Scout Notes

Arsenal’s defence in fine form as tricky run of fixtures gets underway

Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-2 Arsenal

  • Goals: Bukayo Saka (£4.7m), Alexandre Lacazette (£9.2m)
  • Assists: Kieran Tierney (£5.3m), Joe Willock (£4.7m)
  • Bonus: Lacazette x3, Saka x2, Shkodran Mustafi (£5.1m) x1

Arsenal pulled off a surprise 2-0 win at Molineux that would have only been truly enjoyed by their fans and those managers owning players on the Fantasy fringes.

Wolves came into the match on the back of three straight wins and four consecutive clean sheets. Arsenal, for their part, hadn’t won on the road against a team above them in the league since 2015.

A victory for the visitors was, therefore, not exactly expected.

From a Fantasy perspective, expectations centred instead on the fixture’s two most popular players – Wolves striker Raul Jimenez (£8.3m) and his Arsenal counterpart Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m), owned by 36.5% and 23.9% respectively.

Neither delivered.

Wolves’ Mexican forward had only one attempt, a header from an excellent Adama Traore (£5.8m) cross that he could only steer wide under pressure from Cedric Soares (£4.8m).

Aubameyang also managed just the one shot, although he did manage to hit the target when he latched on to a half-cleared corner, only for his mis-hit shot to provide home keeper Rui Patricio (£5.3m) with a regulation save.

With the pair shunted to the Fantasy sidelines, a home clean sheet was the next best outcome for many.

That didn’t occur either.

Bukayo Saka (£4.7m) put paid to that when he expertly volleyed home Kieran Tierney‘s (£5.3m) deflected cross to finish off a swift Arsenal counter-attack just before half-time.

The goal was the first Wolves had conceded in 448 minutes, although Arsenal had already gone close when an Eddie Nketiah (£4.4m) snapshot hit the outside of the post via a smart save from Patricio.

At the other end, Arsenal keeper Emiliano Martinez (£4.3m) had been forced into action very early on to block Traore.

But that, as it turned out, was the hosts’ only shot on target, although Traore – interestingly playing as a striker in Santo’s 3-5-2 – missed another great chance when he lofted the ball over both the keeper and the crossbar. That was bad news for the 17.7% of managers hoping the midfielder would prosper in an out-of-position role up front alongside Jimenez.

Patricio wasn’t that much busier than Martinez, although he could do nothing about Arsenal’s second goal.

Substitutes Joe Willock (£4.7m) and Alexandre Lacazette (£9.2m) combined well on the right, with the latter then hitting a shot across the Wolves keeper and in off the far post.

Midfielder Willock had a golden chance to make it three son afterwards when his scuffed shot beat Patricio but didn’t have the legs to make it past the covering Ruben Neves (£5.2m).

And while 3-0 might have been harsh on Wolves, the clean sheet for the visitors caught pretty much every Fantasy manager by surprise as the allure of all Arsenal’s players, beside Aubameyang, has not been great.

The (relative) popularity of the likes of Matteo Guendouzi (£4.2m and 7.5%) and Saka (5.0%) has clearly been based on their price or, in the case of David Luiz (£5.7m and 4.9%), no discernible reason whatsoever.

But the much-maligned Brazilian delivered a second consecutive clean sheet, as did the even more-mocked Shkodran Mustafi (£5.1m), and the unfortunate 0.5% who own Tierney were denied a third straight batch of shut-out points to go with his first Premier League assist only because coach Mikel Arteta took him off after 55 minutes.

In fact, since a disastrous Gameweek 30+, the Gunners have now won three straight league games by a combined score of 8-0 – a run few predicted and even fewer took advantage of in their Fantasy teams.

The maximum bonus award went to Lacazette, capping an all-action seven minutes from the bench that earned him eight points.

The Frenchman has been reduced to a bit-part player over recent Gameweeks – he’s started just two of the last six fixtures. But his record as a substitute has been impressive, with three goals and two assists from his last five cameo appearances.

Whether he ever holds down a regular starting role again remains to be seen, however.

Nicolas Pepe (£9.1m) dropped out of the squad to be with his heavily-pregnant wife, but Arteta opted to use midfielder Saka, not striker Lacazette, in an advanced role alongside Aubameyang and Nketiah.

The moment we have a situation with Nico, it was clear. I was trying to find something with Bukayo in that position. It is true that in the first half he had some moments where he struggled but then he started understanding things better after 20 minutes. I really liked the way he kept trying and trying and trying rather than putting his head down and being disappointed.

Saka’s first ever Premier League goal won’t have dimmed his coach’s admiration either, suggesting Lacazette might have to resign himself to more games as an impact.

Then again, Arsenal’s immediate schedule – home to Leicester and Liverpool, away at Spurs in between – might tempt Arteta to give experience the nod.

What it’s unlikely to tempt is too much Fantasy investment in the side’s key assets, which now should really include members of their defence.

Arteta said of his side’s backline:

The more we improve here, the more solid we are, the more chances we are going to have to win football games. This was down to 11 players defending every time the ball was at the opponents’ feet.

Regardless of yesterday’s impressive win, it’s probably going to take a good deal more to persuade most managers to rely on Arsenal players in matches as big as their next three, however.

That would seem to be the case based on the current transfer trends. Only two Gunners – Aubameyang and Saka – can be found in the top 30 for Gameweek 34+ transfers in. By contrast, four Wolves players make the cut.

That’s not overly surprising when the fixtures of Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are factored in. Of their final five fixtures, a trip to Chelsea on the last day of the season looks the toughest.

It could also be a decider in terms of which of them qualifies for next season’s Champions League, meaning the coach is unlikely to rotate his key players any time soon.

But while that might be music to Fantasy ears, the issue of fatigue among Wolves players should never be dismissed – this is a team, after all, that started this long, long season way back in July last year.

Yes, the enforced lay-off has given the squad recovery time. But as a unit, no Premier League team has had to be match-fit and good to go for such an extended period of time; a fact possibly alluded to by the manager in his post-match comments:

What was missing today, a little bit more urgency at certain points. There was a moment that was the definition, if we were going to draw and push for the last moments of the game, but it didn’t happen.

Wolves have four players with Fantasy Premier League (FPL) ownership of at least 10 percent, and another three over five percent.

Such heavy investment is likely to stay in place for the rest of the season, but yesterday’s defeat and a couple of laboured 1-0 wins that proceeded it, might be an indication that the team is running out of steam.

Wednesday’s tricky trip to a rejuvenated Sheffield United will tell us more.


Wolverhampton Wanderers XI (3-5-2): Patrício; Saïss, Coady, Boly; Jonny, Neves, Moutinho (Gibbs-White 89′), Dendoncker (Jota 55′), Doherty (Neto 72′); Jiménez, Traoré

Arsenal XI (3-4-3): Martínez; Kolasinac, Luiz, Mustafi; Tierney (Maitland-Niles 56′), Xhaka, Ceballos (Torreira 83′), Cédric (Bellerin 76′); Aubameyang, Nketiah (Lacazette 83′), Saka (Willock 75).

MEMBERS ANALYSIS

FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 33+

1,768 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Son to Mahrez fails then.. shall be expecting a Som haul tmr lol.

    At least DCL to Greenwood was good!

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Son DCL still to play ... could be anything couldn't it?

  2. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Hendo (Pope)
    TAA, Saiss, AWB (Taylor, Lascelles)
    Mo, Bruno, KDB, Saka (Dendoncker)
    Ings, Jimi, Rashford

    A Dendoncker to Pulisic
    B Lascelles to Azip
    C Jimi to Vardy
    D WC

  3. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    La Liga defending is so weird. Villareal have a corner against Barcelona. They leave 1 man back to defend. Barca counter from the corner and have a 3 on 1.

  4. fr3d
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which one should I sell this week

    a) Mane
    b) Salah

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. EgyptianKing
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Who are you buying mate?

      I am on the same dilemma.

  5. Magic Hamster
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    My ML rival has KDB and I have salah... Salah seems to be not in great fir...more so than KDB and is due a rest I think.

    is salah to KDB a good move?

    Have Foden and TAA if that makes a difference..

  6. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bruno Martial owner here, for the third attacker do you prefer Rashford or Greenwood?

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      GW

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I have gone Greenwood. Frees up cash and he will at least keep pace with Rash imo.

    3. EgyptianKing
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      GW + 4.5 cash to massively upgrade elsewhere

  7. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who will start for Chelsea upfront?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Giroud knocked? Otherwise him for now. What about Vardy instead?

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Too costly

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Sell somebody ... BOU is coming to him

          1. Pep Roulette
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Might go for Ings. Thoughts?

            1. Magic Zico
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Ings last three yes, the next two could punt on Vardy

    2. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Aurier with Spurs fixtures.

      1. Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Wrong reply, soz.

    3. MOZIL
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      is Abraham gonna start?

  8. SomeoneKnows
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pope (Martinez)
    TAA, Maguire, Saiss (Lascelles, Holgate)
    Salah, KDB, Fernandes, Pulisic (Guendouzi)
    Jimenez, Rashford, DCL

    A) Guendouzi + Maguire > Martial + Pieters
    B) Guendouzi + Rashford > Martial + Connolly *

    *3.6 itb to upgrade DCL > Vardy or Jimenez > next week

    1. SomeoneKnows
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Meant Jimenez > Kane

  9. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    To make way for Greenwood.
    AWB to
    A) VVD
    B) Azpi

    1. EgyptianKing
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      VVD safer.

      Azpi more risky but much higher ceiling imo!

      Depends on what you aim imo. Defend your rank or try hard to climb?

      1. Iceball
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        We are 2 neck to neck in minileague and around 8k OR. He has VVD. Tempting to try differtial. Chelsea have Champions league to play for but Liv more for fun

  10. ADucksBehind
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What has happened head to head leagues since the restart?

    1. EgyptianKing
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ended on GW29

      1. EgyptianKing
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        So no more updates in what concerns H2H matches and table

      2. ADucksBehind
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Oh really? What a strange decision

        1. EgyptianKing
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Yeah.

          I run a H2H ML that involves some amount of cash.

          Now I do all the updates manually via Excel each GW lol

  11. Aaa
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Worth FH this lot this week or anything worth a hit? Already made transfer for this game week.

    Pope
    TAA/Doherty/Holgate
    KDB(c)/Mane/Fernandes/Pulisic
    Jimenez/Rash/Greenwood

    Button/Taylor/Saint-M/Lascelles

    Worried only one Man C and no Spurs

  12. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Team for next GW:

    Patricio
    Aurier TAA Doherty
    Salah Bruno Martial KdB
    Greenwood Kane(C) Jimenez

    Bench: Foden, Holgate, Kiko, Martin.

    A) save FT
    B) Doherty to 4,9 def and Jimenez to Vardy for -4?

    Thinking about saving FT and do the transfers next GW for free. Agree?

    1. EgyptianKing
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Save FT imo!

      But I would start Foden over Jimenez mate.

      No?

      1. EgyptianKing
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Ahhh, sorry.

        You meant fodder I guess 🙂

        Ahah

        1. Firminooooo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          No,Its Mr Foden.

      2. Firminooooo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thinking about it. Pretty sure ManC will score more goals than Wolves, so maybe benching Jimmy is the way to go.

  13. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best defender for 5.2 million?

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I’m getting Keane this week

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Nice pick but Everton don’t really do cs

    2. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Cresswell

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Not bad

    3. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Aurier with Spurs fixtures.

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        This is what I taught but spurs fan previous page said to stay clear

        1. Duke Silver ☑
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Aurier's a rollercoaster but he does have a great FPL potential. He's basically playing as a right winger when Spurs have the ball.

          1. EgyptianKing
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            This.

            Agreed - not a safe option, but the high ceiling justifies bringing him in imo

            1. Champions League Varane
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Thanks both!

  14. Tempestic
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    DCL Pulisic > Kane Foden
    Or
    DCL Doherty > Kane Saiss

    1. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Dcl hasn't even played

      1. Tempestic
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Plan was always to sell, have to do something pretty special to convince me otherwise

        1. The Overthinker
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          If that's the case, then B

          1. Tempestic
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Cheers, was the original plan

  15. DIMITRIS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A )Best captaincy option for GW 34+ ?
    B) Do you think City will bounce back and smash Newcastle at home?

  16. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    So folks bit of a bench headache this week, did El Ghazi to Foden with my transfer... now have to choose who to bench.... any advice welcomed...
    Henderson
    TAA Doherty Saïss
    KDB(C) Bruno Martial Mahrez Foden(VC)
    Aubameyang Rashford
    Subs- Nyland. Jiménez Mee Fernandez

    1. Easy Cheesy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Foden VC?

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Will probably end up Bruno VC, just thinking Foden was sub tnite so should maybe start next game, being at home too, KDB will start so should be okay anyway

  17. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Early thoughts here?

    1ft 0.1itb

    DDG
    TAA Boly Stevens
    Salah KdB Mahrez Foden
    Rashford Jimenez Origi

    Martinez Mount Soyuncu Fernandez

    A) Origi to Greenwood
    B) Mahrez to Martial
    C) Mahrez, Fernandez to Fernandes, Kiko -4

    1. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks overthinker

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Defo A

    3. EgyptianKing
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    4. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks all,

  18. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which pair for the run in?

    A) Son + Ings
    B) Sarr + Kane
    C) Willian + Vardy

    1. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C

    3. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    4. EgyptianKing
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

  19. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bit lost...

    Pope
    TAA AWB Saiss
    Salah KDB Fernandes Mahrez
    Rashford Jimenez Connolly

    Henderson Cantwell Lascelles Lundstram

    1FT, 1.3 itb, (BB WC remaining)

    What to do here please??

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

      do you really need 2 keepers? 1 fodder will save you some cash for elsewhere, not sure on Mahrez rotation etc

      1. FCSB
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Keeping them both for BB in 37... was going to this week just gone but chose not to thankfully

  20. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who is a better pick?

    A- Willian
    B- Pulisic

    1. X Trapnel
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      toss a coin, both good for FH if that's what you're doing

  21. Arsenal97
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A) Rashford Ings
    Or
    B) Greenwood kane

    (Already have Bruno and Martial)

    1. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

  22. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What to do with this lot? So many combos can be done with a hit or two:

    Pope - Henderson
    TAA - AWB - Doherty - Lascelles - Stephens
    Salah - Bruno - KDB - Pulisic - Mooy
    Rash - Jimi - DCL

    0.4itb BB remaining 1FT

    unfortunately 0.2 off of Salah and DCL --> Mahrez and Kane so aiming to do it with Jimi instead. Or could just do Salah to Son?
    AWB out for a hit is not worth it right?

  23. Reddonkeyham 42
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pope
    Alexander-Arnold, Boly, Wan-Bissaka
    De Bruyne, Fernandes, Salah, maddison, Mount
    Greenwood, Jiménez

    Button

    Calvert-Lewin, lascelles, Egan

    Who do I swap Maddison and mount out for?

  24. DIMITRIS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best captaincy option for GW34? :
    A) Fernandes
    B) Martial
    C) KDB
    D) Kane
    E) Mahrez

    1. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      D

    2. The Red Devil
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C

      1. DIMITRIS
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers

    3. EgyptianKing
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A but will have huge EO surely.

      I like KDB.

      Amazing how KDB (C) against NEW after a rest could be a differential choice 🙂

      A vast majority will choose the United boys route

      1. Klaren
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Overall yes but in top 10k I doubt it, I think more will go with KDB (c) than Fernandes. Villa defence has been decent since the restart.

      2. DIMITRIS
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers

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

      C for safe option, D for differential.

      1. DIMITRIS
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers

    5. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C

      1. DIMITRIS
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers to all

  25. Rt505
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A) Pulisic, Ings
    B) Mount, Kane

    1. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

      A for me

    3. EgyptianKing
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B imo more explosive and more differential

  26. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Salah or Mane on a WC? Or neither?

    Thinking of a wild wildcard with a Vardy Ings Greenwood front three...looking air some differentials

  27. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sell son or Mahrez for kdb? Tempted to sell son

    1. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mahrez. Bournemouth is the team to target, wouldn't sell Son for now.

      1. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        In another transfer, getting Kane for Jimenez,

  28. Klaren
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any ideas on AWB replacement in defence? 5.4 max to spend

  29. The Wizard of Ozil
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pope
    TAA - Aurier - Doherty (Holegate,Lascelles)
    Bruno - Martial - KDB - ASM
    Rashford - Jimi - Vardy

    2 Frees and 1.6 in the bank, what looks best?

    A) ASM - Foden
    B) Vardy - Kane
    C) Both
    D) ASM & Lasc -> Pulisic & Lamprey

    1. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C

  30. Arsenal97
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Digne or Doherty ?

    1. In a Rush
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Assess Everton against spurs tomorrow I own Doherty but digne does have some good fixtures

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Digne