Scout Notes

Pepe stakes claim for place in Fantasy teams with season-best haul

Arsenal 4-0 Newcastle United

  • Goals: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.8m), Nicolas Pépé (£9.1m), Mesut Özil (£7.2m), Alexandre Lacazette (£9.3m)
  • Assists: Pépé x2, Bukayo Saka (£4.5m), Lacazette
  • Bonus Points: Pépé x3, Aubameyang x2, Lacazette x1

Nicolas Pépé (£9.1m) set himself up as a potentially exciting differential option once again as he starred in Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Newcastle – and is still owned by just 2.4%.

Back in the side after a Gameweek 25 benching, the Ivory Coast international was unplayable in the second half on Sunday, registering a goal and two assists. Also scooping maximum bonus, Pépé left the Emirates Stadium with a 17-point haul, his best since joining Arsenal in the summer.

While Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.8m), stationed in his customary left attacking midfield role again, added his 15th league goal of the season in Gameweek 26, it Pépé could be the one Fantasy managers turn to for Arsenal’s upcoming appealing fixtures. As a midfielder, he stands to benefit to a greater extent from goals and clean sheets, while Pépé’s creativity makes him more likely to assist than Aubameyang.

After Everton visit north London in Gameweek 27 and Blank Gameweek 28 is out of the way, the Gunners face West Ham (home), Brighton (away), Southampton (away) and Norwich (home) between Gameweeks 29 and 32 – so Pépé may very well be on Fantasy radars already.

Also looking an interesting prospect for that impending run of games is makeshift left-back Bukayo Saka (£4.5m). Although he is technically playing as a reverse-out-of-position defender, classified as an FPL midfielder, his overlapping runs against Newcastle saw him do well in advanced areas.

No other midfielder priced at £4.5m has scored more points than Saka so far in Gameweek 26, which could make him a candidate to include on Wildcards.

Fantasy managers may just want to track his minutes in the coming weeks though, as Saka has played 90 minutes in just three of the last five Premier League matches, benched for Gameweek 22 and subbed at half-time against Burnley in Gameweek 25.

“It is getting natural with Bukayo (Saka). But he takes responsibility and takes risks in the final third. He’s a player that wants to make an impact and he has courage. He did really well.” – Mikel Arteta

However, it is worth saying that the centre-forward position at Arsenal is hard to call right now, possibly even for manager Mikel Arteta. Despite averaging 4.75 points per game in his previous four starts, Gabriel Martinelli (£4.6m) was left on the bench, with Eddie Nketiah (£4.3m) starting for the first time since a loan at Leeds United and playing 84 minutes.

“(Nketiah) has been training really well. He’s a kid that has a goal in him. I believe that we have a game (against Newcastle) with a lot of blocks and numbers behind the ball. He’s a very talented player to find goals and I trust him. That’s why I decided to keep him.” – Mikel Arteta

Meanwhile, if Arteta did not already have enough options to lead the line in Martinelli and Nketiah, Alexandre Lacazette (£9.3m) came out of the blue to finally end his scoring drought. The Frenchman added a late goal and assist to ramp up the competition for places.

As much as the scoreline suggested Arsenal comfortably dominated Newcastle, this truly was a game of two halves. Mesut Özil (£7.2m) and Dani Ceballos (£5.2m) were also among top performers on Sunday evening, but, like Aubameyang, Pépé and Saka, they only really excelled after half-time.

Newcastle were arguably the better side in the opening 45 minutes, controlling large spells of the game while Arsenal struggled to piece much together. It was only after the Magpies came into the second period way off the pace that the Gunners found their groove.

“The goals we gave away were so not like us. We were excellent in the first half but as soon as switched from it, we didn’t start the half as we should, and we went sloppy and conceded goals we shouldn’t have.” – Steve Bruce

Arsenal were helped in their efforts by a mixed afternoon for Valentino Lazaro (£5.5m), who was making his first start for Newcastle. The FPL midfielder came in for DeAndre Yedlin (£4.4m) to play at right-back in Steve Bruce’s 5-4-1 formation and looked dangerous on the overlap in the first half. Having recently signed on loan from Inter Milan, Lazaro was straight onto taking corners and indirect free-kicks, asking questions with his forward runs too. However, a lack of concentration after the interval meant the 23-year-old was at fault for both of Arsenal’s first two goals, which came just three minutes apart.

Those who had been targetting Newcastle’s defence for budget investment might find it easy to be discouraged by a 4-0 defeat but there remain some reasons to consider them. As previously mentioned, the Magpies did an excellent job of controlling Arsenal for much of the first period. To do so away from home, with a number of new players in the side, bodes well for a trip to Crystal Palace next time out, whose Selhurst Park stadium has seen fewer goals than any other Premier League ground this season.

However, Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.4m) continues to epitomise the problems with Newcastle’s attack. He asked put plenty of questions to the Arsenal defence on Sunday evening but left the game with yet another blank.

In the 14th minute, the winger used his skill and pace to get around Ceballos following a Lazaro corner, but his squared ball to Joelinton (£5.5m) was a bit too behind the striker to get proper purchase on it. After more devastating runs lacking end product in the back-end of the opening period, Saint-Maximin went through in the second half and, with a fine effort, was unfortunate to strike the base of Bernd Leno‘s (£5.0m) post.

Arsenal XI: Leno; Saka, D Luiz, Mustafi, Bellerín; Ceballos (Torreira 82′), Xhaka; Aubameyang, Özil (Willock 90+1′), Pépé; Nketiah (Lacazette 85′).

Newcastle United XI: Dúbravka; Rose, Clark (Schär 83′), Lascelles, Fernández (Ritchie 75′), Lazaro (Hayden 74′); Almirón, Bentaleb, S Longstaff, Saint-Maximin; Joelinton.

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708 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is Vardy > Jimenez (-4) worth it?

    Could pay off immediately. Jimenez is putting up better stats. Frees up a chance to do Martial > Son next week.

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Not sure it will pay off this week, but in the context of enabling Martial to Son later, it’s a yes from me.

      I’m holding onto Vardy but also have Jimi.

    2. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I like that, just because of the Martial to Son next week. Could pay off and negate the -4.

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

      A bit risky selling Vardy before those fixtures but it could pay off looking at the other upgrade you could make.

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

      Would prefer Vardy in 28-30 so not for a hit

    5. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      2 ft next week?
      Do you have a complete GW28 side?

      1. Tinkermania
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        And bring Vardy back in when he smashes it in next 2 games?

  2. Darthshearer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone thinking of binning KDB?

    I have Salah | KDB | Grealish | Perez | Fleck in Mid
    Ibangyourmam | Vardy | Ings in Fwds

    So was thinking of freeing some money up by going KDB -> Son.

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Are you chasing?

      1. Darthshearer
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Not really, but last few GW a couple have closed points on me! Maybe I should hold my nerve!

        1. Stormbringer22
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          I have thought about it myself but am too chicken to do it. I would personally hold him for now.

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah I'm considering selling him for Son or Mane.

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

      No. I'm keeping him as long as he's fit and starting.

  3. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone keeping Lund 1 more gw? Due a start after scoring off the bench?

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Keeping for now, since I have other problematic areas. If you have FTs and nothing to improve elsewhere I would suggest you transfer him out though.

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

      Sold this week. What a player he was, but his place is clearly lost and he has a blank next week.

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        +1

    3. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'm siding with keeping as he keeps coming up with points.

  4. Stormbringer22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Hi guys, would wait near the end of the week in case of injuries, but which option do you like better?

    A) Auba+Maddi -> Martinelli+Mane for free, leaving me with 4-4-2 of
    Ryan
    TAA, Soy, Holgate, Lundy, (Kelly)
    Salah, Mane, KDB, Traore, (Cantwell)
    Vardy, Ings (Martinelli)

    B) Auba+Holgate -> Jimenez+Robbo for free, leaving me with a 3-4-3 of
    Ryan
    TAA, Robbo, Soy, (Lundy, Kelly)
    Salah, KDB, Maddi, Traore, (Canwell)
    Vardy, Jimenez, Ings

    C) Give Auba 1 more week before his blank and just do Kelly -> Lascelles and bank the second FT.

    Cheers!

    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A as Mane is going to be needed imo.

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thank you

  5. Jafalad
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Hi team.

    Two frees and not sure how to use them. Team:

    Pope/Ryan

    Lund, TAA, Baldock, C Taylor, Rico

    Mane, Salah, KDB, Cantwell, Traore

    Ings, Calvert Lewin, Vardy

    Any ideas for 1/2 transfers for this week?

    1. Donny_Rover
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Lundstram to Boly or Saiss

      1. Jafalad
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Seems a popular trade. Cheers 🙂

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      DCL to Jimenez if you can afford it.

      Otherwise maybe looking at getting rid of Lundy.

      1. Jafalad
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Jimmy's got better fixtures? DCL has been pretty good for me tbf.

    3. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I love that team. I would assume money would be a problem to upgrade DCL to Jimi + I think for those who have DCL are best keeping him.

      I would suggest look into Lundy to Boly and bank the other FT

      1. Jafalad
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Oops. The reply below was meant for you. 🙂 Got 0.2 in bank. Thanks! 🙂

        1. Stormbringer22
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah, though so 🙂 Just transfer Lundy out and bank the other FT

  6. Donny_Rover
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    A horrible few weeks mean I’ve slipped from the top 2k to about 15k, so I’ve pushed the WC button to arrest the slide. Current team (no cash in the bank), any suggested improvements?

    McCarthy - Pope
    Soyuncu - TAA - Boly - Van Dijk - O’Connell
    Salah - KdB - Son - Traore - Cantwell
    Ings - Jiménez - Vardy

    1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Would definitely not WC that. Solid team.

    2. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Can't help feeling Mane is going to be needed again.

      1. Jafalad
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Losing VVD and Son looks the way forward.

    3. Dion D's Solo Shower
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      That is an amazing team. I would wildcard to get that!
      Just keep the faith, your team is good, the points will come

      1. Jafalad
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Oh wow. Not had praise like that since 2009. 😉

      2. Donny_Rover
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Ha sorry for the confusion - that’s the team now post wildcard!

        Transfers have been Sidibe, Robertson, Grealish, Maddison, Deeney & Aguero to VvD, Boly, Son, Traore, Jimenez, Vardy.

      3. theswallow1965
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        This

  7. Daghe Munegu
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    2 ft 1.3 itb

    McCarthy
    TAA Robertson Sidibé
    Salah KDB Martial Grealish Moura
    Vardy Ings

    Button Long Rico Reid

    Long + Moura + Sidibé to Jimenez + Traoré + Boly worth - 4?

    1. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Oh my gosh a fellow Moura owner! Worth the hit although id consider an Armstrong punt over Traore

  8. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Im still being haunted by Mane 😆

    1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      First time he's hit me this year.

    2. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Same mate, woke up in cold sweats and everything again...

    3. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'm still haunted by that scene in Jaws when that dead guy pops out the boat.

    4. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I know the Son never is setting on his haunt.

  9. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you rather?

    Son and DCL
    or
    Vardy and Grealish (play Hayden in blank)

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Son and DCL

    2. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B

  10. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Play Hendo or McCarthy?

    1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Hendo, unless SHU defender then go Mc.

      Spread the risk. I'm playing Hendo and doing Stevens to Boly, playing C Taylor.

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Hendo.

      Villa usually always score.

  11. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Better option out of these?

    A) Boly & Mane
    B) VVD & KDB/Son

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B

    3. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B

    4. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B

  12. Dion D's Solo Shower
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    After seeing Saiss taking a few free kicks of late, and Wolves producing back-to-back clean sheets, could he be a punt on only 4.4?
    Looking to move out Holgate and don't see a whole lot of exciting options (already own Sheffield defence, Lascelles).

    1. Jullepuu
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      He is a good option but Stephens/KWP or Charlie Taylor could do well too

  13. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Would you wc this team?

    Ryan button
    TAA soy lund rico targett
    Kdb mane traore grealish mooy
    Vardy ings Aguero
    2fts
    A) wc
    B) Aguero to jimenez
    C) B + lund to robbo
    D) lund to gomez

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Sorry mane is salah

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        still C

    2. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      C

    3. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Definite WC. I would change 11 players.. most importantly you don’t have Salah or double liverpool defence. Team needs a big shake up = WC

    4. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'd do... Lund to Boly this week.
      Save 2FT and then do Aguero to Jimenez and maybe Grealish to Son.

  14. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Worth switching Salah to Mané in free ? Would be differential in ML particularly as clawed my way up to second- 4 points off leader. No cash in bank. KDB to Traoré other possible move I guess with great fixtures for Wolves and KDB blank and poorer fixtures

    A Carry transfer
    B Salah to Mané
    C KDB to Traoré
    D Any other move you would suggest ?

    Pope
    TAA Stevens Boly Stephens
    Salah (c) Son KDB
    Jiménez Ings Firmino

    Henderson Barnes Mooy Fernández

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

      There are sideways transfers, then there are backwards transfers.. this is as backwards as they come

    2. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      No good options there.

      Save.

    3. StayoutheSpiceZone
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I think it could pay off but it’s spinning a wheel really. Both could score massively, Mane looked very good in his part on Saturday

  15. Chelsea91
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Pope
    Taa,Stephens,Egan
    Mane(c),Salah,Kdb,Son,Traore
    Ings,Auba

    Button Dcl William Tangaga

    How was this team for GW27 guys?

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

      Team is good but Salah captain

      1. Chelsea91
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks mate

  16. Aimar
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    A) hanely ——-> lascelles

    B) lundy ——->1) Boly / 2) Sais

    Got stevens as a SHU cover

    Other defs Soy TAA Stevens

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

      A looks nice this GW

      1. Aimar
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers mate

    2. Bavarian
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B with Boly

      1. Aimar
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks bruh

  17. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is the potential City double gameweek in 29 likely to get announced this week? Thanks

  18. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Considering 28 is a mini blank,
    Grealish + Auba out
    Son + Abraham in?

    Would likely not switch back after

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      No. Both in form especially Grealish with doubles later. Bench them.

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Tricky. Probably not

    3. Pinturicchio10
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Not expecting my h from Grealish for a while with those fixtures. Even with a double thrown in there. Terrible run. Will likely sell after the Southampton game for Barnes.

        1. Pinturicchio10
            4 years, 1 month ago

            *much

      • RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Best move with 2FTs.

        A. Kun+Mahrez >> Jimenez/Ings+Mané
        B. Kun+Greenwood >> Jimenez+Ings
        C. Other?

        McCarthy
        TAA • Lunds • Aurier
        KDB • Salah • Grealish • Mahrez • Traoré
        Kun • Vardy
        (McGov. Rico. Soy. Greenwood)

        1. Toby Lerone
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          B looks good

        2. Bavarian
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          B

        3. BERGKOP
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          B

      • Toby Lerone
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Bench order correct here for 27?

        Henderson
        Egan TAA Gomez Boly
        Son Grealish Salah(c)
        Jiminez Kun Ings
        McCarthy Armstrong Taylor Cantwell

        Or give it a bench boost?

      • Fergymac
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        How nailed on is Saiss?

        1. cigan
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Started 15 from the last 17, what do you think?

          1. StayoutheSpiceZone
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Why so rude

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

            That you could just say 'yes' ?

          3. Fergymac
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Does Bolt’s return to the side not change things?

            1. Fergymac
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Boly’s*

      • Ci Siamo
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        If City do have a DGW in 29 then which assets do you go for?

      • StayoutheSpiceZone
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I can see Chelsea winning 2-0 tonight. What about u guys?

        1. Ci Siamo
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          2-2 for me

        2. FPL Pillars
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          0-0

      • Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Not a clue what to do with vardy ...could do vardy to ings this week then grealish to son . Just feel vardy is going to start scoring again . Thoughts ? Thanks a lot

        1. StayoutheSpiceZone
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          I’m keeping him. Think he will score vs city and then has a great run of fixtures

        2. BERGKOP
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Hold

        3. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks all

      • RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Is Gomez a decent option now?

        1. Ci Siamo
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          As long as you have a decent back up like Boly or Lascelles then yes

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

          More than decent. Brought the cleansheets back to that defence. Won't get attacking returns but his price reflects that. Might get a few baps.

      • Babit1967
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        How we looking, tempted just to sub KDB and aguero gw28 as they have Burnley at home 30

        Pope

        Boly Stephens Trent

        Salah (c) KDB Martial Grealish

        Kun Firmino Deeney

        Rico Cantwell Soyuncu 0.3 itb

      • UnitednationsXI
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        which combo would you prefer going forward

        A: Lundy + Martial + Jimmy + Vardy
        B: Lascelles + Son + DCL + Vardy
        C: Lundy + Son + DCL + Jimmy

      • StayoutheSpiceZone
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        McCarthy
        TAA lascelles James
        Mane salah KDB Traore grealish
        Vardy ings

        Button DCL Aurier soy

        Gtg? Save FT