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. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    any reason to hold on to Salah right now?

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

      Don't know who to replace or how to use the excess funds

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

      Hoping that Liverpool can get back down to business, now that the party week has finished

  2. the snazzy viking
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    surely Watford can keep a clean sheet against Norwich at home ?

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

      I went bit left field and brought foster as my ddg replacement.. nor and 2 after look good

      1. the snazzy viking
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        that gives me a little bit of confidence thanks for that 🙂

  3. Old Gregg
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Hello there,

    Any advice appreciated.

    Martinez
    Taa-Doherty-Kiko-(Fernandez)-(3.9)
    Mane-Marhez-Martial-Bruno-(Saka)
    Jiménez-DCL-Rashford

    1FT 2.5m ITB

    a) Saka > Foden
    b) Saka > Antonio
    c) Jimi/Dcl > Ings
    d) Any other?
    E) Save

  4. Teror
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is Lundstram likely to drop tonight? Lost 0.2 on him since the restart and not keen to lose any more.

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

      Looks likely

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

    Evening Lads, really really stuck on what to do with this lot, any advice please guys? 1.5 ITB

    DDG
    Alonso Doherty Aurier (Robinson, Lascelles)
    KDB Mane Mahrez Fernandes Martial
    Jimenez CLewin (Connolly)

    Currently on Alonso to VVD or Digne. Toughts?

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

      hold

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

        This.

  6. Mr.SHaMBLes
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Evening all, any thoughts on this FH team please?

    Martinez
    Van Dijk Maguire Boly
    Barnes Sterling KDB Sarr
    Vardy Auba Kane

    Bench is fodder

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Surprised you prefer spending the money on Auba over a Spurs mid or Bruno as 5th mid in a 3-5-2.

      1. FC Hakkebøf
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        This.. the team is not balanced at all

        1. Mr.SHaMBLes
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I am worried about no man u attack. I just think ars vs lei could have plenty of goals. Kane may become son. Food for thought. Thanks both

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

      Why would you pick 5 players from the arsenal -leicester game? Surely the players for next round are man city, man u, spurs and chelsea. Why pick vardy and barnes in attack, and martinez as a goalie?

      1. Mr.SHaMBLes
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Valid point, thank you. Just have a feeling there will be a lot of goals. Martinez just because he's cheap

    3. The Big Larsbowski
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      If you go sterling to fodden, you can afford upgrading sarr and barnes to martial and fernandez. Also take out vardy, martinez and boly

  7. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which option if Spurs do well tomorrow?

    A) Rashford + DCL/Jimenez -> Kane (C) + Greenwood -4
    B) Salah + Jimenez -> Kane (C) + Son -4
    C) Save

    Getting rid of Salah for a hit seems crazy. But it might be the right gameweek to do it. Either him or Mane will prolly get rested and Liverpool don't look to good atm.

    1. EL tridente
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not B. Crazy to have double Spurs

      1. FC Hakkebøf
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        If A, would you sell DCL or Jim?

  8. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    G2G played jota over Egan this week *sigh*
    Henderson
    TAA Saiss Aurier Egan
    Salah KDB Martial Bruno Pulisic
    Rashford

    Martin Jota Connolly Lundstarm

    Cheers

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

    Anything worth (-4) hit here??

    Pope
    TAA AWB Saiss
    Salah KDB Fernandes Mahrez Foden
    Rashford Jimenez

    Henderson Connolly Lascelles Lundstram

    0.6 itb

    Thanks

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not really looks good.

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

        Thanks

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

    Digne is going fairly under the radar in a fairly resolute Ancelotti side.

    Has good fixtures, reckon he is worth a go?

    1. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Prefer Holgate at 4.3

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

        lol

        1. Begbie.
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          You laugh but the extra 1.4m can go towards a better midfielder.

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

      Bringing him in next week.

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

      Yes. Currently on my radar.

      Help above please.

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

      You might get a better idea after tomorrow

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

      One of the first names on my WC this week. Gonna double with Holgate.

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

      Was going to get him in this week. Other moves for now

  11. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    McCarthy
    TAA Doherty Aurier
    Salah (K)DB Bruno Martial Mahrez
    Jimenez Rashford

    (3.9 Cathcart Holgate Nketiah)

    A) Salah ➡ Foden
    B) Salah ➡ Sterling
    C) Jimenez ➡ Ings
    D) Salah & Jimenez ➡ Foden & Kane -4
    E) Save FT

    Cheers! 🙂

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

      D.

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

      E

    3. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      E. At least until Kane plays and then make a call

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

    Will watch Spurs v Everton tomorrow with interest.

    Thinking of doing Rashford & Jimmy > Greenwood and Kane -4

    Kane has bou, ARS & new next 3...Jimmy shu, EVE & bur

    Also allows me to do Ryan > Ederson

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

      Good moves.

    2. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Love the idea of that first move, didn't even contemplate that

    3. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I've gone dcl and Jimi to greenwood and kane.
      Keeping rashford!

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

    Just done Leno-Salah-Saka to Pope-Sterl-Foden for -8.Got the feeling Sterling will go crazy.
    Gtg?

    --Pope
    --TAA--Alonso--Doherty
    --Sterl(c)--KDB--Foden--Martial--Mount
    --Green--Rash

    --Nyland--Egan--Jota--Lund.

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes looks great.

  14. Teror
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Risky to do Lundy > Holgate to avoid a price drop? Or wait til tomorrow to make sure Holgate doesnt get injured against Spurs?

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

      Wait.

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

      Price changes shouldn't matter so much at this stage of the season
      Bringing in a player before they play very risky

  15. istanbul05
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on Salah, Jimenez to Mahrez, Kane with 2 EFTs?

    Patricio,
    TAA, Doherty, Aurier/AWB,
    Salah, KDB, Foden, Martial, Pulisic,
    Rashford, Jimenez.

    Thanks

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

      Do them!

  16. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Correct money for Lundstarm to Holgate or Watford def if he drops ill be priced out of getting rid without using 2 transfers do it now and to who?

    Cheera

  17. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Have Patricio and Doherty, play Martinez just to balance out or trust Wolves double?

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

      Thinking of doing martinez to patricio double with sais

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

    Sterling to Salah for free?

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

      Already have Mahrez and KDB

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

      I assume you mean the other way around but I am tempted myself

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

        I think one more week. Hoping City make up for their away performance and go full out at the Etihad.

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

    Best GK to get for the rest of the season?

    1. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ederson

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

    Either of these options look good?
    DCL Pulisic > Kane Foden
    Or
    DCL Doherty > Kane Saiss

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

      Like both of them

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

        Any preference?

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

          Foden is a better option than Pulisic irrespective of price imo so A

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

            Cheers

    2. AD2110
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

  21. jonnybhoy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Excellent free hit this week.

    Out

    McCarthy
    Egan
    Fernandes (brought in Mahrez)
    Vardy

    Fantastic. Great. Sums up my season

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Who are you transferring out next please?

      1. jonnybhoy
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Transferring out the FPL app out my phone

        1. Sun Jihai
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          :ha:

  22. liiusions
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Fabianski
    TAA Doc Holgate
    Mane KdB(c) Mahrez Bruno Martial
    Jiminez Greenwood
    (Martinez, DCL Holgate 4.0)
    1FT 0.1ITB

    Any ideas on what to do this week? Would like Kane in but means Mane out and then benching one of Jiminez/Greenwood

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

      Holgate on the bench is Ritchie

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

      Yeh dont think Kanes worth it in ur case. Probably not a bad option to just save, maybe go for Vardy vs BOU next week instead

  23. FPL_DON
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Chances of Mahrez starting against Newcastle...

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

      Pretty high I reckon. I would think it'll be Mahrez Sterling Foden up front

    2. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      70/30.

  24. Bagheri Arce
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I bought Jesus last night.

    Strange times when you have City's only centre forward for a home game to Newcastle and I am disgusted at myself.

    Any redeeming thoughts from anyone? My gut feeling is a benching followed by 20 mins of missing a barn door....

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

      I think he'll be benched and Sterling will play up front.

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

        this

    2. Teror
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He looked as awful today as he has every GW since the restart. I'd much rather Foden

    3. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He was getting into decent positions so I wouldn’t panic if I were you. He was a constant threat in the 6 yard box..

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

        Thanks!

        Love your optimism.

        The only solace is that Pep is so unpredictable that he could easily start.

        I think front 3 of Sterling Foden and one other (likely Mahrez) but who the hell knows

  25. ralfb
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Have just enough funds for
    Doherty jimi > Kane Saiss
    Are there price changes happening or can I wait after tomorrow’s game ? Ta

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

      Doherty/Kane may go up 0.1

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

        Thanks might need to do today then

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

    R.James, Aurier or which defender up to 5.2?

    I have to do this tonight!

  27. Viper
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I have Ritchie as my third defender with City away coming up(Lascellas & 3.9m on the bench)

    A. Ritchie & Jimenez - > 4.5m defender & Kane (-4)

    B. Rashford - > Kane (Play Ritchie )

    C. Ritchie - > Digne

  28. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Captain for GW34+

    A) Kane
    B) Fernandes
    C) Someone else

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

      KDB

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

    Keep faith and hold and play all of KDB Mahrez Foden?

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

      Yep. Who are your other mids?

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

      For sure

  30. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    DDG
    TAA, Boly, Egan
    Salah, Fernandes, KDB (C), Foden
    Greenwood, Kane (VC), Auba

    Subs: Button, Duda, Lascelles, Lundstram

    GTG?