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. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    2FT 0.8ITB

    Mccarthy
    TAA Justin Semedo
    Salah Son Grealish Podence
    Kane DCL Jiminez
    (Nyland, Mitchell, Bissouma, Taylor)

    Anything need doing? TAA > Chilwell looks good. Have WC in tact. Any -4 needed? Can afford TAA Podence Semedo > Chilwell, Zouma, Ziyech -4

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

      Your -4 sounds tasty,but better do just TAA to Chill/Zou and have 2 FTs after the IB.

  2. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bottomed

    McCarthy Steer
    Dier Robbo Chilwell (Mitchell Douglas)
    Salah Son Barnes Podence (Bissouma)
    Werner Ings Mitrovic

    Would you do Ings to Vardy for free or some other transfer?

    1ft, 3.4m itb

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

      Yes

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers

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

    Hey all

    I'm currently relying on 2 from Ings, Lamptey and Mitchell to play at the weekend in order to put 11 out.(Team below)

    Would you take a hit to replace Ings or Saiss? (open to any suggestions).

    Martinez
    Chilwell - Cancelo - Lamptey*
    Salah - Son - Grealish - Zaha
    Ings* - Kane - DCL

    Steer / Mitchell - Saiss* - Burke

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Would sell Ings for a hit if he's injured.

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

      Thanks. Do you think Wilson is a good option? Newcastle have some decent fixtures coming up (Chelsea aside).

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I like Wilson a lot. He's a good option.

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

      Cheers

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

      Saiss to Kilman & Ings to Werner work?

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

      Kap Kane - Yes that's one I gave some thought to as well, but that -8 hurts. Werner not exactly been prolific either.

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

        Ah didn’t realise you had already made a FT.

        Ings to Wilson sounds good

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

    Where does basham play in SHU backline?

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      CB not LCB/RCB

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

        So he is one of the overlapping CB's right ?

        Thanks mate

        1. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          No he's not. Egan & O'Connell are the overlapping CBs. LCB & RCB overlap in SHU's system.

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

            Wow
            I thought Egan was the deepest CB 😮

            So Egan is LCB then. Thanks Karan !

            1. Karan14
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Damn I'm so sorry I mixed them up. You are correct Egan is CB and Basham is LCB just checked.

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

                Thanks !

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

      I think he plays RCB, Egan in the middle, Stevens LCB.

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

        Thanks mate !

  5. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martinez
    Chilwell Lamptey Kilman
    Salah Mane Son Foden
    Kane DCL Watkins

    (Steer Bissouma Saiss Mitchell)
    0.1m & 1 FT

    A) Mane & Watkins ➡️ Rashford & Wilson/Antonio -4
    (Foden to Grealish after IB.
    Will sell Kane to get KDB/Raz GW10 in a 352 or upgrade Rash/Son)

    B) Saiss ➡️ Coufal
    (Frees up cash for Kane to KDB/Raz in a 352. Or I can do Kane & Foden to City mid & Wilson/Antonio after IB)

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

      A sounds good to me

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

      B

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

      I prefer b

    4. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Save FT

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

      I'd probably leave Mane as your KDB/Sterling Placeholder and just do B for now.

    6. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Cheers all!

      Still really confused.

  6. Tim2012
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I have 2 free transfers what should I do?

    0.1 in the bank

    Saiss to?
    Pickford to?

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

      If you don't have a GK Pickford to a 4.5 ish GK looks good option.

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Pickford to Mendy

  7. fr3d
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I'm fully aware of the shambles that is Man Utd. But Martial(eve, WBA) has dropped to 8.7m and I need a short term replacement for Ings.

    Thoughts? 😆

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

      Could be worth a punt. They'll no doubt click at some point and would be nice to get ahead of the curve.

      I'm 0.1m short of doing that move... ha

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

      Is he definitely out?

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

      Not been confirmed but I doubt they'll risk him for this Friday's game. I'm eyeing up Wilson as a replacement which frees up enough cash to get KDB after the IB.

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

    Morning all, any early thoughts to anything that could be worth a hit please?
    Already done Buur to Kilman as FT:

    Martinez
    TAA | Lamptey | Dallas
    Salah | Bruno | Son | Grealish | Soucek
    Kane | DCL

    Steer | Brewster | Mitchell | Kilman

    0FT, 0.3ITB

    Thanks

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

      Possibly the worst bench I’ve seen, but starting XI is G2G!

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

        Cheers! Yes never spend much on my bench, just need them to get minutes which looks like they’re getting atm

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

        I think the bench is great.

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

      @Ha. - Then you haven't seen my bench (above).

    3. balint84
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      downgrade TAA and upgrade Soucek

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

        Thanks, for a -8??

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

          no!

          GTG. But make the your strategy for the coming weeks.

        2. balint84
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          no way

  9. balint84
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Start who next week? choose 1

    A) Watkins (ars)
    B) ASM (sou)
    C) Dallas (cry)
    D) Coady (lei)

    all away

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

      ASM

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

      Make some transfers, so you are not in this position. You have to play Watkins and ASK every week?

      1. balint84
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        one of them, yes. Both have good fixtures. In that price they are decent options, arent they?

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

    Scout Picks with 37 points this week lmao

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

    Morning everyone!

    Need to get rid of pereira (WBA). 2.4 ITB

    My front 8 :

    Salah,son,grealish,reed,pereira
    Dcl,Kane,Bamford

    Any inputs? Cheers.

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

      Zaha or Ziyech would be decent options I guess?

  12. KUN_DE_BRU_YNE
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Lms cutoff point?

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

    1 ft, 0 ITB.

    A hit to do Hamez --> Ziyech and downgrade a defender?
    Or just roll this one? - I'm leaning towards this.

    Mendy
    Chilwell - Justin - Holding
    Son - Salah - Fernandes - Hamez
    DCL - Wilson - Vardy
    (Button - Bissouma - Taylor - Ferguson)

    All commens much appreciated, thanks. 🙂

  14. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Would you prioritise:

    A) getting manu asset with 2 ft (most likely trent,puli > 4,7, fernandes)
    B) a conservative 1ft spend puli> ziyech?

    Cheers!

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

      B

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

      Both good options. Despite Man U's poor form I'd probably target Fernandes. A goal this weekend and his price will soar ahead of WBA at home when loads will get him in.

  15. CONNERS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Had captain fail with Son last GW. Switch to Kane for WBA or stick?

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

      Flip a coin.Both good (c) choices.

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

      Hopefully Son has had his duff game. Think he may be the better option.

  16. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Didn't watch Leeds vs Leicester

    Bamford had 3 big chances last night and missed all?? xg of almost 2 goals!!

  17. CONNERS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    If City start firing on all cylinders, then a Sterling/KDB double-up from GW10 could work out well.

    Burnley, Fulham and West Brom at home in the space of 4 games. Hmm...

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

    As a James and Werner owner I am
    Worried for the weekend. Both rested I think.