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. Origi-nal
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Best/most nailed Spurs defender to bring in?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Regu

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

      What about at the 4.5m level? Tanganga or dier? Which one offers more security of starts and likely to accrue attacking points?

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

        We don't know which one - if any - are nailed. Only Reguilon and presumably Romero fit that bill.

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

      Small sample size I know but Spurs defence could be a trap if the stats are to be believed.

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

    Is it too late for Buendia to Benharama? EL involvement and possible limited minutes?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Could be late but he may still do well in Palace and Southampton game. Then you can switch to Leeds mids or Sarr.

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

      might've missed the boat a little bit but feel he's a far better option than buendia now considering Villa's fixtures after GW3 (despite EL issue).

  3. steven8991
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    1FT

    TAA Shaw Amartey Tsimikas Ayling

    A. Keep FT, play Amartey
    B. Keep FT, play Ayling
    C. Tsimi>Reguilon

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      B

  4. PikeyMikey
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Locked in for GW 3 on a wildcard. Any suggestions?

    Sanchez
    Coufal Ayling Regullion
    Pogba Benraham Son (c) Raph
    Ings DCL Antonio (vc)

    Bench - Livramento Salah VVD

    Plan is to roll two transfers next and swap son and Antonio to Lukaku and Havertz for GW 7.

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

      Yeh, hmm.
      You're getting Ings just as Villa's fixtures turn for the worse.
      You're getting triple Hammers just as Europa on Thursday nights kicks in and they have a thin squad.
      You're benching 2 of the best players in the game - yeh I know it's Chelsea.

      Have you left enough cash in the bank - if you still want Luk and Hav in 2 weeks it's because they're doing well enough to command price rises?

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

        I agree on Ings - him not being on penalties is an issue more so than the fixture turn
        Hammers have Coventry, Oxo-Flex, Lanzini, Yarmo, and Masuaku is playing U23s so can also return... for the opening games there's enough depth there. Reid, Diop, Johnson, Noble too. Areola gets to play in goal also.

        Also agree on the bench issue... why bench Salah under any circumstances? It's Chelsea... and? They can concede a penalty just like anyone. Virgil I would bench though.

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

          Thanks.

          Ings out Obe in to free up funds for Antonio to Lukaku later. Means I’ll play Salah.

          Any recommendations on who to replace Coufal with? I know they have Europe coming up but next two fixtures look decent.

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

            They'll play wing backs in Europe to start, same as the U23s. So Coufal will get his rest and it'll be Ben Johnson covering the right. Zouma is also coming in, so the senior team will go back to wing backs almost certainly, but those with a better nous of the defensive capabilities of Zouma would have better insight there - I only know him as an attacking CB.

            As for a clean replacement for Coufal, keep him. He was a monster last night. But, in terms of template it's 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 more or less this season. You have 4.0 defenders (starting price) galore, many who will keep their place. Duffy should be safe even when ppl come back. Amartey, hard to say, but Williams should be picked at LB for Norwich tonight, and stay there for 30 games in the season for the league. Omo too is back from illness, so he'll play tonight. He played *all* the minute pre-season and was expected to start the season. Maybe missing out will save his confidence, but he's another option at 4.0. The more you save at the back, in a free-scoring season, the more you can get up front.

            If you're going for TWO up front, then Lukaku DCL is maybe the safest choice? I'm a Hammer fan so would be loathe to go to two. I'll be 3-4-3 all season, but having Ings I might downgrade to facilitate upgrading Dele Alli to Bruno... if I go there (I already have Son and Salah).

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

      think you need to go back to your caravan and have a re-think of that WC, particularly that bench 😉

  5. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Good morning DZ.

    Which transfer is better?

    A. Chasing upside with Gundogan to Barnes.
    B. Chasing value with Tsimilas to Livramento?

    Bachmann
    TAA Shaw Ayling
    Salah Bruno Gundogan Benrahma
    Ings Wilson Antonio
    ---------------------------------------------------
    Foster Brownhill Amartey Tsimikas

    0.5m itb.

    Thanks.

    1. Westfield Irons ⭐️
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      A. No point using a transfer for 3rd sub IMO

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers.
        I was just wondering whether it makes sense to cash in on the Tsimikas double rise and catch the Livramento rise.

    2. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I've just transferred Barnes out to Benrahma, I kept Gundo over him. Some risk with Norwich next but he/they have had a poor start and quite a big rotation risk now if Leicester switch to two up front.

  6. southernrocker1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Want to go into week 4 with two FTs ideally but these are burning a hole in my pocket already. I have two spare for Wk3 at the moment.

    Have Barnes & Raphinha in mid and Benrahma looking very decent. Wham have Palace at home next.

    It's madness getting rid of Barnes before Norwich, right? I expect him to drop at some point this week, annoyingly.

    Leeds have Burnley away and after his goal, surely ditching Raph is unwise, too?

    I'll probably get rid of Tsimi now he has gone up as I don't want to leave my bench completely empty. Or is this an unecessary sideways move? First 11 should all start, Covid withstanding.

    Any advice much appreciated!

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Keep Barnes. I am thinking of bringing him in.

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Why?

      2. AbsolutelyNoIdea
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        I just got rid of him

        1. St Pauli Walnuts
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          Ditto

  7. kobewan
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on this GW3 team, 1.5ITB

    Sanchez
    TAA Shaw Livramento
    Salah Bruno Gundogan Raphinha Benrahma
    Ings Antonio

    Foster Tsimikas Scarlet White

    Transfers made
    Buendia > Raphinha before price drop
    Veltman > Livramento was going for strait Tsim > Livra, but I saw Veltman return date was moved to 09.11.21
    Hopefully White gets a negative Covid result would really help my bench

  8. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Would u take any hits here? 1.8 ITB, WC in GW7

    Sanchez
    TAA Shaw Ayling
    Salah Bruno (c) Barnes Benarahma
    DCL Antonio Toney
    - Duffy Tsimikas Gilmour

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Benrahma/Antonio out for Gundogan/Toney. Just so happens I have a spare Gundogan/Toney combo.

  9. The Legend Squad
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    I am very tempted to wildcard to this. Think there is a load of season keepers in here, with flexibility to jump on bandwagons:

    Raya
    TAA Shaw Dier
    Salah Grealish Greenwood Benrahma
    Lukakau DCL Antonio

    Gunnarsson Bissouma Livramento Duffy

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

    Son, Toney, White

    >> Livramento, Lukaku & Mbeumo?

    Talk me out of it!

  11. Original Sin
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    On wildcard, which one to go for?
    1) TAA Ayling
    2) VVD Shaw