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. luk46
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    ASM > Podence for a hit or wait midweek and lose the .1?

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

      Do it now

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

      I have also done this

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

    Adams to DCL for -4
    Yes or No

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

      ni

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

      Yes

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

    Robbo at 7.0 vs TAA at 7.5

    TAA is on free kicks and corners, but Robbo seems to be more involved in dangerous attacks leading to goals. Last season TAA got 15 assists and Robbo 12. Trent got 35 points more overall. What do you think who is a better option?

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

      TAA obviously but 0.5M more

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

      Robbo is on corners and freekicks too (indirect ones)

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

        He wasn't last season until the last few matches.

  4. Francescoli
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any news on the Marcal injury? Will Vinagre get a good run now?

  5. Tiki-Taka
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Juggling WC price rises, need KDB in before potential rise tonight - do we think there's any chance of Zaha or Klich double rising since they both already went up 0.1? Since mid is currently those 2 plus Salah, Hamez Rodriguez and Son, and think i'll want those latter 3 on my final wildcard team

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

      Same issue mate. Trying to work out whether the double rises will be. Zaha has a decent chance I reckon. Not sure about klich

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

    Son > Fernandes the main one 🙂

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

    Auba >

    A) KDB
    B) Sterling

    1. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes.

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

    apologies repost
    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

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

      Too much Wolves imo

    2. De Gea is GOAT
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Very nice team! I would have Werner for the WBA game then switch to Jimi.

    3. Gentlemens club
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      On WC and got the exact same team.

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

      The wolves nice run of fixtures has lots of goals written all over it. Not as sure about the clean sheets. West Ham, Fulham and Leeds can score at anytime. Newcastle and CP Potentially too. I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t keep any clean sheets in the coming weeks.

      I like the double attack from them though. I think podence could be great value.

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

        On WC. Saiss to Keane?

  9. Cahill17
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on

    Havertz and Adams to Jimenz and Foden for -4

    I will have both Podence and Foden in my starting 11, which may become an issue due to rotation

    But I have a decent bench to cover them (Mitchell, Justin/Taylor, Soucek)

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

      do it

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

    Worth WC-ing this team? 

    McCarthy

    TAA, Egan? , Justin, Mitchell, Taylor

    Salah, Son , Jrod , Barnes , ASM

    Werner, Wilson, (4.5) 

    1 FT 4.5 itb

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

      Unless you're fine with no KDB, as I feel ASM and Wilson both need to go here.

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

        I can bring kdb in for barnes with my ft
        As you have said asm and wilson need to go too
        Any suggestions ?

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

          I would avoid getting hits if possible but if ASM is injured, then switch him to Podence. Wilson to Woods could be a transfer next week.

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

            Thank you very much

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

      No city mids is a worry, Barnes to KDB the obvious move. The rest is ok, although Justin & Mitchell will need fixing eventually. Don't WC imo.

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

        Cheers , nice move of kdb
        What do you think about asm , egan and wilson ?

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

          Maybe -4 to deal with ASM this week for podence. I wouldn’t take a hit to move Egan. He will be back.

          Like previous response said, Wilson can wait a week. Plus it might be interesting to see how Wilson does. He has gotten quite a few chances the last couple of weeks.

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

            Thanks for your reply
            That was really helpful.

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

    Long term pick, who scores more?

    A) VVD
    B) Foden

    1. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

      B for me if u include the autosubin appearances from your bench. 3 sub rule is back and he's unlikely to come on when he doesn't play

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

      A by a wide margin

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

      Cheers

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

      A imo

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

    Who would you guys bench?

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

    1. Cahill17
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Holding, Lascelles and Reed

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

        Thank you, which order would you put them? 🙂

        1. Cahill17
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Hard one imo Reed, Holding, Lascelles

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

    Don’t get why everybody on here is convinced Saïss is 100% nailed.

    Wolves could very easily switch to 4 at the back at some point, meaning Saïss loses his place.

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

      Why would they switch if they've been playing with 3 at the back for two full years now?

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

      Get coady then

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

      It's not the change to a back 4 that is the threat. Saiss has hiccups. Hoever just signed, can play RCB which could out Boly back as LCB where he is better.

      Does he get put there straight away? Probably not, but it may well happen eventually.

  14. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Just did Auba > kdb with the ft. Anything worth a hit or h2g? 0.5m itb.

    McCarthy
    Taa davies Taylor
    Salah kdb Bruno soucek
    Ings dcl mitro

    Nyland Mitchell bissouma EGAN

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

      Play Mitchell

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

        Cheers

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

      nothing worth a hit now, wait till after midweek games and reassess

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

        Sounds good, thanks

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

    A. Auba/K. Davies > Bruno/Bamford
    B. Auba/K. Davies > Zaha/Racharlison
    C. Auba/K. Davies > Zaha/DCL
    D. Auba > KDB save a FT

    which is the best move for GW3 and maybe long term?

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

      D

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

      C

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

      D

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

      Btw, sorry its Keinan Davis(AVL)

  16. mixology
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I’m a bit late to the question in this article’s headline but

    I’d have been better off (c) KDB GW’s 1-2 than (c) Auba for his juicy fixtures in GW 1-2

    Shame because I know Auba will be up there in highest scoring players

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

    On WC, would you have:

    A) Brewster and Klich/Costa
    Or
    B) Anguissa and Bamford

  18. gonzalocampos
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    DCL+Bamford or James Rodriguez+ Bamford

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

      Sorry

      DCL+Bamford or James Rodriguez+ Wood?

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

        Now this one I'd say James and Wood.

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

      DCL over JRod for me

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

    Thoughts on my team for gw 3?

    Ryan
    TAA KWP Saiss
    Salah Son Foden KDB
    Mitrovic Werner DCL

    Steer Justin Bissouma Brantwaithe

    Who to captain?

  20. Serendipity
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which duo would you go for:
    1) Werner and Podence
    2) Son and Mitrovic

    I am leaning the way of 1 at the moment but not much in it?

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

      Too tough to call honestly. Bookmark that and check in 6 weeks. Could be close or go either way

    2. Alonso The Great Midfielder
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      a for me

  21. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    GW8-10 seems the ideal time to deploy WC for those who haven’t prematurely spunked it. Fixture swings then for City, Wolves, Everton and Spurs

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Well i’ve played WC and will likely still have Wolves boys, can add another City player, will likely still have some Everton players, and Son can stay in my team for good now, nothing a few FT’s can’t fix either with some basic planning.

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

      Good forward thinking. Having a WC handy is helpful in nearly all cases anyway!

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

      Wildcarding is an individual's choice. Each team is different under different circumstances. By the time GW8 comes around the wildcarders could already be 100pts+ ahead of you on average.

      I haven't wildcarded, but I won't be insulting people who have.

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

      Liverpool, West Ham, Aston Villa too

      Nothing that can't be fixed with decent planning

    5. Keep Calm and Play On
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      By then you may be priced out though...all depends on everyone’s team

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

    A. James Rodriguez and Mitrovic
    or
    B. Foden and DCL

  23. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    With ASM about to drop I would like to cash out
    But I've already done Auba and Wilson to KDB and DCL for -4.

    Wait?

    ASM to Podence? Has to be under 6.2m

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

    On WC, would you have::

    A) Brewster and Klich/Costa
    Or
    B) Anguissa and Bamford

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

      A with Klich.

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

    best 5.0 defender
    on WC

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

      Saiss
      James

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

        have 0.1 itb, worth going James over Zouma for that 0.1?

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

          James took one corner last game, prefer james for potential higher returns.

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

      Saiss with those fixtures.

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

    Some insane rumors going on

    "Chelsea and Arsenal are considering swap deal including Kanté."

    First of all, if Chelsea sell Kanté they're doomed
    Second, who the hell do Arsenal have to swap? Only Arsenal player who is worth persuing is Auba.

    Kanté is so good he made Maguire look decent!

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

      Maguire is the most expensive defender in the world LOL you english are crazyyyy

    2. L'Aeroplanino
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Kante? Lol 5 years late

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

        He's still better than the Arsenal midfield combined isn't he? 😛

        Too be fair, Xhaka has looked decent lately, but he is no Kanté

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

      Maguire was at Hull when Kante was at Leicester

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

        Oh well sorry, that explaines a lot! The top defending side Hull

    4. panda07
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      The talk is a swap for Guendouzi, seems quite daft

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

        Kanté is like 10 Guendouzis

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

          Exactly

    5. Patson Dabaka
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Had a mare here. Maguire & Kante never played together

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

        At Leicester?

        1. Patson Dabaka
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Don't make me lol@ you

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

    McCarthy
    TAA Taylor Davies
    Salah KDB J.Rod Soucek
    Werner Mitro Martial
    0.9 ITB

    Already did Alli > J.Rod and Auba > KDB. Is anything else worth a -8?

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

      Bench: Steer, Mitchell, Justin, Bissouma

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

        Nah, i expect Mitchell to autosub for Davies though. I think Jose said reguilon could be ready for the weekend.

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

          Thanks, trying to milk as much as I can out of Davies before that happens. Expect I’ll swap him for Saiss or the like next week.

    2. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      GTG

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

        Thanks mate

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

      no its ok

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

        Cheers!

  28. gonzalocampos
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Ryan or Martinez on WC?

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

      Ryan

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Martinez for sure, however i am tempted by Guaita also

      1. L'Aeroplanino
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He is 5.0 though...I would want a palace defender but they are all made of glass

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah true, forgot about the 0.5 extra, doh! I think Martinez is due for a Pope-like season

    3. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ryan

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

      Ryan is the safe bet, Brighton look good this year and expect 9-10 clean sheets at least

      Villa on the other hand look promising, but they were whipping boys last season until restart, so Martinez might be a so called trap

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

    2fts for
    Auba+Alli➡️Kdb+Rodriguez??

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Same moves here

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

      Did the exact same moves for a -4 so yes!

  30. kobewan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Sais, Coady or Boly?

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

      saiss quick, price rise inbound

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

      GW3 to GW7 Wolves schedule is looking good

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

      Saiss