Dugout Discussion

Dugout Discussion – Middlesbrough vs Arsenal

After Diego Costa and Zlatan Ibrahimovic managed a single point between them at Old Trafford yesterday, all eyes are on Alexis Sanchez as Arsenal roll up to the Riverside in tonight’s final Gameweek fixture.

Recently shuffled onto the left flank, a run of three matches without a goal has knocked our confidence in the Chilean ahead of the Gunners’ double Gameweeks 36 and 37.

Indeed, only 5.9% have handed Sanchez the armband as he attempts to reclaim his spot as top scoring player in Fantasy Premier League, having been knocked off his perch by Romelu Lukaku at the weekend.

Tonight’s team selection looks to have handed Sanchez a change of role. To everyone’s surprise, Arsene Wenger appears to have set up with a 3-4-2-1 formation or even a 3-4-1-2, with Sanchez perhaps joining Olivier Giroud up front – a concern perhaps for the 91,000+ who sold the Chilean ahead of Gameweek 33.

Tonight’s encounter also gives us the chance to run the rule over the hosts as they prepare for a potentially profitable double Gameweek 34 against Bournemouth and Sunderland.

Both Victor Valdes and Ben Gibson currently sit second for transfers in among keepers and defenders since Saturday’s deadline, though in the four matches under new manager Steve Agnew, Boro have been somewhat hot and cold – keeping two clean sheets and conceding at least three times in the other two.

Valdes misses out this evening with a rib problem sustained at Burnley last time out – an injury kept under wraps until tonight: Brad Guzan claims the keeper’s jersey.

Sitting six points from safety, the Teesside team are in desperate need of wins now. Having failed to score in six of their last eight, though, most will likely steer clear of the hosts’ attack unless they can punish the Gunners this evening.

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

4,192 Comments Post a Comment
  1. sergioaguero67
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Why is Valdés not in the starting 11? Injured? :O

    1. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Spare rib

  2. nkhoughton
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Arsenal playing 3-4-3?

    1. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      I would be surprised. More likely Gabriel or holding playing right back. Arsene doesn't take risks normally.....

      1. nkhoughton
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        This could pay off, after the 4231 wasn't working it seemed, this game could make Alexis the stand out TC if he thrives in a 3-4-3 like hazard seems to

        1. Eddie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 25 days ago

          Yeah, if this releases Sanchez, I'll be bringing him straight back in. Still to be convinced that a change in formation is all that is needed to shake Arsenal up though.

          1. nkhoughton
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 25 days ago

            I mean it worked for hazard, he was in this position for barca

            1. Eddie
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 25 days ago

              Hazard has Chelsea behind him though.

              1. nkhoughton
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 25 days ago

                True it's a similar position as to his one for Belgium

    2. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      they are playing 3-4-2-1

      look on their twitter

      1. nkhoughton
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        I was going off sky sports 1

  3. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Can see Giroud scoring here

    1. Sterling is £11Mill..…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Giroud apparently is the only person in the Arsenal XI to have scored against them.:
      "Olivier Giroud is the only member of the Arsenal squad to score against Middlesbrough, with two FA Cup goals in February 2015."

  4. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    You can bookmark this.
    Middlesbrough won't score. My head to head had me 2 points ahead with wally,him with Gabriel.
    I don't win these.

  5. thunder_mike
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Madness to do
    Lukaku + Origi > Rashford + Benteke (-4) and then not get Ibra. Will WC in GW36

    1. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Yea

    2. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Wait til Thursday

      1. thunder_mike
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        Yeah I think I need too

  6. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Last chance, Alexis!

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      I'd want him for the North London Derby. Will be a goalfest as usual do

  7. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    3 at the back for arsenal

    ozil and sanchez pretty much given the pedro & hazard role

    this has to end 4-0 to arsenal

    2 goals to giroud

    1 to ozil

    1 to ramsey

  8. Oven Glover
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Is Kompany an option now?

    1. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Yep. Was sure he was going to injure himself during that goal celebration though.

      1. Oven Glover
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        Hmm. Still a risk with injuries and rotation a la Pep but he's on my shortlist.

    2. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      for the DGW in 37, yes

  9. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Why is Bellerin not playing? rested or just not nailed?

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Dropped, Wenger said he needs defensive improvement

    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Got skinned by Palace then booed by sections of away fans. Probably taking him out of the limelight.

    3. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      He still carrying an injury but I think Wenger has chosen Ox over him.

    4. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      I'm not convinced he's nailed. But if Ox has a howler he'll be back next match.

  10. gorilla
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    already brought in valdes...

    1. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      You and a few of us...

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Me too, last night under the influence, forgot they were playing tonight 🙂

    3. rivercityransom
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      do we know any details about the injury? should he be ready for the dgw?

    4. gorilla
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      hoping he will be but who the hell knows maybe out for the season

  11. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    C'mon you useless turds!! 😀

    1. b✪mber
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      This

    2. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Torn between wanting Arsenal to turn the corner and not wanting Alexis to explode. Be happy with a modest 3-0 win.

  12. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Big game for the arse tonight, could be the difference between Europa league qualification or not

    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      C'mon Boro!! 😉

      1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        😆

    2. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      and a big game for Boro too, essentially a must-win game for both teams tonight

    3. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Mind the gap

      1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        Wonderful gap that it is, even Spurs couldn't throw this away..

        *Recalls last year, shudders*

    4. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      7th = Europa League this year as one of City/Spurs/Chelsea will lift the FA cup giving a extra place to the league

      1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        😆

      2. the snazzy viking
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        If West Brom and/or Southampton win all their remaining games it's not over yet ;D

        1. Jigger & Pony
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 25 days ago

          Would love for Pulis to play in the Europa League

  13. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Sanchez brace would be just delightful

    1. Chris_White
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      I'll settle for a goal

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Still wouldn't make selling him weeks ago a bad move 😉

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        Depends who you've had instead of him I suppose

    3. Sterling is £11Mill..…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Sanchez needs to get like 5 goals, and make up for his previous failings

  14. gorilla
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    wenger out

  15. Godot - Fashanu Zealand
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Giroud's first start in six weeks? Has Welbeck been good, or is there something I'm missing?

  16. Dosh
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    How about Rashford as a DGW pick??

    1. b✪mber
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      I got him, but apparently I play bad 🙂

    2. Individual
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      I've gone Tekkers over him. Some merit, but doubt he'll play v city.

  17. Diva
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Sorry, probably been asked, but where is Mustafi?

    1. Sterling is £11Mill..…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Nandos

      1. nkhoughton
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

    2. Oven Glover
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Thigh injury

      1. Diva
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        Thanks. Darn, I was hoping for a nice Sanchez hat trick. Now every goal going in will be a goal conceded by my back up defender, Gibson.

    3. gorilla
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      hiking

    4. Chris_H
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Thigh injury

    5. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Thigh Injury

    6. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      birthday party

  18. JÆKS ⭐
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Just got home, minor injury for Valdes or something serious?

    1. gorilla
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      i dont know im not jesus

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Rib injury, no other update.

    3. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Rib injury, yet to get anything concrete about it.

    4. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Valdes has Sanchez captain, so he faked an injury

    5. JÆKS ⭐
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Cheers all

  19. tm245
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Theoooo!

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Hope he comes on because rival gets Capoue points from 2nd on bench.

      1. tm245
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        Redmond is my sub. Meh.

  20. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 25 days ago

    Live stream anyone?

    1. MTPockets
        7 years, 25 days ago

        reddit

      • Fred54
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        Come round to mine to watch the game.

        Match occasionly interrupted by 4 year old...and I don't mean Wenger.

    2. Individual
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Keeping an eye on Ramirez here. Could be a decent option at 5.2 for the next couple of games!

      1. gorilla
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        are you drunk?

        1. Oven Glover
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 25 days ago

          That's why he's only keeping one eye on him

      2. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        Log out of the FPL site, quick!

      3. Greenbackbøøg…
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        He's a disaster waiting to happen

      4. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        Are you ok?

      5. Individual
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        Sorry, was a bit of a troll hehe

    3. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Should origi. Be replaced to benteke as dgw punt for ft?

      Also what's the news on Alonso? Is be out for long ?

      1. Moin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        Alonso was just will, will play the FA Cup game...and the match after that..

        I think it is worth a punt either him or see how Negredo performs today as he does have the easier fixtures..

        1. The Overthinker
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 25 days ago

          I halved my rank by TC'ing Kane this week. Feel good. Hoping to take more such risks as i have got nothing to lose.

          Also i have firmino which i guess should be enough cover

          1. Moin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 25 days ago

            Wow! Well Done! I am just happy with Kane(c)

    4. Jigger & Pony
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Wow where is Valdes?

      1. gorilla
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        behind the sofa

      2. Moin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        Rib Injury

        1. Jigger & Pony
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 25 days ago

          Thanks

      3. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        Eating spare ribs

    5. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      The Ox yellow

    6. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      FFS I didn't even know Valdes was injured 🙁

      1. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        Hardly anyone did.

      2. Jigger & Pony
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        🙁

      3. gorilla
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        how does it make you feel?

      4. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        I found out from Sky, how uninformed is that?

    7. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      why hasn't Valdes start?

      1. KingNidge
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        Injured in training

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 25 days ago

          Hi Nidge.

          Massive win yesterday, you guys were awesome. Professional and controlling.

          1. KingNidge
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 25 days ago

            Hello berbs

            Was a huge performance psychologically more than anything still feel the dropped points at home will ultimately cost us top 4 but the EL looks very achievable.. but to rest players like Ibra Mkhi Martial and dominate a fresher Chelsea side was extremely satisfying

            1. goriuanx
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 25 days ago

              Aye, you did a number on Chelsea. You may just fall short of 4th but pretty sure you'll win Europa anyway. If you beat City, you may well fancy yourselves to do it via the league too

              1. KingNidge
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 25 days ago

                We'll see what happens.. but very promising signs yesterday with the pace and youth up top.. Herrera bossed it too.. we add a defensively minded mobile destroyer type in the summer and the midfield has serious potential in the coming years as Pogba finds his feet

      2. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        Rib injury at training.

    8. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Barragan on set pieces!

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        Is he a nailed on starter?

    9. gorilla
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      so if guzan plays great we can forget about valdes

      1. Moin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 25 days ago

        If he keeps a clean sheet today, certainly makes a case for himself

    10. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      Leadbiter yellow unlucky owners

    11. nkhoughton
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 25 days ago

      This is ozils audition for the doubles 😉