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. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Would you wildcard this team:

    McCarthy 4m
    TAA Justin Doherty KWP Mitchell
    Auba JRod Son ASM Bissouma
    Vardy Adams Werner

    Opinions appreciated.

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

      Auba to KDB

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

      Nah

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

    Any word on Marcal Vinagre situation?

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

      yeah this is vital

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

    What are everyone's through on having a 4.5 striker on the wildcard?
    I structured like that at start and hated it but the midfield does seem to be wide open for options at different prices?

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

      So many great midfield options means Brewster is in for me up front

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      If Brewster gets a move, then it’s gunna be template.

      All my best WC drafts have Brewster in them.

      But I’ll only lock them in if he gets a move before deadline

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

      I think there is enough value in midfield to make a 3-5-2 viable, though I can see the logic in 3 attackers as well. I suppose it depends on what players you want to get in your team.

      1. George Agdgdgwngo
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Brewster going to Palace

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

          Hadn't heard of that, looks good value. I'd be concerned about starting him though when he has Zaha, Ayew and Batshuayi for competition.

          1. Wild Rover
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            It's not true

            1. George Agdgdgwngo
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              All over sky nees

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

    Pretty disgraceful that they refuse to remove the assist when KDB himself has came out and said he did not touch the ball.

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Did he say that? I thought he said he didn't know?

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

        He would say he did if he had lol.
        In the same way opposition managers didn’t see debatable penalty decisions that are in favour for them.

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          So he didn't say he didn't touch it - thanks for confirming 🙂

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

      Indeed

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

      He never said that, you literally just made this up.

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

      Why you lying?

    5. FreddyP3
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Well points are only provisional at this point so still time to redeem themselves.

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

      They're just making up for lost time after KDB complained that they stole some from him last year 🙂

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

    Need help guys
    which option is better

    a-352 with Podence
    b-343 with Bamford

    1. The Big Larsbowski
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Podence has strong fixtures. I just moved from Bamford to Podence

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

      B while bamford is starting

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

    Do we think Saiss will still rise this week after today's game?

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

      Yes on 100%+ right now, rising tonight

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

    What you think about Jimmy Dunne? Looks good for 4mil

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

      As benchfodder. Won’t play next week likely

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

      Not nailed in anyway unfortunately

    3. Igz08
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think he's gonna replace Tarkowski if he is sold

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

    Why are people shipping Werner with a game at albion who have let in 8 in 2!

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

      I won’t be

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

      chelsea missing their creative players?

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

      Let them. I'm actually counting on that price fall.

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

      A lot may be on WC and taking him out tonight to buy back for .1 m profit tomorrow- and have yet to actually hit WC button

    5. Greasy Grealish Gang
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      And I'm sitting here contemplating twhether o take a hit for him.

  9. Pickle juice
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Should I change ASM for a -4 hit to :

    A. costa
    B. Kilsch
    C. Podence
    d. Leave as ASM

    Thanks

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C

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

      Had a very similar decision to make and settled on Podence after todays game, and he has better fixtures than the Leeds players.

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

      Not worth a hit for me, unless he’s definitely ruled out and even then depends who you can bring on from the bench

      1. Pickle juice
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Can only bring in holding or Justin ....both away to pool and city respectively

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

          If he’s out then C

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

    Bottomed:

    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

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

      I'm afraid to say you'll have to get rid of Kane then. I know you didn't want to hear that

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

        Haha not at the moment for sure, it can wait not to worry

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

      Soucek to Foden and Digne to 4.5 it is then. Can't get them in anyway else.

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

        Thanks, I can always wait, not in a rush to do it this week or maybe even next. By the time maybe I’ll want to sub Bruno to one of them which is much easier move

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

    I actually may not include Everton on the WC. Those fixtures are quite tough

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

      Brighton, Southampton & Newcastle amongst the next 5 games are great fixtures

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

      DCL and Hamez are still great for the price I reckon

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

      Good points

    4. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Man Utd and Liverpool in the next 9. Rest are good fixtures.

  12. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Tempted to get Podence in for Soucek for -4.

    Soucek looks like dropping tonight as well.

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

      Im very tempted by this too, but soucek has a much better chance of scoring looking at his stats on the comparison tool though which makes justifying a hit tricky

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

    Bottomed:

    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. Pickle juice
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I did auba to Kdb but not sure about doing ASM to podence for -4

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

      B maybe

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

    A) ASM to Podence
    B) KWP to Vinagre

    1. Bluerunner205
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

    Thoughts on this wildcard team:

    McCarthy Button
    TAA Castagne Saiss Vinagre Cooper
    Salah KDB Foden Soucek Reed
    Werner Jimenez DCL

    Cooper or Vinagre can become a 4.5 if Werner or someone else drops in price

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

      Try to find 0.5 for Soucek-> Podence

    2. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Think it would be better if timo was Brewster and Reed was son or Hamez

  16. tristanabc
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which WC team to you prefer?

    A)
    martinez steer
    TAYLOR SAISS LAMPTEY digne mitchell
    STERLING kdb salah podence anguisa
    jiminez dcl wood

    B)
    martinez steer
    TAA SALT-AND JAMES digne mitchell
    SON kdb salah podence anguisa
    jiminez dcl wood

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

    bottomed...

    1. Saiss
    2. James

    As a replacement for Egan... ?

    1. Bluerunner205
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Saiss - More nailed and fixtures better for longer, plus wolves look more solid atb

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

      Saiss for sure

    3. ZAWAd25
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Was between those two and I went Saiss

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

      Saiss

  18. Bluerunner205
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Transfer options for Auba & ASM (0.5 itb):
    A) Auba & ASM - Podence & KDB (-4) (1 itb)
    B) Auba & ASM - Son & James R (-4) (1.5itb)
    C) Auba & ASM - Foden &KDB (-4) (0 itb)
    D) ASM - Klitch/Podence (0.5itb)

  19. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    TEI

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      nice bro

  20. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Tariq Lamptey is the guy on clubs that made his pro 5ft 2in with max skill points on pace

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

    Now Boly in post match interview saying that he passed to Jesus and claiming the assist. Still FPL Towers let KDB keep it. Disgrace.

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

      Just wait until Jesus comes out and says the shot was going off target

  22. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Vinagre to Saiss -4 or hold?

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

      Afraid Saiss will go up tonight

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

      Hold for news definitely you will be raging if he starts instead of Marcel v the hammers

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

    I think Mr 'Mark Sutherns Comfort' will be hitting the bottle and WC button?

    35 - 4 = 31!
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/194/event/2

    Az not much better

    46-4 =42

    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/2943/event/2

    Blackbox should be good!

    Will they forget all thier new approaches?

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

      Looking forward to blackbox yeah. Ideally opens to them just crying

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

        Part of me feels sorry for them and the other thinks it will be hilarious. Will be a lot of soul searching and theorising.
        Plus it will be interesting how they bounce back.
        Blackbox is better than the Scoutcast imho.

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

      Woohoo I'm beating Mark!

    3. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ouch

  24. ZAWAd25
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Play one:

    A) Justin (Have Sterling)
    B) Mitchell (Have DCL(
    C) Reed

    1. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

    ASM to Podence with FT?

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

      If nothing else pressing then no brainer

    2. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

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

    Thoughts on this wildcard?

    Martinez
    Castagne TAA Saiss
    Salah Podence KDB Son Foden
    DCL Jimenez

    Steer Lamptey Taylor Brewster

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

      Okay if Brewster does leave

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

      Would have been great this week! 😀
      Seriously looks decent for the weeks ahead.

  27. ZTF
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Taken a -4 already, but would you take another to do Bruno to Kdb? Have exact money for it

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

      Difficult one ...can’t answer

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

      Probably. Bruno very overrated

    3. Goonsquad245
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Just wait until next week. Bruno out for a -4 before BHA is madness.

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

        100% this

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

        Well I got Bruno out for a -4 AFTER - wildcard.
        Son in and James R for PEA.
        Brighton could beat United they are playing well.

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

          They very well could but I’d be very surprised if the same United turn up

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

            If I was to pick one player to capt in the Brighton v Utd game. I would honestly go for Lamptey!

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

    Is ASM, Adams -> Podence, DCL worth -8?

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

      No

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

      Not a minus 8

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

      Just ASM to Podence

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

    ASM to

    A Podence
    B Foden

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

      B if nothing else to do with the cash

  30. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Already taken a - 4, would you WC this lot?

    McCarthy
    TAA VVD Taylor
    Salah KDB Zaha
    Mitrovic Werner DLC

    Subs: Reed, Justin, Bissouma

    1. Oooo Matron
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Woops, forgot Ben Davies in there too

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

      No.

      That team seems mostly fine.

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

      It almost looks like a WC team already except McCarthy. Keep!
      Werner could do well.