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10 October 2016 1198 comments
davidwardale davidwardale
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Clean sheets have been rare beasts this season, with half of all Premier League teams managing no more than one – and five none at all – in seven attempts so far.

Sides recording consecutive shut-outs are even thinner on the ground.

Manchester United managed two in a row in August, Southampton are currently on a three-match run of their own and Arsenal went into the international break with back-to-back clean sheets.

The Saints will face both Manchester City and Chelsea over the next three Gameweeks, however, leaving the Gunners looking the likeliest to continue their fine defensive form once their players’ latest national chores are done.

With that in mind, in this latest members article we assess their recent defensive performances, analysing Arsenal against other resilient rearguards before checking out the merits of Arsene Wenger’s preferred back-four.

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  1. Laalman
    10 years, 9 days ago

    If playing 3-5-2 who do you prefer?

    Diomande or Stuani?

    1. Worzel Gummidge
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Diamond as he is cheaper but both are garbage.

    2. Valar(Keith)
      10 years, 9 days ago

      the cheaper one since there's no starter below Austin(though Mbokani is making a good case for himself)

    3. kalmoffit
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Diomande

    4. zotter
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Neither honestly. But diomande if you just. Strikers are gold dust and to justify that you need five very reliable mids

  2. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    10 years, 9 days ago

    Pogba screamer, 1-0 France

    1. THE Wild Rover
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Horrible keeping

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        10 years, 9 days ago

        Hart style.

  3. THE Wild Rover
    10 years, 9 days ago

    Pog 😯

  4. Fpldonny
    10 years, 9 days ago

    If you had coleman. Would you sub to vertonghen?

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Nope. Id play both.

  5. rdamjan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 years, 9 days ago

    Pogba, Payet assist

  6. Dr Dream
    10 years, 9 days ago

    Great goal by Pogba. He's class..

    1. THE Wild Rover
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Good strike but keeper should be saving that

      1. Dr Dream
        10 years, 9 days ago

        Maybe. A lot of goals get a rub of the green one way or another. He wouldn't have had that stroke of good fortune if he'd been a bit shy with his shots though.

    2. Epic Fail
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Aye, he's not bad.

    3. pompeyfan
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Dreadful error. Whenever you get a firm hand(s) you have to keep it out

  7. Wilshere Knowledge
    10 years, 9 days ago

    Almunia > Stekelenburg.

  8. Yome
    10 years, 9 days ago

    Pogboom!

  9. Tansey
    10 years, 9 days ago

    A) Mustafi, Snod, Lukaku
    B) Bellerin, Antonio, Wilson

    1. Sylas
      10 years, 9 days ago

      A - quite easily.

      1. Tansey
        10 years, 9 days ago

        Just not sure on Lukaku - looked poor v Bournemouth and average against Swansea bar the FK

    2. Dasher0303
      10 years, 9 days ago

      A but can you not do bellerin snoddy lukaku

      1. Tansey
        10 years, 9 days ago

        I'm 0.3 short

    3. Worzel Gummidge
      10 years, 9 days ago

      A with Son/Waclott + Deeney/Austin. Cant be bothered doing the maths.

    4. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 years, 9 days ago

      C Mustafi Antonio Austin.

  10. Lone Wolf FPL
    10 years, 9 days ago

    Pogba essent... actually all who score today are (and tomorrow)

  11. Chucky
    10 years, 9 days ago

    Payet Captain Locked. 😀

    1. Yome
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Wish I had him

    2. drughi
      10 years, 9 days ago

      payet is a point machine

    3. Differentiator
      10 years, 9 days ago

      I have Payet and captained him last week, but that assist was not worth of 'locking him in' for this week!

      A short pass for a 35 yard hit from Pogba, that Stekelenberg should have saved!

      1. Chucky
        10 years, 9 days ago

        Still an assist. It doesn't matter if it's a typical classy through ball or a short pass for a 35 yard hit.They all count 😉

  12. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 years, 9 days ago

    Tekkers vs Defoe impossible decision.

    Internationals just confuse matters more.

    1. THE Wild Rover
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Get Rhodes then 😉

      1. You've got red on you.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        10 years, 9 days ago

        Where we're going...

      2. JIM BOB
        10 years, 9 days ago

        *Deeney

        1. You've got red on you.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          10 years, 9 days ago

          Can't bring myself to triple up on Watford

    2. Epic Fail
      10 years, 9 days ago

      The decision is possible.

      1. You've got red on you.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        10 years, 9 days ago

        True. I'm really good at making the wrong one tho. Who would you pick?

        1. Epic Fail
          10 years, 9 days ago

          Gotta be Tekkers for me, if he hits his full potential he could make a mockery of his price tag.

          1. You've got red on you.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            10 years, 9 days ago

            Well with a name like yours, what could go wrong...

  13. Leaf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 years, 9 days ago

    That will teach the Rooney booers a lesson

    We get Henderson,not only in team but captain !

    1. Epic Fail
      10 years, 9 days ago

      I don't think captaincy means anything to be honest. Makes no difference.

      1. Leaf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        10 years, 9 days ago

        Rooney and Wilshere got the brunt of the bad press , but for me Henderson and his constantly being out of position was our worst mid at the euros

        1. Wilshere Knowledge
          10 years, 9 days ago

          Henderson barely played though.

          1. Leaf
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            10 years, 9 days ago

            When he did he was rubbish 🙂

    2. kalmoffit
      10 years, 9 days ago

      We aren't as bored with Henderson yet, as we are with Rooney.

  14. drughi
    10 years, 9 days ago

    How does this WC team look ?

    Lloris/Pickford
    Koscielny/Morgan/Holebas/Pieters/Amat
    Walcott/Sanchez/Firmino/Payet/Fletcher
    Austin/Aguero/Wilson

    1. Coaly
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Cheap

      1. drughi
        10 years, 9 days ago

        cheap ?

        1. Coaly
          10 years, 9 days ago

          Would expect a better second striker or 5th mid

          What's your TV?

          1. drughi
            10 years, 9 days ago

            Playing 3-4-3 all weeks no matter what, TV is 101.00.

            1. Coaly
              10 years, 9 days ago

              Can't do too much more with that budget, good team considering

    2. Dasher0303
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Wilson to deeney and Morgan to Clyne and then Payet to son/Tadic/sterling???

      1. drughi
        10 years, 9 days ago

        I fancy wilson to score as good if not better than deeney for the next 4, Leicester fixtures looks great after this week an payet will outscore son/tadic/sterling imo

    3. JIM BOB
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Great. Really like it.

      I'd kinda like a Spurs defender, but very strong.

      1. Dasher0303
        10 years, 9 days ago

        Llris

      2. drughi
        10 years, 9 days ago

        thanks, have Lloris

    4. kalmoffit
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Austin and Wilson is too much. Wilson to Tekkers. Payet to Son and if anything left, spend it on defenders.

    5. A.T
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Leaving yourself open to restructuring if one of the two cheap forwards fail.

      1. A.T
        10 years, 9 days ago

        As in it'll take at least 2 trannies.

    6. zotter
      10 years, 9 days ago

      I would upgrade Wilson to benteke. Downgrade Theo to perhaps bolasie

  15. PvA
    10 years, 9 days ago

    Sergio Agüero feels 'much better' after sustaining an adductor injury. He is hopeful of facing Paraguay on Tuesday. (Diario Olé)

    1. Chucky
      10 years, 9 days ago

      good news 🙂

  16. pompeyfan
    10 years, 9 days ago

    Clear pen not given to Netherlands

    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Kos is allowed to use his hands. 😉

    2. Pariße
      10 years, 9 days ago

      This is never a clear pen. Unintentional handball, the ball was heading to Kurzawa. Play on.

      1. pompeyfan
        10 years, 9 days ago

        Lol, maybe that stops it being a red card offence, but that is always a pen

        1. Pariße
          10 years, 9 days ago

          Would've been a red card had he not blocked the shot with his feet before that. He was not looking at the ball and he fell on it with his hand, which didn't alter the possession (it was heading to Kurzawa), 2 refs saw it and made the right decision, this is simply not a pen. 🙂

  17. Coaly
    10 years, 9 days ago

    1FT

    a) Lukaku to Costa
    b) Antonio to Walcott
    c) Lukaku to Tekkers/Defoe - allows Antonio to Walcott and Williams to Arsenal def

    1. JIM BOB
      10 years, 9 days ago

      A

    2. Dasher0303
      10 years, 9 days ago

      D) Lukaku to austin

    3. You've got red on you.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 years, 9 days ago

      C

    4. Chucky
      10 years, 9 days ago

      A

    5. zotter
      10 years, 9 days ago

      D Austin

  18. fedolefan
    10 years, 9 days ago

    Austin a captain shout for the weekend?

    1. Tansey
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Considering him myself

    2. Dasher0303
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Definitely.
      Is getting him in rashford along with masuaku to koscielny worth a hit????

    3. Epic Fail
      10 years, 9 days ago

      If you think he will score well, yeah, otherwise, no.

      1. fedolefan
        10 years, 9 days ago

        Come on man, hardly worthy of a sarcastic comment. Just asking opinions.

        1. Epic Fail
          10 years, 9 days ago

          It's not, it's true. Picking the player you think will score highest is so underrated on here.

          1. fedolefan
            10 years, 9 days ago

            Yeah, but sometimes a little reassurance helps. Isn't that what this forum exists for in the first place?

            1. Epic Fail
              10 years, 9 days ago

              No.

    4. Numb
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Is he even nailed on?

      1. fedolefan
        10 years, 9 days ago

        Yes he is.

    5. kalmoffit
      10 years, 9 days ago

      If Tadic is, Austin must be too.

      1. Numb
        10 years, 9 days ago

        Isn't Tadic only being considered as its GW8? I assume most of it is tongue in cheek.

        1. kalmoffit
          10 years, 9 days ago

          Is it? *goes to take captaincy off Tadic*

    6. Leaf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Oh now there's a thought

      1. fedolefan
        10 years, 9 days ago

        Just owning him is differential enough?

  19. Pariße
    10 years, 9 days ago

    One does not simply penalize Koscielny for handball 😆 This was never a pen though.

    1. Numb
      10 years, 9 days ago

      How do you kill off Arsenal? Go straight for the juggler.

      1. Pariße
        10 years, 9 days ago

        😆 Thats the plan

  20. Dasher0303
    10 years, 9 days ago

    Anyone think Tekkers could match Lukaku for goals this season????

    1. drughi
      10 years, 9 days ago

      If both injury free my guess would be 19-20 goals for lukaku and 14-15 goals for benteke

    2. Epic Fail
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Most definitely.

    3. kalmoffit
      10 years, 9 days ago

      He could, and that 1.5m is very tempting. Possibly need for fixtures changing in his favour?

    4. Pariße
      10 years, 9 days ago

      I think Everton are going to improve drastically and he'll definitely be their top player. Benteke can come close, but Lukaku will outscore him, surely.

    5. A.T
      10 years, 9 days ago

      I dont see why not

    6. Fpldonny
      10 years, 9 days ago

      I do not

  21. Tansey
    10 years, 9 days ago

    Evans, Antonio, Lukaku -> Mustafi, Coutinho, Wilson/Rashford (-8)?

    1. Coaly
      10 years, 9 days ago

      No

    2. A.T
      10 years, 9 days ago

      No

  22. Worzel Gummidge
    10 years, 9 days ago

    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/a/entry/561873/history

    Highest TV just now. His history makes no sense. Looks like some seasons he tries then others he doesn't. 0 points a few seasons ago is some achievement.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Joined in GW38?

      1. Worzel Gummidge
        10 years, 9 days ago

        That is certainly 1 possibility.

    2. Epic Fail
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Does it still put you in the overall league if you register but don't pick a team?

      Or maybe he signed up on the last GW of the season after deadline just before they removed the signup.

      1. Worzel Gummidge
        10 years, 9 days ago

        No idea wrt your first comment. Your last comment is certainly a possibility. Other one is he was just lucky to finish on 0 points whilst taking loads of -4s. Would say entering after deadline in GW38 is more a possibility but don't think you can confirm. Done well when he has tried.

      2. Konig Luther
        10 years, 9 days ago

        start a team in GW38 and pick only injured players

        1. Epic Fail
          10 years, 9 days ago

          Didn't think of that. Also very true.

  23. Demí
    10 years, 9 days ago

    Ooooooh Chrstian Bentekeee

  24. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 years, 9 days ago

    Kosc or is Mustafi a 'must have-y'?

    1. Pariße
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Mustafi has similar goal threat statistically, but is a little shorter, so he isn't too dangerous from set pieces, but neither are Arsenal in general really. I'd go for Mustafi.

  25. HurriKane
    10 years, 9 days ago

    Thinking about changing captain to Tekkers. (currently on Sanchez(

    1. Epic Fail
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Make sure you decide before deadline.

  26. ANON.
    10 years, 9 days ago

    What's VR's username on here?

    1. Worzel Gummidge
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Worzel Gummidge.

    2. Wilshere Knowledge
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Jafooli.

    3. KingNidge
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Busdriver

    4. Chucky
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Bemba Da

    5. ANON.
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Are these genuine guesses (except Worzel of course)?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        10 years, 9 days ago

        Worzel is closest although incorrect.

  27. Junior ⚽
    10 years, 9 days ago

    Would you get Payet on wildcard?

    1. Chucky
      10 years, 9 days ago

      yes i got him on my WC in GW 4 🙂

      1. Junior ⚽
        10 years, 9 days ago

        What a pick at that time! Any budget options around? Struggling for funds as I'm trying to double on Arsenal's defence and Vert.

        1. Chucky
          10 years, 9 days ago

          Snoddy/Wally have great fixtures or jump on the Son bandwagon.

          1. Junior ⚽
            10 years, 9 days ago

            Have Snoddy at the moment along with Son. Thinking about dropping Lukaku as he hasn't been playing that well but I doubt I'll have the balls.

    2. Epic Fail
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Nah.

    3. A.T
      10 years, 9 days ago

      I'd be very tempted.

      1. Junior ⚽
        10 years, 9 days ago

        He's in great form and not too far away from KDB

    4. drughi
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Yes I am, next 4 games look really nice.

    5. Differentiator
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Probably wouldn't have space, as my wildcard from now would ironically have all of Ibra, Aguero and Sanchez

  28. Chucky
    10 years, 9 days ago

    Hazard looking lively?

    1. KingNidge
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Fine ass

      1. Chucky
        10 years, 9 days ago

        He's back.Just assisted Benteke. 😉

  29. Pirlø's Pen
    10 years, 9 days ago

    Whats everyones TV looking like this year? Think it will be very important this year considering the heavy hitters who are performing & the defenders that are delivering are all of the premium price.

    Mine is 102.2, not brilliant

    1. I Member
      10 years, 9 days ago

      103.1

      1. Pirlø's Pen
        10 years, 9 days ago

        v decent.

  30. Dr Dream
    10 years, 9 days ago

    Great pass by Pogba. That deserved a goal on the end of it.

    1. KingNidge
      10 years, 9 days ago

      Really needs to show up at Anfield