Scout Notes

Why Arsenal’s defenders are worth monitoring despite being downed by Vardy

Arsenal 0-1 Leicester City

  • Goal: Jamie Vardy (£10.0m)
  • Assist: Cengiz Under (£5.9m)
  • Bonus: Kasper Schmeichel (£5.5m) x3, Vardy x2, Christian Fuchs (£4.5m) x1

A fairly turgid affair at the Emirates was settled by a late Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) winner, a goal that saw Leicester City move to within a point of top spot in the Premier League.

With Brendan Rodgers initially setting his side up in a striker-less wing-back system and Arsenal struggling for invention in the final third, the game looked be meandering towards an inevitable 0-0 before Vardy’s intervention.

Emulating the tactics that brought success at the Etihad in Gameweek 3, Rodgers was asked about his “masterplan” after the game:

I don’t know about masterplan, but it was the plan. It was the idea to deny space and keep our lines tight, and then obviously play through the pressure, so yes, it worked very well for us.

I thought we started the game well, first five or 10 minutes. We had good possession and then, of course, when you come away to play against any top team, you’re going to have to deal with pressure.

Then, into the second half, our lines were even tighter, we were in a better start position for our pressure, and then we enjoyed a lot more of the ball and always looked a threat.

CASE FOR THE (ARSENAL) DEFENCE

It seems incongruous to start this piece by talking up a backline that succumbed to defeat on Sunday and are without a clean sheet since Gameweek 1 but, such is the brand of football currently being served up by Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, their defensive Fantasy assets are arguably more appealing than those further forward right now.

Despite facing Manchester City and Liverpool away, a West Ham United side that are scoring for fun and now fourth-place Leicester, the Gunners have shipped just seven goals this season – only Aston Villa, who have played a game less, have conceded on fewer occasions.

Brighton are the only Premier League team at the time of writing who have allowed fewer shots in the box per match this season, meanwhile.

In the shape of Thomas Partey (£5.0m), Arsenal now also hope they possess a top-class midfield general who can add further protection to their backline.

While Rodgers will argue that his tactics worked perfectly on Sunday, the Foxes hadn’t had a single shot within 25 yards of goal before Vardy’s 79th-minute opener.

Arteta said of his side’s display after the game:

I was really pleased with the first half, the way we pressed, the aggression we showed against a team that are very capable of breaking that pressure and creating chances against you. We were very effective against that, we were on top of the game, we restricted them to nothing, we had the right opportunities to attack good space and create some chances.

An injury to the ball-playing David Luiz (£5.5m) disrupted the Gunners at both ends of the pitch but Arteta wasn’t sure of the severity of the issue, saying:

I don’t know. We’ve lost a few players in the last week or so. David had a muscular problem and he couldn’t carry on – we’ll have to assess him in the next 48 hours.

Arsenal’s fixtures are mixed at best over the coming month but they sit top of our Season Ticker from Gameweeks 12-20 and their defenders, more of whom in the Premium Members Analysis section, are names to monitor from that point.

Wesley Fofana (£5.0m), incidentally, was excellent for the visitors, as he was last week.

AUBA ALL RIGHT

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.7m) was finally moved off the left flank on Sunday – and switched over to the right.

Arteta’s aversion to playing the Gabon international centrally continues and the premium FPL midfielder again had few sights of goal, with his early, off-target header from a Kieran Tierney (£5.4m) cross being the only time he touched the ball in the Leicester box.

Aubameyang has now blanked four Gameweeks in a row, the first time that has ever happened since his move to the Premier League.

The recalled Alexandre Lacazette (£8.4m) again had the better chances, seeing an early header ruled out for offside before fluffing his lines from another Tierney delivery close to goal.

With there being few goals from central midfield and rotation a big possibility (other than Aubameyang) further forward, there seems little appealing about Arsenal’s attack at present – especially while the fixtures remain iffy.

VARDY RETURNS

Back from a brief lay-off with a calf problem, Vardy emerged for the final half an hour of yesterday’s game and continued his fine run of form against the Gunners: this was his 11th goal in 12 meetings with the red half of north London.

The veteran striker nodded in Cengiz Under‘s (£5.9m) square ball after a superb, defence-splitting pass from Youri Tielemans (£6.4m) had set the Turkish winger free of the Arsenal defence.

Vardy was later denied a second goal when Bernd Leno (£5.0m) saved his one-on-one effort in stoppage time.

All six of the striker’s goals have come on the road this season (four from the spot, of course) and it is Leeds away next up for the Foxes, who have looked more comfortable on the break at Manchester City and Arsenal than they have on the front foot in their last two outings at the King Power Stadium.

Vardy said of his comeback:

Me and the manager spoke yesterday and that was always the plan because I’m coming back from a little niggle. You don’t want to be chucked straight in, it’s about feeling your way back into it.

It was probably going to be the last 20 minutes or half an hour and that’s what has happened, and luckily I came on and made an impact and we can take three points home.

Harvey Barnes (£7.0m) had begun the game as an “out of position” centre-forward in Rodgers’ striker-less set-up, getting little joy from the Arsenal backline before his 74th-minute withdrawal.

Explaining his decision to omit Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.7m), Rodgers says:

Iheanacho can hold the ball, but I didn’t feel we needed that, so Harvey was there to stretch the game. The idea was always to bring Jamie on. Him and Cengo [Under] came on and Marc [Albrighton] made a valuable contribution too.


Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Leno; Bellerin, Luiz (Mustafi 49′), Gabriel, Tierney; Ceballos, Xhaka, Partey; Saka (Pepe 65′), Lacazette, Aubameyang. 

Leicester City XI (3-4-3): Schmeichel; Fofana, Evans, Fuchs; Castagne, Tielemans, Mendy, Justin; Praet (Vardy 59′), Barnes (Under 74′), Maddison (Albrighton 81′). 

MEMBERS ANALYSIS



LESSONS LEARNED FROM FPL GAMEWEEK 6

1,125 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Qaiss
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I genuinely don’t remember the last time I finished 18 pts below the average in a week

    1. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      What's the average this week?

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        it happens even to greatest, don't be too hard on yourself.

        1. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          It’s weird because I don’t know how people got such a high average.

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

            Bamford

          2. Party time
              3 years, 5 months ago

              No fans, poor officiating, Fpl tower etc...has really affected fpl points. Just a new era

        2. Jdpz
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          probably 47

          1. Long ago I drew a walrus
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Yeah that's higher than expected

    2. Jimbo-Jones
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Was planning on Podence to Zaha / Grealish.
      Both rising tonight. Which to go for? Or wait?

      1. Captain Vantastic™
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Zaha

      2. sminkypinky
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Grealish is class. Zaha is getting points. Both better than Podence.
        Zaha for me with his fixs and pens.

      3. sully29
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Grealish

      4. Ginola
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Jack Grealish.

    3. Captain Vantastic™
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Captaincy will be a headache this week

    4. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Sky dedicating a piece to Kane making a goal line clearance. Just wow.

    5. MikeLowrey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      This worth a -4?

      Robbo, Trossard & Pulisic to Zouma, Bissouma & Mane?

      Alternatively could do it over a few weeks.

      1. Sharkytect
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I have the first three and sticking with them so inclined to say no. Stick

      2. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Sorry i have to lol at those moves

    6. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Is Ferguson ever gonna play for palace? I bought him for the ‘long term’ but getting nervous now that his price is gonna drop. With not other fires to put out, should I replace him with Kilman?

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Why would he? Where does this belief even come from? He's never started a game for them, why would he suddenly start mid season..

        1. F_Ivanovic
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Well they bought him for a reason? The problem is they then went and bought Clyne so..probably not

      2. The Mandalorian
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Rumour has it he's filming for the next series of Love Island.

      3. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        His knee is cooked, sell

    7. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Bottomed:

      Martinez
      Robertson Chilwell Saiss
      Salah Son James Grealish Sterling
      DCL Watkins

      Forster Dallas Brewster Ferguson

      2 FT, 0.0 itb

      1. Watkins >> Bamford
      2. Sterling Watkins >> Foden Kane
      3. Sterling >> KDB
      4. Something else ?

      Thanks.

      1. Sharkytect
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        1

      2. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Could see Watkins scoring against Saints but 2 is nice

    8. Oooo Matron
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Anguissa & Robertson to Zaha & Mitchell/Kilman for free?

      Current team:

      McCarthy
      Robertson Semedo Chillwell
      Salah Son Grealish Rodriguez
      Kane DCL Maupay

      Subs: Konsa, Anguissa, Lamperty

    9. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No baps for Kane for that goal line clearance

      tragic

    10. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Which non premium completely random players will haul this week then?

      1. Sharkytect
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Anguissa

      2. Frucke
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Grealish i hope

    11. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      53 pts and a small green of 100K.

      I'll take it with a captain fail.

      how are others doing ?

      1. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        52 with a captain fail. I’ll absolutely take that this week.

      2. Black Knights
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        53 and a tiny red at 55k. I’ll take it.

      3. sminkypinky
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Crap as usual. 😀
        Already used to it this season. Doesn’t even bother me anymore. I still have faith.

        1. Clintymints
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Same boat

          Just another bad week seems normal at this stage

      4. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Kane(c) and 48(-4) points.Down to 1,3m.

      5. Joey Tribbiani
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        50 points and red arrow, tough

      6. DAZZ
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        47 captain fail down 150K

      7. HippY
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        56, up just under 1900 places

    12. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      JRod to Zaha? Dodging JRod eventual price fall and profiting Zaha price rise

      1. stu92
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Depends on what value you may have in Jrod. If you have any then I would hold.

    13. ADucksBehind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Thoughts on
      Trent + Barnes to
      Chilwell + Pulisic for free

      1. Digital-Real
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        not so sure about Puli

        1. Stupendous
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Bookkeeper would you do Puli to Zaha? My short patience with him has evaporated already.

          1. Digital-Real
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Zaha, Foden or Barnes (with Vardy back, they both link up well)

          2. Digital-Real
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Havertz is a better pick than Puli from that Chelsea front three

    14. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Kane

      Son

      Salah

      Captain next week?

      Oh my, this will be a terorizing FPL tinkering week.

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

        They’ll probably end up with 2 points each 🙂

      2. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        One of the Spurs boys as Wham look good defensively

      3. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Kane

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

        Grealish

    15. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Sick of not owning Kane & Son.
      Which is the best move here?

      A. TAA + Pereira > Kilman + Son (-4)
      B. TAA + Sterling + Maupay > 5.3 def (Dallas) + Son + Kane (-8)

      Martinez Steer
      TAA Robbo Konsa Mitchell Johnson
      Salah Sterling Hamez Pereira Anguissa
      Ings DCL Maupay

      1FT 0.3 ITB

      1. stu92
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        A

        1. King Kohli
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Cheers mate

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

        As a fellow non-Kane owner, I think it’s too late to bring him in now unless you really want to captain. Next two fixtures are great but gets really bad after that. I don’t want to destroy the whole shape of my team (premium mid to premium forward) to double up.

        So A

        1. King Kohli
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Agreed but City look toothless and they have an equally tougher run incoming.
          Also Sterling playing ST does not help his cause at all.
          Seeing how the big teams have been defending, not sure those fixtures are so tough from an attacking point of view.

    16. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Scooby doo!

      1. Party time
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Ed, edd n eddy

      2. stu92
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        So after pulling the wildcard this week, I’ve finished on a very disappointing 43 points. Made a few rash decisions at the last minute to get rid of Bruno & Jimi for Salah & Maupay, which has cost me 8 points alone this week. A few other poor moves made, but am going to try resisting the temptation to make more transfers and stick with the same team next week.

        Have not had a good game week yet this season and am currently 59 points off top spot. Surely this squad is good enough to start closing that gap?

        Martinez - 4.0
        Robbo - Saiss - Targett - Lamptey - Kilman
        Salah - Son - Jrodriguez - Barkley - Soucek
        Kane - DCL - Maupay

      3. Esalman
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Reguilon benching is going to give me a 60k rank boost. If Kane didn't get the assist I might've been inside top 100k.

        1. stu92
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          How can you tell your rank while scores are still updating?

      4. The Legend Squad
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Jimenez to Kane?

        Don’t want to lose Jimi, but Kane is looking great

        1. ADucksBehind
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          No brainer

          1. The Legend Squad
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Even if it means downgrading Robbo?

        2. sminkypinky
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Did it this week convinced it was the right move. Could’ve saved and would have more wiggle room for transfers next week.

        3. stu92
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Jimi just walking into a tricky run. If you can hold off another week then maybe do that.

          1. FPL_trail_runner
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            The issue with Jimi is fixtures dont matter

            Id only move him if you think he will continue to have such low attacking output and Wolves will still struggle to score

            Last years strike force with Vardy Ings Jimi is quietly coming back into vogue again

        4. Digital-Real
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Jiminez is the best value striker in the league. Him or Ings. I wouldn't lose Jimi for Kane.

      5. The Frenchie
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        A) TAA + Maupay
        B) TAA + Bamford
        C) Zouma + Bruno Fernandes
        D) Zouma + Vardy

        1. ADucksBehind
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          D

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

        51 points a small red arrow

        Did make up a few points on some ML rivals however so not all doom and gloom

      7. Tingate
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Guaita
        Targett- Lamptey - Robertson
        Sterling - Foden - Salah - Podence
        Jiménez - Kane - Watkins

        Forster - James - Mitchell - Burke

        £0.6M ITB 1FT

        Sterling > Son to captain or roll the transfer?

        Thanks!

        1. stu92
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          City aren’t looking great at the minute. Sterling > Son looks good.

      8. Hansel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        TAA, Mitro -> Masuaku, Kane? Can go up to 4.7 for a defender. Have Robbo

      9. Jdpz
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        McCarthy
        TAA, Taylor, Konsa
        Son, Bruno(C), JRodriguez, Podence
        Ings, Kane, DCL
        subs: Nyland, Bissouma, Justin, Tierney
        1.6 itb., 1 ft.

        Keep?

      10. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Got 2FT (0.3ITB) and no issues so the following for free?

        Buur to Kilman
        Davis to Brewster

        Thanks

        1. Coys96
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          You may need 2FTs later on. Just do one of those

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Good point, thanks

        2. Pep's Money Laundry
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Do one and have 2FT's next week, I would do the brewster transfer

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Thanks, seems sensible if I do go for the above

        3. FPL_trail_runner
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I would really not waste those transfers with a Davis to Brewster move

          You have id imagine no plans to play him

          Do the first if you really need to , or look to higher impact moves. You will not get much from those ( Kilman is still borderline and Wolves defence will have some tricky games soon where you wont want to play him anyway)

          Its now the perfect time to move out DCL as i mentioned to you Saturday

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            I know, ownership is a worry though and I do really rate him and Everton generally.
            He will be difficult for me to buy back too.

            Thanks again as always

          2. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            I will do some tinkering though and see what I can conjure

            1. FPL_trail_runner
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Maybe try and stay one step ahead of the crowd and get a city player in now before the upcoming fixture swing

              Something like cancelo / foden with be low risk high impact

              And you could keep your main players also.

      11. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Spurs so lucky to win that match.

        https://members.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/matches/2128339/

      12. CrouchDown
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Salah(C) again for me next week

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Same I think

      13. Corona is not good 4 U
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Alexander-Arnold, Gomez and Mitrovic -> Lamptey, Dallas, Kane for -4?

        Thank you!

        1. Coys96
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Not Lamptey but yes

        2. King Kohli
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Not Lamptey, rest looks good

        3. Corona is not good 4 U
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Thank you all!

        4. FPL_trail_runner
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Not this week

          TAA will play West ham without antonio it seems

          I have double leeds defence, dont plan to play Ayliing against Leicester

          Mitro to Kane is the only good move next week

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

        Could Dier sneak a bap?

        1. Black Knights
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I hope so.

      15. panda07
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Anyone know the LMS safety score? The page won't load. It's gonna be tight this week.

        1. Ragabolly
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          34

          1. Ragabolly
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Not sure why this page in particular doesn't load hmm

            1. panda07
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Thanks Ragabolly, it's loading now