Dugout Discussion

Dugout Discussion – Middlesbrough vs Arsenal

After Diego Costa and Zlatan Ibrahimovic managed a single point between them at Old Trafford yesterday, all eyes are on Alexis Sanchez as Arsenal roll up to the Riverside in tonight’s final Gameweek fixture.

Recently shuffled onto the left flank, a run of three matches without a goal has knocked our confidence in the Chilean ahead of the Gunners’ double Gameweeks 36 and 37.

Indeed, only 5.9% have handed Sanchez the armband as he attempts to reclaim his spot as top scoring player in Fantasy Premier League, having been knocked off his perch by Romelu Lukaku at the weekend.

Tonight’s team selection looks to have handed Sanchez a change of role. To everyone’s surprise, Arsene Wenger appears to have set up with a 3-4-2-1 formation or even a 3-4-1-2, with Sanchez perhaps joining Olivier Giroud up front – a concern perhaps for the 91,000+ who sold the Chilean ahead of Gameweek 33.

Tonight’s encounter also gives us the chance to run the rule over the hosts as they prepare for a potentially profitable double Gameweek 34 against Bournemouth and Sunderland.

Both Victor Valdes and Ben Gibson currently sit second for transfers in among keepers and defenders since Saturday’s deadline, though in the four matches under new manager Steve Agnew, Boro have been somewhat hot and cold – keeping two clean sheets and conceding at least three times in the other two.

Valdes misses out this evening with a rib problem sustained at Burnley last time out – an injury kept under wraps until tonight: Brad Guzan claims the keeper’s jersey.

Sitting six points from safety, the Teesside team are in desperate need of wins now. Having failed to score in six of their last eight, though, most will likely steer clear of the hosts’ attack unless they can punish the Gunners this evening.

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

4,192 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FrankieTheGent
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    34 points from omoijuanfo(c) !!!!!!!!
    Hat trick and assist

    1. MTPockets
        7 years, 28 days ago

        3 goals. 'Just' a hatrick.

        1. Chucky
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          will get 3 baps 😉

    2. SheBangsTheDrums
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Who's worth bringing in for the DGW?

      I only currently own Valencia and Zaha.

      1. Professor Abel X
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        I'm looking at De Gea and Negredo

        1. Torres76
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          Got Barragan and Zaha

          Tempted to go Ibra and Gibson

    3. Legomane
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Could be Decision time...thoughts appreciated.

      Pickford
      Alonso Valencia Davies
      Sanchez Alli Eriksen Sigurdsson
      Aguero Lukaku Origi

      (Heaton Pieters TCarroll ASmith)

      2 FT 0.1 ITB

      A. Kun Origi > Ibra Benteke
      B. Kun Origi Davies > Kane Benteke Gibson (-2*)
      C. Origi Siggy ASmith > Benteke King Gibson (-2*)

      A to cover potential TC for rival...
      Exact cash for B at the mo so would need to move on that one tonight with tellers rising...
      C gives me a bit of a benching headache in defence.

    4. Big_Bear
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Looking at WC on GW 36. I'm so excited about my team, really need Gabbidini to fit though to fit players in. Team is going to be epic on GW37 🙂

      1. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        I'm so pleased for you.

        1. Big_Bear
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          Thanks 🙂

      2. Hooky
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Gabbiadini started on the weekend

      3. JAC THE CAT
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Going to have any single GW players?

        1. Torres76
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          What about the following

          Alli
          Son
          Kane
          Coutinho/Firmino
          Lukaku

          Hmmm choices

          1. Big_Bear
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 28 days ago

            0 SGW. 15 DGW all eggs in one basket.
            Looking at 3xArsenal,Soton, City & 2xChe for GW36 then with bench of Pickford, Huth, Brunt and Capoue to make up the GW37 BB.

            1. Flynny
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 28 days ago

              Let's see it mate

            2. Pep says
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 28 days ago

              Brunt, Capoue, Huth? 3 City? 3 Arsenal? You definetly have dgw blinkers on. And no Spurs?

    5. Neto
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Delighted with myself. I gained 8 pts net after spending 8pts on transfers. I did Costa-Sanchez-Brunt to Kane-Hazard-Davis and as a result captained Kane instead of Lukaku 🙂

      1. Robe Wan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        But if you'd just done costa to Kane....

        1. Neto
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          didn't have enough funds

      2. Hooky
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        You're a legend

      3. tm370
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Kane makes sense but losing sanchez ahead of two dgws?

        1. Neto
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          I'm not sure if i want any of the Arsenal players for GW36

    6. Pea Soup
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Lukaku or Kane to Ibra?

      1. Dele
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Neither

        1. Pea Soup
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          Not an option

          1. L S P
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 28 days ago

            sure it is...you just don't make the trade? right?

      2. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        I'll be doing Kaku. Kane season keeper!

      3. Hooky
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Lukaku

    7. The Chief
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      A. Llorente
      B. Benteke (-4)
      C. Negredo (-4)

      1. Moosie the Staggie
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        B for me. Great gw35 fixture too.

      2. Hooky
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        B

    8. Lizard Lips
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Heaton Pickford
      Friend Valencia Alonso Bavies Yoshida
      Sanchez Alli Eriksen Siggy Fletcher
      Aguero Lukaku Barnes

      Missed price rises on Saturday to do Kun and Fletcher to Zlatan and Zaha. Now got exact money for Heaton Kun Fletcher to Valdes Zlatan Zaha -4. Obviously want to wait but Zlatan going to rise soon and price me out again. Do I make the moves or wait and find something else??

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        You know the risks.

        1. Hibbo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          It's a bit like not wearing a condom i suppose.

    9. RealSocialDads
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      A. Amat Sanchez and Deeney -> Rojo Townsend and Ibra (-8)
      B. Sanchez and Deeney -> Zaha and Ibra (-4)
      C. Deeney -> Rashford
      D. Other

      Team is:

      Pickford (Foster)
      Davies Chambers Fuchs (Mee Amat)
      Alli Siggy King Sanchez (JWP)
      Kane Lukaku Deeney

      WC intact with 0.1 ITB

    10. Moose™
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Anyone considering Negredo?

      1. Dele
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Nope only room for Benteke

      2. abaalan
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Yep. Torn between Negredo and Benteke.... leaning towards Negredo (have Zaha and better fixtures)

        1. Tommy J
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          Also think about the next gw

    11. Mickey Tyrion™
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Sanchez, Llorente > Zaha, Ibra? -4

      Plan to WC Sanchez back in anyway

      1. Hibbo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        I don't mind it, might do something similar myself.

      2. Uncle Gamst
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        My thoughts too:

        Sánchez > Zaha, Llorente > Ibra & Heaton > DDG for -4

    12. istanbul05
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Currently tempted to go without Ibra/Benteke... is this a viable option?

      A) Evans to Barragan (Bench Davies/Alonso)
      B) Siggy to Townsend (Bench Llorente)
      C) Evans, Llorente to Barragan, Negredo (-4, bench Siggy)

      1FT and only 0.2m ITB

      Grant,
      Alonso, Valencia, Davies,
      Sanchez, Alli, Coutinho, Siggy, Zaha,
      Kane, Kaku,

      Jaku, Llorente, Evans, Amat.

      Thanks

    13. Nazz
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      hey peeps

      is origi - negredo a good idea?

      or siggy to zaha?

    14. Here's Tom with the We…
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      A Barnes to Negrado for free
      B Barnes to Benteke -4

      1. RealSocialDads
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        A

    15. Dele
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      What did people this of Arsenes experimental formation tonight? Did it work better for Alexis?

      When I had it on the TV it still looked like he was hugging the touch line.

      1. Moosie the Staggie
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Didn't help him much imo. Did next to nothing apart from the goal and I kind of wish I could get rid of him. No doing it for a -4 so will probably persist with him even though I don't expect much.

    16. CABAYE4
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Alexis looked very animated when celebrating at the end of the game.

      Has he stopped sulking because:

      A) they've agreed to let him go in the summer

      B) he's signed the 300k deal

      And is he back on for TC?

      1. FPL Maldini
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        With this formation I think yes

    17. Martial Law
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Best option for a GK now I have to drop Valdes?

    18. Viper
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Sanchez (7) & Llorente (2) - > Zaha (2) & Kane (24) for a hit was a success then.

      Only have 1 more game to hide behind the sofa for before he comes back in on my WC

      1. Tommy J
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Who did you captain? Needs to be taken in to account on LHS

      2. Hooky
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Who would you have captained if you didn't get Kane?

      3. Tommy J
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        I mean who would you have captained for deduction

      4. Pep says
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Assuming you would have capped Lukaku, you're 7 points to the good minus whatever the player you sold for Kane got?

        1. Tommy J
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          You'd add back the -4 if you do that

      5. Tommy J
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Even if it had been Kaku you're still up.

      6. Moosie the Staggie
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        No need to hide imo

      7. Magic Bean
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Ditto

    19. Moose™
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Choose 1.

      McAuley + Gray --->

      A. Gibson + Negredo

      B. Rojo + Negredo (Double up with Valencia)

      C. Fabio/Chambers + Benteke

      1. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        B but with Bailly

        1. Moose™
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          Ah 0.1 short.

    20. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Do we think arsenal will stick with 3 at the back?

      If so Gabriel or holding look nice for gw36 wildcard.....

      1. Moosie the Staggie
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Would we even want an Arsenal defender? They look devoid of confidence imo

    21. lastmanback
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Going for Gibson, Valencia, Ibra, Zaha and Townsend for the double, 5 should be enough?

      1. Sergeant Garcia
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        No 6 minimum! (I have one healthy player atm)

    22. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      May have to rethink Gestede (c) 🙁

      1. InSaneMan-e
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Not by a lot
        Negredo (c)

      2. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        I've been led to believe elsewhere on this thread that Negredo is world class.

    23. Dosh
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      A. Carroll(Everton home) to Benteke
      B. Origi(palace home) to Benteke

    24. liiusions
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Just realised there's FA Cup games after the FPL deadline. Gonna be very annoying if your player gets injured in the FA before they play in PL

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Have a good 1st sub

        1. Pep says
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          Grant (swa) Siggy (STO) Mawson (STO) Britos (hul)

          1. Here's Tom with the We…
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 28 days ago

            Well when did you think the games would be??

            1. Pep says
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 28 days ago

              Think he's merely making an observation. First time this season we've had FA Cup games where teams are scheduled to play in the ganeweek

              1. liiusions
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 28 days ago

                Cheers Pep, exactly this

        2. liiusions
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          Alonso and big Andy should suffice

      2. Pep says
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Ya, could be horrendous for someone playing BB

    25. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Holding worth considering for upcoming DGWKs? Mustafi---Kos---Holding could be the back three going forward.

      1. UnitedFan
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Wait until:

        1. You know this is how they'll lineup
        2. You see some defensive form from them

    26. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Stop buying Ibra!

    27. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      67 after auto subs

      No bad considering that I had 35 after Saturdays games

      1. Hibbo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Is this a score check?

        1. Hooky
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          Down with this sort of thing

    28. UnitedXCI
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      GTG?
      Jaku Foster
      Alonso davies Valencia Holebas Jones
      Haz King Alli Zaha De roon
      Ibra Kaku Kane
      0FT 1.7ITB
      Any suggestions lads?
      Thanks!

    29. Jigger & Pony
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Do we think Son plays both the FA Cup semifinal and then mid week vs. cry?

      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Just the Palace game imo!

    30. Fuchs Mane Kante
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Walnut not starting cost me a weekly mini league. Wenger Out.