Scout Notes

FPL pre-season: Jesus hits hat-trick – and is Saka on pens?

Saturday’s pre-season friendlies continued at lunchtime with Arsenal’s thumping of Sevilla.

We’ve got the goals, assists, line-ups and Fantasy Premier League (FPL) talking points from this match in our Scout Notes, with more reports on the day’s other games – including the Community Shield – to follow.

We’re also keeping tabs on the minutes played in all of these warm-up fixtures, with Premium Members of Fantasy Football Scout able to access this information at the bottom of this article.

ARSENAL 6-0 SEVILLA

  • Goals: Saka x2 (1 pen), Jesus x3, Nketiah
  • Assists: Martinelli x2, Gabriel

Gabriel Jesus (£8.0m) cemented his place in millions of FPL squads with a hat-trick in Arsenal’s final pre-season friendly.

The treble took his tally to seven for the summer and while pre-season form can sometimes not be worth the word processing software it’s typed on, a striker going into Gameweek 1 brimming with confidence and feeling good about his new surroundings is more often than not a good thing.

The question for those going without him is: how is your nerve? The Brazilian is now owned by more than two-thirds of Fantasy managers and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see that ownership figure pass 70% by the time we get to the Gameweek 1 deadline.

CLINICAL JESUS

Two of Jesus’s efforts were opportunistic rebounds after parries from the wobbly Sevilla goalkeeper Bono (insert joke about U2’s ‘Bad’ here), with his second strike a sliding effort from an inviting Gabriel Martinelli (£6.0m) cross.

Four of Jesus’s pre-season goals have been first-time efforts, while another two have been of the swift control-and-finish variety; some clinical execution from a striker whose conversion rate and xG delta wasn’t actually all that impressive at Manchester City. Perhaps being less pressured to impress in limited game-time will boost the Brazil international’s confidence in front of goal, or perhaps he’ll regress more to the mean when meaningful competitive action gets underway.

A Crystal Palace backline that was among the division’s best from an underlying stats perspective will certainly be a test this week.

“You are hoping that that is going to happen but obviously a player has to adapt to a new city, to a new club, new teammates and he’s done it in a really fast and natural way. You can see the way they look for him on the pitch, on and off the ball, and what he’s able to transmit as well on that pitch so I am really happy.

“What are seeing is that everybody, not just Gabby, plays at that intensity and that willingness to win the ball, to promote mistakes and to play in the opponent’s half as much as possible. You cannot do that if players at the front are walking, they are not tracking, they don’t have that instinct and that intention to provoke things that we want and Gabby is phenomenal at that.

“His versatility is well known. Now we are using him as a nine, he can play as a winger, off the left and the right. You can play with two strikes as we have done in pre-season as well and change the shape a little bit. He gives us a lot of flexibility.” – Mikel Arteta on Gabriel Jesus

STARTING XI CLUES

Arsenal’s win over Sevilla didn’t tell us too much new on the personnel front: this was the same starting XI that Arteta named in the previous friendly against Chelsea and it looks increasingly like the one that will take to the field against Crystal Palace on Friday.

Injury victims Takehiro Tomiyasu (£4.5m), Kieran Tierney (£5.0m), Emile Smith Rowe (£6.0m) and Fabio Vieira (£6.0m) are at least back in training and could be in contention for a place in the matchday squad but Arteta’s comments seem to suggest that quartet will be eased into first-team action in the coming weeks.

“I think that most of them will be [available], they’ll have to go through what they need to this week and then hopefully we’ll have them available. They are lacking minutes but we’ll have to build that up like any other injury that we get during the season.” – Mikel Arteta on whether his injured players will be ready for Friday

SAKA ON PENS?

Bukayo Saka (£8.0m) took and converted Arsenal’s spot-kick in Saturday’s win, seemingly rubber-stamping his position as the Gunners’ first-choice taker given that Jesus and Martinelli were on the pitch at the time.

It might not be that simple, however.

Saka was both the winner and taker of Saturday’s penalty, something that has been the case for the last three league spot-kicks that Arsenal have been awarded (two for Saka, one for Martinelli).

Unless we get explicit confirmation from Arteta, a bit of uncertainty remains about the pecking order.

ADVANCED XHAKA
FPL pre-season: Jesus hat-trick and Saka on pens 1

Above images from Sofascore

We saw plenty of full-backs Oleksandr Zinchenko‘s (£5.0m) and Ben White (£4.5m) ‘inverting’ on Saturday, forming a three-man midfield with anchor Thomas Partey (£5.0m) whenever Arsenal bombed forward in a 2-3-5.

That meant that we were treated to the sight of Granit Xhaka (£5.0m) joining the usual foursome in the attack, the Swiss registering two shots and creating three chances.

We’re not suggesting yellow card magnet Xhaka is any sort of FPL target, of course, more that he is likely going to be a placeholder for whichever ‘number eight’ Arsenal recruit.

The tactics also put Zinchenko’s appeal in some perspective, with his attacking threat limited.

It was only a few days ago that we were highlighting his penalty box occupancy against Chelsea, however, so different approaches for different games or periods of matches will probably be the case – something Arteta implied after full-time.

“He gives us a different option to play within the role in different spaces, and I’m really happy to have him.” – Mikel Arteta on Oleksandr Zinchenko

Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Ramsdale, White, Gabriel, Saliba, Zinchenko (Soares 79), Xhaka (Lokonga 90), Partey (Elneny 79), Saka (Nketiah 79), Odegaard, Martinelli (Nelson 90), Jesus (Pepe 79)

PRE-SEASON MINUTES TRACKER



2,893 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Why do those that go premium defence never admit they’ve made sacrifices to get it, but when you go without premium defence it’s always about sacrifice?

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

      I'm not sure it's necessarily a sacrifice if it becomes clear that some players were as under priced as we thought.

  2. Z
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Perisic, Doherty and Kulu - great HT

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Shame no cleansheet though - not sure if that impacts on getting a spurs defender

  3. nonaynever
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    thoughts on:

    Sanchez (Steele)
    TAA, James, Zinc, Walker (Neco)
    Salah, Son, Bailey, Neto (Andreas)
    Kane, Jesus (Archer)

    or Robbo, White, Dalot for James, Zinc, Walker?

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

      Nice....i am still more for Son into Haaland, because you alrdy have Kane and this way you can cover MC + get 0.5M extra

      1. nonaynever
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        thinking is Son OR Kane to KDB OR Haaland for GW2.....someone limping off would help that decision, lol

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

    Perisic or James?

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      P and save the 0.5

    2. Z
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Same dilema

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

      That’s what I am wondering -very tempted with Perisic

    4. tommo1989
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Both

  5. The Legend Squad
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    This is where I’ve got to after todays games. Robbo over Diaz.

    Ramsdale
    TAA Robbo Cancelo Walker James
    Salah Martinelli Rashford
    Jesus Kane

    Gazzaniga Colback Andreas Greenwood

  6. adstomko
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone else going BB GW1? Feel lonely

    Meslier
    Trent, Robertson, Doherty, Gabriel, Botman
    Salah (C), Maddison, Bailey
    Kane, Jesus
    (Henderson, Aaronson, Almirón, Johnson)

  7. Reckoner.
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Ripped up my team after watching the community shield ha! May well go back to it when I've had some time but this is what I've switched to, thought:

    Meslier
    TAA | Diaz | Gabriel | Botman
    Salah | Son | Martinelli | Bailey
    Kane | Jesus

    Ward | N.Williams | Andreas | Archer

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Same front 6 here. Good.

    2. Z
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Bring back Haaland...he is top clas player 🙂

  8. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Mane G

  9. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Peri-Peri looking saucy as LWB

    1. Fish up a tree
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Have Spurs been the better team, created much?

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

        a bit MEH overall. Nothing special. Can't beat the parked bus story

  10. panda07
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Draft question: If you are in a draft and you can't make the draft time, does it pick players according to the rankings you have in the watchlist section or just the rankings in the main area?

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

      Watchlist

    2. David Parkinson
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Before the draft takes place you are able to create a priority watchlist of players. This list can help quickly identify potential picks during the draft and will also be used to automatically draft a player if you aren't available to participate.

  11. The Tinkerman
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Okay, here we go, for now…

    Ramsdale
    TAA, Robbo, Cancelo, James, Walker
    Salah, Odegaard, Neto
    Kane, Jesus

    4.0; Andreas, Neco, Dasilva

    .5 Cash ITB to cover price rises

    1. aapoman
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Looks goof. I'd go with Martinelli over Odegaard

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        He’s the captain, I’m happy with the assured starts and he’s somewhat of a differential. It is one I’ll think about until the deadline though.

  12. aapoman
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Good to go? I know the trend on Twitter is to ditch Haaland but he will come good for sure.

    Sanchez
    TAA Robbo Cancelo Trippier
    Salah Maddison Martinelli Neto
    Haaland Jesus

    Steele; Neco, Pereira, Archer

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I’m going with kane from the start but will likely move to haaland in GW2. Assuming city look sharper vs West Ham.

      Otherwise like it. I was also on Maddison. Have you considered Mount? He’s looked really good pre season

      1. aapoman
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        That slot is either Maddison or Mount. If I had to lock it today it for sure would be Maddison

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

          Newcastle bidding £40million for Maddison might turn his head slightly, I get the impression he’s the sort of player who would throw a sulk.

          1. The Tinkerman
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 3 months ago

            To go to Newcastle?

            Given his numbers he’ll go for more than that, and probably to one of the big boys. Spurs have been sniffing too.

            1. Kim Jong Kün
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              2 years, 3 months ago

              He’s exactly the type of player to go to the richest club he can and that is now NUFC.

          2. George Sillett
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 3 months ago

            Lol . Based on what ? Look at his club loyalty , transfer history and then get back to me. Complete garbage.

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Strong just missing Son/Kane

    3. DeeJazz
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Of course, one game is nothing and Haaland has possiblity to come back with scoring but there is one thing. For me the Manchester City has a problem with wingers. Alvarez score a goal of course, but I don't think so that he is ready to be in the first squad. Probably he will get some minutes from the bench. Grealish looks good in game with Club America but today I didn't see anything good from his side. Mahrez also look bad in game, he is not consistent player. Only Foden really show that he desereve to plays a lot of games.

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

    Do you have any advice in this squad ?
    GK: Raya/Olsen
    DEF: TAA/Cancelo/James/Tomiyasu/N.Williams
    MID: Salah/Diaz/Maddison/Bailey/A.Pereira
    FWD: Kane/Jesus/Plange

    I know that there is no player from Manchester City, but I didn't see any good option in Manchester City (without KDB and Haaland).
    Also I considering Bowen, but in pre season West Ham didn't look good. Also Manchester United with returning to squad CR7 I don't think that the style of the team will the same like without portugese striker.

  14. sentz05
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    I think this may be the one:

    Sanchez
    TAA Cancelo James Saliba
    Salah Diaz Saka Bailey
    Jesus Halland

    Steele Williams Andreas Greenwood

    Thoughts?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Looks fine. Template but strong

  15. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Vvd and Martinelli
    or
    4.5 def and Saka

    Thanks

    1. sentz05
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I was on Mart for ages but the fact he’s on pens is worth the extra 2 mil. Saka is so nailed too. I think Mart still lacks confidence. Saka will be explosive next season for sure

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks. That extra 2 mil though… could go all 3

  16. jack88
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    So perisic is nailed? They got too many wingbacks and perisic is old kinda

    1. aapoman
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Far from nailed. Conte is known for rotating the wingbacks

  17. R.C.
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Kane Salah Haaland Jesus all essential imo

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

      And i have them all 🙂

    2. I Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      No.

    3. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah same. Son and Kdb are the two missing out for me and it’s concerning.

  18. Fish up a tree
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Final draft until I do the next one!

    Am I good to stop the tinkering?

    Pope
    TAA Robbo Cancelo Zinchenko
    Salah Maddison Martinelli Bailey
    Kane Jesus

    The usual suspects on the bench

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Decent. Especially if maddison get the toon move 🙂

  19. dshv
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    And lets change haaland to kane for 1 bad game against poweful team

  20. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    What are your charity shield FPL takeaways? Mine are below… agree/disagree?

    - Mahrez looked lively. But then hooked.
    - Haaland wasn’t involved at all really.
    - Nunez and Alvarez both looked lively off the bench.
    - Diaz’s end product was so poor.
    - Cancelo and Trent are locks.
    - Grealish is a no go!
    - Salah looked rusty (with a goal and assist!!).

    Any others?

    1. jack88
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Haaland can be lukaku. But its city and they will slap smaller teams. He may look off then score 4 next match.

      Salah is salah

      Nunez is a bargain at this price with jota/firmino rotation risk..

    2. The Mighty Hippo
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Robertson was very solid as well, definitely an alternative to Diaz.

    3. zon
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Robbo over Diaz
      City mids are a minefield (nothing new really)
      Grealish - as useless as last season
      Can't know who starts up top for Pool

    4. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I disagree.

      1. Mahrez was wasteful. Looked his sluggish self early season.

      2. I don’t think Haaland wasn’t involved, but he’s not a striker there to link. He had many many chances, and even then he wasn’t found a lot of the time. Once KdB gets used to Haaland it will be different. I can guarantee that Pep has done a Sir Alex with his players like he did with RVP.

      3. Agreed. Alvarez looked so direct.

      4. Been saying this all summer. Diaz is an amazing player, not a great FPL option. I’d rather have Saka/Mount.

      5. Cancelo isn’t a lock at LB for me. Need Stones up to speed, Ake looked poor.

      6. Agreed.

      7. Salah looked fine. Second half the formation changed especially with Nunez. I think he is a lock regardless BUT I think we might see a different Salah that needs to adapt to playing further out wide whilst Diaz and Nunez are central.

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

        I think your take is closer to the mark.

        Of particular FPL interest is #5: Yes, based on this game, Cancelo didn't offer much of an attacking threat, certainly not commensurate with his 7.0 price, certainly not more than a 6.0 James or maybe even a 5.0 Trippier (not to mention a 5.5 Perisic, if nailed). Clean sheets, surely, but you're paying that premium for attacking returns.

        Could be that he tucked in to help Ake, and he was tasked with defending Salah. But I don't know why this game would lead one to lock Cancelo into their FPL squad.

    5. YoungPretender
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I think Salah looked sharp. I also saw enough of Haaland to believe he’s going to score an absolute bagful this season.

    6. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      City looked poor in general. Might avoid for now. Cancelo the only one I'd consider for GW1.

    7. Hairy Potter
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Only watched first 30 mins or so, but thought Liverpool more ready for the start of the season than Man City. KDB's role seemed to be almost up front with Haaland in what looked like a 442 at times. Liverpool defence didn't give Haaland much space behind them.

    8. Hangman Page
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Probably summarises it.

      From a non FPL standpoint just great to have EFL back and then top it off with a good game at 5pm.

    9. The Tinkerman
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      One team has had double the pre season preparation, and it was evident.

      Not particularly worried about either side or their key players, I’ll be picking them regardless.

    10. jacob1989
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      agree with most except

      MAhrez didnt look lively at all. He was poor
      Cancelo not justifying 7m tag.

    11. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Fair play guys! Thanks for the input. Perhaps I’m a little out on Mahrez and Cancelo reading the comments. Think I’ll still go Cancelo. Haaland the real tricky one as I do agree he’ll score a load but he didn’t click today with the players for me

  21. Bobby Digital
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    A. Kane Diaz Mahrez
    B. Darwin Son Bailey +1.5m

  22. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    I own Bailey but the problem I have is that I can’t run from him in one move unless I have money in the bank or another 5.0 asset emerges (doubtful). Not great use of two moves, that’s for sure.

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      This is a problem yes, having him and Neto is a trap

    2. BoleynWin
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      There’s one if two steady 5mill options that will tick over worst case scenario. Rice for example

      1. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Dewsbury-Hall is another, I guess.

    3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Other 5.0 will probably emerge. And you do have Andreas on your bench, right?

      1. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah very true. After all, Andreas is a 5.5m asset.

    4. Fish up a tree
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Bailey is a good player just couldn’t keep fit

      I wouldn’t have Neto & Bailey though & dint trust Wolves to score goals more so as they have lost Jimenez through injury

  23. Emiliano Sala
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    I can't create a team. I just can't

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I love how difficult it is!

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        never been this hard

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

      My head hurts

    3. amit1964
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      +1...........every 2 hours i change my team
      1) yes salah no salah
      2) 3 primum attackers or 2 or 1
      3) kdb or salah or both?
      4) going 2 sleep

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Let me help you

        1) Salah
        2) 3 premium
        3) win win
        4) stay up longer tinkering

  24. Atimis
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on City mids after today? Apart from KDB ofc, recon Mahrez wasn’t bad.

    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I really want kdb but can't squeeze him in

    2. BoleynWin
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Mahrez was mediocre, far too much cutting in on that left foot rather than trying to beat a man & putting a ball in, especially when you’ve got Haaland in the box begging for a pass.
      I think Foden did well when he came on & would have surely started if he had trained with the rest of the squad on their overseas tour, he’ll be starting against us first week I think.

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

        Yeah Foden and Mahrez, imo Grealish looked the same as last season…

    3. David Parkinson
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Mahrez got into some good positions.

    4. I Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Thought Mahrez looked dangerous but the early sub is putting me off. May ignore City mids to start.

  25. YoungPretender
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Am I the only one who has switched from KDB > Haaland based on todays game? On another day he could have had 2 or 3!

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

      Defo would take KDB after watching the game today

    2. space mercenary
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Still on KDB here.

    3. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Both will do fantastic. I’m starting with Haaland because of the .5 difference but will own both at some point for sure

  26. NUFCAndrew
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Hi all. Thoughts on this draft?

    Ramsdale 4.0

    Trent Robbo Cancelo Dalot N.Williams

    Salah Mount Martinelli Neto Andreas

    Kane Jesus

  27. R.C.
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    One big and important take away from the Community Shield is

    Haaland will definitely get loads of minutes!

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

      Played 90. If you extrapolate that over 38 games we can expect him to play 3,420 minutes. He’s hard to ignore

  28. Father72
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Ok community…. Please RMT…

    Mendy / Gaza
    Cancelo / Trent / James / Perisic / Neco W
    Salah / Rashford / Martinelli / Neto / Bailey
    Haaland / Jesus / Greenwood

    Currently £1m ITB… where to upgrade?

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Template/10

      I’d keep the money in the bank, side looks good and it means you’re flexible to jump on the first bandwagon

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

      Absolutely fine mate

    3. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      For me, I’d drop the Chelsea defence (especially double) and Rashford.

  29. Herger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Rotheram having already spent £500k on Cohen Bramall have now spent £1.2m on Peter Kioso. They’re ruining football