Scout Notes

FPL Gameweek 1 recap: Jesus blanks but Arsenal impress

We round up the key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) talking points from Crystal Palace v Arsenal in our Scout Notes summary.

The graphics below are taken from LiveFPL, Ragabolly’s excellent and ever-improving website, and our own Premium Members Area.


ENCOURAGING SIGNS FOR ARSENAL ATTACK

Jesus blanks but Arsenal get off to perfect start: FPL notes 1

Arsenal were left frustrated at missing out on Champions League football last season, but there was a lot to like about their performance at Selhurst Park on Friday, especially in an attacking sense.

In the early stages, they were electric up front, with Gabriel Jesus (£8.0m) – owned by a whopping 77.1% of FPL managers at kick-off – showing glimpses that the hype built up in pre-season was justified.

The opener arrived from a set-piece routine after some sloppy marking, an ongoing issue for Palace that clearly hasn’t been fixed over the summer.

Gabriel Martinelli (£6.0m) headed home Oleksandr Zinchenko’s (£5.0m) nod back from a corner, a relief for the Brazilian after he had missed a huge chance earlier on after some good work from Jesus.

As a result, only Liverpool and Manchester City (15) have scored more Premier League goals from corners than Arsenal (14) since the start of last season, which is worth noting with Leicester City up next, another side who struggled to defend dead-ball situations in 2021/22.

Arsenal secured the three points against the run of play as Bukayo Saka’s (£8.0m) cross took a huge deflection and hit the net.

“The game he (Jesus) played right from the start is just a nightmare for defenders. He is electric, he never stops, he is always on your shoulder, he is ready to go with and without the ball and I am really pleased with his performance.” – Mikel Arteta on Gabriel Jesus

ZINCHENKO AND SALIBA IMPRESS

Oleksandr Zinchenko put in a solid shift for Arsenal at left-back, producing a 12-point haul via an assist, clean sheet and maximum bonus.

During the match, he registered one shot in the box and created two chances for his team-mates, whilst his movement often saw him invert as Arsenal settled into a 3-2-4-1 shape in possession.

And it worked very well for the most part, with Martinelli and Jesus linking up nicely in the final-third.

Above: Arsenal’s average position map v Crystal Palace in Gameweek 1, featuring no 35 Oleksandr Zinchenko


“Both of them (Jesus and Zinchenko), the way we started shows how hungry they are, the risks they take, the initiative they give in the game. They are really big additions for us. That is something he (Zinchenko) gives, that ability and versatility – and it is something we don’t have.” – Mikel Arteta

Elsewhere, French defender William Saliba (£4.5m) made his first start in an Arsenal shirt and was excellent, while Aaron Ramsdale (£5.0m) made two important saves to deny Odsonne Edouard (£5.5m) and Eberechi Eze (£5.5m), ensuring the Gunners clean sheet was kept intact.

“Wili (Saliba) was phenomenal – his relationship with Gabriel, his understanding with the back four, for him to play his first Premier League game away from home against Palace, really credit to the boy because he stood with a big presence and a lot of composure.” – Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta’s side now have an appealing set of games to come, which includes back-to-back matches against newly-promoted sides in Gameweeks 3 and 4.


PALACE START SLOWLY

Palace improved as the game wore on, with Edouard and Eze forcing Ramsdale into a couple of fine stops, but a slow start essentially cost them.

Patrick Vieira had said on Thursday that his team were behind tactically after being split up during pre-season, and it was evident as Arsenal launched wave after wave of attacks in the early stages.

Eze, meanwhile, didn’t see enough of the ball during that spell but improved significantly after the break and should have scored, while Joachim Andersen’s (£4.5m) long-range passes to the flanks caught the eye.

“It’s something we spoke about: we know Arsenal shuffle a lot and switch sides, so it worked well. I found Wilf and Jordan a few times.” – Joachim Andersen

However, the Eagles will be disappointed with their start in Gameweek 1, and it doesn’t get any easier with trips to Liverpool and Man City in their next three fixtures.

“Football is about trying to score goals and we played against a good side. It’s really difficult to control the game against teams that have really good players. We had the ball, we had situations but we didn’t create very much. In the key moments, we didn’t score to lift the crowd and build momentum. That is something we have to work on.” – Patrick Vieira


Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell, Doucoure (Milivojevic 75), Schlupp (Hughes 86), Eze (Ebiowei 86), Ayew, Zaha, Edouard (Mateta 58)

Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko (Tierney 83), Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard (Lokonga 90+3), Martinelli, Jesus (Nketiah 83)

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1,282 Comments Post a Comment
  1. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Anybody else got 11 away players? I must have spent 10 hours staring at that team and it never once dawned on me.
    Oh well, 11 decentish looking home games for my guys next week

    1. AIRMILES
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      This was why I went with Son(C) and Perisic. Not many decent home options with good following fixtures. I think a lot of people are in your boat.

    2. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Interesting observation. My slightly off-template team means I have Kane, Wilson, Sancho and Ward with home games. Nice to have balance, especially for captaining.

    3. HippY
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Didn't dawn on me either, just checked and only one home starter!

      1. pablo discobar
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        This was my main concern with the big 5 defence. I posted about a fair bit. There's a small swing in GW 5 when Chelsea switch the pattern but it was off putting for me

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          The biggest teams win most of their games, home and away. Heck, even Arsenal won away.

          1. pablo discobar
            • 14 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            Not disputing that. But more likely to concede away so it's just planning damage limitation on that front.

    4. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      4 home players for me.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        All away here. All home next week though.

    5. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Ya, all the big teams bar Spurs are away gw1 so it is what it is

  2. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Watch Salah blank now and Perreira (on our benches) score and get max baps just to troll us.

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Ban for life ha ha

  3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Fulham charging £70 for child tickets and £100 for adult tickets today

    Wow

    1. AIRMILES
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I guess if people are willing to pay it. They might have to bring down their prices when their fans start getting hit by their winter fuel bills.

      1. Miggy007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Won’t be too many Fulham residents suffering with winter fuel bills, if you know the area

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

      London. Posh bit. Inflation.
      Welcome to the new norm 🙁

    3. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Don't deserve to stay up.

    4. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      At least one can buy tickets.

      Most clubs have 3 year waiting lists, don't they?

    5. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Good grief.

      Not today thank you!

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Could have at least gone 69 and 99. Would have looked better.

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Oh wait, 69 for kids. Maybe not 😯

          1. Jafooli
            • 12 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            😮 😆

    6. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      not bad to see the best team in the country

    7. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Milking it because they know nobody will bother after today lol

    8. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Rather go watch ladies football

    9. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Do you want the best league in the world?

    10. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Ouch!

  4. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Is it really so bad to go without halaand or kdb next week if you cap salah

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      No but i have haaland and salah

    2. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Bournemouth might be the least premier league ready side we have ever seen. Almost captained bailey

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Yeh, a triple-up on Villa makes sense for one-week wonders.

        1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
          • 6 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          I only have 2 villa. 2 week wonder?

          1. Andy_Social
            • 11 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            Me too. Figure in a couple of weeks I can bench Bailey and sell the defender when the 'right' 5m emerges.

      2. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Worse than _that_ Derby team?

        1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
          • 6 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          I never hear a team say they are worse as a team in the prem than they were in the championship. They don't seem to think they would even get promoted let alone survive. I suspect we will all be bournemouth hunting soon

          1. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 2 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            Yer, I only own one City player and next week could be a bloodbath. Like, 7 or 8 - 0 and Haaland bags four.

        2. Hairy Potter
          • 8 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Lol, IIRC that Derby team had 6 points at one point and 4 came against Newcastle. So they looked decent from the games I saw of them!

    3. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Salah is a really good captain option next week. I don’t care what anybody says.
      I have Mo & Haaland, and I’m far from decided on who the captain will be.

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Yes, imagine if he scores a brace today and city draw or win by 1 against West Ham

        People forgetting city started slow last season

    4. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Captain any City player.

    5. Dammit_182
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      No it’s not. I wet arsenal & salahless and frankly knowing I have Kane & KDB is little comfort.

  5. sjh
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Does anyone know when the Rate My Team tool ID input box will be enabled? Is it after GW1?

    1. Fabreghastly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      You can manually build your team on it

  6. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Hope everyone has a SONSATIONAL afternoon 🙂

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      EsSONtial?

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Always was!

    2. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Kanessential?

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        You can’t have one without the other!

        Kanesonsational!

    3. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I hate not owning Son/Kane. But it's not about coverage right... Salah/Haaland are better... in better teams...

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Depends how you look at if, you’re right but also Kane and Son involved more per goal for the team

  7. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Fulham will be charging £7 for child tickets and £10 for adult tickets for their game against Bournemouth

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Those will be the prices when they finally face Norwich 😉

  8. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Dugout open ladies….

  9. adstomko
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    TAA still poor at some defending manouvres. Why on earth did he not jump for that?

  10. SuperStig
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    So I need some input on what to do. Like oh so many others I went with Kane over Haaland, and now must bite the bullet.. But short on cash, so -4 is necessary.
    A. Ditch Rashy and get someone like Eze, Gross in that 6,0 bracket.
    or
    B. Robbo out and get Chillwell, Dias, Perisic or someone like that. That is also to free up a Liverpool-slot and pave the way for Darwin if needed..
    Thoughts are highly appreciated!

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        1 year, 7 months ago

        A