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. Threat Level Midnight
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    So if I active my wildcard do prices lock for the week for all moves I make?

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

      Nope

    2. KUN+10
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No, prices still go up and down. For example, if you buy Werner not before it drops, and later decide to sell him, you will be able to get him back at 0.1 or 0.2 if double drop.

      1. KUN+10
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        *get him 0.1 less, sorry that was confusing

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

    Are there any brave souls with me going with Sterling instead of KDB?

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

      Got both on WC and captaining Sterling

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

        No Salah then?

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

          No. If Pool would prob go Mane anyway.

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

      Remember the recurrence question of Salah or Mane? Not quite but close ...

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

        That debate still stands. I was always on Salah's side tbf.

    3. KUN+10
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Gut says Sterling, paper says KDB.

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

      I'm going Jesus cap

    5. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      kdb at home surely?

  3. steven8991
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which is better?
    A. Lamptey, James Rodriguez, Jimenez
    b. Robertson, Foden, DCL

    have TAA, KDB, Podence

    1. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. sw3nzor
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      If u have TAA you don't really need Robertson.
      If u have KDB you don't really need Foden.
      But even if u have Podence, Jimenez is the real deal.

      So if I have to chose from A or B I would go A.
      But not having DCL is silly imo.. Except him and KDB, from these noone else is a must.

  4. Gleys11
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    In regard to whether De Bruyne rises in price tonight.
    When were United players transfers reset.
    At the beginning of this game week or after their first match?

    1. luk46
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      beginning of the gw

      1. Gleys11
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks. So better get De Byuyne in on wildcard tonight.

  5. Sloane426
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    (A) Saiss in a 4-3-3
    (B) Podence in a 3-4-3

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

      A

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

    This wildcard looks really tempting...

    Thoughts?

    Martinez Steer
    TAA Robertson Saiss Lamptey Mitchell
    KDB Sterling Hamez Podence Soucek
    Werner DCL Bamford

    Cheers.

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

      Looks Good. I'm prob going no Pool Mid and KDB + Sterling on mine too.

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

        Risky

    2. luk46
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      looks good, except no Mane/Salah and Bamford being a trap

    3. sw3nzor
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Souceks price gonna drop.
      Having no Salah/Mane can make you sad in a heartbeat. Especially Salah coz too many owned him.
      Rest is ok.

  7. Alexis Nonsense
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any news on Brewster transfer ?

    He's likely to be part of my hit this week, but only if he's in another club

  8. james 101
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Martinez Steer
    Digne Saiss James Justin Mitchell
    KDB Rodriguez Zaha XXX Hendrick
    Jimmy Martial DCL

    Who is better for the next few?

    A. Sterling
    B. Bruno

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

      C. Salah

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        0.6m beyond budget mate.

      2. james 101
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        So, A or B?

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

          A out of those then, but would really try and find the remaining funds for Mo.

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

      Transfer Hendrick put for a 4.5 which will get you funds for Mo

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

        Out*

      2. james 101
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks mate.

    3. Jay Jay Okocha
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Lol come on. Sterling by a mile

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        That’s my current thought.

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

      Sterling

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers

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

    Off topic! What are the best underdogs teams in FIFA 20 Career mode that play UCL in the first season?

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

      Atalanta and Dinamo

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

        Cheers mate

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

    Zaha and JRod costing only 7.0 and 7.5 will be a great value this season. Agree?

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

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

      Not sure about Zaha long term, always has found a way of letting me down. J.Rod looks gold though.

    3. Alexis Nonsense
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      JRod at 7.5 is value yes!

      I think at 7.0 Robbo will be the value pick

      At 6.5 Foden

      At 6.0 I'm betting on Trossard this season, Brighton look good

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

      Along with Barnes but they aren't season keepers though. The mid range season keepers probably just pulisic and son.

    5. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      hamez yes, zaha so so depending on fixtures

  11. BigBillyBass
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    WC done. Please RMT?

    Martinez (Ryan)
    Robbo Digne Coady (Taylor Mitchell)
    Salah KDB Son Foden Podence
    Jiménez DCL (Brewster)

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

      Looks good! Lacks Chelsea though!

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

        Also get 4.0 bench keeper

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

        Not convinced on Chelsea just yet. Like Martínez and Ryan as they rotate well

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

          Keeper rotation never worked for me. That's why now I get a good goalie and a bench fodder.

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

      Nice

    3. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No Werner for WBA? Assuming you dropped him from your old team?

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

        I did yes. Chelsea haven’t done enough to convince me yet

  12. Firmino
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Did a -8, feels dirty

    Auba, Havertz, ASM to KdB, Son and Podence.

    1. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      -8 is becoming the norm, -12 now that's filthy

      1. sw3nzor
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        this

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

    Kane and soucek —> Jimenez and podence? For free

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

      B

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

      If you have Auba I would get rid of him first. These 2 transfers could wait another week.

  14. JonSnow
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Already on (-4) and need to remove bissouma or I will be relying on vinagre to start or fodder. Should I (-8) bissouma > podence? I'm happy with the rest of the squad

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

      Not worth it, Vinagre might well start and Podence could be benched.

    2. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      if you have no bench, another -4 is really a -2

  15. Groß Point Blank
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Lining up for GW3 with:

    McCarthy
    TAA - Robbo - Taylor
    Salah - KDB - James - Soucek
    Timo - Adams - Mitro

    (Steer - Mitchell - Justin - Bissouma) 2.0 ITB

    Already used my FT to do Auba to KDB. Is Soucek > Podence worth a -4.
    Soucek going to drop in price and has terrible fixtures.

    1. Alexis Nonsense
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Why not, you'll prob gain that 4 back over the next fixtures

  16. steven8991
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Jimmy Dunne nailed 4.0m def?

    1. Alexis Nonsense
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Depends on Tarkowski leaving or not

      If Tarkowski stays he's out, if Tarkowski leaves he might be a starter

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

      Playing for an injured Tarkowski

  17. Jay Jay Okocha
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Need to find 0.5 for my WC team

    A) TAA to Robbo
    B) Reece James to Lamptey

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

      B I reckon, Lamptey looks lively going forward.

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

      B

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

      B

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

    Any Chelsea fans on here (or just ITK’s) hasten to predict Chelsea’s settled starting XI when everybody is fully fit?

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

      Expect some Frank roulette when everyone's fit.

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

        Doesn’t have the same ring to it...

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

      Hopefully Mendy
      Azpi/Reece, Zouma/Rudiger, Silva, Chillwel
      Kovacic, Kante, Havertz
      Ziyech, Werner, Pulisic

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

      Werner
      Pulisic / Havertz / Ziyech
      Kovacic / Kante
      Chilwell / Silva / Zouma / James
      Mendy

      - Azpi will still play in place of James, potentially often
      - CB pairing may switch in and out
      - Mount will still get plenty of minutes
      - Formations will be fluid and that will dictate the lineup.

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

        We have the same exact thoughts mate! Haha

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

        So basically Jorginho will lose his place very soon?

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

          When Ziyech comes back Havertz will play a number 10 role with Kova and Kante behind him.

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

            Havartz played behind werner and didnt work

  19. Littlefish92
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    So many things to think about this time

    Bruno to son

    Kdb or sterling

    Or get martial and podence

    McCarthy or another Better 4.5 option

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

    After a terrible start, thoughts on this WC:

    Martinez Button
    TAA Saiss Taylor Mitchell Dunn
    KDB (c) Salah Son Podence Angui
    Jesús Jiménez Bamford

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

      Solid, other than Bamford's a trap.

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

        Can't find the 0.3 to upgrade to Mitro. Already have two 4.0 defenders..stretched thin

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

          An alternative is downgrade Bamford to a 4.5 and get another 5.5 mid. I prefer Leeds mf to Bamford actually.

    2. sk24
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not convinced by Everton at all?

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

        Can't have them all. I'd rather go with Jesus over DCL and Son over Rodriguez for the time being. Could downgrade later on.

  21. Apollo Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Pressed the button:

    McCarthy (Steer)
    Robbo Saiss James (Justin Mitchell)
    Salah KDB Son Rodríguez (Burke)
    Jimenez DCL Bamford

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

      Similar to mine - looks decent.

    2. sw3nzor
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I would swap McCarthy for Ryan

  22. Crashjct
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hello al

    Pick one

    A. Auba ASM Davies to KDB Foden Target for -4

    B. Auba ASM to KDB Podence 2 FT

    C.Auba Davies to KDB Saiss 2 FT?

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

    KDB or Sterling?

    1. luk46
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      the better football player

  24. ClaireT
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who would you guys bench in GW3?

    Button, McCarthy
    TAA, Justin, Holding, Saiss, Lascelles
    Bruno, ASM, Foden, Salah, Reed
    DCL, Jimi, Werner

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

    Is Saiss a rotation risk?

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

      Nope

  26. Kohort
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is Chris Wood being overlooked on a WC? On pens and scores the majority of goals for Burnley. His next 3 fixtures are:

    Southampton h, Newcastle a, Wba a

    Then transfering him out for Watkins for GW 6 who have a great run of fixtures.

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

      Shhg

  27. klopptimusprime
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Problems across the board that would have taken multiple hits to get back on track.
    pressed the WC button on Sunday and Monday's games reaffirmed

    My thoughts:

    Martinez
    TAA / Saiss / Justin
    Salah / KDB / Son / James / Podence
    DCL / Jimenez

    Steer / Lamptey / Mitchell / Brewster
    0.1 ITB

    Licking my lips

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

    Original plan was to do Auba to KDB but decided to take a hit this week again
    Auba ASM to Son Zaha...
    Hope it works

    Mccarthy
    TAA Taylor Justin Davies
    Salah Son Hamez Zaha
    Martial Werner

    Button Egan Bissouma Brewster

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

    What are your wrong decisions so far this season?For me:Soy(7 points) over Castagne/Justin(23,16),Rudiger(0) over James/Zouma(15,9),Targett(5) over Konsa(15).

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

      Egan

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

      Only one mistake- not captaining Son. Made some lucky picks to start the game this year.

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

        That aint a mistake

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

      Picked Alli over Son
      Took a hit for Martial over Ings this week

    4. luk46
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Son > Fernandes the main one 🙂

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

        Don't know if that was a wrong move.

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

      Not sticking with kane and antonio for first 2 gws as initially planned. Went werner and ings. Sold ings in gw2 for martial. Almost getting saiss in gw 1 but deciding to keep 0.5 back to do that ings to martial transfer.

    6. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ditching Son for Hames this week.

    7. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      My whole team. 81 points so far. Hahaha

  30. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Auba > KdB the obvious move?

    1. Thinkering like a Boss
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      do it now

    2. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      yes, too obvious? don't overthink it, also kdb price rise probable in 30 mins

    3. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Its done, not overthinking this one