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. Bow Locks
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    That elbow has Muay Thai training written all over it.

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

      Agree.

    2. Vinyl78LP
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Red card if it had been elsewhere on the pitch - the goal masked what he did.

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

        Agree. It looks worse each time I see it.

  2. Lallana_
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Shoutout to the people that convinced me to start Alonso 😀

    Can't see Arsenal winning this now unless Sanchez carries them.

    1. Saïss Doesn't Mat…
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      I almost benched him for Holebas... hehe

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

    Marcos Alonso you beautiful thug

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

    come on alonso. Bury the benchers 🙂

  5. walkman666
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Bellerin may have a concussion there. That was a hockey hit.

  6. Crouching Tiger
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Alonso first on bench. I really suck at this game this season. Oh well there is always next season...

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

      You don't deserve his points.

      1. Crouching Tiger
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 day ago

        Agreed

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

      Might get an injury to starting eleven yet I am hoping for the same thing!

    3. Flycroft
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      I did the same... Knew it was a sketchy decision. So annoyed at myself

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

        In fairness Chelsea only got two clean sheets in the last five

  7. some witty pun
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    was costa's header off the bar or saved? cant tell

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

      Not watching but it's an assist either way

    2. Saïss Doesn't Mat…
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      off the bar... still counts as an assist though

  8. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Sanchez clean sheet fail 🙁

  9. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Alonso and Costa.

    Wonderful. Bought Costa in for Aguero...

  10. Fowler23
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Bellerin off

  11. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Gabriel on, Chelsea win confirmed

  12. The Red Devil
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Oh yes! Alonsoooooo!

  13. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Another goal or assist + CS for Alnso now would be great... Another 20 pointer for the mad wing back!

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

    Costa and Alonso means if the game finishes 1-0 then I will only be a few points off last gws score from 2 played

  15. makaveli123
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Wow. That third camera angle. MMA?

  16. Tangerine Army XI
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Anyone else sell Alonso this week?
    No?
    Just me then.

    Sums up my bloomin' season

    1. Mr. Blonde
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      That's just idiotic

  17. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    What price will Alonso be next year? 7.5m??

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

      £6.5m IMO

    2. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Top ranking defenders will typically be 6.5m

      Only Baines has ever been more (that I can remember)

  18. JogaSemmedo
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    That will teach me for benching Alonso.

  19. niloh1
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Fml forgot to switch capatins. Left it on Sanchez.. fml

    1. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      fyl

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Well done. A lot of people would be stubborn in that position.

  20. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Anyone else still not have Alonso?

    Or indeed a Chelsea def?

    1. The Overthinker
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Will be bringing Alonso back.
      Chelsea double up at the back

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      I went bellerin over Alonso about 2 months ago! Prob cost me 30+ pts

    3. Robben Mee Blind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Just got him in this week. Wasn't expecting an immediate return though!

  21. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Costa vs Gabriel part 2?

    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 day ago

      Costa red pls

  22. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Gabriel ownership? On for a CS.

  23. The Overthinker
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Glad I removed bellarin after giving me 1 point in last 4 .

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

    Gabriel on. I'll start engraving Chelsea on the trophy.

  25. Lawrø
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Costa side netting...

  26. FPL Notebook (John)
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Just feels like yesterday that we were all getting a bit itchy and jerky with Alonso and his injury rumour...

  27. L'Aeroplanino
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Arsenal falling apart
    Well I dont care anymore after watford anyway

  28. Venom Snake
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Never owning Alonso has ruined my season

  29. SirStevieG
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 day ago

    Should never have been a goal. Elbow to the face is allowed now?