Scout Notes

Arsenal’s FPL defenders offering greater value than attackers this season

Man United 0-1 Arsenal

  • Goals: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.7m)
  • Assists: Hector Bellerin (£5.0m)
  • Bonus Points: Bellerin x3, Gabriel x2 (£5.1m), Aubameyang x1

A penalty from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.7m) was enough for Arsenal to win a dour match at Manchester United that even a mythical football purist would have struggled to enjoy.

The Gabon international’s spot-kick, earned when Paul Pogba (£7.8m) fouled Hector Bellerín (£5.0m), handed the Gunners their first league win at Old Trafford in 14 years.

It also extended United’s winless run at home to four league games this season in a match that was heavy on the footballing history but light on pretty much everything else.

Gunner Be Tighter

It is a mark of this topsy-turvy season that Liverpool (15) have conceded the most goals and Arsenal (seven) the least.

Under Mikel Arteta, the Gunners are clearly much harder to beat. They are also much harder to love, especially in Fantasy terms.

Despite that impressive defensive stat, Sunday’s win was only their second clean sheet of the campaign, making it tricky for Fantasy Premier League managers to rely on a backline that’s clearly solid, just not solid enough.

But when they do shut down the opposition, the bonus point credentials of centre-half Gabriel (£5.1m) shine very brightly indeed. He earned his 11.4% ownership two extra points on Sunday.

All this defensive goodness has come during a tough opening run for the Gunners – they’ve faced Liverpool, both Manchester clubs and Leicester over the last five Gameweeks.

If they can kick on as their schedule eases, the returning Rob Holding (£4.4m) looks a potential bargain if he stays fit and in favour.

Arteta has already switched between a four and a five at the back this campaign, heightening the appeal of the team’s centre-halves.

Boring, Boring Arsenal

It is much harder to big up Arsenal’s attacking assets though.

Aubameyang is a great case in point. Boosted by his newly-acquired FPL status as a midfielder, he was owned by three million managers at the start of the season.

Six games, one goal and an assist later, his eight-point return at Old Trafford – his best score this campaign – was enjoyed by just over a million Fantasy bosses.

At least Aubameyang had something to show for his work, thanks to his penalty-taking responsibilities. 

Lone striker Alexandre Lacazette (£8.4m) had a miserable afternoon involving one penalty area touch and no shots, although he did lead the way – alongside Luke Shaw (£4.9m) – for chances created, with two.

With Aston Villa and Leeds up next for the Gunners, the prospect of goals looks good. But who’s going to score them?

United We Stand (Down)

As for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, the return of Anthony Martial (£8.7m) from suspension probably cannot come soon enough.

Since he was dismissed against Spurs, United have fallen apart in that Tottenham debacle, left it very late to beat Newcastle and have now emerged goalless and with one point from home games against Chelsea and Arsenal.

The United coach started with a diamond formation on Sunday, with Mason Greenwood (£7.2m) nominally playing up front alongside Marcus Rashford (£9.6m).

It was a move that Arteta referenced post-match.

“They played a really tricky formation with four midfielders and two that constantly strain your back four.” – Mikel Arteta

Whereas Solskjaer was rather less enthused by his own master plan.

“The formation is down to the opposition. It depends on the team you play against and how you execute that shape yourself. Of course, today we were too sloppy, too many passes went astray and the rotations weren’t there. Too many things can go wrong in a game of football that maybe went wrong for us.” – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Greenwood did at least work Bernd Leno (£5.0m) – one of three (regulation) saves for the Arsenal keeper.

But it was a mark of United’s toothlessness that Rashford had just three touches, and no shots, in the box.

In fact, the team’s major offensive weapon ended up being Harry Maguire (£5.4m), whose aerial threat led to a match-leading four attempts and five touches in the penalty area as United hoped for the best from a series of corners and crosses.

The best never came and the hope is currently drifting away.

United now have a mixed bag (eve WBA sou whu) to find some of both before Gameweek 12’s Manchester derby.

Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred (Matic 62); Pogba, Fernandes (van de Beek 75), Greenwood (Cavani 75); Rashford. 

Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Elneny, Partey; Saka, Willian (Maitland-Niles 86), Aubameyang (Mustafi 87); Lacazette (Nketiah 76).

LESSONS LEARNED FROM FPL GAMEWEEK 7

1,147 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Lev Yashin
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Well, that's that then.

  2. Kryptonite666
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I know its knee jerky but

    Sterling + Bamford to Vardy + Ziyech feels like a massive upgrade

    1. enrico.palazzo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      You expect your 6.0 striker to score hatricks every week? Geeze mate

    2. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nope seems sideways to me - there's not much in Vardy vs Sterling, nor Bamford vs Ziyech. Guess it depends how long / short term you're looking

    3. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Sideways

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

    You know the season is whack when we're considering Arsenal defenders. 😆

    1. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      The Arteta effect

    2. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I've had Bellerin since GW2. Worked pretty well so far actually

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        nice one

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

    I dislike vardy plus somehow dropped 200k places tonight..,

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      When an upcoming Friday deadline is best thing about a GW just gone...we go again.

  5. LǝgleSs e|even
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Great game, feel sorry for Leeds they played well.

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Got spanked!!

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Wut? They played for about 20 minutes in the second half.

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

    Tilly 3
    Vardy 2
    Harrison 1

    Is how it ends up.

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

      Barnes may nick 1 as well.

    2. Big_Bear
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      This confirmed?

    3. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Harrison WHAT NOW?

  7. El Presidente
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Now, that's the Bamford I know...

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Knew all along. That's why I don't have him.

      1. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I feel you brother...

  8. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any thoughts here? 1.2 itb & one free transfer.

    Thinking Semedo to West Ham defender.

    McCarthy
    Robertson Semedo Chillwell
    Salah Son Grealish Zaha
    Kane DCL Bamford

    Subs: Lampety, Konsa, Anguissa

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Good call. Masuaku seems to be the best option but may lose his spit

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Spot even, Jesus

  9. El Presidente
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Va4dy essential?

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      People don’t seem to like the switch, I suspect because its one most can’t make comfortably

      1. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah it's really challenging this season... So many options... points coming from new players every GW...

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      planning to swap werner for him when they face fulham. not sure how yet. might even require a cheeky hit 🙂

  10. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Saiss and Jimenez

    To

    Coufal and vardy for free

    Tempted, looking at fplstatistics I have at least one more day to decide

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Sounds good to me. Vardy has still got it clearly and Coufal is meant to be really good

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      looks good

  11. Stormbringer22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Pulisic out for Zaha or Bowen?

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Zaha for me, good form and still has a good few fixtures coming up

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thank you mate

  12. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Get

    A) Zaha

    or

    B) Ziyech

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Similar dilemma above. Out of those 2, I prefer Zaha due to fixtures. Any thoughts on Bowen vs Zaha?

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Zaha then

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

      has to be Ziyech if money aint an issue

    3. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B not even close IMO

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

    Yesterday 700k and tonight 940k!

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      How nany pts today?

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

        zero

  14. Qaiss
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Someone here took Kane out for Vardy and captained him. Well done to whoever that was.

  15. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Can get a team with salah son kane Vardy.

    not sold on vardy tho

    Martinez

    Chillwell Zouma Bellerin

    Son Salah Grealish Zaha

    Vardy Kane DCL

    Subs: justin mitchell bissuma

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Vardy now 4th highest scorer in game despite missing a fixture.

      2nd top scorer for team 2nd in league. Talisman and penalty taker.

      What’s not to like?

    2. chrismoo75
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Problem is how you get city players in during their purple patch of games

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Kane and grealish

  16. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A) Coufal Chilwell
    B) Bellerin Zouma

    To (likely) replace Saiss Taylor in my defence this week... Robbo Lamptey Mitchell the others, usually play 3 ATB

    Tempted to move Taylor on tonight before price drop - have 2 FT

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B tempts me a lot more

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Both look pretty decent. Personally prefer fullbacks. Zouma has been looking great offensively, but is prone to personal errors. Plenty of options in the CB position as well. Ideally you would pick Bellerin + Chilwell.

  17. Teahupo'o
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    RP

    No Che or WH in mid/attack. Pulisic to Ziyech or Bowen?

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ziyech

  18. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    mendy is a decent replacement for ryan isnt he?

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Would be wary of doubling up on chelsea defensively.. I feel like getting 2x chelsea attackers at some point will be vital. They are pretty cheap when you consider the potential of the team

  19. Pia06rc
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is the following worth a - 8? Squad decimated atm!

    Saiss, Barnes, Pulisic, Ings - - > Zouma, Grealish, Fornals, Kane

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

      wouldnt lose Barnes and Ings personally, just Saiss and Pulisic for now?

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      these moves dont justify a -8 imo

    3. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Monitor the Ings' situation. Wouldn't be taking hits. You can keep Barnes, and also keep Saiss if Ings is out.

  20. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Utd are too hot and cold aren’t they?And it’s not like they are cheap this year either.

    I kind of planned to get Rash or Bruno for Pulisic, but I’ll be damned if I know what to do now.

    Maybe get Ziyech instead and ride that bandwagon for a few weeks until City fixtures/form improve?

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'm strongly considering Martial as my Ings replacement. Not confident about it but I need a differential and the fixtures look nice, especially WBA in GW9.

      1. thegaffer82
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Martial is a good shout I think. Shame he’s not a mid anymore, but I still think he makes Utd better & will score plenty of goals

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

      Yeah i was set to bring in Bruno, but now im looking Zaha....

    3. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      United need teams that they can break against ; one trick ponies.

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

    who to sell first between Saiss and Pulisic?

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Pulisic... But it depends if you got cover for Saiss and vice versa

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

        can play KWP, Pulisic > Ziyech the obvious move then, I guess.

        1. FC Hakkebøf
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          yes

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

    Planning ahead for after International break, what do we think?

    Salah / Son / Jrod / _____ / Soucek
    _____ / DCL / Adams

    A) Kane & Barkley
    B) Werner & Grealish
    C) Wilson & KDB

  23. mbglo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    1.84 xG for Bamford. Last week he had 1.56.

    1. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      What's important to me is that the chances keep getting created for him

  24. Saka Rice
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Would you have Vardy on a WC?

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Surely

  25. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Rashford scores 3 simple goals in a game where the defence has packed up and gone home in the last 15 mins. Mass hysteria.

    Vardy scores his 7th goal in 6 games, 2 assists, main man for team 2nd in the league. Not sure about him.

    1. Teahupo'o
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I think formation has a lot to do with it, and the surgery required. If they were both fwds it would be an easy choice.

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      The problem with Vardy for my team is that he’s a forward.

      I’m all in on 3-5-2 w/Brewster as my 4.5 set and forget on the bench. Plenty of mids to choose from as well as forwards. Can’t have them all!

      But it makes Vardy very difficult to get

    3. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      He’s scored in all 4 away games and blanks at home. So hard to predict

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Or not based on that

        1. FPL_Crisis
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Touché

  26. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    TAA & Foden to Chilwell & Ziyech?

    Have Robbo & Havertz too

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      For -4

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

    I will always look back on my time in the top 4 million with fondness but for now, it’s back to where I belong

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      where s that?

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nice brag 😉

  28. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts of Robertson and Pulisic to Chilwell and Rashford? (-4)?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Would have said no to the hit but with Pulisic injured it probably pays off.

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Why Rashford?

    3. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I would just do Pulisic to Ziyech. Do not trust United one bit.

  29. Kasper the ghost keeper
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Ryan to Mendy to catch the rise?

    (Have Rodriguez who I'm hoping will be fit)

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      thats my move this week yep

      1. Kasper the ghost keeper
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Considering Fabianski instead? Wildcard planned for gw 10 so next two fixtures the focus

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          nice shout too yep

  30. waldo666
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Whilst I needed more I probably should be happy with a brace of assists from Mitrovic, shouldn't I?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      defo

    2. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Definitely