Dugout Discussion
4 February 2017 1681 comments
Mark Mark
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As mid-season encounters go, this is as crunchy as they get.

Arsenal make the trip to Stamford Bridge knowing that, should they falter, their own title bid would likely be irreversibly de-railed. Meanwhile, a victory for Chelsea would surely come as the latest evidence that they are truly champions elect.

For Fantasy managers, there is also plenty at stake.

Alexis Sanchez starts in the central striker role and in 36.5% of squads, having returned a goal or an assist in ten of his last eleven Gameweeks. In opposition, Diego Costa and Eden Hazard also remain hugely popular assets, despite the alarming recent regression from the latter. The Belgian has supplied just three assists in his last five, with a single goal in eight Gameweeks – a penalty against Bournemouth back in December.

With Marcos Alonso also a key asset, there will be mixed emotions heading into this clash for the neutral, with a high-scoring contest perhaps the optimum outcome for many.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

  1. Richd
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Heaton, Alonso. We are not worthy.

    1. LordRougeGrog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      So glad i benched Azpilicueta instead of Alonso - might yet regret it if Chelsea get the shut-out though

  2. 824545201
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Brace Yourself Jason

  3. FPL Maldini
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    So lucky that my 2nd keeper that I havn't ever had to play is Jaku

    And only just realised he is a perfect pick for the blanks

  4. K-win
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    What on earth is going on with Arsenals defensive positioning?

    Monreal was on the right side at times, and Kos was not even in the box for the goal

    1. afcblegend
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Not only that, Gabriel is pushing up way too high and never tracked back, and Mustafi was left 3 on 1 following an Arsenal corner. Very weird.

  5. The Enlightener
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Gooners haven't scored at the Bridge in four years......says a lot about both teams.

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Arsenal miss Xhaka in this game. He has fighting spirit - might spill over sometimes, but so did Vieira and you need some edge.

      1. Les Bleus
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Agree. His tenacity (albeit a bit too much sometimes) reminds me of a certain Makalele

      2. tm245
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Very much this. Steel is needed.

      3. The Enlightener
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Perhaps. They as a team have lacked a tough edge ever since I started watching the league about a decade ago.

        1. diesel001
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 day ago

          Xhaka and Coquelin is a perfect midfield two for Arsenal. Especially when you have Sanchez, Ozil and Walcott who just don't do enough of their defensive duties.

  6. afcblegend
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Let's be real, Marcos Alonso is probably the greatest person I've ever seen play football. Anyone who doesn't recognise this is outright wrong; I'm surprised that FPL haven't made it mandatory to have at least 1 Marcos Alonso in your squad of 15.

    1. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      A for effort 😉

    2. FPL Maldini
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Eboue is better

    3. Kroosin'
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Seriously ? He is FPL Gold. But as a defender he is average.

  7. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Need Brunt or Holebas to come down with the plague in the next 30 mins

    1. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Benched Alonso?

      1. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Yeah tried to be too clever

    2. CloudSky
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Bubz... 🙁

  8. Syd.
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Conte will park the bus in the 2nd half and try to hit Arsenal on the break

    1. Deus
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      I doubt first 15 minutes will be different from the first half

    2. Kroosin'
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      He was actually doing this most of the first half. 5 man defensive line and trying to hit them on the counter.

  9. tm245
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Chasing a lead means the shape will have to change. Welbeck first on?

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Giroud IMO. for Ozil if Wenger is clever.

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

      Only 2 changes left.

      1. tm245
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Yep, got to get this move right.

  10. Smurf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Alonso and Azpi are great. But Cahill has actually outscore them both.

    1. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Has he?!

    2. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Alonso became a regular only in GW9 though

    3. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      In more games than Alonso

      1. Smurf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Don't get me wrong I'm not saying Cahill is a better pick but it always seems to be Azpi and the next best when infact there is a big case for the cheap Cahill of ever doubling.

    4. Robe Wan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Wait for Alonsos second this half

    5. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      More games than Alonso

    6. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Still will keep Azpi and Alonso

  11. Somalion
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Looking forward to Wenger's inevitable "I tried to sign Marcos Alonso" comments in the post match presser.

    1. Jinswick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Lol

      Wenger tried to sign everyone at some stage.

      Baulking at Kante's price and then paying more for Xhaka looks a bit :/

      1. Somalion
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Yep, very strange one (if he actually did go after Kante, which I reckon he didn't.)

        Sky put together an Arsenal nearly 11:

        --------------Hart

        Pique--Kompany--Varane

        ------Pogba------Kante

        Bale-------Messi----Ronaldo

        ------Ibra--------Suarez

    2. Moyeschester
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Probably twice.

  12. ILOVEBAPS
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    I think it will end 3-0.

    1. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Alonso Hattie 🙂

  13. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Walcott's not challenge for that loose ball for Alonso speaks volumes for the difference between Chelsea and the also ran's.

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Exactly - which is why I would take him and Ozil off. If they don't want to defend against Chelsea away then they are a waste of space.

  14. FPL Maldini
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Anyone feeling another Alonso brace?

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Couldn't hope for anything like that again. Was so good!

  15. HurriKane
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Marcus Alonso 19 matches

    4 goals 2 assists 13 cs ( if chelsea keep a cleanie today)

    Incredible stats 😉

    1. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Averages to a return every singly game 😯

      1. Les Bleus
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Single*

    2. Differentiator
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Shhh!

      Pointless actually, everyone knows

      1. La Roja
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Only 12% ownership

        Doesn't look like everyone knows

        1. Kroosin'
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 day ago

          Pretty high in the top 100K.

          1. La Roja
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 1 day ago

            Don't underestimate people outside of 100k

            🙂

    3. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Apparently he is losing his place to some bloke called Ake 😆 😆

      1. La Roja
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Bringing him back was a genius move by Conte

      2. HurriKane
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 day ago

        lol that was funny . people actually sold him after ake's return 😀

        1. Syd.
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 1 day ago

          I know..... Unreal 🙂

  16. borat
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    apart from one lucky foul goal from alonso, both teams were pretty much equal first half.

    1. Espen8
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Nah, Chelsea full controll.

      1. afcblegend
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 day ago

        You missed the two clear cut Arsenal chances, one where Gabriel should have scored a header and Ozil not having the confident to shoot despite being in acres of space on his left foot? It's lucky it's not 1-1

    2. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Why was it lucky?...He wanted that ball more than anybody else and was more alive to it than anybody else.

      1. borat
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 day ago

        well bellerin couldnt have gone for that ball that aggresively because if he would have elbowed alonso sure it would be a penalty

  17. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    They should clock the amount of kilometers that Conte runs on the sideline during a game.

    I bet it is more then a lot of the players!

  18. The Royal Robin
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Injuries are definitely piling up for me. Rose and Chambers now 😐 Is Rose definitely back next week?

    1. Kroosin'
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      More news on Monday. Looks like he is out for Feb.

    2. MTPockets
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Chambers due back soon.

        1. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 1 day ago

          Maybe even this week

          1. MTPockets
              9 years, 1 day ago

              Didn't know that, cheers.

      • Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Sanchez took a knock

      • Kroosin'
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 day ago

        If Santi Cazorla had not got injured, and Sanchez played up top every game how far behind would Arsenal be from Chelsea at top in PL ? Points wise.

        1. Tommyg
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 1 day ago

          8 points exactly.

        2. diesel001
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 day ago

          Maybe 3 points less. The difference is that in big games teams like Chelsea will get their midfielders to defend. Ozil, Walcott and Sanchez don't. That might be alright if you have Messi, Suarez and Neymar, but Arsenal are not the best team in the PL so can't afford not to defend.

        3. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 1 day ago

          7.5

      • Dušan Citizen
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Amat to Alonso and Eriksen for Siggy for -4 seems to be my transfers this GW 🙂

        1. Moyeschester
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 day ago

          Until Erik runs riot.

          1. Dušan Citizen
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 1 day ago

            Nah, he has LIV away and Siggy LEI home. Also, I need more players for blank.

      • Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Come on Diego, let's have more

      • PepSala
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Am I the only that benched Alonso? Whyyyyyy

        1. GreenArrows
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 day ago

          Don't worry you're not

        2. The Wizard of Ozil
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 day ago

          No.1 overall has him benched.

      • Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Energizer Bunny at it again

      • Davido989
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 day ago

        What a goal Hazard

      • Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Wow

      • A.T
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Jammy git

      • My Name Is Prince
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 day ago

        I'm just waiting for the Costa yellow now... (I have Costa)

      • rivercityransom
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 day ago

        goodness me

      • Les Bleus
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Assist for Haz?

        1. Les Bleus
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 1 day ago

          Don't tell me Costa

        2. Bucket_
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 1 day ago

          Hazard assist.