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

    Make Saiss to Kilman for free sense? Thank you!

    1. FPL Alaska
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I did this

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

      Don't think that is necessary. With wolves' fixture taking a turn to bad, investing in their defence is not a good idea

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

    I thought players on red & injured like Furguson of palace were price locked. But i just noticed hes close to falling in price

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Players can drop on a red flag

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

        Yes seems so. Thanks

  3. Spg76
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    How long does it take them to update the subs????

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

      Generally they seem to do it around the 60 minute mark

  4. AdamJ91
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Saiss > Masuaku/Coufal?

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

      Coufal

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

      Both are good. If you prefer masuaku, use him till moyes start to change his backline.

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

    Is this team worth a WC? Trying to gain some rank

    Current team:
    McCarthy 4.0
    TAA Justin Konsa Taylor Mitchell
    Salah Son Zaha James Soucek
    DCl Ings Jimenez

    WC team (if played)
    Martinez
    Chilwell Creswell Kilman Vastergaard Lamptey
    Salah Son Grealish Ziyech Soucek
    DCL Bamford Kane

    Kane/Son will be KdB Werner/Martial once fixtures and form turns in next few weeks

    WC time or wait another week and just do Ings/Jimenez to Kane/Bamford for a -4?

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

      You’ve got a decent team, just take the -4

  6. Hits from the Bong
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Pick one, I can't. Cheers

    A. Lamptey
    B. Bellerin
    C. Kilman

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

      I went for B

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

      Coufal an option?
      If not, C and upgrade elsewhere

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

    Ziyech or Zaha?

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

      Ziyech if you can afford

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

      Ziyech without a doubt.

  8. Ghost86
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Plan was to WC in the international break but I’m thinking in GW10 it could be better.

    City’s fixtures turn for the better

    Thoughts?

    1. AF90
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      KDB/Sterling double up could be nice differential

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Other teams besides City turn in gw9... still think gw9 is the better choice

      1. Ghost86
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Which other team besides united?

        Leicester’s fixtures turn from 10 too Ful(h)

        1. Pukki Blinders
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Spurs, Everton, WHU, Villa

    3. A-L
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'm thinking of doing GW10 unless I see major changes needed over internationals. Lets you think really short term at least. Have personally just added a 3rd Chelsea defender and am both loving and hating the decision

  9. AF90
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What are people's plans with Son & Kane GW9 onwards when fixtures get harder? Keeping both, selling both or selling one - and which one!?

    I'm looking at Kane out at the moment & keeping Son, will use the money to get KDB or Sterling for GW10 then! Any thoughts?

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

      Keep both until you see a massive decline in their performance.

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Selling both

    3. A-L
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Somewhere in between sounds like the best balance of risk. Am planning to keep Son but move Kane on

  10. chelseabrad
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Already done Saiss > Bellerin, good to save second FT, or do I replace Mitchell with Kilman before the rise?

    Martinez
    Robbo Chilwell Bellerin
    Salah Son Grealish Hamez
    Kane Wilson Bamford

    (Steer KWP Neto Mitchell)

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

    Hey guys, posted this on previous page, one useful reply but just looking for some more please. Absolute fail of a GW, and last night took too many hits in rage!

    Decided now to play FH to cancel them out, don’t want to, but the only way to correct a big rage hit.

    If you were to choose a FH team what would it be?

    So far I’ve come up with:

    Fabianski
    Cresswell - Chillwell - Reguillon - Bellerin
    Formals - Ziyech - Salah - Son
    Werner - Kane
    __________________________________
    Forster: Elmeny: Braithewaite: Davis

    1.9 ITB

    Trying my best to turn round this mess, and attack those West Brom, Sheff Utd, and Fulham fixtures.

    Anything you would change? Or maybe just do the best team you can for me, trust me I’d have more luck than doing it myself.

    Thanks 🙁

    1. A-L
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Target the fixtures as you say! Play Chelsea defenders, maybe Lamptey vs Burnley, Spurs / Southampton / West Ham mids/forwards etc. Load up on fun picks that are against the weaker sides

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

        Cheers A-L good advice. I’ll be working on it every chance I get this week. JWP could be a fruitful pick maybe. Or a Bowen and fornals double up. Definitely chelsea defenders, and spurs for sure 🙂 cheers dude

        1. A-L
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          No worries mate, those all sound like good picks! You can blame it on me if it doesn’t work out

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

            Haha cheers A-L, something needs to happen to turn things around, may as well be now 🙂
            If you were to put together a FH team what would it be?
            No probs if you can’t or don’t see this message, just intrigued 😉
            I really need to pull something back before int break.

  12. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martinez to Mendy for free?

    Would make .1 from Martinez and beat Mendy rise perhaps

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

      If you dont have a chelsea def then yes

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I have Chilly

        Martinez and Villa couldn't have better fixtures after Arsenal.

        It's a risk

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

          I’d leave it then, use it elsewhere

          1. Stupendous
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Anything worth using?

            Martinez
            Chilly Robbo Kilman
            Son Salah Rodriguez Greal Zaha
            Kane DCL

            Martin KWP Mitchell Brewster

            Got 1.1m itb!

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

              Looks good to me, maybe Brewster but not urgent, save it for 2 next week imo

              1. Stupendous
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                Ta!

                1. Begbie.
                  • 10 Years
                  3 years, 4 months ago

                  Whatever you do don't sell Brewster. He's essential when playing 3-5-2. A starting 4.5 forward is insane value.

    2. gart888
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'm considering the same thing. How confident are you that Mendy will be rotation proof?

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

        Mendy will play every premier league minute this season (unless injured)

        1. Stupendous
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Yup

      2. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        100% rotation proof imo.

        See my issues above.

        Think I talked myself out of it and will hope for Martinez pen save and save points this week

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

          Good decision imo

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

      Save FT

    4. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Cheers all.

  13. gart888
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martinez - Steer
    Robertson - Chilwell - Lamptey - Kilman - Struijk
    Salah - Son - Grealish - Zaha - Hamez
    Kane - DCL - Brewster
    0.3 ITB

    a) Martinez to Mendy
    b) Robertson and Brewster to Bellerin and Callum Wilson

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

      B

      1. gart888
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Think B is better than staying put?

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

          I like it

  14. Scratch
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Decision time...

    Zaha or Grealish in for Pulisic

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

      Grealish

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

        Cant decide plus I added ziyech and Bowen as options

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

          But of those two options probably grealish but wont expect much vs arsenal

    2. FPL Alaska
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Of them, Grealish

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

    I’m looking to bring in a budget defender and am eyeing up Targett from Villa.

    Despite the leaky goals, their fixtures look really good. Is this a worthwhile investment?

    Cheers

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Indeed it is

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

      I went with targett as well

    3. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Have a look at Coufal (W Ham). He has two assists in 4 games, Targett has none in 7

  16. fish&chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Rank check. I'm still languishing at 3.8m and finding it hard to climb. Every transfer backfires and I get my captain wrong every week!! Complete opposite of last year for me!! How are you all doing?

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      2.3m, but as I was nearly 6m after gw3 I'm pretty happy. Chin up, things will improve 🙂

      1. fish&chips
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers rover. Hoping for a pump soon! Actually I'm finding it less stressful than last season when I was inside the top 1k for a large proportion and felt constant pressure not up let it slip!

    2. gart888
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      800k.

      Finally had a good week with kilman, chilwell, lamptey, grealish, salah, kane, dcl all returning.

      1. fish&chips
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Great week for you!

    3. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      200k

      1. fish&chips
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Solid start!

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

      2.1m and that's after 3 consecutive green arrows. Been a rough start.

      1. fish&chips
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Ugh tell me about it. Well you're going in the right direction now!

  17. tyron
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Pulisic replacement headache
    A ziyech
    B Bowen
    C zaha
    D grealish

    Who would u choose

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

      I’ve for C&D but I would probably choose Ziyech for after his display

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

        I’ve got*

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

        Who would u go with If u didnt own either. My mid is current bruno son Salah puli...

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      D

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

      D

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

    A) Bellerin + Foden
    B) Coufal + Greenwood

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

      Dont like the uncertainty of both mid options

    2. Wılly
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      C) Zouma + Jota
      D) Cresswell + Mount

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

        I don't own Jota or Mount

  19. FPL Alaska
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Ziyech or Rashford in for Pulisic?

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ziyech is £1.6m cheaper. I'm sure you can use the money elsewhere

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Rashford with WBA coming up as potential captain option

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah, but we don't know how highly Poch rates him 😉

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

          He would get new manager bounce in Poch’s first game....

    3. Boomerang V
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I also have Pulisic. Is there a chance he will be fit for next GW?

      1. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        no chance

      2. FPL Alaska
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I don't trust waiting to see

  20. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Mitchell to Balbuena or Coufal?

    Can't afford Cresswell

    Mitchell might drop in price and I want to cash the .1

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

      Coufal

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

    Would you double up on Chelsea Def. with Chilwell and Zouma

    planning on getting rid of Saiss for Zouma?

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

      Looks good for the next couple weeks but not sure about the defensive double up long term.

  22. AdamJ91
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Thinking of losing Saiss & Trossard but which option seems better?

    A) Bellerin & JWP
    B) Coufal & Fornal/Bowen (Double up on WHU though)

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

  23. JURGENAUT
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Would you switch Mitchell for Kilman despite wolves fixtures?

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

      I would switch to some other players instead of kilman. With kilman rising to 4.3 soon, i would rather get a 4.5 west ham, leeds defence

  24. Lilac Breasted Roller
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    been out of the loop for a while, 2 FT

    A) Saiss -> ... ? Is Kilman nailed?
    B) Havertz / TAA -> KDB / Coufal

    James and Justin seemed to be rotation risks at times, is this still the case?
    Leaning towards B but 3 defenders at risk is too much.

  25. Begbie.
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Does anyone know how accurate fplstats has been this year? Wanna sign Bellerin but ideally wait until later in the week, he's on 94% right now and if he goes up I can't afford.

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not likely you'll be able to wait until Friday.

      1. Begbie.
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Just gonna do it now then and pray for no injuries in Europe.

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

      I think you can give it another day, no one would know for sure

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

        No point in waiting one day though

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

          Yes there is. Liverpool and City play tomorrow.

  26. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    should i do puli to ziyech now? or wait?

    1. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      May as well wait. Neither look close to changing prices. Wait until later in the week in case any of your other players get injured.

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

      Obviously wait..

      1. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        thanks!

    3. FPL Alaska
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Wait, I am holding for likely same move.

  27. Ojpsan1
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Saiss and Jimmy to Coufal/cresswell and Kane, for freee is given, no?

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

    Risers: Zaha (7.4) Ward-Prowse (5.9) Mendy (5.1) Kilman (4.3)

    Fallers: Maupay (6.5) Pérez (6.1) Nketiah (5.6) Fabinho (5.4) Pellistri (5.4) Shelvey (5.3) Kovacic (5.3) Söyüncü (5.3) Vydra (4.9) Sawyers (4.8) Ward (4.4) James (4.3) Hegazi (4.2)

    1. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Cheers Ragabolly

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

      Kilman

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

      And then Saiss replaces Kilman and it all ends in tears. Haha!

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

      Didn't see this coming for maupay

      Cheers ragabolly

  29. OneArseneWenger32
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    puli and Hames to Bruno and JWP?

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

      I would keep James if fit. Fulham coming up in GW9.

    2. OneArseneWenger32
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      damn too late now..0.1 off..need a mid week price raise to make it happen

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

    Here is what I have

    McCarthy(Martinez)
    Chilwell | Robbo | Kilman (Saiss, Mitchell)
    Grealish | Salah | Hames | Sone (Stephens)
    DCL | Kane | Bamford

    with 1 FT & .4ITB

    Save FT or Get rid of Saiss 5.2 seems like a lot to be on the bench?

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

      Son*

    2. OneArseneWenger32
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      if you're getting rid of Saiss its to downgrade def and upgrade elsewhere so u need 2ft

    3. FPL Alaska
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Save, can always transfer Saiss later

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

        What I'm thinking is to Start Saiss and have Kilman on 1st bench or vice versa?