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. woodboy76
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    How bad was Marcel injury, Vinagre have a chance of playing next week?

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

    Seems everyone is jumping on Podence. We not worried about Adama taking Podence's spot after Semedo takes Adama's? Surely its worth waiting a week at least. Saiss or Jimi are much more tempting

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

      Everyone already has Saiss and Jimi on WC.

      It's the last Wolves spot that is being debated.

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

      I'd bet on Neto losing his spot, Podence looks very nailed and is fit enough to play 90min unlike Neto.

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

      I'm thinking Traore becomes the pick now that Samedo is there.

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

      Podence moves to LW and Neto goes to bench would be my guess.

  3. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    RMWCT - decided to target MID who play up front (bar KDB but could go Sterling)

    Martinez/4m
    TAA Justin Taylor Saiss Mitchell
    Zaha Son Salah KDB Podence
    Jimi DCL Brewster

    Could get Guiata in as GK
    Or swap the Son/Brewster combo for a 4.5m and Ings or Werner?
    352 this GW

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

      I'd want a Chelsea player for this week and, if they don't drop the defence deeper, the Southampton game.

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

      I’d lose Zaha personally

  4. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Kevin De Bruyne, the man who was awarded an assist by FPL, has confirmed in a post-match interview that he did not touch or make any contact with the ball before Jesus' goal. This is the biggest disgrace in FPL history. Heads should roll.

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

      Has he really said that? 😀

    2. Burger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He's just a biased non-owner though so you can't take his word for it.

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

      He didn't say that. He said that he wasn't sure if he got a touch or not.

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

      So he is the anti-Kane you are saying.

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

      lol at this

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

      You clearly haven't played FPL very long. There's been far worse than that.

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

      The biggest disgrace was FPL going against OPTA stats to award Jimenez 2 BAPS vs Everton last season.

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

    Seriously stuck & bottomed:

    On a WC, which trio would you prefer?

    Trent - Son & Bamford
    or...
    Robbo - Podence & Werner

    Plan would be to do Werner > Jesus after WBA.

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

      latter

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

        Will wait until Werner drops over night and get him in for .1 cheaper

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

      B

  6. I Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    ASM -> Podence worth a -4?

    1. Sterling Archer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Tempted to wait till next week if asm is fit

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Asm looked shocking even when fit

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

      Depends on the rest of your team. I cant field a player since Bissouma and Egan red so I'm doing it.

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

    Werner -100.8 on fplstatistics.

    1. Sterling Archer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Kdb just jumped to 112%! Was on 88 about 20 mins ago

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

    Loving all these wc teams with no Utd. Yes they looked off form but you just know it'll come back to bite.

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

      Greenwood still the one to get imo.

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

        Still think it has to be Bruno, class player and on pens. He'll find the net soon enough then everyone will be ripping their teams apart again.

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

          He was very deep and Utd looked terrible. However, I'm inclined to agree and they'll turn themselves around

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

          Would worry about how VDB will affect his position. For Bruno's price you can't solely rely on pens.

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

      Flexibility key. Son can still be a potential placeholder for any of the 3 mids whilst 3 FWDs can allow for Martial

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

        Im covering all bases with Son, Salah, KDB & Bruno 😀

    3. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Brighton playing well I wildcarded gw2. Already did a -4 got rid of Fernandes and Aubameyang for JRod and Son
      6.1m itb think it is a record for me.

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

        Great options now though

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

      I wouldn't get Bruno even if he had a hat-trick vs Brighton. Fixtures don't justify the move for me compared to other alternatives.

  9. barcaa7
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    which option is better

    a-352 with Podence
    b-343 with Bamford

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

      A

  10. Mr. Chimes
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Does anyone know if you can see your history from previous seasons on FPL website?

    I’m curious to see what week I used my first WC last season.

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

      No, gutted that this isn't archived

      1. Mr. Chimes
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Brutal. I wanted to see if I was able to hold out longer than this season lol. Should probably hold for now

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

    I have Auba and Pepe to move out on 2 FT's

    KDB is obvious but the other midfielder is difficult to choose (8.4M max). Is it a crazy risk to go for Ziyech even though he is an injury risk.
    He has 3 plum fixtures and his injury is apparently minor. I would go Pulisic but his injury problems sound worst.
    https://www.reddit.com/r/chelseafc/comments/iujmoj/ziyechs_injury_is_minor_and_he_will_be_back_soon/

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

      James/Zaha/Foden all better right now

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

        Thanks both. I have James already so I'll go Foden then as I want a punty player with high potential and low ownership.

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

      James Rodriguez and keep the extra 0.9M?

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

      I think Werner is the only Chelsea attacker option until we know for sure that Ziyech and Pulisic are fit to start.

  12. Jullepuu
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Mitro and Hamez
    B) DCL and Foden

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

        Thanks

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

      B by a mike

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

        Cheers

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

    So how Kdb touched the ball?

    1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      His laces

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

    Serious question please gys

    How did Foden actually look?

    Minutes risk aside, worth a punt?

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

      Played basically as a false 9 most of the game. Got into promising areas. Just your typical City attacker profile. He was definitely among the front 3 rather than in the David Silva 8 role.

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

      If he started every game he'd be the most essential player to own.

      But minutes do matter, so I'd say he's not worth a punt until Pep shows some willingness to play him in a central role.

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

        right now tho he is the perfect punt before everyone jumps on him of that happens

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

          At least he is cheap, so benchings aren't too painful.

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

        Thing is though, almost none of the city wingers are nailed to play all the time. Like you cant say sterling, mahrez, bernardo dont get rotated but they are often options anyway

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

          Sterling = 2,500 mins+ this season, like he has for the last 3.

          Foden/Torres/Mahrez have to duke it out for the last 4,400, there's more competition for that RW spot this year than last.

          If there's injuries then you buy one of those 3, like how Jesus is a great option now while Kun is out.

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

            Except torres came on for sterling and foden played 90

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

      Picked up where he left off from last season. I'd take the risk if I had the budget to spare.

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

      Thanks all. At that price for a city player I need a good reason not to get him.

  15. Tommo1888
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Admin - the stats in the members area have not been updated for a lot of players

  16. gomez123
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who are the big price changes tonight peeps??...KDB??

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

      kbd and rodriguez probably

      1. gomez123
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks

  17. 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

    343 or 352

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

      A or B

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

      Can you get both Wood and Hamez? Wood if I had to pick between the two

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

        Unfortunately not mate, would have to ditch Son then

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

          I'd go Wood then. Good fixtures, nailed for 90 most of the time and is always posting great stats.

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

      B

  18. thom830g
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy (4m)
    TAA - James - Justin (vinagre, Egan)
    Auba - Son - Salah - ASM (Bissouma)
    Che Adams - Wilson - werner

    Good move? : Auba + ASM + Egan -> KDB + Podence + Coady -4

  19. I Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy
    TAA, Dier, Dallas
    Salah, KDB, Rodriguez, Soucek, ASM
    Werner, Martial

    Steer; Egan, Mitchell, Brewster.

    Already done Auba -> KDB.

    A) ASM -> Podence -4
    B) Egan -> Saiss -4
    C) Wildcard

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

      B

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

    1. Saiss
    2. James

    As a replacement for Egan... ?

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

    Thoughts on wildcard?

    Martinez
    Castagne TAA Saiss
    Salah Podence KDB Son Foden
    DCL Jimenez

    Steer Lamptey Taylor Brewster

    1. Lingard’s Shin Guards
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Very very nice

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

      Great team
      Just could be stuck if Chelsea smash West Brom and Man Utd bounce back vs. Brighton!

    3. RED HOT CHILLI
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      i like it. but the other team scoring for fun are Leeds - fit in a mid?

  22. shakeyjake
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Lamptey - TAA or Saiss & Robertson

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

      Lamptey & TAA for me

  23. Strchld
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy
    TAA - Davies - Taylor
    KdB - Salah - Hamez - ASM
    Werner - Martial - Adams

    Have Mitchell off the bench if ASM won't play.
    Worried too that one of Davies or Adams is dropped. Other bench players Bissouma and Justin.
    Players I would like to get are rising and Adams and Werner atleast dropping..

    WC or not?

  24. Simon69
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Looking at all of these impressive WC teams and thinking... Havertz and Werner seriously need to step up to the plate for me this weekend!

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

      Yeah I think I'm giving him a last chance against WBA as well. Can't afford to have a 9.5 forward who isn't firing.

  25. 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 -8
    C) WC

    Team:

    McCarthy
    TAA Davis Saiss
    Salah Auba Son ASM
    Werner DCL Mitro

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

      Bench: 4.0 Justin Ferguson Bissouma

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

      I have almost the same team and doing A

  26. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    did watkins look dangerous ? thanks

    1. Leonard hatred
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not really

  27. DavidKent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    De Bruyne or Sterling. How are folks deciding?

    Very close, both good options, but I think I’m leaning towards Sterling because:
    A: Think for captaincy, he’s got a higher chance of those 20 point scores
    B: Low ownership, so more likely to get price rises and less likely to get price drops.

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

      KDB

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

      In my honest opinion, Sterling too

  28. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Yay or nay for a WC?

    McCarthy*
    TAA, Justin, Egan**, Davies*
    Salah, Auba*, Rodríguez, ASM*
    Werner, Ings
    (Nyland, Mitchell, Bissouma*, Davis)

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

    Worth a WC right?

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

    0FT

    Thanks in advance! 🙂

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

    Best way to get a City player in here?

    I know many will say Bruno but thinking I’ll give United this week at the very least as he could be unreal value at 10.5 still, and let’s not forget was the highest points per match scorer since he arrived.

    Martinez
    TAA | Digne | Dallas
    Salah | Bruno | Son | Rodriguez | Soucek
    Kane | Wilson

    Steer | Mitchell | Davis | Buur

    Soucek to Foden & Digne to 4.5 is another option.

    Thoughts welcome

    Thanks