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. The Enlightener
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    So many f'ing annoying captain obviouses sounding off on FFS right now. How many of you put money on Alonso scoring today? Yeah. That's what I thought. Shut it then.

    1. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Take it you don't have Alonso?

      1. Pep says
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Or benched him

    2. itwaswritten
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      The ANGER.

      Sorry you don't have him.

    3. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I don't get who would bench Alonso, its such a no brainer to start him every week imo, he's the highest scoring defender for a reason

      1. My Name Is Prince
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        This!

      2. JustPark
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Ikr! You don't bench your premium players.

    4. Mr. Blonde
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      If your mum reads this she will block your internet

      1. The Enlightener
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        At yer mom's. She doesn't mind my comment.

        1. Somalion
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Very enlightened comments.

          1. The Enlightener
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Settle down tough guy. Playing same game he is. Mind yer own.

            1. Pep says
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Every comment on this site is everyones business. Chill out dude

            2. Somalion
              • 14 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Mind my own on a public forum? Okay.

              Don't think I'm the one acting the hard man safe from behind his keyboard.

        2. Mr. Blonde
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Haha confirming my assumption

    5. afcblegend
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      You sound like you'd be fun at the parties you don't get invited to

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

      Didn't put money on it but always expect he'll get a couple opportunities. Your mistake

    7. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I don't gamble.

    8. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Hope you're enjoying that big bowl of schadenfreude

  2. itwaswritten
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    The fact that I wanted to bench Alonso for this game. Never overthink things in this game!

  3. Coaly
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Is Tom Davies nailed for Everton?

    Whose spot has he taken?

    1. Gerbs
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      No one really knows now that Gueye is back from ACON. Koeman really rates the lad, but we'll see today how he lines up with Gana, Schneiderlin, Davies, and Barks available.

  4. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Almost a Alonso assist

  5. Arctic monkeys
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Dat guy needed.

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      May need to switch to 4-4-2 with Giroud and Sanchez up front. Take Ozil off.

  6. Pep says
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Alonso is as essential as a player can be. Wow that was very close to an assist for him

  7. Tansey
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    How in the world is Alonso's ownership below 12%

    Even casuals should be catching on to this one?

    1. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      At 91.8 right now.

    2. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Casuals think he is a F1 driver

    3. JustPark
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Price hike. That's brexit for you.

    4. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Probably missed the boat on him then was too expensive in their eyes

  8. Ryan Naysmith
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Is Moses good ?? Not for fpl just in general

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      No

      1. Pep says
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        He wouldn't be in the team if he wasn't good

      2. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        ?....

    2. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Oh aye. Course he is.

    3. Coaly
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      At RWB yes, very good

    4. Arctic monkeys
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Very

    5. Klopp's Kids
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      He was average for Liverpool. Needs to improve shooting/passing.

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

    Bellerin now playing and looking these days like he would rather be in a Parisian cafe smoking a cigarillo and reading Sartre

    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Haha spot on! Becoming less and less promising under the all style and no substance regime that Wenger has in place.

  10. Fowler23
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Gunners being torn to shreds

  11. Pegboy
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Thinking Hazard + Amat > Siggy + Coleman next week.

  12. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Did not see any of this from Alonso during the Liverpool match. Damn...he's going hard this game

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Wasn't given much space by the gegenpressers.

    2. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I think he took a couple of days out to train with a Muay Thai champion.

  13. raymonds
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Why did FPL give Costa an assist on that goal?

    1. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Because he was the last person to touch the ball, it hit the crossbar and rebounded back to Alonso.

    2. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      He headed on target, Alonso scored on rebound.

    3. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      but he should.. Ball hit the bar and Alonso took the rebound

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

      Perfectly hit the ball at the correct angle to the post so it got deflected right to Alonso.

  14. Fowler23
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Alonso practically playing as a striker

  15. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Sánchez would fit well at Chelsea, him and Hazard on either flank.

    Only a matter of time before he leaves Arsenal.

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Be amazed if he's there next season.

    2. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Could see him going this Summer.

      The guy is used to winning major titles and trophies. He won't with Arsenal.

    3. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Costa, Hazard, Sanchez would be quite an attack.

    4. Gerbs
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Arsenal is old news. Time for their demise. Usmanov is Everton through and through. Have fun with Kroenke

  16. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Who else sold Alonso for Luiz ??

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      No one

    2. Pep says
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Why would anyone do such a thing

    3. My Name Is Prince
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Haha

  17. Fuchs Mane Kante
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone else bench alonso again. Fer Fuchs Ake lol.

    1. RSe
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Yup.

  18. JogaSemmedo
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Desperately need an Everton clean sheet having got Baines in for the double up with Coleman and benching Alonso!

    1. GreenArrows
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I've done the same! Played McAuley

    2. Halftime
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Double up for me too

  19. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Choosing azpi over alonso back in gw 11 to replace vertonghen is one of my worst fpl transfers ever

  20. matiakez
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    It's going to be another frustrating hazard owning afternoon isn't it?

  21. Liastro ⭐️
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Alonso is one of those cases where a combination of his inflated price and my stubbornness means he won't be anywhere near my team.

    1. matiakez
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I've missed the boat on him.

      Always wanted him but always to many other issues

      Season killer.

    2. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Not a rmt? 😮

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

    wengers last game against Chelsea I reckon (unless they meet in the cup)

  23. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Lol @ me for benching Alonso

    1. itwaswritten
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      OMG Bubz

    2. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Can't defend that decision 🙁

    3. Lawrø
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Mad

  24. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Was gona do Benteke and Alonso but went Jesus and Dann. Hmmmmm.....

    1. JustPark
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Put some faith will ya 😉

  25. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Sanchez, Hazard and Costa will score

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Really really hope your right wouldn't mind azpi doing something too

  26. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Think Burnley (H) will give a better fight. Let's hope for a better second half.

  27. Cantona90
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    I don't care if people don't like it, I'm gonna have a moan.

    I'm so unlucky this season. Plus bad decisions. The only change I made last night was to swap Alonso to the bench. ML rival doesn't even have Chelsea defence. Terrible decision by me confounded by bad luck for me.

    1. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Wait, so what part of this is bad luck?

      You benched the most attacking defender in the game and he scored.

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

      yeah , be real. benching him is certifiable and this coming from Azpil owner

  28. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Is welbeck on the bench?

  29. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Arsenal miss a sitter

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Great save from Courtois though.

  30. itwaswritten
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    My biggest ML rival transferring him out. The sabotage. LMAO!