Scout Notes

Should FPL managers sell Aubameyang ahead of Arsenal’s tough fixture run?

Arsenal 2-1 West Ham United

  • Goals: Alexandre Lacazette (£8.5m), Eddie Nketiah (£6.0m) | Michail Antonio (£6.4m)
  • Assists: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£12.0m), Dani Ceballos (£5.5m) | Ryan Fredericks (£4.5m)
  • Bonus: Nketiah x3, Ceballos x2, Lacazette x1

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£12.0m) is top of the charts for Fantasy Premier League transfers out ahead of Gameweek 3, with over 250,000 FPL bosses having offloaded the Gabon international since last Saturday’s deadline.

Modest returns in the opening two Gameweeks is one reason for the exodus but Arsenal’s upcoming fixture run is arguably the single biggest contributing factor, with the Gunners now facing five fixtures against sides who finished in the top half last season.


In nine meetings against these five clubs last season, Aubameyang delivered just two goals and one assist.

Even a player who consistently boasts one of the best goal conversion records in the division would struggle with his underlying numbers in these games: the premium midfielder managed only two shots on target (scoring both, naturally) and averaged less than one effort in the box per appearance.

Top half last season doesn’t necessarily mean top half this season, of course, and the jury is still out on a Sheffield United backline without the services of Dean Henderson (£5.5m).

Liverpool’s high defensive line was exposed by Leeds in Gameweek 1, meanwhile, and Aubameyang put Manchester City to the sword in the FA Cup semi-final in July.

Still, the fact remains that the Gunners’ Gameweek 3-7 opponents were all in the top six for fewest goals conceded in 2019/20.

Aubameyang will almost certainly bag at least one attacking return, maybe even a handful, in his upcoming five matches, but is he likely to outscore the premium assets from the other ‘big six’ clubs over the same timeframe?

And in how many of these fixtures would we realistically captain the Gabon international?

On paper, a premium midfielder exchange seems to be a straightforward decision – but FPL, as this weekend showed, may have other ideas.

ONE SHOT

Aubameyang was by some distance the most-captained FPL asset of Gameweek 2, with over two million Fantasy managers handing him the armband.

One solitary assist for Alexandre Lacazette‘s (£8.5m) opener was all that he could muster, with the Frenchman nodding home his teammate’s cross after just 24 minutes.

The expected avalanche of points failed to materialise as both player and club struggled to carve out chances, with Aubameyang’s only shot of the match coming from distance in the 90th minute.

There was mitigation for his own display though.

Aubameyang had cultivated a good understanding with Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£5.0m) and Kieran Tierney (£5.5m) down the left flank recently and he was without both of his comrades at the Emirates, with the former benched and the latter succumbing to an injury in the warm-up.

Bukayo Saka (£5.5m) and Sead Kolasinac (£4.9m) came into the side and although Saka “assisted the assister” for both of the hosts’ goals, the rapport simply wasn’t there between the left-sided trio for much of the game.

TIERNEY UPDATE
One statistic to rule them all

Mikel Arteta acknowledged a disjointed performance from his troops after full-time, saying:

I think we were a little bit lucky in certain moments, but we found a way in the end to win it and that’s the mentality I want from the team, to always believe that we can do it until the last moment, even when we have difficult games where suffer and make it very difficult for ourselves in certain positions.

But in the end, it’s three points and that’s what we’re here for. We will take some big notes because there are a lot of things to improve.

It’s very strange because we were talking with the staff today that they had their best week in terms of decision making, quality and execution with the ball by far since I joined the club, but then in the first 15 minutes, they gave the ball to the wrong colour too often. We need to improve on that and we know that we still have a lot of work to do here, but at least they kept trying and nobody tried to hide.

On Tierney’s injury, the Arsenal boss added:

Kieran is fine. He had a little muscular discomfort in the last few days. He tried today and worked in the warm-up but he wasn’t feeling comfortable today.
 
We believed that he was going to be fit but during the warm-up, in the last 10 minutes, he said he wasn’t feeling OK. We had to make a decision. We were prepared just in case and Kola came on and had a good game.

ANTONIO BACK AMONG THE GOALS

After an anticlimactic Gameweek 1, Michail Antonio (£6.4m) was back on the scoresheet at the Emirates.

Encouragingly, he was occupying the sorts of areas that led to his purple patch of form after lockdown ended in June.

His 44th-minute goal from a Ryan Fredericks (£4.5m) cross came from inside the six-yard box and he had an excellent chance to add to that tally after the break, failing to make proper contact on an Arthur Masuaku (£4.5m) delivery from close range.

Antonio then hit the bar with a header midway through the second half and saw a goalbound shot blocked in the subsequent melee.

West Ham’s awful upcoming fixture run will put many FPL managers off but few players could compete with Antonio’s underlying stats after lockdown ended and there were encouraging signs that he could recapture that form on Saturday.

MOYES GOES 3-4-3

With Mark Noble (£5.0m) injured, David Moyes called on Arthur Masuaku (£4.5m) to replace him and turned to a 3-4-3 for the trip to north London.

While Jarrod Bowen (£6.4m) and Tomas Soucek (£5.0m) were not at their best, Masuaku was excellent in a left wing-back role and West Ham delivered a much-improved display following their poor performance in Gameweek 1 – something to perhaps consider for those targeting assets who play the Hammers in weeks to come.

Moyes’ troops registered twice as many shots as their hosts, with their goal not coming under much threat after Lacazette’s opener – that is, until a lapse in concentration allowed Dani Ceballos (£5.5m) to set up Eddie Nketiah (£6.0m) for Arsenal’s late winner.

Moyes said of his side’s display:

We were massively improved from last week. We made chances, played well, wanted to be as good as we could. But ultimately we are playing a form team. I am disappointed that we have not come away with a point at least.

Arsenal XI (3-4-3): Leno; Holding, Gabriel, Kolasinac; Bellerin, Ceballos, Xhaka, Saka (Luiz 89′); Willian (Pepe 64′), Lacazette (Nketiah 77′), Aubameyang.

West Ham United XI (3-4-3): Fabianski; Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Fredericks, Rice, Soucek, Masuaku (Anderson 85′); Bowen (Yarmolenko 83′), Antonio, Fornals (Haller 87′).

Members Analysis


FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 2

3,517 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Burger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Desperately needed that KDB asssit, just scraped through the GW with 86pts.

    1. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Hard luck mate

    2. Captain Vantastic™
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Stay strong mate

  2. Captain Vantastic™
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Selling tonight for KDB.

  3. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    FantasyFootballSalt.co.uk

  4. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    71 pts.

    Fuming because I'm getting Coady off the bench instead of Mitchell which I changed at the last minute. 4 points lost

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ban

    2. pablo discobar
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah must be fuming

  5. TAT
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    After 30 pts all out this gameweek, I had to WC. How does this draft look? 0.4 itb.

    Martínez
    Saïss - TAA - James
    De Bruyne - Son - Fernandes - Rodríguez - Podence
    Werner - Calvert-Lewin - Bamford
    (Button -Lamptey - Mitchell - Brewster)

    1. TAT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Edit: Bamford is not in this draft.

    2. pablo discobar
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      werner might drop tonight so manipulate that

      1. TAT
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks! Jiménez in then. Not sure about Werner; as I'm on WC I can easily get him in again after the drop, but is Jiménez maybe a better option?

    3. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No salah? Risky?

      1. TAT
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        It is, but I'm so far behind already in the rankings, so I need to drop someone to get a jump. It's either KDB or Salah at this point.

    4. BoleynWin
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      30 points here too mate, couldn’t believe how everything went against me this gameweek but these things happen. I activated the WC’d too, not too dissimilar team but I think James has a short shelf life

      1. TAT
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I know, right? It's as if anything went the wrong way this GW. 🙁

        I do worry about James, but have him in at the moment because of the price rise. He could become someone like Castagne for example, or a downgrade to a 4.5 to get more funds. WBA up next though…

  6. Dynamic
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    How long will it take for FPL to remove that KDB assist?

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Its been confirmed. Nothing will change now

      1. Daysleeper_
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        checking that KDB last assist, no touch to the ball so its should be removed!!!

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

    Is this worth a WC??

    McCarthy
    TAA Egan Davies Justin
    Salah Aubameyang Son ASM
    Werner Ings

    Button Bissouma Mitchell Brewster

    0.0 itb, 2FT

    1. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I’ve a Very similar team

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

        Are you wildcarding?

        1. DAZZ
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          With my 2FT ive done Auba Adams to Rodriguez DCL and now considering ASM> Podence -4, then Son > KDB next GW

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

            Do you have Egan?

    2. Kaz77
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No. Auba to De Bruyne; ASM to Podence - done.

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

        That was the plan, until Egan got sent off!!

        Is it worth a -4 ?

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      -4 is enough

    4. Pia06rc
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I'd probably take a - 4 to get rise of Egan & Davies and bring in KDB/Sterling for Auba. Have a bench to cover ASM if out

    5. Shultan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No
      Auba >KDB
      Egan> Saiss

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

        And keep ASM for now?

    6. Mancini
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Davies Justin Mitchell may have a short shelf life

      1. RamaLangaDingDong
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Is that such a bad thing? Get the points in the bag and catch price rises while you can and gather data on potential alternatives in the meantime... (I know defender transfers are not sexy, but collectively, those three have an average so far of 5ppg - which is the same as Andy Robinson...!)

  8. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Son or KDB -4? For one week.

    1. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Son

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      if both -4, then KDB

  9. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    ASM -> Podence worth -4? Mitchell backup

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah

  10. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Werner > Jesus?

    1. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No.

    2. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nah

  11. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hows that an assist? Wow awful decision.

    1. Twisted Melon
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      6 points out of nothing

  12. MoSalalalalalalalalah
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Podence + Digne
    B) Foden + James
    C ) Podence + James (Save money)

    1. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  13. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    1. Sterling, KDB.
    2. Foden, Podence (giving me 1.0m ITB).

    1. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      2 gives u millions.

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Both and both 😀

    3. A-L
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      1

  14. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best replacement for Egan? Same price...

    1. Shultan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Saiss

  15. LLoris
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    When do price rises occur??

    1. RamaLangaDingDong
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Typically around 2.30am GMT (- or at least they used to,,,!)

  16. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    My team at the moment:

    Mccarthy PeacockF
    TAA KWP Justin Vinagre Mitchell
    Salah Auba Son AsM Soucek
    Werner Martial Davis

    Should I:
    A) WC
    B) auba + AsM + martial out - > KDB, foden and jiminez in (-8)

    1. Pia06rc
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not sure I'd take martial out for a hit. Did you just bring him in?

      1. FF Dirtbag
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah but united looked all over the place.

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          One gameweek....

  17. Kaneyonero
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Auba to Sterling or KDB?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Did you not watch the game....KDB

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Sterling, be different and enjoy the hat tricks

  18. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who to prioritise for a hit?
    A. Havertz to JRod
    B. ASM to Podence
    C. Play 5 at the back

    0.4itb 0ft
    McCarthy*
    TAA Robbo Justin Ayling Taylor
    KDB Salah Havertz*
    Werner DCL
    (Peacock ASM* Bissouma Vassilev)

  19. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Just did Auba, Adams to Kdb, Jim with -4. Can I save WC?

    Mccarthy*
    TAA Davies* Mitchell (KWP Justin)
    Kdb Salah Jrod Soucek* (Biss*)
    Werner Jimmy DCL

    * players to get rid

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Save WC 433

  20. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hi....please can I have a view on best wildcard option? If any

    Martinez steer
    Taa saiss xxx lamptey 4m
    Salah xxx kdb zaha podence
    Dcl xxx xxx

    A......james sterling mitro brewster 352

    B.....Taylor reed jesus jiminez 343

    Thanks

    1. Shultan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A has more explosive players

  21. ivantys
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Even livescore.com gave that assist so must be real.

  22. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Micah is a terrible pundit

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nah he's hilarious

  23. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best 3 forwards for the run in?
    1) DCL
    2) Rich
    3)Werner
    4) Jimenez
    5) Ings
    6) Jesus

    1. Shultan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I'm on WC & I'm struggling

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      134

    3. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Werner, jiminez, dcl

  24. JJO
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    So that Podence assist is 3points and this imaginary pos is worth 4points
    Applaud

  25. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who's rising tonight because FPL statistics doesnt work?

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      The moon

      1. Sgt Frank Drebin
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks

  26. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Wouldnt have guessed that Granville has usurped Mark at FPL Towers but it seems the case. Strange times.

    1. RamaLangaDingDong
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Expand?

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Mark and Granville used to do a regular FFS podcast.

  27. FPL_Devil
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I think I'm going to do Auba to KDB and then either ASM or JWP to Podence. Thoughts on who to get rid of out of them?
    Cheers!

  28. Alexike8 fc
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    How did that become a kdb assist

  29. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    So Foden or Podence on the WC?
    Or both the cheao rotation risks and lose JamesR?!?!?

  30. JBG
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I'll try again for more answers :p.

    Auba + Soucek to Kdb + Podence for -4 surely worth it?

    1. xHaTr
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yup