Dugout Discussion

The Dugout Discussion – Chelsea vs Arsenal

As mid-season encounters go, this is as crunchy as they get.

Arsenal make the trip to Stamford Bridge knowing that, should they falter, their own title bid would likely be irreversibly de-railed. Meanwhile, a victory for Chelsea would surely come as the latest evidence that they are truly champions elect.

For Fantasy managers, there is also plenty at stake.

Alexis Sanchez starts in the central striker role and in 36.5% of squads, having returned a goal or an assist in ten of his last eleven Gameweeks. In opposition, Diego Costa and Eden Hazard also remain hugely popular assets, despite the alarming recent regression from the latter. The Belgian has supplied just three assists in his last five, with a single goal in eight Gameweeks – a penalty against Bournemouth back in December.

With Marcos Alonso also a key asset, there will be mixed emotions heading into this clash for the neutral, with a high-scoring contest perhaps the optimum outcome for many.

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

1,681 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Giovanni Giorgio
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Snodgrass feeding Antonio and Carroll wopwop

  2. Royal5
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Stanislas on the bench!? FFS >:(

    1. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Howe is a moron, he never knows what his best team is so he just rotates randomly.

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Agree that Howe is overrated.

        1. Business Cat
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Mid-table side on a shoe-string with a tiny stadium...he's actually pretty good 🙂

  3. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Sanchez off to Bayern next season. You head it first here 😉

  4. Forza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    RIP Holgate.

    Luiz comes off the bench for me. Rival owns Giroud. We all know what will happen now.

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Need to wait re Holgate. If Everton get off to a shocker then expect Koeman to switch to 3 at the back.

  5. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    No stanislas

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

    Stanislas to Zaha worked out well

  7. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Stanislas benched :S

  8. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Gw28 hero Stanislas dropped

    1. Demí
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      don't get howe

  9. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Long benched, gahhh.

  10. Ravager
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Stanislas benched. Meh. Inching up there with my worst buys.

    1. Kirton Hoops
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      2nd time Ive bought him... I'm an idiot!

  11. rivercityransom
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    tadic not in the squad. who is that guy who needed that to happen for alonso to come off the bench?

  12. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Was going to perhaps bench Alonso for Stanislas, thankfully didn't!

  13. Kaneyonero
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Long bench

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Mine is short with Jones and Amat

  14. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Can see Giroud getting a consolation goal here wiping out my Alonso CS

    1. Old Man
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah - and removing his bonus - and elevating Costa

  15. some witty pun
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    imagine Chelsea having Cuadrado instead of Moses

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Pipe down John Lennon...

  16. Kaneyonero
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Alli hattrick today hopefully

  17. Scratch
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Tyler: "You wouldn't have done that to Dider Drogba"

    Ummm yes you would, he's one of the biggest playacting wimps to ever play the premier league

  18. TheTinman
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Looks like Holebas in for Stanislas was the right call. Cmok Jose

  19. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Davies fail

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      I hear the surf weather was good today.

  20. rivercityransom
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    think stanislas is just rested. he obviously needs a break every now and then, can't remember the last time he lasted 90

  21. Athletic Dildao
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Arsenal meltdown has commenced. I can feel it. Sell Sanchez until they mount a comeback for top 4?

  22. Kaneyonero
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Cmon Sanxhez

  23. Syd.
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Arsene on the phone to his pension adviser

  24. Basil1977
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Note to myself
    never bench Alonso!!!!

    Now praying Baines, Walker, Brunt don't play this weekend!!

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      baines and brunt are playing

      walker will play too.

  25. Venom Snake
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Why is Lookman starting?? 😕

    1. Yome
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      To assist Lukaku goals

    2. vectorman
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Yep bought in Mirallas this week, thought it might be a risk... Flip!!! there goes the future plans

  26. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Holebas to better Alonso!

  27. Ravager
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Dropping Siggy for Stanislas a few weeks ago has worked out perfectly.

    1. Chris_H
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Last two mids sold Siggy & Hazard 🙁

  28. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Which defender is OOP for Palace? Is Ward playing in midfield?

    Holgate benched - Everton back to 4 at the back. Lookman in the team.

    Snodgrass starts, but no Lanzini.

    Brunt looks to be playing at LB (i.e. not OOP).

    1. Yome
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      PVA

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Wardy & PvA wing-backs and Tom-Dan-Del CB's.

  29. ILOVEBAPS
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Should have done better with that chance Giroud.

  30. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Good save from Courtois.Welbeck close.

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Mustafi then misses a good chance.