Dugout Discussion

The Dugout Discussion – Sunderland vs Arsenal

There’s plenty at stake in opening fixture of Gameweek 10, with Alexis Sanchez heading into the clash with Sunderland sitting at the summit of our Captain Poll, seemingly backed by thousands to end a run of three outings without a goal.

Sanchez and Arsenal will have to perform without the presence of Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla, who both miss out through injury – a bitter blow for almost 500,000 managers who jumped on Walcott’s potential over the previous two Gameweeks.

Sunderland sit at the bottom of the table and will inevitably look to Jermain Defoe for goals; he’s blanked in his last three Gameweeks as he bids to breach an Arsenal back four that’s conceded in just one of their last eight matches in all competitions.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

1,448 Comments Post a Comment
  1. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Where is that promising young RB for Utd? Is he on loan? He looked great last season

    1. Wouter
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Fosu Mensah? Still at United I think

      1. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Yea him. Jose should let him start with Valencia out

    2. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Mourinho doesn't believe in fostering young talent

      1. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        So true

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          It's a real shame, because I thought Fosu Mensah looked really good (at times) last year.

  2. TheBusDriver
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    FFS!

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah I know, it says that on evey page of this site, we all know where we are.

  3. TheBusDriver
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Whenever I captain Sanchez, he does nothing. If Ibra doesn't score at least 2 goals, I might seriously quit.

    1. andy85wsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      No you won't

    2. the axolotl
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      *retrieves zlatan voodoo doll from attic

    3. Shifty
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Pls do

  4. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Janssen up front instead of Son. FML

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Son does better from this position anyway.

      1. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Hopefully. I am desperate for the points. I have dropped to 1.2m in the overall league 😮

    2. vickyz r3d d3vil$ !!!
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      The guy is really good..its just he is unlucky..hope he breaks the duck to today

      1. GREENDREAMS11
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Soldado MkII

        1. vickyz r3d d3vil$ !!!
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          He holds up the ball really well..he aint the kane type..anyways he will turn out good in the long run..

      2. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        no, he can wait until a fortnight's time.

      3. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        I don't care! hahaha I want Son to score not for Janssen to do well.

  5. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Best defender to replace valencia, I have 5.5m to spend,

    Current defence is .. valencia / williams / friend / pieters / amat

    Tnks.

    1. the axolotl
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      lovren maybe

    2. vickyz r3d d3vil$ !!!
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Fuchs

    3. GREENDREAMS11
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      If you can trust Liverpool over their easy fixtures Clyne

    4. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Fuchs or Holebas

    5. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Brunt

    6. Alnair
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Liverpool's fixtures coincide with United's so Clyne.

    7. timski8000
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Stones and then bank .5

  6. Le _ Professeur
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Surprised that Jaku isn't starting today !

  7. Wardinator
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Had planned to do Sanchez -----> Cout for GW11.....won't be getting rid now

    Ibra will have to match his output today or he'll be gone to fund a Firm & Cout double up

  8. Grand Maester Juan
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Any idea why De Roon not playing ?

    1. Pipermaru
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Dropped for Traore? I've heard he was terrific against Arsenal last weekend

    2. boc610
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      coz jose prefers speed 🙂

    3. Grand Maester Juan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      4.3 prospect gone

  9. ★Kuntheman★
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    So from my Sanchez owners research, I've noticed some trends:

    1) Allen or Capoue is almost always a given
    2) Aguero-Lukaku-Austin a popular front three
    3) Lots of Chadli owners
    4) Definite lack of Diego Costa
    5) Somewhat reliant on a sub 7.5 midfielder, Lallana a popular choice.

    My front three is:
    Walcott Coutinho Firmino Sterling
    Aguero Lukaku Costa

    Seems like the only leverage I have is a pricey midfield and Diego Costa. Wondering if that's worth it...hmm...

    1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      I have Sanchez, but Lukaku and Aguero up top in a 352.

      Sanchez, Firmino, Coutino, Son, Allen.

      1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        My ML rival has Sanchez and Ozil, with Augero and Costa. But he plays Capoue.

        1. ★Kuntheman★
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          I really don't want to be starting Capoue/Allen

    2. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Worth it and I have Costa too.

      Looks like you'd have to downgrade Sterling, or downgrade def

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Def ain't even that pricey. Walker-Lovren-Stones-Holebas-Amat

      2. Yankee Toffee
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Sanchez* Coutinho Firmino Redmond*
        Aguero Lukaku Costa

        Can you afford that for HUL SOU next week?

        1. ★Kuntheman★
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Ill have to try to work that out.

    3. Parm
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Sell Walcott & Sterling, what can you afford alongside Alexis?

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Probably Sanchez and Allen/Capoue. Would hate to have to start Allen or Capoue every week.

        1. Parm
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah, I wouldn't like that. Sánchez requires a big shake up in terms of your shape and structure. Luckily he has Spurs & United in the next two so you can make those changes then rather than all at once for a big hit should you want him.

          1. ★Kuntheman★
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Honestly think I might wait it out. Pretty happy with my front seven and I'd be relying on a front seven of proven starters at good clubs. The thought of starting Chadli, Allen, Capoue, etc. doesn't really justify Sanchez in my eyes, especially if the forwards start performing as expected.

    4. Alnair
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Sanchez Firmino Walcott Lallana Capoue
      Aguero Lukaku Wilson

      Close enough.

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        So you have Sanchez-Lallana-Wilson-Capoue and I have Sterling-Coutinho-Costa-Whelan. Doesn't mine look stronger?

        Not rhetorical, genuinely asking.

    5. MTPockets
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Price of having Lukaku + Costa.
        Would wait on Costa's yellow, although I have him and no plan to sell.

        1. ★Kuntheman★
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah Costa's YC will make this a very interesting dilemma

      • @SirAustinDangerPowers
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Sanchez Walcott Firmino Allen
        Aguero Costa Lukaku

        1. ★Kuntheman★
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          You have Sanchez+Allen, I have Coutinho+Sterling. Who wins?

          1. @SirAustinDangerPowers
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Close enough
            Sanchez gives an explosive captain pick in games like today.
            Sterling isn't setting the world alight while Allen has some decent fixtures coming up.
            Also who would you want to Captain?
            Sanchez or Coutinho

      • Atimis
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Read all the posts, to sum up, you keep Wally and Sterling ?

        1. ★Kuntheman★
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          It really comes down to me picking Costa+two 8.0+ mids instead of Sanchez+sub 7.0 striker+Allen/Capoue

    6. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      The arsenal game wasn't too bad until the second alexis goal. That might have ruined my gw.

    7. boc610
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Traore bandwagon incoming

      1. vickyz r3d d3vil$ !!!
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Impressed already..just waiting on for him to be in the points first

    8. Fowler23
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Which 3pm to Watch?

      1. Yankee Toffee
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        TOT LEI should be exciting.

      2. GREENDREAMS11
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        thinking Watford for a laugh, have deeney (c) here

    9. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Something for Wenger to think about then.

      Will he change to accommodate Giroud now?

      1. Alnair
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        If Walcott isn't back then I think he might, otherwise no - it's clear what his preferred front 4 is.

      2. Bolivian Seaman
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        I don't think so

        1. Dr Dream
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          He's a great player to have in that squad. If the "Arsenal way" needs shaking up in any game then on comes Giroud to play a more traditional CF game.

          That's how I'd want to use him.

          Not sure that Giroud himself would be too happy with it though.

          1. Bolivian Seaman
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Yeah that's his role for sure, he does help in some games

          2. Nabs Kebabs
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Exactly my thoughts. He is an excellent sub for Wenger to change the dimension of a game, if required. It's really all looking very promising for Arsenal atm.

      3. Yankee Toffee
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Think he'll rotate now as the schedule gets thick and fast

      4. fedolefan
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Thing is, he'll now consider it horses for courses and may think certain games suit Giroud, so let's start him right away.

    10. tm245
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      @Kun the Man, +1 for sticking around and responding to all of those replies to your front seven question. An example for us all on how to make the forum a better place, esp on a matchday.

      1. boc610
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        '8 year olds dude'

        1. tm245
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          You said it man.

    11. Slam
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Ffs
      Collins, Baines, Amat, Walcott, Snodgrass and now Valencia

      Can't catch a brake

      1. Lawrø
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Evans, Baines, Amat, Walcott, Snodgrass, Valencia and potentially Stanislas for me too! This is ridiculous isn't it 😀

        1. Lawrø
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Whoops definitely Stanislas*

      2. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Same for me except change Collins for Shaw and now Diomonde :/

    12. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Lol me, ended up with Valencia captain, didn't save properly. Hopefully he won't come on.

      1. Nabs Kebabs
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        not in squad.

        Who's your VC?

      2. Godot - Fashanu Zealand
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Well there's no fear of that, he's not in the squad and has fractured his arm.

      3. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        He's not in the squad and he is having surgery . Who is your vice ?

        1. Je suis le chat
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Thanks guys. Kun to save the day.

    13. GREENDREAMS11
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      watford hit the woodwork twice

    14. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Heaton 3 saves already

    15. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      lukaku captain here.....its going to fail, i just know it