Scout Notes

Aubameyang outperforms Salah in early audition for Gameweek 1 FPL captaincy

Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool

Arsenal won on penalties

  • Goals: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£12.0m) | Takumi Minamino (£6.5m)
  • Assists: Bukayo Saka (£5.5m)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£12.0m) furthered his case for a Blank Gameweek 1 captaincy as he starred in Arsenal’s Community Shield final win.

The recently converted Fantasy Premier League midfielder scored an excellent first-half goal as his movement and pace caused all sorts of problems for Liverpool in the opening period at Wembley.

Stationed on the left-hand side of the front-three in Mikel Arteta’s 3-4-3 formation, Aubameyang exploited the space behind right-back Neco Williams (£4.0m) in the 12th minute to get his goal. With the defender standing off him too much, he was able to cut inside on his right foot and curl an effort behind Alisson (£6.0m).

“Big games, big moments, big players. (Aubameyang) responded really well to that kind of pressure. We are close (to a new contract for him).” – Mikel Arteta

The £12.0m man faces Fulham on the opening weekend of the Premier League season and Saturday’s performance is sure to only further increase the interest in handing him the FPL captain’s armband.

Such a decision could arguably be made easier by what Fantasy managers saw of Liverpool attackers in the Community Shield final.

With Leeds coming to Anfield in Gameweek 1, Jurgen Klopp’s men had also been the subject of armband attention, especially Mohamed Salah (£12.0m) – but he was certainly not at the races at Wembley Stadium.

The Egyptian put in a rather anonymous display, certainly a far cry from the shot-heavy shifts we saw at the back-end of Project Restart.

Meanwhile, Sadio Mané (£12.0m) spurned one of Liverpool’s best chances of the game, a poor touch giving him the wrong angle to beat Emiliano Martínez (£4.5m) from close range.

What makes Arsenal’s performance more encouraging, and Liverpool’s less so, is the disparity between the two clubs when it came to preparation.

It was the Gunners who came into the Community Shield final with less pre-season game-time under their belt, with some players managing just one training session before the game. Despite that fact, they shot out of the traps and, for the majority of the first hour, were the most alert in both boxes.

By contrast, Liverpool have already played two pre-season matches but took until the introduction of Takumi Minamino (£6.5m) to offer any real insight going forward.

“David (Luiz) had only trained one day just before the final. He was able to play 90 minutes. Thank you to the players.” – Mikel Arteta

A key factor in Liverpool’s struggles at Wembley was the increasingly organised shape and discipline on offer at Arteta’s Arsenal.

Although Minamino did find a way through in the second half, for the most part, the Gunners’ back-three did an excellent job of containing Liverpool and dealing with Andrew Robertson‘s (£7.0m) relentless crossing.

Staffed by Kieran Tierney (£5.5m), David Luiz (£5.5m) and Rob Holding (£4.5m), the Arsenal backline did an excellent job of crowding out Salah and Mané, beating them to virtually every ball. That certainly bodes well for their defensive prospects in 2020/21, especially with Fulham and West Ham up first.

“A lot of teams play in this formation and in the final third you want to be fresh. You want to force it sometimes. We didn’t have our rhythm so we couldn’t create the chances we wanted.” – Jurgen Klopp

“(I was pleased with) the courage of the team. How aggressive we were without the ball, how well we made the decisions to break the pressure of Liverpool and cause them some issues in the backline.” – Mikel Arteta

However, there is still some uncertainty on how exactly to cover Arsenal’s defence this season with none of the £4.5m options particularly nailed-on just yet.

Holding was a key man against Liverpool but William Saliba (£4.5m), a player from whom much is expected, was on the bench at Wembley.

As for the goalkeeper situation, Arteta stopped short of declaring Martínez the first-choice during his pre-match media commitments.

The Spaniard missed Arsenal’s first pre-season friendly due to quarantine from recent travelling, which is why Bernd Leno (£5.0m) and Matt Macey shared minutes at Stadium MK.

However, Arteta seemed to suggest that the main reason Martínez came straight back into the side was that he helped Arsenal qualify for the Community Shield in the first place, having played in the FA Cup final earlier in the summer. Fantasy managers will have to hope one more pre-season friendly can be squeezed in between now and Blank Gameweek 1 to give us more information on the subject.

“I have two fantastic keepers. I think Emi (Martínez) finished the season really strong. He was our goalkeeper in the FA Cup and he deserves to play this final.” – Mikel Arteta

The stock of Liverpool defenders appears to be travelling in the opposite direction. As already mentioned, in the first half especially, Arsenal looked much more dangerous when pressing forward, exploiting space behind the Reds’ backline.

It was not far from a first-choice defence either, only Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) missing from the usual suspects, but Liverpool still gave up plenty of chances early on. 

Williams offered Aubameyang too much room in the first half, Joe Gomez (£5.5m) gave the ball away a little too often and even Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) struggled to keep up with some of the mistakes going on around him.

While this Liverpool defence has not become porous overnight, there are still enough troubling signs that Fantasy managers may think twice about investing in a double-up, especially with Alexander-Arnold left out of the Community Shield as a fitness precaution (although he is due to report for England duty on Monday).

Those on the lookout for cheaper attacking options in the Arsenal ranks will have seen more to like about Bukayo Saka (£5.5m) than Eddie Nketiah (£6.0m). The versatile midfielder was a key man for getting Arsenal moving in their counter-attacks during the first half, playing an excellent cross-field assist for Aubameyang’s goal and twice setting up Nketiah.

The former Leeds loanee has been exploiting the absence of Alexandre Lacazette (£8.5m) this week starting both of Arsenal’s pre-season games so far. With the Frenchman heavily rumoured with an exit, there is a chance that Nketiah could lock in the centre-forward’s role but his performance on Saturday was not quite at the level that will entice Fantasy managers.

Nketiah’s approach play was nice and he was certainly willing to receive the ball but the chances that came his way were not executed well enough.

Arsenal XI (3-4-3): Martínez; Tierney (Kolasinac 83′), Holding, D Luiz; Maitland-Niles, Xhaka, Elneny, Bellerín (Cédric 58′); Aubameyang, Nketiah (Nelson 82′), Saka (Willock 82′).

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Robertson, van Dijk, Gomez, N Williams (Minamino 59′); Wijnaldum (Brewster 90+2′), Milner (Keïta 59′), Fabinho; Mané, Firmino (C Jones 83′), Salah.

Best players by position:

936 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Are any of the chelsea centre backs nailed?

    1. Goodison Gladiators
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Don't start with their defence, better options and they need to improve

      1. Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        In a different game they are super cheap, so was wondering.

        1. Pukki Blinders
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Silva if I had to pick one

  2. hshepherd
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone else starting with only one 12.0 premium midfielder? I'm starting with Auba but feels risky without having Salah. However, this lets me spread a lot over the rest of my squad.

    McCarthy
    TAA Doherty Vinagre
    Auba Son Soucek Fernandes (will have a placeholder for GW1 and transfer in GW2)
    Werner Jimenez Mitrovic
    4.0 KWP 4.0 4.5

    1. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I'm fine with that team structure.

    2. Clay Davis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Our teams are very similar. Same mid, but I have Lloris over McCarthy, and Jimi over Werner. Jimi is a set and forget option for me with no Europe this season. Werner will likely be a better capitain pick it subject to abit of rotation with Tammy and a Giroud when Europe kicks in

      1. hshepherd
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks for the reply. Yeah I feel the same about Jimenez, very reliable over the season. Will be interesting to see how Doherty's move will affect both players.

        Who is your other striker as you don't have Werner?

  3. JURGENAUT
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Any love for Ramsdale?

    1. Tony Moon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Only from his girlfriend!

      1. The Son-dance Kid
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        You don't think his mother loves him also?

    2. ItOnlyTook9Years
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Only every fan of every club he's played at

    3. rhino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      think he could be the surprise keeper this season with a much better defence in front of him.

    4. 3 A
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Quite good but 5.0 is not for me. Sheffield and Burnley are the teams when GK can have more bonus points.

  4. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Saka and Auba to start the season before becoming Eze and KdB in GW3 looking tasty

    1. GE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Who is Eze?

      1. JURGENAUT
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        The new signing at Crystal Palace

      2. Nice to Finally Michu
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Signed for 19.5m from QPR for Palace, similar numbers to Maddison in the championship
        6.0m in FPL

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

      6m for a Palace midfielder? I'll pass.

      1. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        My thoughts exactly

  5. Jonnyb40
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    How does this line up.

    McCarthy
    TAA Egan Vinagre
    Salah Auba Son Ziyech ASM
    Mitrovic Werner

    Nayland Ferguson Bernardo Brewster

    First time doing FPL. So don't hold back lol

    1. Jonnyb40
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Should say I will be swapping out Son and Ziyech for KDB and possibly Soucek

    2. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      All seem like reasonable picks.

    3. Dr Mulholland
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Looks good.
      Think Ferguson is injured though.

    4. grandemessi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      bench too weak

  6. Joyce1998
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    hows this draft?

    ryan
    taa, doherty, kwp
    salah, auba, son, periera, soucek
    werner, mitro

    subs- button, johnson, taylor, davis

    1. Joyce1998
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      1 mill itb to do auba and son to kdb, bruno

    2. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      As with the above team, all reasonable picks.

    3. Costa Nostra
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Miss out on Bruno at home to CP?

  7. JURGENAUT
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    When’s everyone thinking to do their wildcard?

    1. ZTF
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      10-15 gws in, ideally

    2. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      For GW5, when the transfer window will have closed and I'll have four GWs of stats to base decisions on.

    3. The Son-dance Kid
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      After transfer window closes for sure.

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      There’s a major fixture shift for Liverpool after the City match - time then to go big defence and rebalance side

  8. sully29
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Think Donny van de Beek would be a good signing for United if they can get him. Only 23, has played 170+ games for Ajax, has CL experience, comes from the Ajax school of technical/tactical proficiency and covers all three of their midfield positions.

    Couldn't have any less interest in him as an FPL asset.

    1. sirmorbach
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Agree, absolutely. VDB + Pogba + Fernandes is one hell of a midfield.

      1. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Not enough balance. Couldnt start in the sand mid as Fernandes and Bruno.

        1. I Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Exactly. They need a defensive midfielder to play with Pogba and Fernandes, not another attack minded one like van de Beek.

    2. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      he was quite good in Dawsons Creek

    3. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Already headed for Barca isn't he?

  9. GE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    First draft - What would you change?

    0.0 itb

    McCarthy
    TAA/Vinagre/KWP
    Salah/Auba/Son/Saka
    Werner/Ings/Mitrovic

    Bench: Nyland, Stephens, 4.0, 4.0

    1. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Depends on how the 4.0s are looking come season kick off. I'd want to know at least one of them is definitely starting.

    2. Dr Mulholland
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      First looks great.

      1. Dr Mulholland
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        XJ

  10. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Is Ward nailed?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Bubblegummed

  11. Joyce1998
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    hows this?

    ryan
    taa, vinagre, kwp
    salah, auba, son, soucek
    werner, ings, antonio

    subs- button, johnson, mitchell, bissouma

    1. Joyce1998
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      then auba and son to rashford, kdb

  12. Kobayashi
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    I get the feeling its going to be increasingly difficult to sell Aubameyang for KDB by GW2-3.

    1. JURGENAUT
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      In terms of value or form?

      1. Kobayashi
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Form, price wise it's easy enough, but I don't think it's going to be as straightforward as first thought if Auba hits the ground running.

    2. BROOKLYN GOONER
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I have him, but he's a flat-track bully. Gw 3-8 are LIV SHU MCI LEI MUN. Just need to figure out which City asset replaces him.

      1. JURGENAUT
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        KDB

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

        I don't where people get this from.
        Can you give some stats to justify that he's a 'Flat track bully' ?
        A quick check shows me he scored 1 against Liverpool yesterday.
        2 each against Chelsea and City in FA cup.
        Scored against LEI, CHE, WOL, United, Tottenham in the league last year.

        1. BROOKLYN GOONER
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Sorry, there was a great post I saw recently, here or on one of the other usual suspect sites. It's not that Auba can't score against the top, but just that his points are well-skewed towards the minnows. Aguero is the king in this regard, with Salah another bottom-feeder. KDB is on the other side of the spectrum, and also TAA, which is why I don't think I'd ever captain him.

          Really wish I could find that post, but if you just eyeball last season's Auba results from Transfermarkt, I think you'll find he's mainly beating up on the little guys:

          https://www.transfermarkt.com/pierre-emerick-aubameyang/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/58864/saison/2019/wettbewerb/GB1/verein/11

            1. BROOKLYN GOONER
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              ...thanks, man

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

              Obviously most players would score less against the top 6-7 sides compared to them facing weaker teams.
              I agree GW3 - GW8 is not a good time to have him.
              Just that I'm a huge Auba fan so didn't like it when you called him a flat track bully. That guy literally won the FA cup on his own for Arsenal.

        2. Tony Moon
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          There's a members' post and stats to justify it.

  13. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Is Matt Ritchie an option worth considering?

    1. BROOKLYN GOONER
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      As a MF this season, think most have him on their wait-&-see list.

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

      Ritchie and Shelvey in my watchlist

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

        Asm too

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Defence to mid on fpl no thanks

  14. Bambi
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Soucek scored today not from a set piece but from bombing forward into the box when Antonio had some space to run at the Brentford defence. Starting to think Soucek could be 4th mid potential

    1. BROOKLYN GOONER
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Me, too. So getting him in gw8.

    2. lugs
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      yeah at the moment i have him as my 4th mid, i did have him at one stage as the 5th mid, but he seems like the type of player that would troll you if you ever bench him by scoring the only Hammers goal in a 5-1 loss to City or something

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah, at the moment I have ASM and Soucek with the idea of the latter being 5th mid, wondering whether Soucek and fodder might be more useful though.

  15. Joyce1998
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    hows this potential draft
    0.5 itb to do ings to martial gw 2
    auba to kdb gw3
    with 0.5 itb to upgrade 4 mill defender

    ryan
    taa, vinagre, kwp
    salah, auba, son, soucek
    werner, ings, mitro

    subs- johnson, gordon, mitchel

  16. ceerus
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    What do u think?
    McCarthy 4.0
    TAA Davies Vinagre (Justin 4.0)
    Salah Auba Son Soucek (4.5)
    Adams Werner Mitro

    On GW3 Auba Son > KDB Fernandes and maybe Adams > Calvert-Lewin

  17. The Ejiptian King
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone else really struggling to decide on stuff? It feels like too much can change still, I wonder if it'll still be like this at the start of the season, so many big transfers up in the air which will impact many potential choices.

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Oh yes. Extremely many good options this season!

  18. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on this draft folks? No liv defence, plan to load up after a few gws. 1m itb.

    Ryan
    Bavies vinagre kwp Mitchell
    Salah Auba son soucek
    Werner ings

    Button Davis GREENWOOD TAYLOR

  19. Phil's Stamps
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Doesn't VVD seems a better pick than Robbo?

    VVD has better overall value than Robbo. And he relies more on clean sheets for his points and subsequent bonus, likely no Adrian situation this time around so should get more. Also Liv signed a new cover for Robbo, likely his games will be reduced by at least a couple. A little less injury prone too.

    Thoughts?

    1. nisag17
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Good points. VVD does play every minute which helps. I won't be so sure about clean sheets helping VVD more as assist plus clean sheet almost guarantees bonus even if other players score also. Its more difficult to own VVD as his attacking returns are more spaced out but because he is .5 cheaper I do think he edges it.

      1. Phil's Stamps
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah if i go with TAA+VVD it's definitely a set and forget for the season (hopefully).

        1. nisag17
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Yes. But the danger is that if they have a slow start like last season you can become less flexible thinking they ate season keepers and not reacting to opportunities or if it doesn't make sense. But if you go with open mind, willing to ditch VVD of required, then it should be fine.

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      He’ll quite likely match Robbo quite closely.

      The rub is his attacking returns will be much more uneven and you’ll need to hold him longer to get the benefit of the attacking returns and the 0.5 saving. You need Liverpool to get very very consistent Cs for VVD to be a decent pick - Robbo can be ok even if cs are less regular

    3. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Thanks for the replies guys, it seems the key will be patience if I go with him.

  20. Sterling Malory
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    This new draft leaves me a bit less flexible for KDB/Bruno but I'm quite liking the balance, thoughts?

    Lloris
    TAA Bellerin KWP
    Salah Auba Son ASM
    Werner Mitro DCL

    Nyland Douglas Anguissa Mitchell

    1. JURGENAUT
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I heard someone discuss DCL and mention that he is a wait and see asset to find out if he is nailed or not. Might be something to check

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        No doubt he starts

  21. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Is going without Salah a viable option ?

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

      Yes

    2. nisag17
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Yes. Liverpool fan here. I have watched pretty season and he looks rusty. Having said that, I will be starting with him.

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

      Of course yes if you score more than him Bruno.

  22. JURGENAUT
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    For GW1

    Play Mitro or Soucek?

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Mitro has one good fixture in the first 5 matches. Even then there was evidence that Villa had their act together by the end of last season

      1. Cok3y5murf
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        This. I'm skeptical about the Villa fixture as well for that reason. Mitro appears to be a trap

  23. nisag17
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Mitrovich. Though it is a difficult choice.

    1. JURGENAUT
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Can you RMT please?

      McCarthy
      Robbo - Doherty - Tierney - Vinagre
      Salah - Son - Ziyech
      Kane - Werner - Mitro

      Bench: Nyland, Soucek, Neco, Gordon

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

      Got a lot of shot but i remember his conversion rates is quite poor.

    3. lugs
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      i think Mitro will do well enough for his price, but the main issue i have owning him is that Fulham, along with the other promoted teams will always be games i'll be looking to play my rotating cheap defenders against, so i don't own him just to avoid that annoying conflict of interest most weeks

  24. 2004
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    RMT
    McCarthy
    Trent Robertson Vinagre Justin
    Salah Son Auba JWP
    Vardy Mitrovic

    Or

    McCarthy
    Trent Robertson Gomez Justin Vinagre
    Auba Son
    Werner Vardy Ings

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Gomez might not start.

      1. Cok3y5murf
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Why? Transformed their defence last season and has since kept his place.

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Watch the game vs Arsenal?
          Matip returning from injury.

          1. Cok3y5murf
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Yes. Noticed a few mistakes in this game as well as the previous friendly. But I thought Williams was worse. Matip possibly returning but will lack match fitness and they were much better with Gomez last season.

            1. TorresMagic™
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Williams is not up to it but even the article talks about Gomez. 2 weeks is a long time regarding fitness.

  25. JURGENAUT
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Can you RMT please?

    McCarthy
    Robbo - Doherty - Tierney - Vinagre
    Salah - Son - Ziyech
    Kane - Werner - Mitro

    Bench: Nyland, Soucek, Neco, Gordon

    Thank you

  26. I am here to Michu
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    As a fan of your club, what insights can you share that is beneficial to FPL players of other clubs?

    Let me start. As an Arsenal fan, here are my insights:
    (Not a future predictor but writing what is likely)

    Goalkeepers: We are unsure who will start. But, Martinez can not be dropped for the first games after his performance against Liverpool. I would stay clear from selecting an Arsenal goalkeeper because rotation is likely unless one of them is sold.

    Defenders: Our backline for most of the season will be:
    (against top 6) - Bellerin / Cedric - Saliba / Holding - Luiz - Gabriel / Tierney - Tierney / AMN
    (against top 4) - Bellerin / Cedric - Saliba / Holding - Luiz / Gabriel / Mari - Tierney

    Again, a lot of options at the back. So, I would not jump into our defence straight away. The only nailed-on defender is Tierney, and David Luiz until the youngsters step up. Saliba will be a good option once he settles given his price. Gabriel (who is close to being signed) maybe 4.5 / 5 but will see rotation from Pablo Mari when he is fit. So, the best bet is Tierney for now for his defending + attacking returns. I am sure he will be a bonus points magnet due to his style of play when we keep clean sheets.

    Midfielders:

    Aubameyang will be playing 32+ games and scoring 20+ goals and around 5-6 assists. We should be signing a new CM. That new CM and Xhaka will also feature in 30+ games. But nothing significant in FPL terms.

    Willian will be taking a CAM or wing roles against weaker sides. I am looking at 25+ games at least for him with 10+ assists and 8-10 goals. Pepe will be starting out wide in 30+ games and expecting similar stats to Willian. The likes of Saka and Martinelli are subjected to the rotation, but Saka will surely get 20+ starts this season and at least 10 assists and few goals.

    Forwards:

    Nketiah and Lacazette will be sharing the minutes. However, Nketiah will be getting more games than Lacazette. Nketiah isn't still in his clinical touch, but expecting at least 10 goals from him this season.

    So, in summary, Aubameyang is a season keeper and Tierney could be a good asset in long-run. Some cheap options such as Saliba and Saka will emerge sometime during the season that is to keep an eye for. Pepe and Willian are an alternative if you want an Arsenal asset, but can not afford Aubameyang - but Pepe has rotation threat from Saka, Nelson; and Willian may not play due to the system we sometimes play. Formation wise, we will be looking at a back 3 (back 5) at bigger games and 4-3-3 against weaker opponents with Willian as our CAM.

    I will add things if I remember. Do add some insights about your club too. Thanks!

    1. I am here to Michu
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      the 2nd defence was meant to be - against weaker sides.

    2. Coolbean
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Great analysis - looks spot on to me 🙂 is the Holding to Newcastle move off though?

    3. RichardNixon
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      "As a fan of your club, what insights can you share that is beneficial to FPL players of other clubs?"

      At Chelsea we have lost Pedro and Willian and brought in Ziyech. Pulisic is injured and Ziyech picked up some sort of injury yesterday (probably a minor one). Mount and Barkley are in quarantine and the season starts in two weeks.

      So that leaves our wide options limited for the start of the season. Supposedly CHO came back early for pre-season and he looked very hungry and lively yesterday. I reckon he will start in GW1 and at 6m he could be a very good option in a side that will create a lot of chances. He has plenty of quality and will be looking to prove himself.

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

    Imo West Ham can easily score in their first 5 games! Soucek & Antonio are not bad options to start with! Especially Soucek at 5m and potential to be 4th mid looks amazing value to me!

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Agreed up to a point

      WH did poorly last season in defence. Their attack wasn’t great of course but they didn’t blank that often and with those two you have a high GI. The wrinkle is that Moyes may set them up very cautiously against big boys.

      Soucek as the dead ball specialist is less likely to be hampered by low possession in matches with negative tactics.

    2. I am here to Michu
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Looks like I am buying and keeping Soucek for the first 5 GWs at least.

    3. Paul
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Is Antonio to start as an out and out No 9 though?

    4. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I like Soucek as 5th rotating with a cheaper fwd option such as Mitro or DCL to some diff fixtures

    5. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I don’t know what they were smoking pricing Soucek at 5.0

      He can fail and still be value at that price - and if he performs to what he’s capable of he could easily be 6.5-7.0 next season

      Value alone makes him an almost ever present in my drafts

      Nearly every type of FPL team needs at least one dirt cheap attacker early on

  28. Yankee Toffee
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    RMT pls. Rotating Soucek and Mitrovic. Any glaring issues?

    Martinez
    TAA, Justin, KWP
    Son, Mane, Alba, ASM, Soucek
    Ings, Werner

    Steer, Mitro, Mitchell, Braithwaite

    0.0 itb

    1. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Looks good. Plan for united/ city attack?

      1. Yankee Toffee
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers, m8!

        Alba or Son > KDB or Bruno
        Ings or Werner > Martial or Kun

        Not sure yet, will see who's firing at that time.

    2. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Sorry TAA is Robbo

  29. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Vardy or Ings?

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Ings for me

  30. The Darkest Knight
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    How does it looks?

    Donnarumma
    TAA - Davies - Magalhães - Vinagre
    Messi - Sancho - Havertz - Van De Beek
    Werner - Moreno

    Bench: Nyland, Justin, Stephen, Davies

    1. NZREDS
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Woah! Finally something out of the FFS template, I wish you all the best