[sbu_large_image] Scout Picks
9 September 2011 934 comments
Paul Paul
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After a fortnight of waiting, we’re finally back in the game. We’ve knocked our heads together to come up with our next “Scout Selection Committee” picks and as you’ll see, we’re backing the Gunners to bounce back big-time.

The threat of rotation at Man City has played a major part in the selection and resulted in a last-minute change of heart. Edin Dzeko was nailed-on but there’s a niggling doubt over his game time this weekend; with Mario Balotelli suspended for European matters in midweek, there’s a chance – however small- Roberto Mancini could rest the Bosnian and play the temperamental Italian and as a result, we’ve reluctantly omitted him. After much deliberation, then, here’s the picks for Gameweek 4:


Arsenal may have been hit for eight in their last match of the campaign, but what better way to come back to domestic action than to face the only side yet to find the net this season? With that in mind, the Gunners goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny finds his way into our Fantasy thinking. While Brendan Rodgers’ side have seen plenty possession, their lack of any cutting edge is proving costly and an Emirates showdown make the young Pole a solid option.

Fully recovered from a leg injury described by his manager as “serious” only a fortnight ago, John Arne-Riise takes his place in the Scout Picks after a remarkably quick recovery. The left-back squares up to Blackburn at home and with Steve Kean’s side struggling for any semblance of form, Riise’s rampaging left flank runs looked primed to cause plenty trouble for an out-of-sorts Rovers.

Today’s news from Man City that Kolo Toure is still a couple of weeks away from match fitness should cement Joleon Lescott’s place in the starting XI for at least another Gameweek or two. With Roberto Mancini keen to rotate, Vincent Kompany seems the best long-term option but for the immediate future, Lescott’s greater goal threat makes him a viable option for the home game with Wigan.

Hamstring scare now over, Leighton Baines makes his way into this week’s Scout Picks. Everton entertain Aston Villa at Goodison Park and with the left-back on set-pieces and penalties in light of Mikel Arteta’s departure, his selection is a no-brainer.

Ritchie De Laet looks a good budget pick this weekend. A home game with below-par West Brom offers the on-loan centre half a chance to replicate his previous performance at Carrow Road- De Laet scored and picked up all 3 Bonus Points in the 1-1 draw with Stoke.

As mentioned in our recent Watchlist piece, Theo Walcott has grabbed three goals in four starts for Arsenal so far this season. Arsene Wenger will be looking for a response from his team after the 8-2 hammering at Old Trafford and an Emirates showdown with Swansea looks like affording the Gunners the perfect chance to respond.

As mentioned above, the threat of rotation hanging over Man City has played a major part in our selections. With Samir Nasri’s hand injury perhaps placing a question mark over his availability, we’ve opted for the security of David Silva. The little Spaniard has sparkled in every game so far this season and the home game with Wigan should ensure that continues.

Clint Dempsey has been playing up front of late for Fulham, with Bobby Zamora out injured. Dempsey’s eye for goal seen him grab the Cottagers’ goal at Newcastle in Gameweek 3 and he’s also found the net a couple of times in Europe already. The arrival of Bryan Ruiz may threaten his role in the front two, but Dempsey has found the net regardless of where he plays; a Craven Cottage showdown with Blackburn offers him a chance to continue his goalscoring ways.

The influx of new players may have caught the headlines, but Adel Taarabt is still the main man at QPR. Though Joey Barton is likely to take his fair share of corners, the Moroccan should still be on free-kicks and spot-kick duties and with Newcastle arriving at Loftus Road, Taarabt will be looking to steal the spotlight from Barton and take centre stage.

Wayne Rooney is just impossible to ignore right now. The Man United forward is in the form of his life and with the champions up against a Bolton side that have conceded three goals in each of their last two games, Rooney looks in the mood to put Owen Coyle’s side to the sword.

Robin Van Persie ensured he comes into tomorrow’s game against Swansea with a four-goal haul for Holland against hapless San Marino in the recent Euro 2012 qualifiers. Brendan Rodgers’ side were hammered 4-0 by Man City in their only away trop of the season and the Gunners are odds-on favourites to dish out the same sort of treatment. Goals look high on the agenda and the Dutchman will surely feature strongly.

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934 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Natas
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    finalizing wild card team, please give your opinion.

    kenny (Vorm)
    mertesacker henrique de laet (simpson) (another 4.0 defender)
    mata nasri walcott taarbat (ferguson)
    tevez rvp sturridge

    next week tevez out for aguerro whereas i can upgrade ferguson to a 5.0 midfielder

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    1. Somalion
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      It's wonderful!

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      1. Kick Some Goals
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        Delightful even!

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    2. The Eff-Pee-El Guy
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      bordering on brilliant!

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  2. Dr. Rog
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Finalised wildcard team

    Begovic/Given (best combo this year for sure)
    Bosingwa Enrique Brown Ward Simpson
    (Brown and Ward rotate very well)
    Nasri Arteta Brunt O'hara Dyer
    RVP Rooney Dzeko

    got 0.2mln left - anyone think its worth me exchanging Nasri for Silva? they both looked very dangerous against spurs

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    1. Natas
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      dzeko wont play this game

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      1. Dr. Rog
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        really? source?

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  3. Natas
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    finalizing wild card team, please give your opinion. repeat post didnt see it go up

    kenny (Vorm)
    mertesacker henrique de laet (simpson) (another 4.0 defender)
    mata nasri walcott taarbat (ferguson)
    tevez rvp sturridge

    next week tevez out for aguerro whereas i can upgrade ferguson to a 5.0 midfielder

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    1. Somalion
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      It's terrible!

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      1. Natas
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        thanks for the clarity

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        1. Somalion
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 9 months ago

          😛 honestly though there's not much I can say, RMT's really don't help at all. If it's worth anything I don't think Tevez is going to get consistent games, sturridge could be worth a shout if he gets regular starts. Not sure about mertesacker either, 6 mil for a defender from a weak defence. Not for me.

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          1. Somalion
            • 16 Years
            14 years, 9 months ago

            Sorry just saw you want to sell tevez for aguero. Could work but I think the city forward line is going to become very frustrating with the champions league.

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            1. Natas
              • 16 Years
              14 years, 9 months ago

              agreed about the city forward line, but i honestly believe we can count on consistent starts from aguero. other than this week. Who knows with Mancini - if I were him I would start dzeko aguero and tevez this week.

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              1. Somalion
                • 16 Years
                14 years, 9 months ago

                I reckon that with City wanting to challenge for the champions league it will be open to rotation. Balotelli might not be as favoured as the other 3 since he's a twat but if I was Mancini and I wanted to capitalize on Dzeko's current form I'd rotat Aguero and TEvez, it's all gonna be a bit up in the air for a while though.

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          2. drunken_mess
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 9 months ago

            mertersacker is terrible, had a real shocker against poland. . . Santos the LB (dont know if he is playing) on the other hand is TOP Class

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      2. drunken_mess
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        +1 XD

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  4. Bazman returns
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    So ROO or RVP? Decisions decisions...

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    1. Dago
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Rooney safer, RVP huge potential though.

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  5. Dago
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Does anyone know is Sinclair dropping tonight???

    Im totaly torn between Walcott and Arteta, Walcott is obviously safer at the moment. However, if Arteta take free kicks from RVP and is playing attacking I think hes a better pick. Anyone persuade me one way or the other?

    Thanks.

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    1. drunken_mess
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      he shouldn't drop

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      1. Dago
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        im not sure I should take that advice are you sober? so walcott or arteta?

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        1. drunken_mess
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 9 months ago

          always sober, never drink!! 😯
          I would go with walcott, dont think RVP will let arteta just walk into FK duties and pens

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    2. the axolotl
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      go for walcott, always easier to downgrade than upgrade if you think you're wrong.

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      1. Lucky_2010
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        if you have extra cash on hand lol .......

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  6. Dr Bronner
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    There looks to be a load of players meant to drop who haven't, hard to say. I'd get him out not on price grounds though, but because I really really can't swansea doing much this year. Find the .5 for taarabt?

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    1. Dago
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      thanks I need Arsenal coverage though what do you reckon on the Arteta vs Walcott dilema?

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  7. mr messi
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Can anyone help - can't decide between Moses or Dyer for first sub.

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    1. Damo.
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      I think Dyer has a high tackle rate man so maybe a higher possibility of picking up a yellow.

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      1. mr messi
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks - my first thought was Moses.

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  8. Sess!
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Pick 2 for this week from r.taylor, de laet and obertan?

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    1. Gaxx
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      obertan - playing almost like a forward and will definitely get something at QPR.

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    2. Kick Some Goals
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      De Laet and Obertan - Ryan Taylor's missus is having a baby so he may miss.

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  9. Dago
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    taylor and de laet. imm trying to decide between Simpson and Petrov? if I choose Simpson im playing five at the back!

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    1. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah think I'm going to as well. Baines, de laet, taylor, boswinga and kompany. Silv and young in midfield with suarez, dzeko and rooney up top. Who you captaining?

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      1. Dago
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        exactly same team apart from Taylor/Simpson and Young/Walcott. Rooney ofcourse, you?

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        1. Sess!
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 9 months ago

          Not sure mate. Rooney prob safe bet but tempted by silva

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      2. Lucky_2010
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        silva i think so ......

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    2. Gaxx
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      what's 5 x 2 = 10 points that's what you will get from your back 5! Fulham/wolves/arsenal/man city - there's your clean sheets this week.

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  10. ★A-O-Chamberlain★ COYG …
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    jarvis & aguero or RVP & brunt?

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  11. Rory Rocky man
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    will tevez start tomorrow?

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  12. The Assassin-Faced BabyDave
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Honeslty what is the point of scout picks - this team is around 109Million to buy - NO-ONE has that budget. Is there any reason this article is constantly unrealistic?

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    1. Gaxx
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      totally agree and what makes me sick is that they don't even listen to there own advice. They should let us pick a dream team each week against there selection. I bet we would have more differential in ours as opposed to there generic folder.

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  13. filobiz
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    life is too short not to wildcard today.
    vorm / ruddy
    de laet, shotton, bosingwa, ward, s taylor
    taarabt, young, brunt, dyer, silva,
    rooney dzeko RVP

    read it and weep

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    1. Ibracadabra
      • 17 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Does Shotton play?

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      1. filobiz
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        hmm good point. more of a sub. i just saw he scored one so i stuck him in.

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      2. Lucky_2010
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        i think he will on bench probably been sub in >75 mins ??

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    2. Gaxx
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      wild card in week 4? Your FPL life will be very short!!! whatever your team, it can't be that bad unless you selected an auto team like a Muppet... U are heading for a messy death in the foreseeable future regardless of current team selection.....

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      1. filobiz
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        but it's FUN gaxx!!

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        1. jam
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 9 months ago

          I wc'ed last year at this time. Was a great move for me- great time to pick players going up in value.

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  14. FionnMac
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Help with transfers please? Have £0.5m and 2 free transfers...

    Given (Vorm)
    Kompany Enrique Simpson (Ward, Brown)
    Silva Taraabt Sessegnon Sinclair (Moses)
    Rooney Bent Torres

    Torres is obviously out lol, thanks in advance

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  15. DonTheSpecialOne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    So far, no subs, no wc this gw.
    Still, i got this joint:

    Vorm
    Bosingwa Kompany Smalling A.Cole
    Nzogbia Silva Dempsey Moses Nani
    Rooney

    Hilario, Simpson, A.Johnson, Lita

    Was thinking Nani- A.Young, thoughts?

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    1. Mr. Mystic
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      nani - young, definitely

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  16. ★A-O-Chamberlain★ COYG …
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Jarvis & Aguero
    or
    RVP & Brunt?

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    1. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      RVP & Brunt

      Why? Jarvis is doubtful, Aguero will suffer from rotation

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  17. lord_lucan
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    who should i captain?
    a)RVP
    b)Silva
    c)Young
    d)Walcott
    e)Dempsy
    f)Sturridge
    g)Tevez

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    1. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      the flying dutchman!

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    2. Lucky_2010
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      choose either silva or walcott then ??

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  18. andy85wsm
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    urgh!!!!!!!!!

    Why did I leave my team until so late. So many choices with a wildcard, kinda wish I didn't play it just so I wouldn't have all these changes to worry about.

    Currently thinking no Dzeko or Suarez. Going Silva, Walcott, RVP, Rooney Adebayour.

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    1. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      good decision imo

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  19. roooooooooneyyyy
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    is it worth bringing walcott in for cahill for a 4 pointer. got rvp as arsenal cover..?

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    1. Crystal Pulis
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      I think RVP should be enough ARS coverage, ulntil they show some form. On the other Hand Cahill might finally have a good game this week,

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  20. Mr. Mystic
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Who to bench?

    Enrique or Shawcross? and why?

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  21. Starscream
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    My team:

    Hilario (Vorm)
    Bosingwa Enrique Kompany (Briggs, Simpson)
    Taarabt Arteta Silva Brunt (N.Dyer)
    Dzeko Rooney RVP(C)

    Took a points hit this week, but felt it was essential to have Arsenal coverage, can see them going wild at the Emirates with a point to prove and to win the fans over.
    Be good for the next 6 weeks of Arsenals fixtures also 🙂

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    1. Beadling Boy
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Take a look below - Our "D" is very similar!

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    2. The Laughing Man
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      I was going to have Briggs to but word is that if Riise is healthy Briggs wont play, atleast thats what I heard.

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  22. Beadling Boy
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    What are your thoughts on this team?

    Szczesny, (Vorm),
    Bosingwa, Smalling, Jose Enrique, Kompany, (Simpson),
    Young, Silva, Arteta, Cleverley, (Mikel),
    RVP, Suarez, (Martin)

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  23. NotoriousDRE
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    ramsey or a toon mid?

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  24. shiffo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Best 4.5 midfielder, apart from Dyer? Have Tiote currently but it'll be 2-3 pts per game

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  25. The Laughing Man
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Just wondering, am I wrong to think that Bosingwa might not play due to not only the Guardian sheet showing him out but also because the Scout Picks dont have him, figured if he was good to go that there is no way that they wouldnt pick him.

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    1. Bartos
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      nay..you're wrong. he'll play!

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  26. Crystal Pulis
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Who would you guys play?
    De Laet or Sinclair

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    1. Bartos
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      delaet...potential BP

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  27. Back in Action
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    So have wild carded this week and have made some cash off dzeko but am not sure if I should keep him or not. Comments on my team without him below would be appreciated. I can see Agbonlahor doing ok over the next couple of game weeks, he has picked up bonus points in every game so far...

    Vorm ( Ruddy )

    Simpson Delat Bosingwa ( Taylor Ward )

    Young Silva Walcott Tarrabat ( Dyer )

    Rooney Van Persie (C) Agbonlahor

    Cheers

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  28. Tomtwenty4
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    All,

    Dzeko and Arteta/Bale or
    Adebayor and Walcott?

    Worried about Dzeko potentially not starting!!

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    1. Bartos
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      put adebayor and walcott. dzeko got 50-50 chance of playing IMO

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  29. willieprunier
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    is nasri expected to play??????

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  30. willieprunier
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    simpson or de laet to start??

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