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

    Best 5.1m keeper for the run in? Currently have Hendo and Martinez...
    Fancy Foster, but how solid are Watford, even if that runin is brilliant.

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

      Fabianski worth considering with good fixtures

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

        Yeah, they were decent today too.

  2. aleksios
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Out
    Leno-Mount-Saka
    In
    Patricio-Pullisic-Foden
    For -8.
    Y or N?
    Thanks.

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Who's your other keeper?

      -8 is a bit punchy

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

        Nyland who doesnt play also..

        1. how now brown cow
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Maybe just a -4 on a keeper and foden?

  3. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Despite today, City fixtures are so good, but hard to know who to target.

    Is Foden the only sensible pick?

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

      Well i'd say KDB is a pretty sensible pick.. 😉

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

        Honestly I feel like just pick KDB and 2 others out of Foden, Mahrez, Sterling and hope for the best.

        1. Pieterke30
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          This.

      2. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I'm kind of assuming everyone has him 🙂

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

          Yeh that fair enough

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

      yes definitely

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling might get a jaunt up front midweek

    4. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'm going with KdB, Foden and Garcia.

  4. XABI 15
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    will salah start v brighton?

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Of course

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

      will he score is the question

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

    Krul Martinez
    VvD Gomez AWB Saiss Holgate
    KdB Mahrez Bruno Antonio Sarr
    Rashford DC-L Kane

    Good week to activate BB?

  6. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bottomed

    Really really stuck on what to do with this lot, any advice please guys?

    DDG

    Trent - Doherty - Aurier

    Salah - KDB - Pulisic - Bruno

    Ings - Jimmy - Rashford

    Subs: Hendo, Saiss, Hayden, Fernandez 1FT 0.1m ITB.

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

      im personally debating Salah + Jimi --> Mahrez + Kane

      Or something with like Hayden to Foden

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

    Not a fan of hits at all. Targeting BOU this could work however.

    Jimenez & Salah / Mane —> Son & Kane (-4)

    Think it is a good move?

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

    Thoughts on either of these options:
    DCL Pulisic > Kane Foden
    Or
    DCL Doherty > Kane Saiss

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

      if youre doing it tonight, id gowith only one - who knows how spurs respond

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

        Well i'm not gonna get Kane twice am I..? 😛

    2. Dele
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Keep Pulisic and Doherty

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

        Thanks

  9. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sorry for the repost. VVD or Digne?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Digne

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

      Next GWs I would go VVD.

      Last 3 GWs of the season Digne

  10. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Saka to Foden worth a FT? Would mean benching Jimmy or DCL though.

    Pope
    TAA Doherty AWB
    Salah KDB Bruno Mahrez
    Rashford Jimenez DCL

    Martinez SakaTaylor Fernandez

  11. SKENG
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any ideas here? 2 FTs, nothing in bank. Was thinking Martial & McCarthy > Mahrez & nonplayingGK

    Pope
    TAA Robertson Doherty
    KDB Son Fernandes Martial Sarr
    Rashford Jimenez

    McCarthy Connolly Fernandez Lascelles

    thanks

  12. 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?
    Foden an option as well?

  13. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Need son to score something anywhere near greenwood

  14. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Does Mahrez start next game?

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

      I'd say so with Sterling up top

    2. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      This. Mahrez Sterling Foden

  15. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Numbers time (in the right article 🙂 )

    - Salah’s away scores this season when Mané has started with him:

    3,6,5,3,2,3,6,2,3,2,2 = 37 from 11 games

    - Compared to away scores when Mané hasn’t started:

    13, 14 = 27 from 2 games

    - 3 of his remaining 5 games are away... one of the 2 home games is Chelsea.... is he a “safe” sell at this point?

    Also, interestingly - FPL Points in 2020:

    Salah 95
    KDB 77
    Mane 68

    1. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I’d get rid personally. Might get a goal or two but no big returns for me. Personally think better teams and fixtures to captain than Salah and Liverpool.

    2. Goonsquad245
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I think he’s a keep for the next 2 unless you have 2 FT

  16. JURGENAUT
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    2 Transfer suggestion for ML battle: only 5-10 points difference to top

    Henderson
    TAA, Chilwell, AWB
    Sterling, KDB, Bruno, Traore, Foden
    Jiminez, Rashford

    Bench: 3.9m GK, Nketiah, 3.9m, 3.9m

    £1.3m ITB

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

      Traore to Pulisic seems the easy choice

  17. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Cant believe how awful Jesus is. Imagine not managing to score any points for that City side.. Hes seriously worse than Solanke and Joelinton. And hes in my team because I deluded myself into thinking surely anyone would score some points with that supporting cast.

    Cant get rid of him either because it still seems like in theory he cant keep underperforming his xG by more than 1.0 every single game...

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Wouldnt surprise me if hes benched.

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Dont think he will be benched unless Pep literally gives up on him. Perfect chance to give him more minutes to build up chemistry for the remainder.

        But, honestly Pep should just give up on him. Hes useless. So Im torn.

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

    Garcia or Aurier?

    They will rotate with Lasc & Justin

  19. Saka Punch
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who would you ship for KDB, and why?

    A) Mane
    B) Salah

    Thanks

    1. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C) Nobody

      1. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Haha read that wrong, worded that a bit weirdly! My fault still.

        Id be tempted to keep Mane. Lower owned and days like today you gain

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

      Mane.

  20. Krafty Werks
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bench one of my front 8 for GW34?!!

    A - KDB
    B - Sterling
    C - Pulisic
    D - Son
    E - Jimenez
    F - Greenwood
    G - Rashford
    H - Bruno

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

      E

    2. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Jimmy

  21. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Love having no Wildcard (played in Jan) and FH (31+) because I don’t care about price rises at all...

    Unless it’s bang on the money.

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

    Any changes you can suggest for week 34 + or would you carry transfer?

    Pope
    TAA Maguire Doherty
    Salah KDB Bruno Mahrez Martial
    DCL Jiménez

    Martinez Aurier Nketieh Fernández

    1. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah to Pullisic and DCL to Kane?!

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

        That’s what I am thinking but prefer Foden just over Pulisic- also needing differentials and of ML rivals one has Pulisic and Son and the other Kane. In fact keeping Salah may be differential!!

        1. Rinseboy
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          true. Almost starting to think holding an FT this week could be the way to go with games so thick and fast! and then getting an FT banked for the last 3 gameweeks to get in players like Ings etc

    2. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah the big question mark/decision to make. If you’re settled on him keep. Unless you can afford massive upgrades somewhere to DCL

  23. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is Reece James nailed?

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

      Not nailed, but should start

    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      This was the first game hes started since gw28.

      So no.

  24. Return of the FF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    -4 For Salah and DCL for Foden and Kane? Leaves me only TAA for Liverpool but think that might be enough right now...

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

      If captaining Kane perhaps yes but Salah v Brighton would be a hard watch!

  25. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Early thoughts on Salah and DCL to Pullisic and Kane -4?

    Pope
    TAA Doherty Maguire
    Salah KDB Mahrez Martial Bruno
    DCL Jimi
    Martinez Nketiah Aurier Fernandez

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

      Yes, that's a good move. Would you captain Kane?

      1. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        yes obviously if he looks good tomorrow.

        Think DCL could struggle against Southampton

        1. Rinseboy
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          sorry meant to only if he looks good tomorrow. that came across rude! thanks for the reply

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

      I would worry about Pulisic rest on Tuesday after game on Saturday. So rather Foden who I think will start home to Newcastle- would you captain Kane?

      1. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        yes and all depends on tomorrow and how he looks. Do lioe the Foden pick tho

  26. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How am I looking for next gw ?

    Ederson
    TAA - James - Kiko
    Mane - KDB(vc) - Mahrez - Martial - Fernandes
    Kane(c) - Greenwood

    Button - Connolly - Taylor - Reid

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

      Defence a bit weak, but looks good

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers

  27. FPL Emu
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which combo of United players do you prefer?

    A) Martial, Bruno, Greenwood (forward will be Vardy)

    B) Rashford, Bruno, Greenwood (midfielder will be Willian)

    C) DDG, Bruno, Greenwood (both Willian and Vardy)

    1. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

    Bench Jimeneth or DCL?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      You'll know tomorrow.

  29. pablo discobar
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    GK Foster
    DEF TAA, Holgate, Doherty
    MID Salah, KDB(c), Pulisic, Bruno, Martial
    FWD Rashford, DCL

    Subs (Pope), Jimmy, Lamptey, Lascalles

    Do I just leave it, roll the transfer or possibly sell Salah for Mahrez/Sterling and do DCL to Kane/Ings?

    Cheers

  30. AC Yew
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any help with this team please really unsure what move to make. 1 FT 1.3 ITB

    Henderson

    TAA Doherty Taylor
    Salah KDB Mahrez Fernandes Saka
    Jimenez Greenwood
    Leno Stevens Egan Nketiah

    Thinking lose one of the SHU boys?