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. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Can only do Llorente 》Benteke if it involves a hit.

    Yay or nay?

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Obviously the hit itself becomes even more complicated because it would mean Sanchez or Siggy out and whoever stays would get benched for the incomimg DGW...

      Yikes.

  2. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Anyone planning on NOT bringing Zlatan in for this DGW?

    1. Richd
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Doubt I will.

      I only have Valencia right now of all the DGWers lolz.

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

      Yes- see below

      1. Ten Season Wonder
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        i'lll take a look

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

      Yes, I will not have him in my team, as I ban him from it.

    4. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Yes strongly considering it. It's that SWA fixture that's appealing
      Need to go without and (c) Kun kaku or Kane to make up a bit of ground

      1. We Will Klopp you
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        yes, not worth the necessary hit imo

    5. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Yes.

    6. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Had him for a few weeks now. I think that was Mourinho planning a one off just for Chelsea. Maybe he'll do the same vs Man City, but still a worthy captain choice at the moment, I think.

  3. Carlton P
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Valdes
    Mustafi Gibson Bailly
    Alli erik zaha sane
    Kun kaku Kane
    Pickford- King- holgate- yoshi
    0.7ITB 1FT
    A) kun > ibra (c)
    B) hold
    Leaning towards b

    1. Geezer
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Good team, but it seems so wrong to save a free transfer before a DGW so I would transfer Ibra in

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

    2.3 m in bank and 1 free transfer
    Set up team for week 34 as below for now. Thinking I will not get Zlatan and planning

    A Origi to Benteke
    B Mawson to Bailly (-4)

    Would then bench King and Alonso

    Yes or No to A and/or B?

    Jakupovic
    Valencia BDavies Alonso
    Sanchez Hazard Alli Zaha King
    Lukaku Kane

    Pickford Origi Mawson Yoshida

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

      A imo

    2. Ten Season Wonder
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      A should be fine

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

      Thanks for that.

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

    My rival is 60 behind and has ibra.

    Playing this tactially im therefore looking to get him in too.

    Kun and brunt to Ibra and Bailly -4 after thurs.

    Does that sound sensible?

    Pickford heaton
    Alonso walker pieters Robertson brunt
    Alli siggy king zaha snoddy
    Kun lukaku Kane

    Thanks

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Crack open the champagne.

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Crack on it's own is better shout

    2. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Definatly

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

      Yes I think it does

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

        Cheers lads....dont think it's champagne time yet...

        Happy when I get to play the wildcard in gw36 tho....

    4. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Solid mate

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

    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 TC rival cover...
    B. Kun Origi Davies > Kane Benteke Gibson (-4) exact pennies tonight...
    C. Origi Siggy ASmith > Benteke King Gibson (-4) bench-ache...
    D. Wait and accept some compromise will be required...

    Thoughts appreciated

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

      A

    2. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      That's 108 times in the last month. I had just counted them after your last one.

      I don't know who is more sad, you or me.

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

        Maybe you'd prefer it if I walked away from this site due to anal harassment? 🙁

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

          A conundrum for your army of upvoters...

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

            No conundrum. Lego figures don't have bums.

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

              They have do have an arse hole on each cheek though 🙂

  7. VDiesel26
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    For the rest of the season if you had to pick one now:

    A) Lukaku
    B) Ibra

    1. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      A

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

      A

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

      A

  8. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Can someone pray for me as I'm about to do my transfers that do not include Ibra.

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Pray to who?

      1. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        For me

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

        Hopefully you are Hindu, then only have to pray to your 320 million gods!

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

      🙂 good luck

      1. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Appreciate it:)

        1. Athletic Nasherbo
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          And it's done

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

    Same question as Saturday but now with more to work from...

    Sanchez (-4) or Lukaku (FT) to get Ibra?

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

      I'd be tempted to keep both actually, but Lukaku if you must.

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

      Neither..

  10. Blue Moon Rising
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Alli or Son to Hazard?

    1. Geezer
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Son out if you have to do it

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

      Why drop either? Son if you must. It's unlikely he'll start every game from here on in

    3. Sterling is £11Mill..…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Son, just cause more prone to rotation

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

      Neither

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

    Someone said 8 weeks ago to me, don't do Funes Mori to Holebas you'll want him for the last few matches, jeez some people are just brilliant at this game and planning, I sold anyway but wish I listened!

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

      I have both 🙂

  12. Geezer
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Where is tonight Arsenal Fan TV videos? It`s not the same when they win, but I still enjoy watching them

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Mark hasn't posted them yet.

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

      Listen FAM they'll be up soon BLUD, YA GET ME?

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

    I'd hold on Zlatan, assuming United qualify might be less likely to play.

  14. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Jak
    Valencia Bailly Gibson
    Zaha(V) Sanchez Eriksen Alli King
    Ibra(C) Lukaku
    GTG, no hits?

  15. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Am going to go into DGW34 with this.

    Valdes (bou, SUN)
    Valencia (bur, mci) - Baines (whu) - Alonso (SOU)
    King (MID) - Alli (cry) - Eriksen (cry) - Hazard (SOU) - Zaha (liv, tot)
    Zlatan (bur, mci) - Lukaku (whu)

    Have brought in King tonight over Townsend, Downing, Cabaye, etc. Has good fixture in GW37 for BB too.

    Nothing worth a hit, right?

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

      incredible team

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Cheers, Lizard! Nothing going right at the minute, but my team looks good on paper so I'll keep plugging away 🙂

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

      Zlatan to Kane 😉

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Would be a -8 as I have Bavies 😉 Potentially planning to do Lukaku > Aguero and Ibra > Costa for the run in. Eriksen and Alli for life!

    3. Cheltnamshire LaLaLa
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Isnt Valdes crocked?

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Rib injury, but hopefully not serious.

    4. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Nice, not far off my team, all attackers the same except Hazard but I have Sanchez

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Thanks.. I so wish I'd bought King back in GW28, I think it was, but I went Lanzini..... Still, I haven't been stubborn even though he's 0.5m more expensive now!

        No WC left, but have Gabbiadini on the bench for Southampton's run in.

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

    My favorite idea for a replacement chip for AOA... a Co-Captain chip.

    It gives your captain and vice-captain regular captain status.

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

      This!

    2. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      I'd love a retrospective captain change chip. You get to change your captain after the deadline just once

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

      Autopilot chip, sorts your best 11 from 15

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

        Inc captain 🙂

  17. ILOVEBAPS
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Just this...
    Heaton > Valdes
    Or this as well for -4?
    McAuley > Baily/Rojo

    On a FT & 0 itb

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Maybe worth doing McAuley to a man city defender next week?

      1. ILOVEBAPS
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Hmm... Ok thanks. Will think about it. 🙂

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Will Valdes be fit by then?

      1. ILOVEBAPS
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Is he unfit??

        1. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          Did he play tonight

        2. Cheltnamshire LaLaLa
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          didnt play but not sure what injury is

          1. ILOVEBAPS
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 28 days ago

            Ok well will hold off on that.

            1. Cheltnamshire LaLaLa
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 28 days ago

              twisted says its a rib injury above

              1. ILOVEBAPS
                • 12 Years
                7 years, 28 days ago

                Thanks. Can't afford DDG.

  18. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    I have exact money for Vardy & Siggy > Ibra & Zaha (-4) should I pull trigger tonight or wait and see Ibra situation?
    (Though he goes up tonight so will have to do another transfer after tonight in order to afford)

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

      Could bite you bad. Ibra could be stretchered off in the next game if he has to run

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

        Hahahaha

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

      I personally would wait. Can always get Townsend instead of Zaha.

  19. upforgrabs
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    A: Gibson/Bailly + Zaha (-4)
    B: Gibson/Bailly + Siggy
    C: Siggy + Zaha (playing AOA)
    ?

  20. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Is Ayala nailed on? Stats are better than Gibson.

    1. Sterling is £11Mill..…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Ayala is pretty good, or he was in the championship.

  21. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    That man who killed someone on facebook live yesterday still hasnt been found by the police

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Thanks for the heads up.

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

        Wait a minute, you werent on here last night.....

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          😉

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Eh?

  22. FirminoIsBetterThanYou
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Siggy -> Arnautovic for an FT, yay or nay?

  23. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Anyone taking a punt on Negredo for the DGW?

    Not a sexy pick, for sure, but Boro need goals now and they have the easiest fixtures, on paper anyway.

    I have Kane, Lukaku and Carroll and would rather lose Carroll than Luka.

    1. MTPockets
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Already had him - benched.

    2. King Henrik
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Anyone doing Lukaku to Kane.

    3. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Most nailed Middlesbrough defender under 4.5?

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

        Barragan

        1. The Wise Owl
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          Sorry, what I meant to say is Chambers or Friend?

        2. Chris_White
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          He's not nailed on. Chambers is back from injury now.

        3. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          Was poor tonight. Friend or Fabio (more attacking option) if you're feeling punt.

    4. MTPockets
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Would you bench one of Alonso/Davies for a MID defender?

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

          No, but considering selling Davies as part Kane exchange

          1. MTPockets
              7 years, 28 days ago

              Yeah that makes sense.

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

          are any of these trades worth it?
          Sanchez scoring and Ibra being rested has me doubting myself

          A) Sanchez, Barnes > Ibra, Zaha -8
          B) Lukaku> Ibra -4
          C) siggy > Zaha -4

          1. Sterling is £11Mill..…
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 28 days ago

            A. But with King not Zaha

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

            C, maybe. Siggy is cold, but have appealing home fix. Zaha in good form, have 2 fix albeit tough opponents.

        3. Winners900
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          Will Eriksen go down tonight? Thoughts? Need more time on my WC

          1. Epic Fail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 28 days ago

            Looks like it will be close.

            1. Winners900
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 28 days ago

              Should I just replace him with Son? Just incase I need Eriksen on my WC. Son will rise twice well?

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

            Huh?

          3. MTPockets
              7 years, 28 days ago

              no

          4. Krafty Werks
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 28 days ago

            Is PVA likely to get at least 120 mins GW34?

            Ta.

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

              I will be amazed if he doesn't. Expecting 180 tbh

          5. wulfrunian
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 28 days ago

            Gtg or something more?
            Jacupovic
            Vertonghen Gibson Valencia
            Eriksen Sanchez Siggy Zaha
            Lukaku Benteke Kane
            Pickford-Clayton Brunt Yoshida
            0ft 0.1itb

            Thanks