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

    Ziyech or Rashford as a Pulisic replacement. Have 9.6 ITB.

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

      Hakim.

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

      Ziyech

  2. Puyol Pants Up
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Woke up feeling quite happy has a Barnes and Dallas owner! Couldn't have gone better really

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

      nice one

    2. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Sweet

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

    Next GW, play:

    A. Robertson (mci)
    B. Watkins (ars)

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

      B

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

      a

    3. istanbul05
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

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

      A

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

      Play both when possible

    6. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

  4. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Ziyech or Zaha?

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

      Both, but If other then Zieych.

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

      Zaha next 4

  5. istanbul05
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Early thoughts on Cresswell & Bowen in for Robbo & Pulisic with 2 FTs?

    Martinez,
    Robbo, Chilwell, KWP,
    Salah, Son, Pulisic, Zaha, Grealish,
    Kane, DCL.

    Forster, Dallas, Brewster, 3.9.

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

      I would do it. Gives you a lot of money ITB!

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

      Bowen only

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

    Best pick?
    a)Coufal
    b)Justin
    c)Lascelles

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

      Coufal I think.

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

      A

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

      A

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

      cheers

  7. BeWater
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martinez McCarthy
    TAA Mitchell Doherty KWP Taylor
    Salah Son Barkley Podence Bruno
    Kane Mitro Brewster

    2FTs 0.3ITB

    I'm thinking Doherty to Creswell and Mitrovic to Che Adams. Any other ideas guys?

    1. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Doherty to Coufal and Mitro to DCL?

      Maybe just Doherty to Chilwell even

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

        Good suggestions. Cheers mate.

  8. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I sold Barnes in gw6. Typical.

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

      I sold him in gw5.For Grealish.

    2. HD7
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Sold Holding for Konsa before this GW

  9. mrtapio
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I think I need to get Vardy in my team now. He is hurting me bad! Got 2FT and 0.0itb

    How does this look: Brewster, Rodriguez, Robertson > Vardy, Mendy, Coufal + 0.4

    It will mean I go from 3-5-2 to 3-4-3.

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

      i think wait on vardy till he finishes wolves and liverpool matches
      and get him against fulham gameweek 10

  10. Totti
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    martinez 4.0
    reguilón saiss justin mitchel dunne
    salah son barnes foden burke
    kane jimenez calvert

    2 FT 2.8 itb

    feeling that my team struggling

    any suggestions guys what to do?

    need your help

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

      jimmy to vardy and barnes to bowen?

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

        and leave foden?
        and what about the defence

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

          i have foden and happy to keep him.

          actually you could go jimmy to wilson and upgrade defence. maybe a better option

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

            you're happy with foden!!!
            probably he"ll play the CL match and benched against liver

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

              he's a 6.6 city attacker. thats enough said for me. plus fixtures are turning very soon. as i said happy to own him 🙂

    2. HD7
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Saiss and Jimi are next to be sold. I am doing Semedo to Coufal if no new injuries. Would have done Jimi to Antonio for a hit. But will probably wait now

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

        why semedo?
        and leave barnes and foden?

  11. mataave
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What to do? Team has somehow ended up in a strange place. The obvious choice would be to get rid of Aurier. But is there a chance he’ll start against WBA?

    1.8m ITB / 1FT

    McCarthy / Meslier
    Aurier / Dias / Semedo / Lamptey / Mitchell
    Bale / Son / Grealish / Zaha / Jorginho
    Jimenez / Vardy / DCL

    All help appreciated

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

      You could wait until Thursday night to see if he starts in the Europa League. I have Doherty but I'm getting him out because I'm not sure if he'll start and he hasn't been great when he does.

  12. Bleh
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Repost.

    Thinking to maybe hold and do Trossard, Mitchell > Graelish, Kilman for free next week?

    Martinez
    TAA, Chilwell, Lamptey
    Salah, Son, J.Rod, Trossard
    Kane, DCL, Wilson

    Subs: Steer, KWP, Mitchell, Stephens
    1 FT, 1.5 ITB

    1. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Just Grealish this week

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

        Cheers, thinking to give Trossard one more go against Burnley (H) this week. Grealish has Arsenal (A).

        1. CRO KLOPP
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Saving ft is a better option

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

            Yep, will obviously monitor J.Rod and Lamptey injuries too but don’t think they’re serious.

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

    Thinking of getting Bellerin.
    Thoughts?

    1. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Me too for Saiss

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

        why all want to sell saiss?

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Im getting him...prefer him over a WHU defender anyway

    3. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I’m considering him yeah. Depends when my patience with TAA runs out 🙂

  14. jia you
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Saiss + Pulisic to Bellerin + Grealish will bring me back to almost 4m in the bank = weird season!

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

      Does this make Trossard an OOP option?

      1. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Poo option

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

      Why was Connolly missing too?

      1. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Who cares

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

          He could be a great option if Maupay is dead

          1. CRO KLOPP
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Maybe,but I would rather pay extra for Wilson/ Bam

  15. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who would you rather have this gw, Ziyech or Zaha?

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

      One week punt?

  16. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A) Saiss + Foden => Coufal + Grealish
    B) Saiss + TAA + March => PVA + Bellerin + Grealish (-4)

    Intrigued by PVA having the best defender mins per xGI in the game and potentially being on pens

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

      PVA is intriguing, is he going to be fit for next 4 is the mystery?

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

      B!

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

    Best chance of CS for GW8:
    A. CHE
    B. WHU
    C. ...
    D. ...

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      C. TOT
      D. BHA

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

      Arsenal
      Brighton

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

        Grealish (ars)?

  18. George James
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Best move here?

    2FT 0.7itb

    Martinez • Steer
    Lamptey • James • Robbo • Coufal • Saiss
    Son • Salah • Podence • Foden • Bissouma
    Werner • Kane • DCL

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Saiss to Chilwell and save the other?

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Or Foden to Grealish? You may be just short of either move

    2. George James
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      0.1 off both 🙁

      1. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Saiss to Kilman,too much money in your defence

      2. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        The below is good, then you’ll have some £s to play with over the international break

  19. Bennyboy1907
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bellerin or Cresswell/Coufal?

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

      Creswell

    2. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bellerin

    3. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Coufal

    4. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      3 answers there!

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

      Coufal.

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

      Coufal is a great budget enabler. I'm getting him mainly to free up cash for City assets

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

    PVA or Creswell?
    I feel PVA has higher ceiling for sure. But is he 100% nailed?

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

      Just worry that PVA = Pulisic, high ceiling but easily crocked

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

        But PVA isnt so injury prone?

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

          Where was he recently?

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

      I need some fun in the game, so gone with Van Aanholt...

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

        Get Cancelo rather, that's fun

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

          Untill Mendy is back and Pep Roulette begins

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

            Part of the fun, Kilman is waiting on the wing

  21. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What to do here with 2 FT and 3.0 itb (don't mind a hit too)

    Martinez
    TAA James Saiss
    Salah Son Grealish Podence
    Kane DCL Maupay
    (4.0 Burke Mitchell Dunne)

    1. George James
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Maupay and saiss >> Chilwell and Wilson

      Thoughts on my team few posts above mate?

      1. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks mate

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

      Monitor Maupay situation. If he looks set to play then I would definetely upgrade Podence and one of Dunne or Mitchell

      1. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yes, Maupay is the biggest dilema here

  22. Frucke
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Maupay to werner/kane/vardy?

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

      Or more pushing to get out robbo or taa?

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Blimey how much ITB?

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

        2,5. 2 ft

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          One of the pool boys to Zouma and Maupay to Kane

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

            Have son. Double up even that fixtures turn?

            1. Big boy Bowen
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Yes, Kane easy downgrade to anyone afterwards in one transfer

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

                True. Ty!!

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

      Wilson

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

        Hm maybe

  23. jp1719
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    On wildcard this week.

    Martinez (Matin)
    Chilwell Lamptey Digne (Kilman, Ferguson)
    Salah Son Grealish Zaha (Fornals)
    Vardy Ings Wilson

    GTG?

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

      Ings injured?

    2. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ings is injured

    3. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I really like this team, Ings could be injured however and I’d want Kane at least for this week against WBA

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

      Ings > DCL for great fixtures after MUN
      Is Lamptey not injured?

  24. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Early thoughts on this team gents with 2FTs?

    Martinez
    Robbo TAA Semedo
    Salah Grealish Son Podence
    Kane DCL Bamford

    4m - Lamptey Mitchell Reed

    1.1m ITB

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      TAA & Podence to Chilwell & Ziyech (or Rodriguez if fit)

  25. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    If you don’t have Kane yet are you bringing him in or hiding behind the sofa when he plays for the foreseeable?

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

      Sofa for now. Hopefully Bale takes away some goal-scoring responsibility and Kane'll be relying even more on pens. Wishful thinking, maybe.

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

      Hiding

  26. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Ings and Pulisic ➡️ Vardy and Ziyech -4?

  27. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Would you do Greenwood (eve) to Grealish (ARS) this week for free or hold out for a week?

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Holdddd

    2. Reeker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Save

    3. Totti
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      hold

    4. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I’d do it, Greenwood not nailed

  28. michaelington
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Up to 2.2 million OR. Dizzy heights.

  29. GrandTheftAmeobi
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    2 FT and £0 in the bank.

    McCarthy
    Robertson Trent Ayling
    Salah Son Zaha Rodriguez
    Kane Mitro DCL

    Steer; Mitchell, Vinagre, Bissouma

    My first thought is :

    Trent, Bissouma, Mitro to Zouma or Chilwell, Grealish, Brewster.

    Any thoughts? Who's everyone's preference in a Zouma or Chilwell choice? Thanks!