        Need .0.1 to do Pope to De gea

        1. Pukki Blinders
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Pukki gone up to 6.7 now

  29. Crashjct
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Choose one:

    A. Kane/McGinn

    B. Barnes/KDB

    Thank you, in advance.

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

      KdB's underlying stats are pretty insane and great fixtures coming up too.

    2. rdpx
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kane and KDB

    3. Crashjct
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I like Kane and KDB too. It’s just hard to fit them in with Salah and Sterling

  30. 420king
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Feels bad not selling Deulofeu before the drop or not jumping on the Pukki train(yet). Have I done a mistake?

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      0.2 swing.. they always hurt a bit but focus on points over pounds

      1. 420king
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Couldn't do a straight swap anyway (0.0 ITB), so these are two separate issues. Was thinking Wilson -> Pukki.