Members
10 October 2016 1198 comments
davidwardale davidwardale
Share:

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.

  1. Laalman
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

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

    Diomande or Stuani?

    1. Worzel Gummidge
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Diamond as he is cheaper but both are garbage.

      • Valar(Keith)
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

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

      • kalmoffit
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Diomande

      • zotter
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 6 months 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
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Pogba screamer, 1-0 France

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Horrible keeping

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          Hart style.

    3. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Pog 😯

    4. Fpldonny
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      If you had coleman. Would you sub to vertonghen?

      1. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Nope. Id play both.

    5. rdamjan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Pogba, Payet assist

    6. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Great goal by Pogba. He's class..

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Good strike but keeper should be saving that

        1. Dr Dream
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 6 months 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
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Aye, he's not bad.

      3. pompeyfan
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

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

    7. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Almunia > Stekelenburg.

    8. Yome
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Pogboom!

    9. Tansey
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

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

      1. Sylas
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        A - quite easily.

        1. Tansey
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

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

      2. Dasher0303
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        A but can you not do bellerin snoddy lukaku

        1. Tansey
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          I'm 0.3 short

      3. Worzel Gummidge
          9 years, 7 months ago

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

        • Forever In Our Shadow
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          C Mustafi Antonio Austin.

      4. Lone Wolf FPL
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

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

      5. Chucky
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Payet Captain Locked. 😀

        1. Yome
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          Wish I had him

        2. drughi
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          payet is a point machine

        3. Differentiator
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 7 months 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
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 6 months 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 😉

      6. You've got red on you.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Tekkers vs Defoe impossible decision.

        Internationals just confuse matters more.

        1. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Get Rhodes then 😉

          1. You've got red on you.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            Where we're going...

          2. JIM BOB
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            *Deeney

            1. You've got red on you.
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 6 months ago

              Can't bring myself to triple up on Watford

        2. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          The decision is possible.

          1. You've got red on you.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

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

            1. Epic Fail
              • 15 Years
              9 years, 6 months 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
                • 13 Years
                9 years, 6 months ago

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

      7. Leaf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        That will teach the Rooney booers a lesson

        We get Henderson,not only in team but captain !

        1. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

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

          1. Leaf
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 6 months 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
              • 12 Years
              9 years, 6 months ago

              Henderson barely played though.

              1. Leaf
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 16 Years
                9 years, 6 months ago

                When he did he was rubbish 🙂

        2. kalmoffit
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

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

      8. drughi
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        How does this WC team look ?

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

        1. Coaly
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Cheap

          1. drughi
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            cheap ?

            1. Coaly
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 6 months ago

              Would expect a better second striker or 5th mid

              What's your TV?

              1. drughi
                • 16 Years
                9 years, 6 months ago

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

                1. Coaly
                  • 13 Years
                  9 years, 6 months ago

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

        2. Dasher0303
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

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

          1. drughi
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 6 months 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
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Great. Really like it.

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

          1. Dasher0303
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            Llris

          2. drughi
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            thanks, have Lloris

        4. kalmoffit
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

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

        5. A.T
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

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

          1. A.T
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            As in it'll take at least 2 trannies.

        6. zotter
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

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

      9. PvA
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

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

        1. Chucky
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          good news 🙂

      10. pompeyfan
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Clear pen not given to Netherlands

        1. Wilshere Knowledge
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Kos is allowed to use his hands. 😉

        2. Pariße
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

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

          1. pompeyfan
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

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

            1. Pariße
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 6 months 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. 🙂

      11. Coaly
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 6 months 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
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          A

        2. Dasher0303
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          D) Lukaku to austin

        3. You've got red on you.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          C

        4. Chucky
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          A

        5. zotter
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          D Austin

      12. fedolefan
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Austin a captain shout for the weekend?

        1. Tansey
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Considering him myself

        2. Dasher0303
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

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

        3. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

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

          1. fedolefan
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

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

            1. Epic Fail
              • 15 Years
              9 years, 6 months ago

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

              1. fedolefan
                • 11 Years
                9 years, 6 months ago

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

                1. Epic Fail
                  • 15 Years
                  9 years, 6 months ago

                  No.

        4. Numb
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Is he even nailed on?

          1. fedolefan
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            Yes he is.

        5. kalmoffit
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          If Tadic is, Austin must be too.

          1. Numb
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

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

            1. kalmoffit
              • 12 Years
              9 years, 6 months ago

              Is it? *goes to take captaincy off Tadic*

        6. Leaf
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Oh now there's a thought

          1. fedolefan
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            Just owning him is differential enough?

      13. Pariße
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

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

        1. Numb
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

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

          1. Pariße
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            😆 Thats the plan

      14. Dasher0303
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

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

        1. drughi
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

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

        2. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Most definitely.

        3. kalmoffit
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

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

        4. Pariße
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 6 months 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
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          I dont see why not

        6. Fpldonny
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          I do not

      15. Tansey
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

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

        1. Coaly
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          No

        2. A.T
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          No

      16. Worzel Gummidge
          9 years, 6 months 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
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            Joined in GW38?

            1. Worzel Gummidge
                9 years, 6 months ago

                That is certainly 1 possibility.

            2. Epic Fail
              • 15 Years
              9 years, 6 months 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
                  9 years, 6 months 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.

                • Konig Luther
                  • 13 Years
                  9 years, 6 months ago

                  start a team in GW38 and pick only injured players

                  1. Epic Fail
                    • 15 Years
                    9 years, 6 months ago

                    Didn't think of that. Also very true.

            3. Demí
              • 15 Years
              9 years, 6 months ago

              Ooooooh Chrstian Bentekeee

            4. You've got red on you.
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 6 months ago

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

              1. Pariße
                • 11 Years
                9 years, 6 months 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.

            5. HurriKane
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 6 months ago

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

              1. Epic Fail
                • 15 Years
                9 years, 6 months ago

                Make sure you decide before deadline.

            6. ANON.
              • 12 Years
              9 years, 6 months ago

              What's VR's username on here?

              1. Worzel Gummidge
                  9 years, 6 months ago

                  Worzel Gummidge.

                • Wilshere Knowledge
                  • 12 Years
                  9 years, 6 months ago

                  Jafooli.

                • KingNidge
                  • 10 Years
                  9 years, 6 months ago

                  Busdriver

                • Chucky
                  • 12 Years
                  9 years, 6 months ago

                  Bemba Da

                • ANON.
                  • 12 Years
                  9 years, 6 months ago

                  Are these genuine guesses (except Worzel of course)?

                  1. TorresMagic™
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • Has Moderation Rights
                    • 16 Years
                    9 years, 6 months ago

                    Worzel is closest although incorrect.

              2. Junior ⚽
                • 10 Years
                9 years, 6 months ago

                Would you get Payet on wildcard?

                1. Chucky
                  • 12 Years
                  9 years, 6 months ago

                  yes i got him on my WC in GW 4 🙂

                  1. Junior ⚽
                    • 10 Years
                    9 years, 6 months 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
                      • 12 Years
                      9 years, 6 months ago

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

                      1. Junior ⚽
                        • 10 Years
                        9 years, 6 months 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
                  • 15 Years
                  9 years, 6 months ago

                  Nah.

                3. A.T
                  • 15 Years
                  9 years, 6 months ago

                  I'd be very tempted.

                  1. Junior ⚽
                    • 10 Years
                    9 years, 6 months ago

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

                4. drughi
                  • 16 Years
                  9 years, 6 months ago

                  Yes I am, next 4 games look really nice.

                5. Differentiator
                  • 10 Years
                  9 years, 6 months ago

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

              3. Chucky
                • 12 Years
                9 years, 6 months ago

                Hazard looking lively?

                1. KingNidge
                  • 10 Years
                  9 years, 6 months ago

                  Fine ass

                  1. Chucky
                    • 12 Years
                    9 years, 6 months ago

                    He's back.Just assisted Benteke. 😉

              4. Pirlø's Pen
                • 10 Years
                9 years, 6 months 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 years, 6 months ago

                  103.1

                  1. Pirlø's Pen
                    • 10 Years
                    9 years, 6 months ago

                    v decent.

              5. Dr Dream
                • 13 Years
                9 years, 6 months ago

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

                1. KingNidge
                  • 10 Years
                  9 years, 6 months ago

                  Really needs to show up at Anfield