The Dugout Discussion – Sunday

We’ve a couple of Premier League encounters to tide us over this afternoon. First up, Arsenal entertain Villa at the Emirates as Arsene Wenger’s men look for a fifth win in six attempts – the likes of Santi Cazorla, Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud have earned plenty of new investors over the last couple of days as a result of Alexis Sanchez’ hamstring problems. With Villa failing to score in each of their last five, the Gunners’ prospects of a third straight shut-out also look likely here.

Later in the day, Southampton welcome under-strength Swansea to St Mary’s at 4pm. Eljero Elia was drafted in by 100,000+ FPL managers on the back of a double at Newcastle last time out but with Sadio Mane back from the African Cup of Nations, the Dutchman’s new owners will be eagerly awaiting Ronald Koeman’s team sheet. Like Arsenal, the Saints will be optimistic of a clean sheet today – Swansea are devoid of the suspended Gylfi Sigurdsson and have scored more than a single goal in just one of the last 11 Gameweeks.