Scout Notes
17 September 2025 601 comments
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The UEFA Champions League kicked off on Tuesday night, with the two north London teams in action.

We’ve covered UCL Fantasy in depth this week – but now we look at what the European action means for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers.

The graphics and data in this Scout Notes piece come from Statsbomb.

Subscribers of Fantasy Football Scout can get Statsbomb data for the Premier League, Champions League and more with their Memberships – the full details of which are here.

TUESDAY’S RESULTS

TeamOpponentResultGoalsAssists
ArsenalAthletic Club (a)2-0 winMartinelli, TrossardTrossard, Martinelli
Tottenham HotspurVillarreal (h)1-0 winLuiz Junior own-goalBergvall

SELECTION/ROTATION

TeamNo. of starting XI changes made from GW4Players who kept their places (mins played)Other mins for selected players
Arsenal1Raya (90), Timber (90), Mosquera (90), Gabriel (90), Calafiori (90), Zubimendi (90), Merino (90), Madueke (90), Eze (71), Gyokeres (65)Rice (90), Trossard (25), Martinelli (19)
Tottenham Hotspur2Vicario (90), Porro (90), Romero (90), Van de Ven (90), Bergvall (90), Kudus (90), Simons (77), Spence (69), Sarr (69)Bentancur (90), Richarlison (77), Udogie (21), Palhinha (21), Johnson (13), Kolo Muani (13)

Just the one alteration for the Gunners as Declan Rice (ยฃ6.5m), rested in Gameweek 4, came in for the injured Martin Odegaard (ยฃ7.9m)

William Saliba (ยฃ6.0m) was fit enough for substitute duty.

A similar story at Spurs, with two players handed breathers on Saturday after the international exertions, Rodrigo Bentancur (ยฃ5.4m) and Richarlison (ยฃ6.7m), replacing Joao Palhinha (ยฃ5.5m) and the ineligible Mathys Tel (ยฃ6.3m).

GYOKERES BLOODIED – BUT SEEMINGLY FINE

There was a slight scare for Viktor Gyokeres (ยฃ9.0m) owners on Tuesday when the striker suffered a blow to the head after a mid-air clash with Gabriel Magalhaes (ยฃ6.1m).

The Swede suffered a nasty cut after half an hour of the Champions League opener in Bilbao, being bandaged up for the remainder of his appearance.

He re-emerged for the second half, eventually going off after 65 minutes. There doesn’t seem to be any concern about him or Mikel Merino (ยฃ5.9m), who also sustained a knock to the noggin.

“I think they are all good.” – Mikel Arteta on Mikel Merino and Viktor Gyokeres

As mentioned above, there was no Odegaard after his Saturday shoulder injury. Ben White (ยฃ5.4m) was also still absent, along with the other longer-term ones.

โ€œGabi [Jesus], Kai [Havertz], Ben [White] and Martin [Odegaard] are still out.” – Mikel Arteta speaking in his pre-match presser

“I think there are still quite a lot of things to go through. Itโ€™s very early to understand when and which week heโ€™s going to be available. But he will certainly be pushing to be available as quickly as possible.” – Mikel Arteta on Bukayo Saka, speaking in his pre-match presser

EZE UNDER THREAT?

injury Gyokeres

For the second game running, Gyokeres racked up four goal attempts. Three of them were headers, the most presentable of which came from a Rice cross. Gyokeres led the way for xG (0.55) and penalty box touches (eight) in this match, too.

Noni Madueke (ยฃ7.0m) was a menace on the right, if sometimes lacking the end ball, but it was a quiet evening for Eberechi Eze (ยฃ7.5m). He nearly got on the end of one Madueke cut-back but ultimately he ended up shot-less, coming off after 71 minutes.

The replacements for Gyokeres and Eze, Leandro Trossard (ยฃ6.9m) and Gabriel Martinelli (ยฃ6.9m), did the damage. A goal and an assist apiece, although the two strikes were perhaps fortunate: Martinelli’s breakaway goal should have been saved, while Trossard’s sealer was deflected.

Nevertheless, food for thought for Mikel Arteta this weekend, especially on the left flank. Might Martinelli’s pace on the counter be a better fit for a clash with Manchester City?

“I was sure that Gabi was going to react like that. He raised the level to Gabi and he was going to do that. He has such a mentality, he’s a player that is constantly willing to learn and improve himself, very demanding with himself. That’s the moment that hopefully is going to give him the confidence again to go, because he’s done a stunning play.” – Mikel Arteta

ARSENAL DEFENCE SOLID AGAIN

injury Gyokeres

Arsenal faced the heat from the hosts and the terraces at a bouncing Estadio de San Mamรฉs, coming under the cosh in the first half.

But Athletic Club’s pressure didn’t really amount to serious chances. David Raya (ยฃ5.5m) didn’t actually have much to do, with his two saves routine, and the Basque side’s 11 shots only amounted to a meagre 0.43 xG.

As if we needed it, this was another reminder that Arsenal’s defence is, arguably, the best in the business.

“When they took us to play a really direct and physical game, we handled it. When it was very transitional, we handled it. When it was against the low block, we handled it.” – Mikel Arteta

SPURS DEFENCE KEEPS ANOTHER CLEAN SHEET

injury Gyokeres

The Spurs defence emerged with more credit than the starting attackers from their clash, too. This was their fourth clean sheet in their last five matches.

The Lilywhites squeaked a tight encounter against Villarreal, a spectacular error from visiting goalkeeper Luiz Junior allowing Lucas Bergvall‘s (ยฃ5.4m) cross to creep over the line.

Spurs struggled to create much, in truth. Xavi Simons (ยฃ7.0m) whistled over a shot early on, while Pape Matar Sarr (ยฃ5.0m) tested Junior from distance. That was, in fact, the only shot on target from either side in an edgy 90 minutes.

Thomas Frank’s troops had only two shots after half-time, with Richarlison peripheral.

It wasn’t quite as convincing from the Spurs backline as it was from Arsenal’s, despite the lack of shots on target conceded. Nicolas Pepe thrice fired narrowly wide, while Tajon Buchanan should have scored from a Pepe pass.

“I’m happy with the clean sheet. I’m happy with the defensive side of the game. I think we were extremely good and limited Villarreal to very little throughout the game.

“Obviously, offensively, we struggled on the day to create something against a good team.” – Thomas Frank

FRANK ON SIMONS

Simons was again on the left flank here, with Mohammed Kudus (ยฃ6.6m) on the opposite wing.

It was a mixed bag from the Dutchman, as it was with most Spurs players. He’s also perhaps more effective in the ’10’ role, which he’s yet to start in.

Frank discussed Simons’ relationship with Djed Spence (ยฃ4.5m) after the game.

“Obviously, we are building the offensive structure more and more. Xavi Simons has just come into the club. It’s fair to say he and Djed need a little relationship, of course, to get going.

“On the right side, Pedro and Kudus, they definitely have something going. I think Lucas came over to that side, it looks right. I think on the left side, Xavi and Djed, good against West Ham, but it’s not 100% in sync when maybe it’s not going, as an example. We gave so many times the ball away, where we could have played it more second half, which just happens sometimes.” – Thomas Frank


601 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Miguel Sanchez
    • 9 Years
    3 days, 16 mins ago

    Which players likely to go up in price tonight?

    1. Warby84
      • 10 Years
      3 days, 13 mins ago

      Haaland

  2. _Freddo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    3 days, 12 mins ago

    What we saying about Isak after tonight?

    1. Gazwaz80
      • 5 Years
      3 days, 9 mins ago

      Did pretty well considering he’s not fully fit. Don’t think he’ll start at weekend and he’s in my team!

    2. Warby84
      • 10 Years
      3 days, 8 mins ago

      Getting up to match fitness slowly, is a wait and see for me

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 6 Years
      3 days, 6 mins ago

      Probably won't start on Saturday lunchtime

    4. Stranger Mings
      • 4 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      Wait till get for few GWS

  3. psl
    • 7 Years
    3 days, 7 mins ago

    Anyone thinking about going with a GW5 wildcard so can TC Haaland v Burnley? Very tempted to go tonight to avoid the G
    Haaland price rise and Wirtz fall.

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 6 Years
      3 days, 4 mins ago

      I don't think it's a great GW to WC unless you think your team needs it. You might potentially give up some points in GW5 to TC6

    2. RICICLE
      • 3 Years
      3 days, 3 mins ago

      It had crossed my mind but I’m getting BB out the way this gameweek so I can wildcard and not have to worry about my bench too much.

    3. The Big Fella
      • 9 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      I don’t expect the City Burnley game to be the bumming everybody else does. City struggle to break down teams when they park the bus recently. By all means go for it though - if I am wrong he could score 2-3.

  4. Khalico
    • 10 Years
    3 days, 4 mins ago

    Which one ?

    A. Livramento, Kudus
    B. 4m, Gakpo

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 4 Years
      3 days ago

      B

  5. AF90
    • 13 Years
    3 days, 3 mins ago

    Dubravka, King, KDH & Gudmundsson.

    Probably not worthy of a bench boost but shall I just play it & get it out the way? Already used WC so tougher to plan for going forward...

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 4 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      Wait

    2. Mighty Duck
      • 1 Year
      2 days, 19 hours ago

      Is worthy

  6. Stranger Mings
    • 4 Years
    3 days, 3 mins ago

    Guess captaincy down to a) salah b) semenyo & c) haaland. Edging towards salah

  7. Shark Team
    • 8 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    Unless WC, zero reasons to buy Haaland before ARS(A)

  8. Yes Ndidi
    • 6 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    Salah scoring and assisting tonight is a great result for all us Haaland owners. Hopefully this convinces the great unwashed to hang on to him for a few more weeks.

    1. PartyTime
      • 4 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      In Mohamed Salah I trust, the God of FPL, we worship you Mo!

    2. RICICLE
      • 3 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      Somebody sounds a little scared hehe

    3. The Son-dance Kid
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      It's an even better result for those of us owning both

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 13 Years
        2 days, 19 hours ago

        Is it tho? Salah + Haaland teams always have some obvious weakness. Believe me, I tried (WCarded last week).

  9. PartyTime
    • 4 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    Kane is in fine form. Probably experiencing the best moment of his career here in München. Mia san Mia. Europa pokal! Pack Mas!

    1. Stevie B
      • 14 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      Are you drunk? Sadly I am German and I really hope that München will not win much this season, like the other German teams.

  10. Tonyawesome69
    • 6 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    Enzo Maresca:

    "Cole, I think, is okay [after holding his groin]. He said he was okay."

    https://x.com/AbsoluteChelsea/status/1968429413957034108?t=7WOrwWZ-9L519YMcpme2-w&s=19

    1. FF Scout
      • 15 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      Yeah he'll be fine.

  11. PartyTime
    • 4 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    “Gyökeres bloodied- but seemingly fine” sounds like Quentin Tarantino was in the background

  12. Stevie B
    • 14 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    Which two I should bench from:

    A) Pedro Porro
    B) Ballard
    C) Cucurella
    D) Guehi
    E) Esteve

    Thank you!

    1. SINGH
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      Defo cucu as he won't start weekend

      Maresca thinks he can play both PL and UCL by rotating squads as he did last season during Europa

      1. The Son-dance Kid
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 23 hours ago

        That's what I'm afraid of. Puts me off going big on chelsea in both FPL and fantasy UCL

    2. A Trout
        2 days, 23 hours ago

        BE

    3. Joyce1998
      • 9 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      Too risky to go without Haaland and take a punt on Foden?

      Can't have Salah, Palmer, Haaland

    4. FDMS All Starz
      • 9 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      Plan for the next 3gws:

      GW5: Roll FT
      GW6: Salah/Mateta —> Ndiaye/Haaland (free) - potential BB?
      GW7: Wood —> Gyokores (free - exact funds)

      Problem - Haaland rising in price now, do I do the moves now for -4 or just downgrade Ndiaye next week?

      (1FT)
      Sanchez Dubravka
      Munoz Andersen Rodon Williams Dorgu
      Salah Bruno Reijnders Semenyo Kudus
      Mateta Wood Watkins

    5. 1justlookin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      Thoughts on this potential WC in GW6 -

      Roefs, Dubravka,
      VVD, Gabriel, Munoz, Andersen,Mukiele
      Foden, Gakpo, Semenyo, N'diaye, KDH
      Haaland, Gyokeres, J.Pedro

      1. Joyce1998
        • 9 Years
        2 days, 22 hours ago

        Gakpo minutes risk with Ekitike? Or more with Isak

      2. sirmorbach
        • 9 Years
        2 days, 22 hours ago

        Very nice

      3. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
          2 days, 17 hours ago

          You must be a far more optimistic than me mate with Roefs in there, I hope you’re right but I’m always expecting us to ship goals

          1. 1justlookin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            2 days, 14 hours ago

            Mate, I think we look solid and Roefs should get plenty of save pts as well. I think scoring goals will be the biggest concern

      4. Lord of Ings
        • 9 Years
        2 days, 23 hours ago

        Considering Paqueta/Elliot/Reijnders as my final midfielder on wc
        Which midfielder looks best?
        1) Paqueta/Reijnders + VDV
        2) Elliot + Romero

      5. I Member
        • 10 Years
        2 days, 22 hours ago

        Think Semenyo (NEW) outscores Reijnders (ars) by more than 4 points this week?

        1. Brosstan
          • 11 Years
          2 days, 22 hours ago

          no but if you want Semenyo long term and dont want Reijnders long term anyway Id take the hit.

      6. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
          2 days, 22 hours ago

          Mi familia,
          Caicedo played full match today. Will this impact his minutes on Saturday?

        • Sun Jihai
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 days, 22 hours ago

          Would you switch any of the bench here? Kelleher vs. Dubravka seems quite borderline in terms of CS prospects, but currently going off Fulham struggling to score vs. Leeds atm. Not sure on Rodon or Tosin or Dorgu either.

          Kelleher
          Porro Andersen Rodon
          Salah Semenyo Anderson Reijnders
          Haaland Gkoyeres JP
          Dubravka King Tosin Dorgu

          1. Four Letter Wirtz
            • 9 Years
            2 days, 20 hours ago

            Kelleher vs Dubravka is a nice problem to have with their favourable fixtures, so just go with your gut (I'm likely playing Dubravka over Pope).

            Plaing Rodon over Tosin and Dorgu seems a good idea, too... I'd expect a few goals in ManUtd vs Chelsea

        • sirmorbach
          • 9 Years
          2 days, 22 hours ago

          To WC or not?

          2 FT, £3.9 itb.

          Sels / Dúbravka
          Gabriel, Porro, De Cuyper / Estève, Rodon
          Salah, Wirtz, Rogers, Kudus, Reijnders
          Gyökeres, Pedro / Guiu

        • marpy016
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 days, 22 hours ago

          Who to start?

          A) Raya
          B) Dubravka

          1) Elliott
          2) Grealish

          1. cravencottage
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            2 days, 21 hours ago

            A ( will get saves if not CS)
            2

        • sirmorbach
          • 9 Years
          2 days, 22 hours ago

          Start Sels or Dubravka?

          1. cravencottage
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            2 days, 21 hours ago

            Sels

          2. Mighty Duck
            • 1 Year
            2 days, 19 hours ago

            Dubravka

        • Brosstan
          • 11 Years
          2 days, 22 hours ago

          Salah goal and assist and could have had more. Looks like the King is back.

        • Joyce1998
          • 9 Years
          2 days, 22 hours ago

          Thoughts on this
          WC draft

          Raya
          VVd, Senesi, Anderson
          Salah, Palmer, Foden, Caicedo
          Gyokeres, J.Pedro, Evanilson

          Dubravka, King, Richards, Hartman

          1. The FPL Units
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            2 days, 21 hours ago

            Needs more Haaland

          2. RICICLE
            • 3 Years
            2 days, 21 hours ago

            Not enough decent cover for when Foden is inevitably rotated almost every game. Haaland also missing.

        • Letsgo!
          • 8 Years
          2 days, 21 hours ago

          Start damsgaard or kudus?

        • cravencottage
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 days, 21 hours ago

          Thinking of WC in GW6. I have Haaland. Which of these( dont think I can get both )
          A) Isak
          B)Palmer

          1. RICICLE
            • 3 Years
            2 days, 21 hours ago

            Palmer. Up to speed, back fit, playing the full 90 (you’d imagine), and on pens.

        • SpaceCadet
          • 11 Years
          2 days, 20 hours ago

          Watkins Johnson > palmer evanilson -4?

        • Questions for Zøphar’s GW5 Article
          zøphar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          2 days, 20 hours ago

          Taking questions for the Gameweek 5 Q&A piece, send them in!

          Answers will be posted in a separate article

          1. Lallana_
            • 11 Years
            2 days, 20 hours ago

            Why are people moving away from Salah? He isn't at his best yet is a consistent scorer with good minutes. With so many cheap enablers, it seems best to own him until we know who is worth it from the Liverpool attack. Looked more involved against Atletico Madrid. He's also on penalties in an attacking team.

            Liverpool projected to score the most goals (with City) the next six gameweeks but have a busy schedule. I feel like gameweek 9 might be the time to bring Palmer in but Pedro and maybe Enzo seems solid for now.

            I wildcarded last week to Haaland/Salah but think we give Salah more time. His "bad fixtures" might benefit him as he won't play a low block the full 90 minutes.

          2. Four Letter Wirtz
            • 9 Years
            2 days, 20 hours ago

            What do you need to see from Isak in GW5 to consider him going forward? A What threshold of minutes played, chances, goals, etc?

          3. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            2 days, 11 hours ago

            Is Eze a good option or a minutes risk?

          4. FPL Virgin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            2 days, 10 hours ago

            Have you lost all credibility as a pro pundits by telling people to stick with their Aston Villa assets?

          5. bencaraway
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            2 days, 3 hours ago

            Given a surfeit of good low cost defenders and midfielders, and no must-have premium midfielder, would you agree that, post-wildcard, the template will be 3 big forwards? If so, which 3 would you expect to predominate from Haaland, Pedro, Gyokeres and Isak?

        • Z2025
            2 days, 20 hours ago

            Thoughts about this:

            Pickford
            VVD Murillo Van der Ven
            Enzo Grealish Wirtz Reijnders
            Ekitike Haaland Pedro

            Subs: Dubravka Mbeumo Reinildo Guehi

          • Lallana_
            • 11 Years
            2 days, 20 hours ago

            Good to go? 0.3M ITB, 1FT. I think I bench Elliot until I see Villa improve despite his midweek goal.

            Raya
            Lacroix | Virgil | Andersen | Senesi | Gudmundsson
            Semenyo | Salah (C)
            Mateta | Haaland | Joao Pedro (v)

            Dubravka / Elliot / Dewsbury-Hall / King

            Playing a 5-2-3 feels weird but DEFCON!