The Fantasy Premier League (FPL) talking points out Chelsea vs Arsenal, West Ham United vs Liverpool And Nottingham Forest vs Brighton and Hove Albion are covered in this, slightly shorter set of Scout Notes.
SALIBA ABSENCE EXPLAINED
William Saliba (£6.0m) missed out for Arsenal in Gameweek 13 after taking a blow in training on Saturday.
Saliba will now undergo a test to determine the extent of the injury.
“I think [Wilo] We’ll have another test done tomorrow to see the extent of that feeling, that sensation he had, then we’ll know more.” – Mikel Arteta on William Saliba
In the absence of Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes (£6.4m), the Gunners had to start Cristhian Mosquera (£5.4 million) and Piero Hincapie (£5.4m) at the back.
WHY CALAFIORI WAS ENDORSED
After sitting on the couch mid-week, Riccardo Calafiori (£5.8m) returned to Arsenal’s first team against Chelsea.
However, a warning in the first half meant that Mikel Arteta did not want to take any chances with the Italian, and he was subsequently released at half-time.
“We had four players with yellow cards and you could see they were targeting those players to equalize the match. The one with the biggest risk was Riccy.” [Calafiori] against Estevao or Neto, that’s why I had to eliminate him.” – Mikel Arteta on Riccardo Calafiori
Calafiori, who collected nine defensive contributions (DefCon) before his withdrawal, is now just one booking away from a ban.
In other news, Leandro Trossard (£6.9m) missed with a minor injury; However, Viktor Gyokeres (£8.8m) and Gabriel Jesus (£6.4 million) both returned to the bank.
CAICEDO SEES RED/MARESCA ON JAMES
Moses Caicedo (£6.0m) will be banned for three matches following his straight red card.
This is what he will miss:
- Wednesday December 3: Leeds United (a), Gameweek 14
- Saturday December 6: Bournemouth (a), Gameweek
- Saturday December 13th: Everton (h), Gameweek 16
Cole Palmer (£10.3m) meanwhile was a non-playing substitute against Arsenal.
As for Ree James (£5.6m), he was fantastic in the middle of the park, with his cross from a corner position Trevo Chalobah‘s (£5.1m) opener. However, Enzo Maresca hinted at a midweek breather in his post-match presser.
“Reece, now, his performance was fantastic, top. Now we have a game on Wednesday. Very good for him. We have to manage him, we have to control him, we have to control his situation a little bit. But he was very good tonight.” – Enzo Maresca on Reece James
Mikel Merino (£5.9m) later scored a header from Bukayo Saka‘s (£10.1m) clipped cross to equalise.
ISAK HELP
Alexander Isaac (£10.4m) finally scored his first league goal for Liverpool on Sunday.
The Sweden international produced a fine finish in the penalty area before being substituted in the 68th minute, a goal you would think would do him a world of good.
“I think it feels important. I wasn’t going to give him many more minutes.” [before bringing him off]. There is certainly a sense of relief. This is a good first step for us: we won and kept a clean sheet.” – Arne Slot about Alexander Isak
Liverpool fully deserved the win and created the better chances.
Of Muhammad Salah (£14.2m) in the bank (more on that below), Dominik Szoboszlai (£6.6m) played from the right, while Florian Wirtz (£8.0m), positioned more centrally and in his favored position, looked much happier.
“We tried to create an extra midfielder and he was very important for us to find that extra midfielder every time. He was good when he made the dribble, he was really good with his one-touch balls. I even remember a moment when he played the ball diagonally in the 18-metre area to Cody Gakpo, which then did not lead to a shot, so no xG value.” – Arne Slot on Florian Wirtz
ABOVE: Liverpool’s average position chart in Gameweek 13, showing Szoboszlai (NR 8), Wirtz (7), gakpo (18) and Isak (9)
Cody Agat (£7.5m) smashed home the second in stoppage time. After previously providing the assist for Isak’s opener. The Dutchman now has seven attacking returns to his name this season, the most of any Liverpool player.
LOCK ON SALAH
Arne Slot explained the thinking behind dropping Salah to the bench in his post-match presser.
“Four games in ten days with only 14 to 15 outfield players available to us, then every now and then you have to decide to play a certain line-up and try to pick the best line-up for each game. With the way they lined up today, with a full-back who is constantly very high and a winger who is constantly inside, I thought this could help the team. Like I said, he has been so important to this club and will be important to this club in the future.” – Arne Slot about Mohamed Salah
ANOTHER PAQUETA BAN
After only returning from suspension on Sunday for collecting a yellow card, Lucas Paqueta (£5.9 million) was sent off against Liverpool.
After being ticketed for dissent, he talked himself into receiving a second warning shortly afterwards.
He will now sit out the midweek trip to Manchester United.
Crysencio Summerville (£5.5m) will also be assessed ahead of Gameweek 14 after missing Sunday through injury.
DE CUYPER ADVANCED
Maxim De Cuyper (£4.3m) played much further for Brighton at the City Ground and was excellent, netting his second goal of the season.
Deployed ‘out of position’ on the left flank, the Belgian also delivered a series of sharp crosses, creating a total of four chances.
Above: Maxim De Cuyper’s touch heatmap in Gameweek 13
A nasty finish from the substitute Stefanos Tzimas (£5.3m) secured back-to-back wins for Albion, who have now kept a clean sheet in three of their last four games.
Elsewhere, Mats Wieffer (£4.9m) earned 25 (!) DefCons, but is now just one booking away from a ban.
Looking visibly upset George Rutte (£5.7 million) in the 56th minute Fabian Hurzeler said:
“First of all, it’s a medical decision, but after the match he seemed fine. He was cheering with the fans. So I don’t see any head injuries.” – Fabian Hurzeler about Georginio Rutter
DYCHE ON GIBBS WHITE + MURILLO
Sean Dyche has high hopes for that Morgan Gibbs White (£7.3 million) and Murillo (£5.3m) will both suit Nottingham Forest’s midweek trip to Molineux.
Gibbs-White looked a bit uncomfortable when he withdrew in the 84th minute on Sunday, while Murillo shot completely wide of the ball.
“I think he’s doing well. It’s still too early, but I think he’s doing well. Morgan had a stiff back and was unsure in the run-up to the match.” [Malmo] game. We gave him rest. After the first twenty I thought it looked much smoother again. To be honest, he hardly trained this week, but he felt he was right to play.” – Sean Dyche on Morgan Gibbs-White
“Murillo had a bit of a tight hamstring when he came off last night. We scanned it and it was nothing serious. But today it was still a bit tight. There are so many games coming up and hamstrings are a nightmare. If that’s the case you’re out for a while. We’re trying to get people fit again, rather than getting injured again.” – Sean Dyche on Murillo
Despite the defeat it was once again a decent day for Elliot Anderson (£5.3m) owners. He scored 17 DefCons, created six chances and claimed a share of the bonus, making a tidy return of six points.
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