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
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

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

    1. MTPockets
        7 years, 1 month ago

        3 goals. 'Just' a hatrick.

        1. Chucky
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          will get 3 baps 😉

    2. SheBangsTheDrums
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month 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, 1 month ago

        I'm looking at De Gea and Negredo

        1. Torres76
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Got Barragan and Zaha

          Tempted to go Ibra and Gibson

    3. Legomane
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month 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, 1 month 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, 1 month ago

        I'm so pleased for you.

        1. Big_Bear
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks 🙂

      2. Hooky
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Gabbiadini started on the weekend

      3. JAC THE CAT
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Going to have any single GW players?

        1. Torres76
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          What about the following

          Alli
          Son
          Kane
          Coutinho/Firmino
          Lukaku

          Hmmm choices

          1. Big_Bear
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 1 month 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, 1 month ago

              Let's see it mate

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

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

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

          didn't have enough funds

      2. Hooky
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        You're a legend

      3. tm370
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Kane makes sense but losing sanchez ahead of two dgws?

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

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

    6. Pea Soup
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Lukaku or Kane to Ibra?

      1. Dele
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Neither

        1. Pea Soup
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Not an option

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

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

      2. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        I'll be doing Kaku. Kane season keeper!

      3. Hooky
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Lukaku

    7. The Chief
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

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

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

        B for me. Great gw35 fixture too.

      2. Hooky
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        B

    8. Lizard Lips
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month 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, 1 month ago

        You know the risks.

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

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

    9. RealSocialDads
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month 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, 1 month ago

      Anyone considering Negredo?

      1. Dele
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Nope only room for Benteke

      2. abaalan
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month 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, 1 month ago

          Also think about the next gw

    11. Mickey Tyrion™
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Sanchez, Llorente > Zaha, Ibra? -4

      Plan to WC Sanchez back in anyway

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

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

      2. Uncle Gamst
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        My thoughts too:

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

    12. istanbul05
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month 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, 1 month ago

      hey peeps

      is origi - negredo a good idea?

      or siggy to zaha?

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

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

      1. RealSocialDads
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        A

    15. Dele
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month 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, 1 month 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, 1 month 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, 1 month ago

        With this formation I think yes

    17. Martial Law
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

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

    18. Viper
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month 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, 1 month ago

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

      2. Hooky
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

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

      3. Tommy J
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        I mean who would you have captained for deduction

      4. Pep says
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month 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, 1 month ago

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

      5. Tommy J
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

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

      6. Moosie the Staggie
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        No need to hide imo

      7. Magic Bean
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Ditto

    19. Moose™
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month 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, 1 month ago

        B but with Bailly

        1. Moose™
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Ah 0.1 short.

    20. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month 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, 1 month ago

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

    21. lastmanback
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

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

      1. Sergeant Garcia
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

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

    22. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      May have to rethink Gestede (c) 🙁

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

        Not by a lot
        Negredo (c)

      2. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

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

    23. Dosh
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

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

    24. liiusions
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month 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, 1 month ago

        Have a good 1st sub

        1. Pep says
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

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

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

            Well when did you think the games would be??

            1. Pep says
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 1 month 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, 1 month ago

                Cheers Pep, exactly this

        2. liiusions
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Alonso and big Andy should suffice

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

        Ya, could be horrendous for someone playing BB

    25. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

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

      1. UnitedFan
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month 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, 1 month ago

      Stop buying Ibra!

    27. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month 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, 1 month ago

        Is this a score check?

        1. Hooky
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Down with this sort of thing

    28. UnitedXCI
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month 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, 1 month 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, 1 month ago

        Just the Palace game imo!

    30. Fuchs Mane Kante
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

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