Scout Notes

Lukaku on target as Chelsea assets prosper at Arsenal

We continue our more detailed Scout Notes of the Gameweek 2 action with a look at Arsenal v Chelsea.

ARSENAL 0-2 CHELSEA

  • Goals: Romelu Lukaku (£11.5m), Reece James (£5.5m)
  • Assists: James, Mason Mount (£7.5m)
  • Bonus: James x3, Lukaku x2, Edouard Mendy x1 (£6.0m)

Romelu Lukaku (£11.5m) scored and put in a dominant display as Chelsea beat Arsenal 2-0 on Sunday.

The Belgian’s man-of-the-match performance earnt rave reviews, while Reece James (£5.5m) – who got the second goal – also impressed as a wing-back in Thomas Tuchel’s 3-4-2-1 formation.

LUKAKU OFF THE MARK

Lukaku took just 15 minutes to get off the mark with the opening goal, sweeping home James’ delivery, and was unlucky not to add a second after a superb save from Bernd Leno (£5.0m).

The 28-year-old bullied Arsenal’s defence all afternoon, as he gave Chelsea a focal point up top and the clinical finisher that they have missed.

As a result, he collected two bonus points to return an eight-point Fantasy Premier League (FPL) haul in Gameweek 2.

After just one appearance, Lukaku already features amongst the top forwards for goal attempts, having attempted eight against the Gunners alone:

“What a start for Lukaku. In the beginning he struggled to touch the ball a little bit. Then he was very well integrated. He proved his value for the squad already. He linked really well with Mason Mount and Kai Havertz up front and gave something to the game that we did not have already.” – Thomas Tuchel

Lukaku deservedly grabbed the headlines, but this was a dominant team performance where others impressed, too.

JAMES IMPRESSES

James’ 18-point FPL haul – via a goal, assist, clean sheet and maximum bonus – was the biggest of his career to date.

Overall, he registered 42 final-third touches, more than any other player on the pitch, four goal attempts and two shots in the box, while his advanced role (no. 24 below) stood out, too:

Chelsea’s average position map v Arsenal

It’s now two clean sheets in two matches for Chelsea, though most FPL managers will surely be content to wait until Gameweek 7 before investing, given that their next four fixtures are Liverpool (a), Aston Villa (h), Tottenham Hotspur (a) and Manchester City (h).

ISSUES AT ARSENAL

While Arsenal’s opening day defeat at newly-promoted Brentford was perhaps unexpected, it has to be said that this result was on the cards.

Despite improving after the break, the Gunners 4-2-3-1 set-up looked devoid of width and left too much space for the likes of James to exploit.

However, it’s worth noting that the squad has been hit by Covid and injuries in the opening two weeks.

After the match, Mikel Arteta said:

“I don’t think the club in their history have faced something like this. We have to face the challenge. The league or table is not decided in August. The worst thing you can do is throw in the towel. We certainly are not going to do that. You have to understand the situation we have. We are missing nine players, and it is difficult. It is not just nine players – they are some big, big players.”

Worringly, Kieran Tierney (£5.0m) also limped off after 66 minutes with his side losing.

“They had to limp off. KT had an issue with his quad and Gabi (Martinelli) was cramping.”

It doesn’t get any easier for Arsenal, as their next Premier League game sees them make the trip to reigning champions Manchester City, though their fixtures do improve from Gameweek 4 onwards.

Arsenal XI: Leno, Cedric, Holding, Mari, Tierney (Tavares 66), Lokonga, Xhaka, Smith Rowe, Saka (Aubameyang 61), Pepe, Martinelli (Balogun 79)

Chelsea XI: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, James, Jorginho, Kovacic (Kante 72), Alonso, Mount (Ziyech 82), Havertz (Werner 90), Lukaku

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW FROM GAMEWEEK 2

FPL Gameweek 2 round-up: Sunday goals, assists, bonus and injuries 4
2,220 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Somar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Who needs to go for Antonio?

    A) Ings
    B) Toney
    C)Bamford

    1. Puntillimon
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      B, easy

      1. More Cowbell
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        This

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      B for sure

    3. noahzark22
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Toney obvious based on form. Antonio starts Europe play after GW4 I think, so form and fitness could drop.

    4. PastaFasul
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      B no doubt

    5. clarkey_2000
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      B probably but I think Leeds mids are a better choice than bamford

  2. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Harrison at 5.9m would be beautiful

    1. More Cowbell
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Yep

    2. Our Tiny Windows
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Is he going to come good we think?

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Why not?

  3. villian-ty
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Antonio risiing tonight?

    1. Kane Train
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Yep

  4. Sid07
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Who to ditch
    1) veltman
    2) white
    3) Barnes

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      1

    2. Puntillimon
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      1, 2, 3 in that order

    3. noahzark22
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      White

  5. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Would you hold Barnes for Norwich or move him onto Benrahma

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Hold

    2. Puntillimon
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I’d move

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Ben may not play GW 4-5 due to international duties

        1. chaser123
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          Is that true???

          1. the dom 1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 7 months ago

            Something to do with red zones etc

    3. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Hold

    4. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I’m gunna sell I think. Sick of his 60-odd mins of huffing and puffing. Scared he’ll get dropped for a change in formation.

    5. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Hold

    6. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Sold already

  6. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Any Veltman updates ????

    1. clarkey_2000
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      supposedly out gw 3

    2. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Out until GW4

    3. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Thanks. Time to ship for Spurs def I think

      1. Zogzeg
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Thinking the same.
        Best Spurs def for 4.5 - Dier, Sanchez or Tanganga?

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          I think I'll get Reguilon since I have the money from Barnes to Benrahma. I can still afford Ings to DCL.

        2. the dom 1
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          Just shipped for Tanganga lad

  7. clarkey_2000
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    top 80k and top 2k GW but how screwed is my midfield?

    Buendia Barnes Havertz Harrison Salah

    All but salah probably going to drop in price, 1FT do I take a hit?

    Was thinking Buendia + Havertz to Mbuemo + Benrahma which would enable me to get Kane in the future or do I just go Son + Mbuemo now and hope its just a purple patch for Benrahma

    1. fusen
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      How are you top 80k with that midfield from gw1?

      1. clarkey_2000
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        My defence and attack have all returned fortunately

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Not sure about Mbuemo (though probably the best at 5.5).
      Which makes me not keen on either option really.
      Go for Lukaku instead of Kane, and you can do better than Mbuemo

    3. noahzark22
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I have Havertz myself. Thinking using a FT to go to Doucore

  8. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    I’m kinda tempted by the following for a -4. I’d appreciate a second opinion though!

    Barnes, Mahrez & Toney > Benny, Greenwood & DCL (-4)

    If I don’t do that, I’ll probably just end up doing Tsimi > Livramento once he goes up in price.

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Looks good.

    2. Puntillimon
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I’d hold barnes for one more week, do mahrez to Benny and toney to DCL.

      1. thegaffer82
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Probably a good call tbf.
        Knee is jerking with Barnes though!

      2. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        +1

    3. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I really think people should be holding Barnes but those transfers do look good.

    4. kevchenko
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I'd leave Barnes and just do Mahrez and Toney out for DCL and Benrahma.... I think they're excellent transfers.

  9. Alcapaul
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    White, Mahrez and Toney to Duffy, Greenwood and DCL -4? Would have to play Duffy for the next few weeks.

  10. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    massive fail, 3 differentials torres,barnes,jiminez worth a go didnt pay off 2gw of nothing, disastrous, no benny or antonio so now miles behind ,never early w/c before button hit,ive now avoided-8 gw3

    w/c

    schmeichel
    trent/shaw/reguilon
    salah/benrahma/greenwood/raphinia
    DCL/antonio/lukaku

    sanchez/bissouma/tsimikas/livramento

    1. Puntillimon
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Get out of tsimikas, go for just one keeper, downgrade the other and upgrade Tsim to a 4.5

      1. Jordan.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        nah im content to spend 0.5 on that pair ,long run of decent fixtures tsimi to williams is the move i think liv is an adequate 4th def,cheers for reply g/l to you.

  11. Puntillimon
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Fpl being enjoyable with good returns is a real treat. May it long continue

  12. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Just amplifying question from previous page, is Benny a big doubt due to internationals?

    1. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      theres already a trickle of clubs not allowing players to go to a red zone country,i can see nobody going and problem gw4 will not exist.

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Yep

    3. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Algeria and teams they play (Djibouti and Burkina Faso) not on red list so all fine I think

  13. Manani
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    who will romero be replacing in spurs lineup when fit?

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Skipp?

  14. Esalman
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Can't get over the fact that all of Salah, Barnes, Havertz and Son blanked in 3-5-2. Time to switch to 3-4-3? I'll need to move of them out to do Obefami>Lukaku.

  15. Sid07
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    1) veltman + Barnes to reguilon + benrahma
    2) veltman + white to liveramento + reguilon

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      1

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      2

  16. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    DCL on 96.6% to rise…. reckon he’ll survive till tomorrow or should I make the transfer now to be safe?

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      He will survive would think

    2. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Should be good for another day

    3. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Is there reason to wait?

  17. MountainBeach
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Sanchez
    Shaw Tsimikas Dias
    ESR Grealish Salah Fernandes Mount
    Ings Antonio

    Had 2 FT, brought in Antonio now. 1 FT left with 1.4 in the bank. Should I make any changes?

    1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      save that FT

      1. MountainBeach
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        damn I got in Benrahma for ESR before I read this lol

  18. shiraz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    2ft, who to get for veltman and barnes?

    With veltman and barnes looking to drop soon, i am looking at holding tsimikas for another week

    Looking at
    A. Benrahma
    B. Fornals
    C. Harrison

    1. Ayling
    2. Liveramento
    3. Tanganga

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      A3

  19. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Veltman to Livramento and keep 0.5m or Veltman to Dier / Coady?

  20. Bleh
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Is this a save? Conscious that Tsimikas, Barnes and Toney all need putting out at some point.

    Sanchez
    TAA, Shaw, Tsimikas
    Salah, Bruno, Barnes, Benrahma
    Ings, Toney, Antonio

    Subs: Steele, Veltman, Gilmour, 4.0
    1 FT, 2.0 ITB

    1. More Cowbell
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Good enough but you’re gonna lose 0.1’s on Barnes and Toney

      1. Bleh
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Veltman probably too. Which would you prioritise transferring out first - Barnes, Toney or Veltman?

  21. Pep's Money Laundry
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Is Wilson being overlooked? He also has decent fixtures just like DCL

    1. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      i've got him instead of Antonio so not feeling great about it so far

    2. diabydoesgallas
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah. Not the most fashionable choice but he had the fixtures, he’s nailed and most of their attacks have him on the end of them.

  22. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    How is this WC looking?

    Lloris Foster
    VVD TAA Reguilon Duffy Livramento
    Mo Bruno MasonG Benrahma Bissouma
    Antonio Ings Dennis

    1. kevchenko
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Like you've picked all the players that have already done well and are WC to the template side that most people already have?

      Bar Lloris, who I don't like as a pick at that price.

      Also, your strongest starting XI each week has either Duffy, Livramento, Bissouma or Dennis in it.... and given that Greenwood isn't a certainty for minutes, I don't think I like it. Sorry.

      I do love your avatar though, if that's any help.

    2. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      you're activating wc now before int'l break and no chelsea either?
      think this team is chasing points from first 2 weeks imo

  23. Invincibles
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Toney, Cresswell > DCL, Coufal -4?

    1. C0YS
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Borderline, could be worth it.

    2. kevchenko
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      -4 really hurts there to get Coufal in for Cresswell?

  24. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Benrahma essential?

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      No lol

    2. kevchenko
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I don't think anyone who finishes in the top 10 overall will not have him in by next week at the latest.

      1. kevchenko
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Just for the price rise and the next 2 fixtures...he's essential for 2 weeks haha.

  25. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Looks like the great divide in FPL so far is teams WITH Antonio/Benny and teams WITHOUT.
    Really regretting not starting with at least one of them.
    Buendia to Benny this week and will wait until closer to deadline to use 2nd transfer

  26. Firmino
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Barnes or Buendia to Benrahma?

    1. More Cowbell
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Depends what your plan is for the extra $ if you went Barnes I think

    2. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Buendia definitely

    3. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Barnes is the most sold to get Benrahma but I would sell Buendia first especially since you're likely to get rid of him for gw4 anyway
      I have both and doing that move. Will keep Barnes for one more week.

  27. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone got a view on Toney’s performance based on stats or eye test? Any positives to justify keeping?

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      4 shots last game
      on pens

      new to the league, people shouldnt expect a return every week at that price, and who would u ditch him for Denis? He will take two moves to fix. Hopefully he bangs this week

  28. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Will Veltman drop in price tonight or tommorrow?

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Should survive the night

    2. Joyce1998
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      toniight boyyyy

  29. Somar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Thinking of doing:

    Toney and Barnes OUT.

    Antonio and Troare in. I have 2 FT.

    My only concern is that Barnes playes NOR and i could miss out on some points from him.

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Just do Toney move. Keep Barnes for Norwich

  30. The King
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Amartey nailed?