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. jia you
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I guess it makes sense to put KdB into my wildcard now and he'll likely stay there as if Pep continues to play him AM he's going to be FPL top points scorer!
    OUT: Podence, Jesus & Pope
    IN: KdB, 4.5 & Martinez
    Thoughts?

    Martinez
    Digne Saiss James1
    KdB Salah Son James2 Klitch
    Jimenez DCL
    (4.0 Lamptey Castangne 4.5)
    0.1itb

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

      2 free transfers. Getting KDB for Auba. Very tempted to get foden for asm and transfer Vardy to Werner for a -4. Or should Injust get podence for Asm and leave Vardy?

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        both moves look good especially considering Werner plays WBA...if I end up without him I'll need a giant couch for that one!

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

          I took the -4 for KDB Foden and Werner in for Auba, ASM and Vardy.

          I had a great start and was top 2k OR before the hit. New team:

          Ryan
          TAA KWP Saiss
          Salah Foden KDB Son
          Mitrovic DCL Werner

          Steer Justin Bissouma Brantwaithe

          Now I have the captain to decide. Will have to sort my bench out too.

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

    Thoughts on my crazy WC team?

    Martinez (4.0)
    James Dunne/Mitchell Saiss (Castagne for future fixtures)
    Salah (C) Zaha Podence KDB Sterling
    DCL Jimenez (Brewster)

    Yes, I am a city fan, yes I am quite concerned about not having LIV defence.
    What're our thoughts on Zaha?

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      light on defence.
      no need for a city double up as you cant captain both of them

    2. Gerd Mueller’s thighs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I am going try Foden vice Sterling and buck up the team elsewhere.

  3. FPL FAN
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    ASM to Klich for a hit? Yay or nay?

    1. FPL FAN
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Or do nothing and play Justin against MCI away

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Maybe after the midweek games. Might need another hit to sort an injury.

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

      Not for a hit.

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

    Would you WC?

    McCarthy Steer
    TAA Robertson Bavies Justin Ferguson
    Salah KDB Podence Soucek Bissouma
    Werner Martial Mitrovic
    0FT

    1. FPL FAN
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Absolutely no, g2g.

    2. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      looks decent.

    3. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      no

    4. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No way

  5. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    1) How do we call Roriguez in the fantasy - Hamez?
    2) Any idea if ASM will be ready for GW3?

  6. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Rams
    Mitchel sais taa taylor (justin)
    asm auba salah bruno (soucek)
    Dcl jimi (davis)

    Which?

    A) asm -4 to podence
    B) auba -4 to kdb
    C) both -8

    1. FPL FAN
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B) or nothing.

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

    Keep Barnes on WC? Or go Foden and re-invest the 0.5?

    Other thought was Foden instead of Podence and downgrade DCL to Mitro.

    Replies much appreciated!

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

    new team after a -4. Not wildcarding

    Mccarthy Steer
    TAA Doherty Shaw Justin Mitchell
    Salah KDB Foden Son Pereira
    Martial Mitro Davis

    Moves were ASM and Auba > KDB and Foden for -4

  9. ace3.1415
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    KDB vs Sterling? They both looked quite good.

    1. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      The thing about sterling is he can one week 20 pts another week 2. Kdb is more consistent and he is on setpieces so up to u

      1. OneArseneWenger32
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        yea def..kdb could add to team value as well so depends on if you're chasing hauls this early or player price raise over the next few weeks..

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

        I w'c last week and was on sterling but then my gut said KDB so I weent for him and boom he hauled so now you know who to get 😉

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

      KDB. I remember going for Sterling over KDB GW38 and even that didn't pay off

      Sterling is great if he can be utilised right, which could prove tricky

    3. stat sifter 888888
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I am having a nightmare of seeing Sterling benched for Mahrez/Foden/Torres against easier teams. Would be in my team if not for Pep's unpredictability.

      1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Sterling was most nailed City player last season if I'm not mistaken

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

          Man City have signed an extra wide player - Torres - whom they didn't have last season.

        2. stat sifter 888888
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Sterling 33 appearances, KDB 35. Sterling little more likely to be subbed as well.

  10. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hi guys, already on -4, should i do another -4 to sell asm for podence as asm price might drop later?

    1. Nightf0x
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Same situation and im doing it probably

      1. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        But if i dont sell asm i actually gt 5 defenders playing..so dont know if i should do it

  11. Uns95
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Pulled wildcard trigger after injuries and sending offs!

    McCarthy
    VVD Digne KWP
    KDB Salah Zaha Son Costa
    Richarlison Jimenez

    Steer Dunne Mitchell Brewster

    Any thoughts?? I am unsure on Zaha but prefer Richarlison longer term to DCL or James.

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

      That bench is too light imo, downgrade Costa to upgrade Dunne

      I wouldn't have McCarthy on a WC team

      1. Uns95
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        who would ya Get instead?

  12. AD105
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thinking Egan/Auba/ASM to Saiss/KDB/Podence for a -4 tonight to take advantage of price rises/falls? This a good idea?

  13. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What do you think can Werner start having penalties after Jorginho miss?

    1. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Really hope so! Fk the jorginho

      1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He could be a very good choice for taking them, he did it for Leipzig flawlessly

        1. Letsgo!
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Thats why!

  14. Garlana
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    So vinagre is back right? 😛

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

      Yep. I'd give him a week or two though because it looks like his value is still dropping a little.

  15. SalahFingers
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    WC Team:

    Martinez, Ryan
    Costagne, James, Justin, Saiss, Mitchell
    Salah, KDB, Son, Zaha, JRod
    DCL, Mitrovic, Bamford

    G2G?

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

      Wolves fixtures look immense. Not interested in Jimi?

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

        I am, I could do

        Zaha -> Klich
        Bamford -> Jimenez

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

    Play Justin or Mitchell?

  17. SAY MY NAME
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best pick from the following? if Man utd look poor against Brighton i'll probably get Jimenez, so maybe don't need Podence too

    a)Foden
    b)JRod
    c)Podence

    1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      James

      1. SAY MY NAME
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        cheers

    2. yanky
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      c

  18. Jars458
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Last week I did Kane and Haverty to DCL and KDB for a hit. Scored 81 and moved up to 61K
    This week I have done Vardy and ASM to Werner and Foden. Hoping for a similar result. Its fun to be draing. (relatively).

  19. Jars458
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    daring even.

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

      I'm sure the Son to Bruno daring group didn't find it fun

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

    Do you think it's worth to sell Moura for a hit?I can spent 7.5.

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

      Yes

  21. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy
    TAA, Justin, Dallas, Vinagre, Taylor
    Salah, Bruno, Auba, ASM, Reed
    Werner, Mitrovic, Adams

    Do I need to WC or would a hit sort out this team? Thinking Auba to KDB and probably ASM to Podence.

    1. yanky
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      those are the exact two transfers im planning, thought about sterling but maybe too soon with kdb price rise. those moves give u .5 in bank too...is asm dropping tn?

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

      Doesn't need a WC imo. Bruno could come good as could Werner. Auba fixtures do turn horrible and I'm considering dropping him myself for the same reason. KDB looked excellent tonight it must be said.

      1. Scout15
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        That Sheffield game worries me when considering getting rid of him... They don't look good...

  22. yanky
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    ASM dropping in price tonight??

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

      Most likely

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

    Who would you rather transfer out?

    A) ASM
    B) Soucek

    1. FPL FAN
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      ASM

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

    McCarthy
    TAA Saiss Davies Justin
    Salah KDB Son ASM
    Werner Ings

    Button Bissouma Mitchell Brewster

    0.5 itb, 0 FT

    1. ASM >> Podence (-4)
    2. Hold

    Thanks all

    1. FPL FAN
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Hold

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

      Suppose you have to wonder will podence outplay someone on your bench (Mitchell for example) by 4 and then go on the balance of probabilities.

  25. elchilangles
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    KDB captain saved what would have been an otherwise catastrophic GW!

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

      Nice punt

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

      thanks, I actually thought KDB would be a safer bet than either Salah or Auba. He often seems to get 8 pointers whereas Auba will go mental and then go quiet for 2 games in a row. Super annoying.

  26. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who’s looking like falling in price?

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

    Anyone playing Burke against Leeds?

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

      I'm either playing Burke or transferring ASM to Podence for a -4. Can't decide!

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

        So tempted to play him but I'll be benching one of my expensive players. Worst case scenario he comes off the bench and gets 1 point.

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

          It really is. I just Don't want ASM to drop on price and Podence to go up. 0.2 variance. Plus I'd want Podence for gw4 Fulham at home. Is it worth a -4?

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

            Yes unless you have another playing defender that you don't mind starting. Knowing me, I'm gonna start Burke and bench one of my players whom I think will blank.

  28. jam sandwich
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    g2g or hits?

    Ramsdale
    TAA - Dier - Saiss
    KdB (v) - Salah - Rodriguez - Podence
    Werner (c) - DCL - Wood

    Steer - Justin - Bissouma - Ferguson

    1. FPL FAN
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      g2g

  29. SH1M1
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What time do price changes happen ?

  30. Phil's Stamps
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Robbo & Castangne
    B) VVD & Digne

    Thanks in advance.

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

      B

    2. FPL FAN
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

      A

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

      You've got to make Digne + Robbo happen.

      1. Phil's Stamps
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I'd have to drop one of my second 4.5 bencher defenders to Mitchell and I'm not sure that's a good idea with Podence and Foden in the starting 11.

        0.1 off otherwise *sigh* On a WC so perhaps I'll get lucky and make that difference somewhere this week.