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. Salah(c)
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Would you downgrade sterling to upgrade podence, (podence the only player in my squad im not keen on),
    A)podence >5.5
    B)keep podence
    C)sterling + podence > 2 mids totalling 17m
    Other mids are salah hamez and son

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      C) Now Aguero's out again. Grealish & Zaha the obvious pair to replace.

      1. Salah(c)
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Rashford and grealish?

  2. djoker_nole
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What to do with this lot?

    Martinez
    Robbo Saiss Coady Ayling Ward
    Salah Son Zaha Jorginho Reed
    Kane(c) Bamford Jimenez

    2.4 itb

    1. Salah(c)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Jorginho to grealish

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Needs everton attack

    3. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Jor to Grealish or GTG

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

      Jorginho to Grealish or Foden perhaps.

  3. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Poor week and not too sure what the best move is here, any advice appreciated

    McCarthy
    TAA / Dallas / Mitchell / bellerin / Justin
    Salah / sterling / Rodriguez
    Kane / Jimenez

    Button / soucek / bissoma / Brewster

    1. ShaunGoater123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Sorry 1 ft, 1.7 itb

    2. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      GTG

    3. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Should have probably done Brewster to Bamford earlier in the week, but too late now. Sterling is not really needed until GW10, especially now they have no striker again for a week or two at least, you could swap him to Son for the next two nice fixtures. I also think McCarthy over Martinez will wound you long-term. But probably rolling the FT is fine for this week.

  4. Chelsea91
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez
    Robbo,PVA,Chilwell
    Salah,Zaha,Grealish,Son
    DCL,Kane,Maupay

    Button Dallas,Romeo,Douglas

    0 FT and 0 ITB , will do Maupay to Bamford in GW 8.

    Thought on the team above?

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      PVA in before he's even played was a bit maverick, but Dallas can cover. Otherwise GTG.

      1. Chelsea91
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        i think he will start this GW and i can see he is playing attacking. If he not start Dallas will cover mate.

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

    Is it ok to transfer in Bamford for Ings?

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      hold

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

        Sorry for Jimi not ings

        1. Chelsea91
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          if Jimmy yes, if you want Wolves attacking go for Neto.

    2. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Bamford is still a bargain below 6-6.5 mil, but I'd hold Ings for now as a differential.

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

    If you havn’t already, when do you plan on WC’ing? Is there an optimal time? I see City fixtures turning for the better, as well as Wolves for the worse.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Next International Break seems sensible

    2. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      wait for IB

    3. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Who to lose to bring in City players though? At the moment for me the only possible is Hames to Mahrez or maybe Salah to KDB/Sterling at a push. There is no chance of me swapping on fire Kane to Aguero with his injury problems or losing a nailed Son in the form of his life for a -currently- misfiring, rotation-risk City mid, regardless of fixtures.

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

        Why would you transfer in Mahrez? I have him but I want to transfer him out - city not scoring goals Foden is enough city cover

  7. SomeoneKnows
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez (Forster)
    Robbo, Chilwell, Saiss (Dallas, Mitchell)
    Salah, Son, Rodriguez, Grealish (Soucek)
    Kane, DCL, Maupay

    0.5m ITB, 2 free transfers

    A) Maupay + Soucek > Brewster + Zaha
    B) Maupay > Antonio
    C) Maupay > Bamford
    D) Other ideas welcomed

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      C

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Would like B but suspect we are about to get some bad news about Antonio

  8. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Pending UCL games will sell Digne for Chilwell to get this, GTG?

    Martinez
    Chilwell Saiss Kilman
    Salah Son Rodríguez Grealish
    Kane Jimenez Ings

    Button Justin Bissouma Ferguson

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Gtg

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

      Looks great

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

    Worth a -8 to sort this mess out?

    Maupay + Sterling + TAA> Kane + Son + Dallas.

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

    Alternative is TAA + Pereira > Kilman + Son(-4).

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Sterling to Son only for now

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Spurs only have two great fixtures left, maybe just go for one and reduce the size of the hit

  10. matiakez
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any assistance here?

    Martinez Steer
    Robbo Chilwell kwp dallas kilman
    Salah son Grealish Pulisic bisouma
    Kane DCL maupay

    2 FT.

    Pulisic is on dodgy ground but feel like he gets maybe one more week?

    Maupay is the other who has been a big failure but options in that bracket have dried up a bit, is Antonio likely to be out?

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I will monitor Antonio , if he fit Maupay to Antonio than

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

      I'd maybe wait for Antonio news. Bamford?

      1. matiakez
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        That's probably the second best option isn't it?

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

    Thoughts on the team below please!

    McCarthy (Ryan)
    Chilwell Kilman (KWP* Justin* Mitchell)
    Son Salah Zaha Hamez (Soucek)
    Kane DCL Jimenez

    A) KWP away vs Villa - doubled up with McCarthy
    B) Justin away vs Leeds

    Thanks!

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

      B

    2. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      GTG

  12. Firmino
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Good morning! I have 2FT and don't know what to do. Would appriciate thoughts on this team:

    Martinez
    Robbo Lamptey Dallas
    Salah Mane Son Barkley
    Kane DCL Maupay

    Button; Mitchell, Stephens, Branthwaite

    0.4ITB

  13. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Damn, these City fixtures from GW10 are incredible!

    Burnley (H)
    Fulham (H)
    United (A)
    West Brom (H)
    Southampton (A)
    Newcastle (H)
    !
    Foden + Sterling + KDB could pay dividends... or perhaps Foden + Sterling + Dias for budget purposes.

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

      Or Sergio Aguero if he finds form and fitness!

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

        Easy swap from Kane for sure, though I may just use him to get Fernandes in midfield instead.

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

    Bruno to Mane?

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

      Maybe. Although i think united will score a few against arsenal. They’ve looked a bit dodgy recently

  15. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Hi Guys,

    Is PVA close to full fitness? That means Mitchell's starts are severely under threat, yeah?

    Cheers.

  16. Cak Juris
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Which one is better duo from GW 8 to get WHU player:
    A. DCL - Bowen - Cresswell
    B. Antonio - James Rodriguez - Cresswell
    C. DCL - Zaha - Coufal
    D. DCL - Grealish - Coufal

  17. Whiskerz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Morning folks

    Hold the ft this week for me i think?

    1ft 0.3itb

    Martinez
    Robbo . Saiss . Dallas
    Salah . Son . Foden . Jamez
    Kane . DCL . Jimenez

    Forster . Mitchell . Lamptey . Burke

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

      Similar team to mine. I’m considering holding. What do
      U think of Jimenez and wolves in general?

      1. Whiskerz
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Not convinced by them. Particularly attacking wise. Had planned to ditch Jimenez to Antonio next week. But now I'm considering Bamford as a replacement and finding funds to move to an additional city mid for gw10.

    2. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I would probably save yes

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

    From GW8 onwards which combo do you prefer?
    A. Jimenez Hamez Saiss
    B. Antonio Zaha Robbo
    C. Bamford Bruno Cresswell

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

      B if antonio is fit

  19. StayoutheSpiceZone
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    After a horrific start, thanks in main to the spurs boys, I’m slowly gaining ground. I am however, feeling the squad needs freshening up:

    Martinez (Steer)
    Robbo Saiss Taylor (Lamptey Mitchell)
    Son Salah Foden Podence* (Trossard*)
    DCL Jimenez* Kane (c)

    Really not sure about Wolves - just not passing the eye test for me in an attacking sense. 0.9m itb and 1FT

    A) Save and hope Wolves find some goal scoring form
    B) Trossard and Jimenez out for some Chelsea cover and fodder
    C) One of Podence and Trossard out for maximum 6.4-6.9m midfielder
    D) something else

    Thanks

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

      WOL GW7 will probably get 1-0 again. Ship them GW8 gradually I think. Podence needs to go first but with the price bracket you need 2FT.

    2. Whiskerz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'd hold this week and move Jimenez, Podence and possibly trossard out next week.

      Jimenez + Podence to Antonio(if fit) and a 7.x mid or

      Jimenez, Podence and Trossard to Antonio , 9.x mid and a 4.5

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

        Cheers guys

  20. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Good day!
    Have a pretty solid situation for next week, but with 2 FTs, i have to spend at least one, any advice on where?

    Martinez
    TAA/Chilwell/Dallas
    Salah/Son/Pulisic/Grealish
    Wilson/DCL/Jimenez

    Button/Lamptey/Ward/Gordon
    0.5 itb

    Maybe just Wilson > Bamford due to form?

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

      Nice move imo

    2. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Wilson and/or TAA are the only two I'd consider losing.

  21. Aaa
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What to do here? 1ft 0.1itb

    Ryan/Button
    TAA/Taylor/KWP/Kilman/Mitchell
    Salah/Son/Grealish/Zaha/Burke
    Kane/Werner/Maupay

    Maupay -> Bamford/Adams?

    Then Werner -> Antonio following week if fit?

    1. skodaole2
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I d try to free some funds at some point and upgrade defence. Werner i wouldnt drop if i had him. I d say keep for now and depending on the news you can change Maupay on Friday.

  22. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Hello guys. Would you save a FT here?

    McCarthy
    Saiss, Chillwell, TAA
    Barnes, Salah, Son, James
    DCL, Kane, Adams

    Subs --- Button, KWP, Bissouma, Mitchell --- 1 FT, 0.6 ITB

    1. skodaole2
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I would save for now, depending on midweek news

  23. MIGHTY JOE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What to do? 2 FT

    Martinez
    Robbo Lamptey Ayling
    Son Salah Havertz Mahrez Zaha
    Maupay Kane

    Steer Brewster Mitchell Konsa

    Thinking of Havertz/Maupay -> Werner/Costa, but open for ANY suggestions.

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

      Do u think Chelsea will win at turf moor?

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

        Unsure. But I do fancy their next games: Burnley, Sheffield, Newcastle.

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Maupay to Bamford

  24. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bench 1
    A) TAA
    B) KWP
    C) Maupay

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

      B

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      * sorry Justin not TAA lol

  25. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Save my FT?

    Martinez
    Cresswell,Saiss,Ayling
    Salah,Son, Rodriguez, Grealish,
    Kane,Jimenez,DCL

    Steer,Jorginho,Coleman,Ferguson 0.2m itb 1FT

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

      Maybe replace Coleman and bench Cresswell?

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Sorry Cresswell should be Chilwell.

    2. skodaole2
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      You do not need to waste your FT now, just get rid of Coleman at some point and Jorginho on the bench is waste of funds (plus benched points, see what happened with people having Bamford on their bench), i d say when you get the chance downgrade Jorginho and maybe upgrade Coleman

  26. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is Jamal Lewis at 4.4m good value? Most importantly is he nailed?

    1. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Decent. He’s an option for me next week for Coleman.
      Don’t think I’d play him every week though.

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Decent when fixtures turn, nailed yes as Ritchie is injured for 2 months and even then he's mostly first choice.

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

      Newcastle defender so I'd say no. Nailed, yes.

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

    McCarthy, Nyland
    TAA, Tierney, Justin, Taylor, Konsa
    Bruno, Son, JRodriguez, Podence, Bissouma
    Kane, Ings, DCL

    1ft., 1.6 in the bank.
    What to do?

    A) Bruno to Mane
    B) Podence to Jorginho/Foden
    C) TAA to Chilwell, Podence to Pulisic/Mahrez (-4points)
    D) Ings to Vardy
    E) keep

  28. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Everton's run from GW12-18 is rather poor, interesting. Perhaps the perfect time to jump off the likes of DCL and Rodriguez if one would want to.

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I haven't had DCL all season, have James but not sure now If I should bring in DCL in GW9

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

        Let's see how the next two go. I'm keeping DCL and Rodriguez until Fulham at least but both could be expendable afterwards.

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yep. I’ll probably only have one during that period.
      If this injury/ suspension crisis continues to affect form I may jump off sooner.

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

        It's a tricky balance. I may drop both of Rodriguez and DCL, could be just one. If Greenwood nails a starting spot...

  29. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Would u double up with Chilwell and Mendy ?

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

    Podence to Foden?