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. thepuntmaster
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on what move to make here? 0.5itb, 1FT.

    McCarthy (bur)
    TAA (ARS) - Lascelles (tot) - Mitchell (EVE)
    Salah (ARS) - Auba (liv) - Fernandes (bha) - ASM (tot)
    Jimi (whu) - Mitro (AVL) - DCL (cry)

    Steer - Egan* - Bissouma* - Johnson

    A) Auba & Egan > KDB & Castagne/Saiss (-4)
    B) Egan > Castagne/Saiss
    C) Egan & ASM > Saiss & Pereria/Foden/Klich (-4)

    1. HVT
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

      A

    3. raff97
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A is my vote for Saiss.

  2. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Overall average for this week?

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      60, 53 for top 1k

  3. G00LI0
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is there a strong likelihood Brewster will sign for another PL team this week? I had two transfers in the bank this week and have moved early to get Rodriguez in. Would like KDB in next and Brewster would be perfect for a - 4 to cater for it.

    I see there is rumours of Palace interest now too but are any of the rumours likely?

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Brewster will be at another when the transfer window fully closes most likely palace

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

    Podence or Costa?

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      P

    2. thepuntmaster
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Podence I reckon

  5. gers23
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on Greenwood? Think of going him on my WC

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Please dont

      1. gers23
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Lol really? Seems a bargain at that price

        1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I'm getting rid. Something seriously wrong with utd

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

            After one match? At least watch 2

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

              U don't want to feel like Son and Kane owners next week

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

                Sellers*

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

      Yeah he'll start this time and doesn't look like United are signing sancho so should be first choice even if they sign someone else

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

    A) Adams -> DCL for -4
    B) ASM -> Podence -4
    C) Both -8

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C

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

      B

    3. thepuntmaster
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Adams has been unlucky not to score. Would do B from these

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

        This

    4. HVT
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

  7. Robbie Slater
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bottomed two pages in a row!!

    Should I WC?

    McCarthy Ryan
    TAA Davies Taylor Justin Lewis
    Salah Auba Traore ASM Bissouma
    Werner Martial Brewster

    0FT

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

      Depends whether you want a City player or two in doesn't it.

      Team looks fine for next week.... but not great.

  8. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    ASM likely to fall tonight?

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No maybe before deadline.

  9. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Captain

    A. KDB vs Leicester (H)
    B. Salah vs Arsenal (H)

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Leicester (H) is very much a Sterling fixture, so I'd (C) Salah.

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

        And why not a KDB fixture?

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

        Justin is on the left side so it's a Mahrez/Foden fixture.

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

      I'm captaining KDB if it helps

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

        Cheers mate

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

    Bottomed twice.... :/.

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

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes surely

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

        Thanks!

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

      In reality this is just Soucek -> Podence for -4 so I would say no.

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

    When you try with all your might not to WC early, even going to great length to only pick nailed players in your team and foregoing potential bargains because of slight rotation risk, but then the game gives you 2 red cards, 2 injuries and one player out of favor due to random new signings along with the transfers you were planning to do to force your hand anyway...

    At least the WC team looks good 🙂

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

      sounds like a team only a casual would pick

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

        Not sure why so many people seem to think I'll get wound up by comments like this 😀

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

          😛

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

      I think I am going on a -8.

    3. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      If you didnt sell Son then nothing can hurt as much, trust me

    4. JamTart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Right there with you mate. 2 seasons ago I WC early and worked out great for getting a rise in TV too. If the players with fixtures like Jimi, Zaha, etc. return well you'll be laughing. Just need to hope the luck turns

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

        Yea Wolves and City in particular seem good to jump on. lots of players with good fixtures and potential value if the likes of Podence and Foden play reasonable minutes.

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

      I don't understand the hesitation to WC. I always WC within first 5 GWs and never regretted it. You just need to plan well and deal with any problems/opportunities that arise with FTs once you have a good core.

  12. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Choose:

    A) Foden & Jimenez
    B) Son & Wood

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

      B

  13. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any moves worth a hit here? Happy with this lot for now. Already used FT

    Martinez

    Digne Mitchell Saiss (justin lewis)

    Salah KDB Son Podence ( bissuma)

    Martial Wilson DCL

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nothing worth a hit, good team

    2. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Also 2.6 ITB

  14. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    GW1 61k OR
    GW2 projected OR 1.26m
    Talk about a collapse!

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      How many overall points?

      1. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        36 this GW
        Yuck!

  15. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    ASM currently on -84%

    Chances he’ll drop tonight?

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      somewhere between zero and 0

    2. Roy Rovers
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      FPL stats -95.5%

  16. Soto Ayam
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which one

    A) Barnes
    B) mount

    ?

    Cheers

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

      1. Soto Ayam
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        It does make sense
        Thanks

    2. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A but B likely outscores next GW.

      1. Soto Ayam
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Was thinking that also. Could do mount this week, then switch later. Thanks

  17. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    This season feels like starting from the pit lane. But we will try.

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

    Is Adams a keep? Shoots as often as Ings, but no goal.

    1. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think points are coming with him but he's a bit like Soucek. Decent value and unsure if when they do come good they'll have been worth it

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

    Transfer made. Easiest decision ever.

    Auba out KDB in.

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Same

  20. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Rate this WC team
    Martinez Ryan
    Digne Justin Saïss Taylor Ferguson
    KDB Sterling Salah Podence Burke
    Jimi DCL Mitro
    0.3 itb

  21. theroadrunner
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Can anyone explain why Bissouma gets a 3 game ban but Egan only 1? Both got a straight red I'm pretty sure.

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Straight red card due to Professional foul is 1 match ban
      Straight red card due to Violent conduct is 3 match ban

    2. Tango74
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bissouma Red was for violent conduct . That’s auto 3 game ban

    3. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A sending off due to a second yellow card will result in a one-match ban, as will a red card received for a professional foul. Dissent leading to a red card will generally earn a two-match ban, while violent conduct can be punished with a suspension for three games.

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

      Thanks all for clarifying. Cheers!

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

      It's probably only technically 1 premier league game. If brighton win carabao cup then they face a new team right after. So he'll serve 2 of those matches in that

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

        Cup match*

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

        Well i didn't explain that well at all. Next match is carabao cup match. Then premier league match. Then another carabao cup match if they win first one.

  22. Obi Wan Elokobi
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Would you prefer A or B from this lot.
    A) Werner/jimenez, Martial, and Son (Bare in mind Werner has West Brom)
    Or
    B) Werner/Jimenez, Wilson and KDB

    Thanks

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

      Why are Werner and Jimenez in both options?

  23. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Auba + ASM -> KDB + Podence for free
    B) Werner + Auba + ASM + Davies -> Jimenez + KDB + Hamez + 4.5 def

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Option B is sort of a mini wc.. -8

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

      I like B

  24. McGowan
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A)Castange, Van Dijk
    B)Taa, Justin/Lamptey?
    What we thinking

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

        A more nailed?

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

        Thanks

  25. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Time for WC? 1FT and 1m itb

    Ryan Walton
    TAA Justin KWP Ayling Mitchell
    Salah Auba HotRod Soucek Bissouma
    Martial Werner Adams

    WC team

    Martinez Steer
    Robertson Digne Lamptey Justin(or Vinagre/Taylor) Mitchell
    Salah KdB Foden Podence Bissouma
    Jesus Jimenez DCL

  26. Ser Davos
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I'm pretty set on 3-4-3

    Flexibility key and I don't think Davis and a Podence/Klich/Soucek is justified when there's only 3 FWD slots

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

      Doing the same mate. Also cleansheets are looking a rarity!

  27. TaiwanHC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    WC done.

    Martinez - 4.0
    TAA - Saiss - Lamptey - Taylor - 4.0
    Salah - KDB - Sterling - Foden - Podence
    DCL - Wood - 4.5

    Feels good.

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mahrez and Bilva say hi

  28. JamTart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Considering Werner -> Jesus -> Werner for WBA/LEE/SOU.

    Surely hauls in there. Is that what this upside chasing is?

  29. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Help me with my last spot on WC please

    A Hamez
    B Foden
    C Wood

    1. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

      Id go A from those.

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

      A

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

      I have the same dilemma, going with C due to next 3 fixtures, will give me more time assess which one of the other 2 is the better long term option.

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

    Worth a WC - or just the -4?

    Ramsdale*
    TAA - Robbo - Taylor - Justin - Mitchell
    Salah - Auba* - ASM* - Soucek* - Fodder
    Martial* - Werner* - Mitro

    Potential WC team something like.
    Martinez
    TAA - Robbo - Taylor - Justin - Mitchell
    Salah - Kdb - Foden - Podence - James Rodrigues
    DCL - Jimi - (Brewster)

    A) -4 - Auba and ASM -> Kdb & Podence
    B) WC