Scout Notes

Aubameyang red card masks Arsenal progress under Arteta

Crystal Palace 1-1 Arsenal

Goals: Jordan Ayew (£5.0m) | Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.8m)

Assists: Cheikhou Kouyate (£4.9m) | Alexandre Lacazette (£9.3m)

Bonus Points: Ayew x3 Kouyate x2 Aubameyang x1

Jordan Ayew (£5.0m) rescued a point for Crystal Palace against a dogged, and arguably unlucky, Arsenal.

Fantasy managers looking for further evidence of Mikel Arteta’s benign influence on the Gunners found it in abundance during the first half at Selhurst Park.

The visitors controlled the match up until the break, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.8m) giving them a deserved lead when he produced a no-nonsense finish from Alexandre Lacazette‘s (£9.3m) astute pass.

Arsenal under their new manager are already a mile away from the disjointed mess they were towards the end of Unai Emery’s reign, with left-back Sead Kolasinac‘s (£5.2m) frequent forays down the flank covered by Granit Xhaka (£5.1m) and the entire team defending as a unit when required.

But a combination of the high wind and Palace’s standard obduracy meant the Gunners couldn’t turn their early fluency into a second goal.

And everything changed after half-time.

The influential Lucas Torreira (£4.7m) had to be replaced at the break, with Arteta’s initial diagnosis a vague one.

“It looks like (an injury). He had to come off at half-time. I don’t know (what it is). I’ll have to check with the doctor.” – Mikel Arteta

What did become clear was how well Torreira and Xhaka had nullified Palace’s midfield, because without the Uruguayan, Arsenal struggled to contain their hosts, who were level within ten minutes of the restart.

Cheikhou Kouyaté (£4.9m) fed Ayew, whose shot took a big deflection off David Luiz (£5.7m) on its way past Bernd Leno (£5.0m).

Things then turned from bad to worse for Arsenal when Aubameyang was shown a red card, following an intervention by VAR, for a challenge on Max Meyer (£5.2m) that might have been lacking in malice, but was definitely mistimed and decidedly ugly.

The Arsenal coach had no complaints with the decision.

“I just watched it and it looked nasty, to be fair. Knowing Auba, there’s no intention to make such a tackle. Hopefully, he hasn’t been injured and we are sorry for that. The decision was made and we have to accept it.” – Mikel Arteta

His Palace counterpart, Roy Hodgson, was not so hopeful that Meyer had escaped without injury.

“The position of his ankle as the challenge comes in is not a pleasant thing to see. I’d be very surprised if there isn’t any ligament damage there, but we won’t know that until Monday.” – Roy Hodgson

Pre-Arteta Arsenal might well have crumbled after the dismissal, but there was none of that at Selhurst Park.

They rode their luck when a looping header from James Tomkins (£5.0m) had to be cleared off the line, but even better chances came at the other end, with Nicolas Pépé (£9.1m) seeing his shot brilliantly tipped onto the post by Vicente Guaita (£5.1m), who then bravely saved the rebound at Lacazette’s feet.

A win would probably have flattered the Gunners, but their defensive solidity was generally impressive – Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£4.6m) did a particularly good job keeping Wilfried Zaha (£6.8m) very quiet – and their front three are likely to prosper against less well-drilled opponents.

Unfortunately for Fantasy managers, the most in-form of that trio, Aubameyang, won’t be adding to his three goals from the last four Gameweeks as he’ll now be suspended for the next three matches.

Arsenal have a very attractive long-term schedule, but investing in their improved defence still feels risky on the evidence of Arteta’s first three league games in charge.

Lacazette and Pepe might step up in the absence of Aubameyang, but Mesut Ozil (£7.2m) was little more than a bit-part player against Palace.

As for Roy Hodgson’s side, their defenders remain the best bet for points as they embark on a good eight-match run during which the first fixture, away at Manchester City, is by far and away the toughest test.

Zaha continues to be a misfiring luxury, while new loan signing Cenk Tosun (£5.7m) was starved of service during his 22-minute debut – a state of affairs he will probably have to get used to when playing for a side who’ve managed a league-worst 213 attempts this season.

Crystal Palace XI (4-5-1): Guaita; Riedewald, Cahill, Tomkins, M Kelly; Zaha, McCarthy, McArthur, Kouyaté, Meyer (Tosun 68′); Ayew.

Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Kolasinac, D Luiz, Sokratis, Maitland-Niles; Xhaka, Torreira (Guendouzi 46′); Aubameyang, Özil (Martinelli 70′), Pépé; Lacazette (Nelson 90+2′).

Members Analysis

View full match data in the Members Area

MEMBERS AREA HOME PAGE

2,782 Comments Post a Comment
  1. HD7
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    1 FT, 0.4 ITB

    Kasper
    TAA Lundstram Dunk
    KDB Maddy Salah Mane
    Ings Vardy DCL

    Subs: Button, Rico, Hayden, Kelly

    Save or maybe trade Maddy?

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Save

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Save for me mate

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

      Save

  2. Gunners in Haaland
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play Traore or Cantwell?

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Cantwell

  3. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Am I going to regret selling Maddison and keeping the trolliest of the trolls that is Anthony Martial?

    Can lose either for Salah this week.

    After watching them both this weekend it feels the right way round but Maddison has BUR next whereas Martial has LIV.

    It’s a really tough one for me. Martial clearly posting the better stats last few GWs though.

    What do you think?

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

      Martial is playing up front for United. It's really that simple. And his fixtures look great for longer too.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks Camzy mate. I basically have always had bad luck with Martial so it has a sense of foreboding about keeping but in present form it seems the right way round.

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

          Tell me about it... I have brought in Martial 4 separate times...

          This time I think he stays lol.

          1. Don Kloppeone
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            😆 man after my own heart

            I’ve had Maddi for a good while. Maybe it’s his time to go

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

    Maupay Mousset to Ings Greenwood
    Yay or nay?

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yay but know you’re getting a bench player. Keep Maupay and add Ings?

  5. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Jimi 》 Ings worth it?

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      yes

  6. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Planned moves:

    GW23: Fabianski + Auba -> McCarthy + Maupay (-4)
    GW24: Martial -> Salah

    Fab
    Trent Lund Soy
    Mane Kdb Grealish Cantwell Martial
    Vardy Ings

    Button Aurier Rico Auba

    Good moves? Many thanks in advance 🙂

    1. jimmyabs1987
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Guess you have to get rid of Auba but feels a horrible move for a -4

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Maupay has got Villa (home) tho

        1. jimmyabs1987
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          True!

  7. jimmyabs1987
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Gtg 1FT?

    Gazza
    VVD, TAA, Lund, Kelly, Hanley
    Salah, KDB, Martial, Traore, Cantwell
    Ings, Vardy, Jiminez

    1. Play Traore or Martial next week
    2. Plan was to roll and use 2FT to do VVD & Martial > Dunk & Mane for DGW

    Not sure if to just stay with VVD though and use 2FT elsewhere?

    Anything obvious?

  8. T.Henry14
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Sorry for copy-paste post.

    Excellent GW for now, from 208k to 107k + KDB to play.

    BUT Now i have a hard decision. Drop one of KDB or Rash to have Mane (with Salah&TAA for GW24), or continue to play safe and going for Son (out of position for next four games - wat, NOR, MCI, avl). In that case I unwillingly must do rotation Richarlison to Calvert and kick out Tammy who certainly has a difficult fixtures (new, ARS, lei, MUN, TOT). If I want Mane, must kick out KDB (10.0 sell price, him price is 10.6 and I must buy back him after GW24 or GW25), and If I drop Rashford, I'm losing Him for Burnley&Wolves, both home games.

    So...

    A) Richarlison & Abraham ----> Calvert & SuperSONic
    B) KDB & Abraham ---> Mane & Ayew/Mousset
    C) Rashford & Richarlison ---> Mane & 5.0 striker
    D) Rashford, Richarlison, Abraham ---> Mane, Calvert & Maupay/Deulofeu/Deeney and -4

    The option A) I like the most, with rotation Richarlison-Calvert I'm not very comfortable, but Son is here with striker position and throw out Tammy who is not in good shape and has a tough schedule.

    What you think? Please help because I think this is a very important decision.

    My team:

    Ryan
    TAA, Soy, Lund (Rico, Kelly)
    Salah, KDB, Martial, Richarlison (Cantwell)
    Vardy, Rashford, Tammy

    2 FT and 0.2 ITB

  9. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    LOL just saw Utd's penalty against Norwich. Basically GKs can't slide in the box because the striker will fall over them and get a penalty. Nice

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Willians was worse.

  10. Shardlow
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    McCarthy (button)
    Soy, Rico, TAA, Lund (Kelly)
    KDB, Mane, Salah, Grealish, Maddison
    Vardy (Greenwood, Connolly)

    0 FT 2.7m

    A. Connolly > Ings (-4) and play instead of Rico
    B. Save

    Cheers!

    1. HollywoodXI
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Definitely

    2. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

  11. bruuuno
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ramsdale
    Aurier TAA Soy
    Sterling KDB Alli Grealish
    Vardy Rashford Maupay
    (Martin Fleck Rico Lund)

    GW23: Rashford > Ings
    GW24: Sterling Alli > Salah Mane

    Good plan?

  12. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Juventus and Germany midfielder Emre Can, 25, has rejected a move to Manchester United out of respect to his former club Liverpool. (Tuttosport - via Talksport)
    lolz really what an excuse

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Thought he was closer to 35.

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        He's 26 now. Getting past it !

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Or because they are shite

      1. OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        but he wanted to be nice

    3. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Why would anyone go to United from Juve? Pogba’s going other way for CL football and a class manager.

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Money, not getting regular games for Juve, plus even if United aren't going great they're a bigger club than Juventus.

  13. Rashers
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Pogba + Martial to Salah + 4.5 for free?

    Don't need the 4.5 for my starting 11. Leaves me Mane, Salah and TAA for double

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      You have Pogba?!?!?!!

      1. Rashers
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Ha ha, don't ask! Been on my bench for weeks. Punt that didn't work out

  14. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Can Farke not show his defenders how to tackle? Too placid in post match interview, just like his defence, after such a hiding even if they are understrength.

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Maybe his replacement will.

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Apparently they're resigned to relegation and happy for Farke to stay. The algorithm probably told them replacing him will still mean relegation.

  15. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    What would you do here? Kinda stuck, not sure about the forwards

    Ryan
    TAA - Soy - Taylor
    Salah - Mane - Kdb - Martial
    Vardy - Jimi - DCL

    Subs: Button - Lunds - Kiko - Romeu

    1. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      2FTs & 0itb

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

      Looks strong. Maybe just Jiminez to Ings and save the other FT

  16. Squeazy
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Can’t ignore Ings any longer.

    Do I sacrifice Jiménez or Abraham?

    1. jimmyabs1987
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Jimi

    2. POLSKA GOLA
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      The one that hasn’t been returning points

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

      Abraham.

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

        Keep Abraham rather and sac Jimi.

    4. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Abraham.

    5. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Abraham

    6. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Same dilemma. Pretty sure Ings will dry up as soon as I get him, though. That’s why I’ve been holding out.

    7. Squeazy
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks all!

  17. T.Henry14
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Martial & Abraham -----> Alli & Ings

    or

    Richarlison & Abraham -----> Son & Calvert

    Have Rashford for UTD cover.

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Would wait for more news on Rashford as from OGS comments he came off early as is struggling a bit

    2. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Neither, I would not bring in Spurs right now.

  18. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Looks like I broke Jimenez. 2 blanks in a row with great fixtures since I brought him in...

    1. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Let me know when you sell him

  19. PascalCygan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    How likely do we think Salah is to rise tonight? 92.4 on FPLStatistics right now

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

      Unlikely I'd say. But he'll likely go up by next week.

      1. PascalCygan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers. Don’t know whether to do Maddison or Martial to Salah. Edging towards Maddi now but mindful Martial has an FA Cup replay this week

  20. Whats the Huth
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Sidibé.
    Was he oop again? Or should I just switch to Holgate

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Looks like he is first choice RB but plays OOP RM in the games against tough opposition. Digne probably the better pick of you can afford

  21. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Pick one
    1. Rash to Ings
    2. Jimi to Ings

    will move out both before 24th. Only question is who should go first. Rash has Liv(away) and Jimi has Sou(A) so leaning towards A.

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A then

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Jimi

  22. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Hi all.

    Which is best ??

    A) Rashford and Tomori to Ings and Robbo
    B) Jiminez and Tomori to Ings and Gomez +0.3(means I can do Pope to Ryan to)

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

    A) Rashford + Cantwell
    B) Martial + DCL

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Hm. Does cantwell have to play every week? Or is there a good 4th defender/5th midfielder to rotate with?
      If not then B begrudgingly

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

        He would be 4th mid or I rotate with Dendo.

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I don’t think cantwell is that good at football personally. I do like DCL. I think B. But Rashford is superior to martial, just DCL is more superior to cantwell and Dendoncker than Rashford is to martial. You get me?

  24. Saka Rice
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    How come now people have decided to double up with Liverpool in attack rather than defence? I think doubling in defence allows you to have other players such as KDB or Son in your team

    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I got Salah Mane TAA and KDB in one team for weeks not that it’s done me any good. OR rank in free fall and the rest don’t even look that bad.

  25. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Fabianski defo out???

    Should I pull trigger now (him to Mccarthy)

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

      Might as well wait..

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Mccarthy could rise tonight..

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

          I'd still wait unless that frees up critical funds.

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Why McCarthy, other than price? Saints not a good cleansheet bet even in handy fixtures.

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        No goalkeeper is these days.

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          True enough, bar a pricy Alison.

  26. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone with 2FTs doing Martial to Grealish? Or just bringing in Grealish for his 3 juicy fixtures?

  27. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Jimmy to Ings with 1 FT sounds good.
    Should never have lost Ings 3-4 weeks ago.

  28. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    1) Aurier, Tammy > Jack Stephens, Ings (funding DGW)
    2) Tammy, Jim > Ings, DCL (funding dgw)
    3) Aurier, Alli > Robbo, Sarr
    Open to suggestions, too...

    Ryan, Button
    TAA, Soyuncu, Lunds, Aurier, Rico
    Mane, KDB, Alli, Grealish, Cantwell
    Tammy, Jimenez, Vardy

  29. Tempestic
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    My Digne pick doing me nicely 🙂

    1. Jullepuu
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      My Sidibe pick not quitr there lol

  30. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone else going triple pool defence for the double. I know its a massive risk, but one I am willing to take

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      TAA and probably Gomez.