[sbu_large_image] Dugout Discussion
24 January 2016 2070 comments
James Barnes James Barnes
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Gameweek 23’s swansong fixture pits Arsenal against Chelsea at the Emirates. The Blues have dominated this match-up in recent times – winning five and drawing three of their last eight meetings in the league – and are unbeaten in six matches. As for the Gunners, they haven’t lost at home since the opening Gameweek.

Arsenal mustered a middling tally of 49 attempts over the last four Gameweeks but still managed to amass two more big chances (11) than any other side. Their effectiveness up top was complemented by defensive resolve: only two sides conceded fewer goals (three) across that stretch, while no team allowed fewer big chances (two). Looking at Arsenal’s home record, they’ve shipped just six goals and the fewest big chances (nine) at the Emirates.

Chelsea’s revitalised attack charted joint-top for goals (eight), joint-second for big chances (nine) and joint-second for shot-conversion rate (17.4%) over the last four Gameweeks, which casts doubt over Arsenal’s shut-out prospects this Gameweek. That being said, the Blues have struggled to exert their influence in road ties this term, racking up just 11 goals. In fact, only West Bromwich Albion have carded fewer shots on target (30) than Chelsea (32) on their travels.

  1. SuryaXO
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    A. Wijnaldum to Firmino

    B. Lukaku to Ighalo

    C. Neither

    1. JayBomb
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Never ask Q during games, so I was told before. Unwritten rule!

      1. FrankieTheGent
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Now it's written

    2. Aarono23
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Definitely not B unless I've missed that Lukaku is injured. Everton have some good fixtures coming up.

    3. FrankieTheGent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      C

  2. Jazz!
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Gabriel is £4.3m now.... 😮

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      But Arsenal are collapsing anyway

    2. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      And?

    3. Bolivian Seaman
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      good idea

  3. Kagawa-san-mia
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    big game bottlers

    1. Debauchy
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Move on

  4. KUN+10
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Until 10 mins ago I was very confident my pair Ozil-Bellerin was going to beat my rival's Azpi c

    1. Ron_Swanson
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      I thought i was safe with an 8 point lead with my rival only having Ivanovic to play!

  5. Pedram
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone watching Royal Rumble tonight ?

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Nope, interested though

    2. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Bray Wyatt ftw
      Would prefer DB though

      1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        AJ Styles to debut tonight or on Raw supposedly too

    3. Bolivian Seaman
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      It's too much of a blood sports for me, those big guys get hurt far too much

        1. Bolivian Seaman
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          ouch

          1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            left a mark 🙁

          2. Gimli son of Gloin
            • 13 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbv-jtmPqUk

            Strange one this, Yoshiko beat the crap out of this girl for real in what was supposed to be a co-operative pro wrestling match. Broke her orbital bone. Act Yasukawa had to retire because of it.

    4. Gimli son of Gloin
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Always. Clashing a bit with the football though. WWE has been quite awful or the last 12 months , can't say I'm all that excited.

    5. FrankieTheGent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Tomorrow on kodi
      Prediction?
      I think Wyatt

      1. Gimli son of Gloin
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Triple H

  6. ★Kuntheman★
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    The master plan:
    Antonio>Firmino
    Fuchs>Targett
    Kane>Austin
    Lukaku>Costa
    KDB>Sanchez

    Spread over the next few weeks.

    1. KUN+10
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Why wait? Just WC

      1. Odikostar
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        this.

    2. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      And it will all be scrapped once DGW fever kicks in.

      1. super zlatan
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Looks horrendous.

  7. Kane Train
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Does mertesacker miss 1 or 3 games?

    1. Tommy J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      1

    2. Mark-O
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      RC will be rescinded successfully imo

      1. Greenbackbøøg…
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        It was a definite red though

        1. okiwatevs
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Clear dive, Mert didn't touch him

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              10 years, 3 months ago

              Seriously? Costa overreacted but was definitely caught and definitely a red. Look at Merte's reaction

              1. Royal5
                • 14 Years
                10 years, 3 months ago

                Don´t like Costa. But I think this

              2. okiwatevs
                • 11 Years
                10 years, 3 months ago

                Mert knew he did a stupid thing, looked like a clear red at first. However, if you look closely at the replay from behind, you can see he doesn't actually touch him.

                1. @persecuted_by_mods
                    10 years, 3 months ago

                    I'll have to look again at half time during the analysis but i saw a touch, a slight one

          2. Kagawa-san-mia
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            no chance in hell

          3. Concrete
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            I don't think it will

        2. Jimmers
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Missed the Cup game next weekend

          1. Jimmers
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            *misses

      2. Mull
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        I might start playing a game that doesn't require luck because then I might have a chance of doing well. The amount of things that had to align for me to have Mertesacker playing in both games is ridiculous.

        1. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Tbf having him is poor judgement imo. Still unlucky though

          1. Mull
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            How? He's started almost every game for the last.10 weeks in a very capable defence.

            1. The Bandit
              • 15 Years
              10 years, 3 months ago

              He's the most rotated def and never gets attacking points

            2. Alfies leg
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              10 years, 3 months ago

              out of the regular back 5 (including Cech) he's the worst option imo

        2. Royal5
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Per is not a fantasy player.

      3. Bøwstring The Carp
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Anyone have a link to the draw for the FFS Cup?

        Every time I click into it, it redirects me to the Members Cup

      4. tm245
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        What a save!

      5. Ginkapo FPL
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        ------------Cech

        Bellerin --Gab ---Kos -----Monreal

        ---------Flam------Ram

        Ozil----------------------------Theo

        --------------Giroud

        Is this what you lot wanted? A whole in the middle of the pitch that cant be filled? Ozil ineffective out wide?

        Or

        ------------Cech

        Bellerin --Gab ---Kos

        ---------Flam------Ram-----Monreal

        Camp-------Ozil

        ------------------------Theo

        1. Aarono23
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Couldn't you do the second just with Theo in Camp's place and Giroud up top?

          1. Ginkapo FPL
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            No because Giroud isnt going to provide any help to Monreal.

        2. Cevap
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Well said

      6. John t penguin
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Anyone thinking about Chelsea players remember they won't play arsenal every week

      7. money face bandwagon
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        thats the real diego costa

      8. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Whose on pens now for arsenal?

        1. La Roja
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Ozil I reckon

        2. Wilshere Knowledge
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Theo.

        3. Arteta
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Theo/Ozil

        4. tm245
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Kosc I hope.

          1. The Bandit
            • 15 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Haha.. This

        5. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Ozil or Wally I guess

        6. Greenbackbøøg…
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Wally I guess

        7. applebonkers
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          ramsey or theo i think

        8. RubeRx
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          cech

      9. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        I reckon Yaya Toure would sure up our midfield.....

      10. david31058
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        A killer blow - giroud captain today was going to turn the screw on all the lukaku owners in my mini league! And it was a dive! Never mind, there's always next time!

        1. Kagawa-san-mia
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          dive after being fouled yes but still a red none the less

        2. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          No Aguero?

          1. david31058
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Yes but VC this week - was convinced arsenal would destroy these today! Ho hum!

      11. SANTACLAUS
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        I sold Ivanonvic > Baines, i really hate this game sometimes.

        1. Dr Dream
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          I benched Baines last week and Ivan this week....FML...

      12. Granville
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Giroud hauled off.
        Deli Alli benched.
        Vardy sold.
        No goalie.
        No Aguero.
        Bothered.

        1. Davido989
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          zzzzz

          1. Granville
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            You still chasing me for a bite. You're not getting one.

            1. Optimus.
              • 15 Years
              10 years, 3 months ago

              I think he just did 😉

              1. Davido989
                • 15 Years
                10 years, 3 months ago

                too easy

                • 12 Years
                10 years, 3 months ago

                http://imgur.com/ucXF7MF

        2. Shrimp On The Barb
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          😎

        3. Stephen - Robot Daniels
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Only the first is down to bad luck.

          1. FrankieTheGent
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            This

        4. Gravless wonder
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Wildcard?

          1. Granville
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Might just do that. I already did 3 transfers 🙂

        5. Optimus.
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          That's the spirit 🙂

        6. Halftime
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          WC available?

          1. super zlatan
            • 15 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Get aguero.

            Mark is. 😉

          2. Granville
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Yup. Might pull the trigger

            1. rickytoso
              • 15 Years
              10 years, 3 months ago

              We've missed you on the Scout cast. Can we expect you back soon?

              1. Granville
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 16 Years
                10 years, 3 months ago

                Thanks but I'm out. Stopped enjoying it . There are a couple of reason's for my decision.

          1. super zlatan
            • 15 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Loooool

      13. applebonkers
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        bellerin/koscielny benchers high fives

        1. Messiah Hazard
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          High five

      14. tm245
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Hope Giroud gets a head on this corner. Oh wait...

      15. Mark-O
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        I really sympathize Giroud today.

        Non Giroud owner here.

        1. money face bandwagon
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          work done for the day. loads of money too

      16. Mark-O
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Walcott nearly!

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          onside

        2. Kagawa-san-mia
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          almost doesn't count

      17. Aarono23
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        ○/
        An Ozil goal to get rid of Chelsea's cs would be great now.

        1. Kagawa-san-mia
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          yes it would

      18. Aarono23
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        ○/
        Just need an Ozil goal to get rid of Chelsea's cs now.

        1. Aarono23
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Two reply fails in a row. I give up

          1. Stephen - Robot Daniels
            • 13 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Although I agree so much I up voted both

            1. Aarono23
              • 10 Years
              10 years, 3 months ago

              Thanks for the support.

      19. super zlatan
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Has Bellerin scored a brace yet?

      20. Lawrø
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Benched Ivanovic 😎

        1. Dr Dream
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Same....and I benched Baines last week.

        2. FrankieTheGent
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Same and Forster

        3. applebonkers
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          this assist spree is going a little under the radar. didnt know he had it in him

          1. Chenku╰☆╮
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            At 6.5 he has to do something

            1. applebonkers
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 16 Years
              10 years, 3 months ago

              true

      21. Jay_
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Leicester 16/1 (17.0) to win the premier league with Boylesports

          Quarter of the odds if they finished 2nd, I'm all over that

          1. Jazz!
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            I'll put £20 on that

          2. Ron_Swanson
            • 15 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            very tempting

          3. Arvin-ation
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Is that just a promo with Boylesports?

          4. Ron_Swanson
            • 15 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            can't find any details on that

          5. Ron_Swanson
            • 15 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            I dont think its right actually

          • 12 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Why the £$!# did we bring off Giroud for Gabs?

          1. RubeRx
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Need 4 defenders on the field so he had to be sacrificed

              • 12 Years
              10 years, 3 months ago

              First part yes, second part I wouldn't have hauled Gru

              1. RubeRx
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                10 years, 3 months ago

                if you haul off a mid, then you are giving away the midfield which is a terrible idea

                Correct tactical move IMO

                  • 12 Years
                  10 years, 3 months ago

                  So play without a focal point? That's playing for a draw 20 minutes into the game which is just crap IMO.

                  I'd much rather ditch Flamini and keep the shape we have or Campbell and shift Ramsey or Ozil wider. In the 2006 CL Final we pulled Pires from wide and reshuffled but kept Henry as the focal point. Okay Giroud's not Henry but I'd still much rather keep him on the pitch as somebody to use.

                  We've had just 2 touches in the box since the red and going 1 down.

          2. Mark-O
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Tactical. Just bad luck for Mertesacker too

          3. Eden Azzzar
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Red card

          4. KeepCalm
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            coz wenger does what he wants

          5. Davido989
            • 15 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            apparently carrying a knock

            personally thought theo should've been subbed

          6. applebonkers
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            giroud didnt do wenger many favours if it was a little injury as he pretty much sprinted off!

          7. Bazzalona
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            mad imo.

            one of the wide players has to go and ozil/giroud go a touch deeper, either that or drop flamini further back and stay with the players you started with.

            and girouds in my flipping team so totally the wrong call

              • 12 Years
              10 years, 3 months ago

              The last part probably isn't helping my thinking 🙂

          8. super zlatan
            • 15 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Wenger is a genius?

          9. tm245
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Theo and Campbell pace, maybe. I don't love it but at least Chelsea are old, arrogant and slow.

          10. Wilshere Knowledge
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Because Giroud woouldnt win a healthy amount of headers against two aerially good defenders, and we need Theo's pace for counter, and for a better shape of the team.

            Giroud was the only choice.

            1. Bazzalona
              • 14 Years
              10 years, 3 months ago

              don't think they'd want giroud to win the headers, with only ten men there'd be no one to pick up the headers.

              see how the game goes but I wouldn't have taken him off, makes you wonder how fit he was in the first place

              1. Wilshere Knowledge
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 3 months ago

                Giroud minus headers isn't much of a player, tbh.

                1. Bazzalona
                  • 14 Years
                  10 years, 3 months ago

                  I meant headers where you're just flicking them on, chances are the likes of Walcott and Campbell won't be running on with only ten men so they're just giving possession away all the time

                  the other thing is giroud probably holds the ball up better than anyone on the team, links the play well.

                  I do get the pace factor with the wide lads but still an odd decision for me, of course if arsenal win he's got it right.

          11. Nabs Kebabs
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            good move imo.

          12. walkman666
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Announcers said it was more important for Arsenal to have Theo speed than giroud height with only ten men.

        • Sickboy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Does anyone know if Pardew elaborated further on Hennessey yesterday? Thanks

        • Venom Snake
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Bellerin most dangerous Arsenal player

          1. Woy
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Good to hear