Scout Notes

The Arsenal players on the radar for Blank Gameweek 18 after West Brom win

West Bromwich Albion 0-4 Arsenal

  • Goals: Alexandre Lacazette (£8.2m) x2, Kieran Tierney (£5.5m), Bukayo Saka (£5.3m)
  • Assists: Emile Smith Rowe (£4.4m) x2, Rob Holding (£4.5m), Tierney
  • Bonus: Tierney x3, Lacazette x2, Holding x1

Arsenal brushed aside a hapless West Brom side that has now scored just once while conceding 13 times in the four league matches since Sam Allardyce took charge.

That keeps Baggies assets the wrong side of pointless, in so many senses, while Arsenal stars offer intriguing Fantasy possibilities in both the short and medium-term.

Lacca Boom

Gameweek 18’s seven fixtures are tempting managers to consider using their Free Hit chip, with the Gunners’ home match against Crystal Palace catching the eye.

The north London side have won three games on the bounce now, although their south London rivals are likely to show considerably more resistance than West Brom, having taken four points from the last six available, conceding just once along the way.

Alexandre Lacazette (£8.2m), who scored twice in four second-half minutes on Saturday, should be a strong bet to be a Free Hit striker for many.

He’s owned by just 4.6% of FPL managers and isn’t feeling huge regular transfer love despite four goals from his last three appearances, one of which was a 24-minute match-winning cameo at Brighton.

Midfield Magic

Instead, the Gameweek 18 money is going on Bukayo Saka (£5.3m), who was outstanding at West Brom, scoring his second goal in three matches.

The midfielder is currently the most-popular transfer in, with 100,000+ new managers.

But like most Arsenal assets, he’s still something of a differential, even if his 7.7% ownership figure is bettered by only Bernd Leno (£4.9m and 8.3%) among his team-mates.

Saka is providing a lot of bang for relatively little buck, with 27 points over the last three Gameweeks.

And so is Emile Smith Rowe (£4.4m), who set up two goals against the Baggies and is shaping up to be a team talisman.

He’s started the last three matches, producing three assists and helping the Gunners to three wins at exactly 6.0 points per match – no midfielder at that bargain bucket price can offer such a return.

For those on the tightest of budgets, Smith Rowe is a tempting prospect if he continues to hold down a starting spot.

Tierney Time

An understandably delighted Mikel Arteta reserved his biggest praise for defender Kieran Tierney (£5.3m), in part simply for being Scottish on a snowy night:

He’s got something special in his blood because we’re all wearing snoods, gloves and hats. He just goes out in his shorts and t-shirt! He is a joy to work with and I’m so happy for him with the goal he scored and everything he’s put in to be better every day towards the team and towards the club.

Tierney ended up with a match-leading four chances created and, with a second straight clean sheet under his belt as well, he produced a bumper 18-point haul for his 5.7% ownership.

The 6.3% on Hector Bellerin (£5.1m) were rather less well served as their man’s first-half booking persuaded Arteta to take him off after 53 minutes.

So while Tierney produced his first double-digit total of the season, the Spaniard brought in zero points.

Centre-half Rob Holding (£4.5m) also made it into double figures, thanks to an assist and one bonus point.

He’s put on over 100,000 new owners over Christmas and his price has moved up a notch as a result, but he’s still relatively cheap for a player who’s currently looking like a reliable starter in an improving backline.

Gunner Be Interesting

Free Hit or not, Arsenal players need monitoring.

After the visit of Palace, their fixtures are a mix of the good (Newcastle at home), the tough (Manchester United, also at home) and the harder to call (Southampton, Wolves and Aston Villa away, Leeds at The Emirates).

But the form of Lacazette, and the cut-price delights of Saka and co, should prompt investment, especially for those in need of a differential or two.

The Gunners could be further boosted by the return to fitness of Thomas Partey (£4.9m), with Arteta providing an injury update post-match:

Well, he hasn’t trained fully with us, but he has done most parts of training in the last few days. He’s feeling good and we will assess him if he needs another two or three sessions to see if he’s 100 per cent available to play [v Newcastle in the FA Cup].

Finding space in the midfield for a player of such quality will need to be achieved without upsetting a side that has clearly found some balance in his extended absence, of course.

As for West Brom, Allardyce continues to play the just-arrived card:

Another game gone by where we learn more about the players we have. We have learned an awful lot about what we can and cannot do.

‘Awful’ is the word and Fantasy managers learned that long ago – the only starter with anything approaching a vaguely significant ownership is keeper Sam Johnstone (£4.5m and 2.4%), who made eight stops against the Gunners to continue leading the way for saves in FPL, with 74.


West Bromwich Albion XI (4-1-4-1): Johnstone; Furlong, Ajayi, Ivanovic (Bartley 66), O’Shea; Sawyers; Diangana (Austin 45), Gallagher, M Phillips (Harper 81), M Pereira; C Robinson. 

Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Leno; Tierney, Mari, Holding, Bellerín (Maitland-Niles 54); Xhaka, Ceballos, Smith Rowe (Willock 77); Saka (Willian 71), Aubameyang, Lacazette.


Lessons learned from FPL Gameweek 17

1,142 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Besaid_Auroch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Super close mini league this year - seemingly everyone has the same midfield of Salah/Son/Grealish/Bruno, including me.

    Salah for KDB this week for the blank, then thinking of going without Liverpool in the DGW. Anyone doing similar?

    1. Dion D's Solo Shower
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Think no Liverpool in the DGW could hurt you.
      But good idea getting KdB for the blank!

    2. Sanchit
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You need Salah in the DGW. Lots will probably captain him.

    3. Salan
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Too scary without LIverpool in DGW.

    4. kime67
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      liverpools double is not great so yeah good move

  2. jayzico
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Happy New Year all. Couldn't think of a better time to FT with incomplete gw 18 and double gw19

    Martinez*dgw. Johnstone dgw.
    Stones*dgw. Shaw*dgw. Pieters*dgw.
    KDB*dgw. Son*. Grealish*dgw. Bruno*dgw. Souchek dgw.
    Cavani*dgw. Lacazette*. Bamford*.

    * plays incomplete gameweek
    Exact money for Laca>Vardy forDGW.

    Thoughts? Cavani is a differential punt, but he's back GW18.

    Thanks guys

    1. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm confused, is that your FH team or pre FH team? If thata is your FH team why do you have non playing players in there and how can you do Laca to vardy when Laca won't be in your team anymore in 19.

      I think I'm misunderstanding something here.

      1. jayzico
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This is my transfer team. Perfect (I hope) for 18 +19

        1. FPL.team
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Ah ok in that case yes save your FH no need to use it.

  3. Dion D's Solo Shower
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How's this for a FH team? Anything that could be improved, you think lads?

    Darlow
    Cancelo - Tierney - AWB - Fernandez
    Son - KdB - Sterling - Bruno - Saka
    Wilson

    Bench: Saiss - McGoldrick - Brewster

  4. jayzico
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    *FH not *FT sorry

  5. el polako
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Talks of Lampard job being in danger apparently, I do hope its just gossip.

    Long may he reign at Chelsea.

    1. Sanchit
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Why do you want him to stay?

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Good for other teams!

        1. Salan
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Agree.

      2. el polako
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I support hammers.

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

    In dgw with 2ft
    Zouma, Justin to Coufal, Dias is an improvement?

    1. Boberella
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

    2. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would go for Stones instead of Dias as he's cheap

  7. The Head-Ake
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Rashford or Lacazette?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Tough one, probably Rashford since he has a higher ceiling as a midfielder

  8. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone secretly considering Gundogan on FH18?
    Says he has a knock tho

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not really. Soucek and Raphinha more nailed and similar price.

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        He said fh 18

      2. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        You have misunderstood his question. The players you have suggested are not playing in 18

        1. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          You're right.

          No though. Saka, Martinelli preferred for the sole cheap spot.

          I'm assuming KdB, Bruno, Son, Rashford/Sterling midfield.

    2. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yea just for 18 as a punt, nice returns recently. Appears to be playing as a number 8, looked good yesterday.

  9. xHaTr
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    This look enough to save this week? Planning a -4 next week to ship Kane, DCL and Neto for KDB, Watkins and Antonio

    Martinez
    Dier Dias Mitchell
    Son Neto Bruno(c)
    Kane DCL

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Save

  10. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Leno
    Dias • AWB • Tierney
    KDB • Sterling • Son • Bruno
    Kane • Wilson

    Can have this FH team, shame as 10 players + Mitchell for GW18 already

    1. Lucky Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      • Saka

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would not use FH if you already have 11 players. Mitchell is nailed imo

  11. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My -8 transfer suggestion was unanimously rejected.

    Is KDB worth trying to get in this team or concentrate on replacing Balbuena with DGW 4.6 def like Lowton/Taylor or Dawson?

    1FT 0.2itb
    Martinez
    Holding Robbo Cancelo
    Son Bruno Salah Raphinha
    Bamford Kane Rodrigo
    (Johnstone Soucek Coufal Balbuena)

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      This is for BB19. I'm FH18.

    2. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Get Lowton

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        thanks

  12. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any changes to FH team? 0.0 ITB:

    Darlow (Foster)
    Cancelo, AWB, Holding (Mitchell, Douglas)
    KDB, Fernandes, Rashford, Son, Grealish
    Kane, Wilson (Vassilev)

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looks fine. Keep an eye on the price changes if you haven't activated the FH chip with 0itb

  13. Saka Punch
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    For DGW19, who would you bench:

    A) Grealish (EVE mci)

    B) Adams (lei lee)

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bench someone else. If it has to be one of those then B

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

    3. Ruinenlust
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

  14. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would u use FH here or take a -4??

    McCarthy

    Zouma Maguire* Mitchell* Dallas Lewis*(?)

    KDB* Bruno* Salah Son* Soucek

    Kane* Brewster*

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would take the -4 and save the FH. Zouma to City def

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Zouma to stones

        McCarthy to martinez
        ?

        1. R.C
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Just Zouma to Stones

  15. HaffNanner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hows this initial FH draft?

    Darlow // 4.0
    Dias / Tierney / Shaw // Fernandez / Mitchell
    KDB / Sterling / Fernandes / Neto / Saka
    Kane / Lacazette // Brewster

    1. bootsmanus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looks good. I personally would not double down on City with KDB and Sterling, but that's personal preference.

      1. HaffNanner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Could be Rashford or Son instead

  16. HollywoodXI
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Planned WC team GTG? BB in GW19

    GW18:
    Martinez Johnstone
    Trent Cancelo Stones Coufal Lowton
    KDB Bruno Son Grealish Soucek
    Martial Bamford Watkins

    GW19:
    Martinez Johnstone
    Trent Cancelo Stones Coufal Lowton
    KDB Bruno Salah Grealish Soucek
    Rodrigo Bamford Watkins

  17. G Banger
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Exact change for:

    Kilman => Stones

    Currently have no City defense and gives me 9 playing GW17

    No brainer right?

    1. bootsmanus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Would have to see the rest of your team, but a cautious yes from me.

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

    3. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes good move

  18. bootsmanus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anything I should change to this FH team?

    Darlow
    Tierney - Dias - Saiss
    Saka - KDB - Rashford - Fernandes
    Kane - Lacazette - Cavani

    Subs: Stones - Mitchell - Burke

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

    You can absolutely guarantee come GW20 there's gunna be a million of these posts (from GW19 BBers):

    Bench 3 from:
    Soucek, Watkins, Coufal, Dallas, Wilson

    Play: Matinez or McCarthy

    OR

    Is Johnstone > 3.9 and Ayling > 3.9 (-4) a good move this week - (I need money for Kane)

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm actually willing to ship Spurs knowing that they play Liverpool in GW20.

    2. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm keeping 2 FT to transfer down Harrison and Creswell to fodder again to upgrade Raphina back to Grealish.

  20. The Mantis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Can someone just make a list of the players to buy within a FH please!

    1. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      This

    2. kime67
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      tierney cancelo kdb bruno grealish son kane wilson. there you go

      1. The Mantis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        thanks!

    3. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Start with the ones that are going to play.

      1. The Mantis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        :'D

    4. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Where's the fun in that?!

      1. The Mantis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I don't remember the last time I had fun playing this game!

        1. waltzingmatildas
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          That's where you are going wrong 😉

    5. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Leno
      Tierney, Alderweireld
      Foden, Son, KDB, Trossard, Bruno
      Lacazette, Kane, Carroll

    6. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Here is a good list of FH18 players to consider

      https://twitter.com/Fantasy_Plonker/status/1345652038445707265?s=19

  21. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    In GW19 think my move will be Son and Firmino to KDB and Antonio (if fit) or Watkins (-4)
    Look right?

    McCarthy Johnstone
    Robbo Cancelo Dallas Coufal Taylor
    Salah Bruno Son Raphina Soucek
    Firmino Bamford Wood

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes Watkins

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        this

      2. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers guys 🙂

  22. kime67
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    i think my only route to kdb in 19 is salah out. Is that bad?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      yes

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

      Yes

  23. Dreaming of glory
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What’s the script with villa players on 4 yc? Their slate not whiped clean for a few extra days?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      it resets after playing the 19th game

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

      Their 19th game is GW20

    3. Calculated Risks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      19 games

  24. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Lads, would you please help me out here?

    McCarthy / Steer
    Robertson / Dias / Cresswell / Saïss / Dallas
    Salah / Bruno / Son / Grealish / Soucek
    DCL / Watkins / Bamford

    DCL to Wilson, Steer to Martinez for a hit? This would give me 8 playing players for GW18, and good options for a bench boost on GW19. Sounds reasonable?

  25. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Laca on pens or Auba?

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Auba

  26. jcr1997
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    1 free transfer

    Mccartthy (Stefan)
    Dias, KWP, Dier (Targett, Williams)
    Son, Bruno, Grealish, Zaha (Neto)
    Wilson, Firmino, Vardy

    Any thoughts on transfers?

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

    A) Riedewald to El Ghazi (-4)
    No hit in 19, maybe move Son to Rashford, keep DCL on BB

    B) No hit this week, play Riedewald (1-pointer)

    Take a hit next week and do Riedewald to Soucek, DCL to Ings for BB for -4

    1. Hot Fuzz
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A big times, but only if necessary imo

  28. flynner25
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Just a quick question about Free Hit and price rises

    If I free hit this week and a player has 2 price rises....... can I sell that player and bank the 0.1m to use for someone else on my free hit?

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      yes

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think the rises & falls only happen for the original team not the FH picks

  29. CrouchDown
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How does this FH team look?

    Darlow

    Tierney Telles Cancelo

    KDB(C) Sterling Bruno Son Saka

    DCL Wilson

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hate the forwards. I think Kane is a lock for my FH18.

      I can make:

      Leno
      Tierney Stones Shaw
      KdB Sterling Bruno Son Saka
      Kane Wilson

      If you save on defense, you can maybe upgrade DCL if not to Kane then at least to Lacazette or Martial.

  30. Jarnathan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Why does 'sort by rotation' not work half the time in the members area? The button to activate it is not there.

    1. Pipermaru
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You mean in season ticker? Works for me always, you have to click on the team you want to rotate first, maybe that's the problem 🙂

      1. Jarnathan
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers mate - that has indeed solved the problem!