Scout Notes

Aubameyang banks more FPL returns as Arsenal and West Ham serve up dire game

West Ham United 1-3 Arsenal

  • Goals: Angelo Ogbonna (£4.5m) | Gabriel Martinelli (£4.5m), Nicolas Pepe (£9.1m), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.9m)
  • Assists: Pablo Fornals (£6.0m)| Sead Kolasinac (£5.2m), Aubameyang, Pepe
  • Bonus: Aubameyang x3, Pepe x2, Martinelli x1

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.9m) registered his third double-digit haul of the season as Freddie Ljungberg oversaw his first win as interim Arsenal manager in a low-quality affair at the London Stadium.

Bar ten minutes of ruthless attacking play from the visitors in the second half, it was difficult to split the teams in terms of sheer awfulness.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side came into this match on a run of one victory in ten league matches, while the Gunners were winless since Gameweek 8.

Only Aubameyang could boast a double-digit ownership among the players on show and the lack of faith in other West Ham and Arsenal assets seems warranted at present, at least while the clubs are in their current stagnant states.

The right managerial appointment at the Emirates could alter that, of course: Spurs assets were hardly en vogue before the arrival of Jose Mourinho and are now much sought-after among the Fantasy community.

Owners of Manchester City players will perhaps be hoping that Stan Kroenke and co can delay any decision on that front, with Pep Guardiola’s troops the visitors to north London in Gameweek 17.

The scoreline masked a dreadful first-half display from the Gunners, with their first shot on target indeed being Gabriel Martinelli‘s (£4.5m) 59th-minute equaliser.

The budget Fantasy Premier League forward, making his first-ever Premier League start on the left flank of a 4-2-3-1, converted a Sead Kolasinac (£5.2m) cut-back to finish a slick Arsenal break and spark a turnaround that had seemed very unlikely in the preceding hour.

Nicolas Pepe (£9.1m) collected an Aubameyang pass to superbly curl home the visitors’ second goal before the Ivory Coast international returned the favour, crossing for his teammate to volley in the Gunners’ third.

Aubameyang, who had earlier carved out Arsenal’s only real chance of the first half for Mesut Ozil (£7.2m), almost added to his tally but saw a goalbound, stoppage-time shot deflect over for a corner.

The Gabon international now has 11 goals for the season and cracked the 100-point FPL barrier with his attacking returns in Gameweek 16, becoming only the fourth player to do so this season.

It is frightening to think of the damage he could do playing in a side that provides him with adequate service and under a manager that regularly plays him in a central role.

Here, at least Ljungberg had the good sense to do the latter after wasting the premium striker on the right flank against Brighton last Thursday.

Alexandre Lacazette (£9.3m) was dropped to the bench for the first time since Gameweek 9, with the interim Arsenal head coach fielding Aubameyang in the lone striker’s role ahead of an attacking trident of Martinelli, Ozil and Pepe.

Aubameyang had only four more touches of the ball than 86th-minute substitute Matteo Guendouzi (£4.5m) but, a bit like Jamie Vardy (£10.1m), he is one of of a handful of FPL assets who tend to make the most of their opportunities.

Owners of the Gabonese striker, along with the rest of us, will be watching keenly in the days ahead to see who the Arsenal board plump for as Unai Emery’s permanent replacement.

Pepe has been slow to get to grips with English football and his first double-digit haul of the season likely won’t be enough to prompt a wave of transfer activity, with there being a number of in-form alternatives in the premium/mid-price midfield bracket.

Similarly, we’ll have to wait to see if Martinelli becomes a permanent fixture in the plans of whoever is appointed Arsenal boss before we can get excited about his budget-freeing potential as a third FPL striker.

Where all this leaves Lacazette is another question.

Speaking of his two wingers, Ljungberg said after full-time:

People always ask me about Nico and I try to explain. He comes from the French league, he comes to the Premier League – in my opinion, the best league in the world – and it’s a lot faster and a lot harder. He needs to adapt.

People put pressure on him but that’s not so easy, and I thought what he did today was he worked really hard offensively and defensively and showed his quality.

Gabi is a fantastic player. He’s still very young but he has that energy about him and he goes and he goes. He has no fear and he just keeps on going.

So it’s a pleasure to see him there on that pitch, and for him to get the success that he did today, it gives you a smile to your face.

Arsenal’s defence was as uncertain as ever and they suffered a double injury blow in the full-back department, with Hector Bellerin (£5.4m) withdrawing from the starting XI in the warm-up and Kieran Tierney (£5.4m) exiting the field of play before the game was half an hour old with a shoulder problem.

Ljungberg said after the game:

Tierney, I think it’s something with his shoulder but I don’t know exactly what it is. But obviously we had to take him off so I think he’s going to maybe go to hospital and check what it is.

Hector had a bit of feeling, I think, in his hamstring in the warm-up. Then we took the decision. I said I’m not going to force anyone to play if you don’t feel 100 per cent.

Reflecting on the match overall, the Arsenal boss said:

First half we were slow, we were a bit lethargic, we didn’t move, we didn’t run. But that, in my opinion, comes when players are low and have no confidence. You don’t do it at the speed you need to and it’s been hard on the players, but I felt like we gave it a go in the second half and we did that. It was amazing to see, for me.

And you saw West Ham getting a bit tired and a bit low around the 60th minute and we sliced them open and played some really good football, in my opinion. That’s how we want to play and we were keeping the ball well.

But of course, we don’t get carried away. We have a lot of work to do on things but all credit to the players for how they did in the second half.

The fact that Arsenal emerged as 3-1 winners despite their shortcomings reflected badly on West Ham, who themselves hadn’t done much to merit a one-nil led.

Out-of-position FPL midfielder Michail Antonio (£6.9m) was back in a striker’s role for the Hammers after a precautionary midweek absence and showed glimmers of promise early on, firing over before forcing a save out of Bernd Leno (£5.0m).

The deadlock-breaking goal came out of nowhere, though, with Pablo Fornals (£6.0m) capitalising on Arsenal’s inability to clear a corner and crossing for Angelo Ogbonna (£4.5m) to power a deflected header past Leno.

The Hammers were just as bad in the second half as Arsenal had been in the first and their defensively suspect display will be of encouragement to owners of Danny Ings (£6.3m) ahead of Southampton’s home match against Pellegrini’s troops this weekend.

As for the Hammers on the whole, they will surely be far from Fantasy managers’ thoughts at present.

On top of their indifferent form, Pellegrini’s side also blank in Gameweek 18 due to Liverpool’s involvement in the Club World Cup.

Pellegrini said after full-time:

If Arsenal create six or seven goals and score three then maybe, fair enough, but they didn’t create much and then in nine minutes decided the game.

We need to be more concentrated and try to finish with more quality when we had the chances like we had tonight.

It is difficult to understand why we made those mistakes or why you are not solid in every ball. I always say that two or three balls decide the score, you can play well but if you are not concentrated in defending then you allow them to score and that’s what happened tonight.

The Hammers also lost a full-back to injury, with Aaron Cresswell (£4.7m) forced off just after half-time.

Budget goalkeeper David Martin (£4.0m), meanwhile, started his third straight game between the posts.

Members Analysis

477 Comments Post a Comment
  1. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Guys,
    How does this look?

    Pope
    Robbo soy Lund
    Mane(c) kdb maddison alli pulisic
    Vardy(vc) ings
    Heaton mousset cathcart rico

    RMT says to bench alli? Mousset should be benched over him, right?
    Thinking of wc gw18

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

      Definitely Mousset benched.

    2. mojoindojo
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I guess RMT not updated to reflect Alli's form change.

    3. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks guys

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

    GW 18 WC draft 1:

    Ramsdale Martin
    Aurier Soyuncu Lundstram Rico Kelly
    Mane KdB Alli Son Mooy
    Vardy Abraham Rashford

    0.0m

    Only criticism is it's a bit boring. I want Grealish somewhere in there as well. Bottom 3 teams in a row. How do I get him?

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

      Also, thoughts on

      Ramsdale + Aurier vs Gazzaniga + Evans

      Is the latter better?

      1. Link
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Quite similar to what I'm tinkering with. Mooy to cover Mane in 18 is interesting. I've looked at Traore/Shelvey for that slot too.

        Think I prefer Ryan over Ramsdale.

        Not sure Alli/KDB to Grealish is worth it unless money was used to upgrade defense? Double Leicester?

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

          Leicester have the best defense in the league. Why aren't we thinking of doubling up when you can get two of them for sub 5.2m?

          I don't think I'm going to have a slot for Maddison at this rate, so my 3rd Leicester slot is free.

          1. Link
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Exactly - my last draft had Soy + Evans. Kelly/Targett/Lundy cover the City and Pool games nicely although a little put off Villa defence now.

            Rico + Chilwell over Targett + Evans works too

          2. Klein
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Mci and liv back to back is my concern. Maybe after those they could be the best value.

    2. The Dribbler
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      rash to ings, mooy to grealish. alternate between ings and Jimmy moving forward?

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

        Could work. I'd rather lose Abraham than Rashford though.

        1. The Dribbler
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          yep personal preference I suppose. I'm not getting on the rash wagon just yet but good luck whichever way you go. very solid team providing strong bench and formation flexibility.

    3. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Looks solid, I like it.

      Re Grealish, the only option I can see is to lose De Bruyne, and I'm not sure it's worth it, unless Aguero is out for an extended period.

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

        Yeah I have so much value in De Bruyne and his fixtures start turning as well. I think he's a season keeper.

        Is Abraham worth dropping maybe? Hard to see anywhere to lose players...

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I wouldn't. Abraham is involved in 52% of Chelsea goals. That's a big slice of big pie, and cheap.

        2. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I'd monitor his fitness, and Chelsea's form, but fixtures are good, even reds on the ticker are games I'd expect them to score in.

    4. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Ramsdale is a no go. Rest look good

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

        Look at the fixtures from GW 18 onwards. He's nailed on and cheap. Although maybe I can go with Gazzaniga until Lloris is back by which time I should be ready to use the 2nd WC for the homestretch.

    5. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      It may be boring but it's strong, and less than 0.1% of players will have that same combination of players so it's still different.

      I think it's pretty much perfect. Wish I had your team value, I'm about 0.7m off.

    6. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      You'd have sell one of the mids to fit Grealish in.

      TAA/Robbo & Grealish could outscore Rico & KDB.

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

        I've decided to keep KdB. Would lose too much value on a player whose underlying stats are too dangerous for me to feel okay with losing.

    7. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Looking at wc g18 as well. Looks good, I'm thinking mousset instead of tammy. Would that allow you to get grealish?

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

        I could even go Ings. Abraham + Mooy > Ings + Grealish.

        1. waltzingmatildas
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Yeah I like that

    8. Regin
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      u'll get a benching headache if u get grealish as well.

      wouldnt put ramsdale esp since u have rico. gazza better, but not evans.

      1. The Dribbler
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I personally don't understand why so many.peoply look to avoid having benching (ie. good) headaches. I'm happy to have a strong bench every gw; particularly at this time of the year. sure some of your bench may score more than some of your starting xi, but that justifies my decision to have them in my squad and there's also a chance that will result in others transferring that/those players in, resulting in price rises and increase in tv.

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

          Because it's inefficient. I have high team value, so I should leverage it by putting more money on the field every week than my rivals. Benching a 6m+ player vs a 4.4m player means that my starting XI value is 1.6m less than it could be if I used that money more efficiently.

          1. The Dribbler
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            i'd firstly say that points trump price. there is so much value in mid priced players this year it's ridiculous, and alot of the highly prized assets are underperforming. there is no reason why everyone can't have a very strong xi plus bench, and have a good headache each gw, depending on matchups.

        2. Konstaapeli
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I prefer to have all possible funds on a starting 11 and as cheap playing bench as possible like Rico, Kelly, Dendocker.

          1. The Dribbler
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            fair enough. I may be in the minority on this. i'll just make sure I have a steady supply of neurofen. regardless, good luck to all.

    9. TJ
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Maybe Grealish for KdB until gw21

    10. The Cisco Kid
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      It’s probably not popular to say, but I think this team will miss a Chelsea midfielder. The second Spurs mid takes that spot in the squad, so know that the gamble being made here is in Spurs and against the Blues.

  3. Tcheco
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Play 1:

    A. Martial (I own Rashford)

    B. Pulisic (No other Chelsea cover)

    1. ChippyT
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. Regin
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      u have to play both. there must be someone else to bench

  4. fr3d
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Please help me bench one guys

    A) Soy (NOR)
    B) TAA (WAT)
    C) Robbo (WAT)
    D) Jimenez (TOT)

    1. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Tough one but D

    2. Cahill
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Think Klopp will make your mind up but probably Soy

      1. fr3d
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I will refresh FPL rockstar like crazy Sat morning. But let’s pretend all of them start

    3. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    4. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Soy easily

    5. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    6. KDB4PREZ
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      veey easy A imo

    7. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I guess it has to be Soy

  5. Cahill
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Best goalie on WC? Conscious I would be chasing Guita points, and he is pricey!

    A) guita
    B) Ryan
    C) ramsdale
    D) other

    1. KDB4PREZ
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Fixtures and form say A

  6. ChippyT
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Help me get rid of Greenwood!?

    Guaita
    TAA|Soy|Lund|Willems
    Mane(C)|KDB|Son|Maddison
    Vardy(VC)|Jimi

    Button|Traore|Rico|Greenwood

    1.2 ITB 1FT

    1. KDB4PREZ
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Traore&greenwood>Cantwell&Mouset work?

      1. KDB4PREZ
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I mean ings”

        1. ChippyT
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Would leave me .4 short .. it's a tough one!

  7. KDB4PREZ
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone like the sin&Kane double instead of the midfield double up? Ino more expensive but feels like Harry season and I already own son.

    1. KDB4PREZ
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Son”

    2. teneighty
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I jumped on Kane early with a backup plan to get rid about now. But after the haul against Burnley I can't let him go just yet so I'm on Kane/Alli right now. I would still say that the value pick is Son/Alli though.

    3. golfboy
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      All I want for Christmas is Kane

  8. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    "If you are pained by any external thing, it is not this thing that disturbs you, but your own judgement about it. And it is in your power to wipe out this judgement now." - Marcus Aurelius on FPL, 160 AD

    1. teneighty
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A, the true emperor was wise.

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Very wise. I'm sure he'd be giving Carlsen a run for his money if he was in this year.

  9. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Exactly 100 points behind where I'd like to be right now (Top 100k)

    What differentials should I be looking at?
    Current plans involve having the following team by next week:

    Pope
    TAA Soy Aurier
    Mane Alli Son Grealish
    Vardy Rashford Jimenez
    (4.0 Lundy Cantwell Rico)

    Is it differential enough to get where I want to be?

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

      Double Spurs and Grealish is good enough. Don't worry about ranks, worry about how to maximize your points.

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Agree. It looks like what the template would after 2-3 gameweeks but hard to make a case against these players.

    2. golfboy
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I can't see any differentials in that team? Aurier perhaps but seen him a lot on here. I've been considering Moura instead of Alli as a diff.

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Less differentials but definitely not everyone has this team.

    3. Klein
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      For me crp def is the best value for a few weeks. Maybe a punt on jwp with those fixtures too? I would say ings but like your forward line too. After this week you can also lose TAA. Bgw and 2 hard fixtures where you can take advantage. Maybe get Robbo for cheaper if you feel you need one later. Or Vvd and wait for that goal.

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Don't see much upside by selling TAA yes I'll have money but I like that attack alot and wouldn't want to upgrade anyone with money freed up.

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Nice squad

      Not sure differential is necessary. The right captain choice is likely more key - I’ve dropped 30 points in last 2 by switching at last minute.

      FPL happens!!! But it’s likely to even out somewhat.

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Agree with that mate captaincy has probably cost me those 100 points.

        1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Vice captains coming in are killing me this season in my ML.

          1. Karan14
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Seriously!
            Not having KDB(vc) when Sterling was rested against Watford cost me 17 points alone.

    5. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Agree with Pingu and Camzy. The team itself is more than fine, it is nailing the captain (which is often luck) which is the key.

  10. BradtheLAD
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What to do with this team? Currently got a rank of 60k overall, 1FT and 0.6 itb.

    Henderson Button
    TAA Kelly Söyüncü Tomori Rico
    Maddison Mané Martial Pulisic Cantwell
    Vardy Abraham Aubameyang

    Thinking about shifting Aubameyang to raise funds, all replies appreciated

    1. Klein
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No spurs is definately a worry. Lose auba to fund son imo.

      1. BradtheLAD
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Can just about afford Auba and Martial —> Son and Rashford for -4

  11. JabbaWookiee
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Play two:

    A) Lundstram v Villa (h)
    B) Kelly v Brighton (h)
    C) Wood v Newcastle (h)

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

      Wood and Lundstram. Kelly first supersub.

  12. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What a gw to come, many players have great home games. Sensing many pts on the bench for a lot of people. Really don't know how to use my transfers, waiting for Mousse news actually. But with him in/out what would you do here? Also who is the best choice for C?

    Pope
    TAA Lund Kelly
    Mo KdB Son Pulisic
    Vardy Rash Mousse

    Button Soy Guilbert Dendo

    0,2 itb, 2 ft

  13. Joyce1998
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Right guys need help
    2 FTs

    A- son and Tammy
    Or
    B- alli and Rashford

    1. Aubaaaaa
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

  14. PapaWengzz
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Draft question.
    Would you accept this trade?
    Martial, Son > Salah, Mount

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No otherwise he'll easily win it 😉

      1. PapaWengzz
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks bro rejected it 😉

  15. andre_c
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Any ideas about what to do here?

    Hendo
    Aurier, Lund, TAA, Soy
    Mane, Alli, KDB, Mount
    Vardy (C), Tammy

    Button, Jimmy, Cantwell, Rico

    1FT, 0.1ITB

    Don't really want to bench Jimmy, but who would you bench instead of him?
    Cheers

    1. Bavarian
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Aurier

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      one of the defenders

  16. Joe_Carman
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    1FT 0Itb

    Pope
    TAA Soy Lund
    Mane(c) Alli KDB Mount
    Vardy(vc) Jimenez Tammy

    Bench: Button Kelly Cantwell Diop

    Save for this week?