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. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Friend has no pace..interesting second half

    1. willgriggsonfire
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Just back from injury...

  2. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Where is Final Fantasy? who was gloating about being glad of selling Sanchez? and that he was going to do nothing? lol!!!!!!!!

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Aren't you the guy who lolled at Torres sellers just before he got sent off? 😉

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        you sir have a very good memory, however i was young, naive, and ignorant, learnt a lot from that haha!
        But still, there's Torres, and then there's Sanchez, failure on his and my part was inevitible 🙂

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        that's the one! hahaha!!!

  3. Mattymo23
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    So gutted I brought in Walcott for Coutinho, wasted transfer and I'll have to pay to get rid of him

    1. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Why would you do that? Coutinho in form, Walcott had just blanked and there were question marks over Arsenal

      1. Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I did an even sillier transfer. Firmino to Sigurdsson :-/

  4. willgriggsonfire
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Thing with Sanchez is there is nobody to assist him for his goals.
    He mostly has to do it all by himself...

  5. jmcclory123
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    It's hard to believe that Sanchez 'wants' to play on the wing. He's so isolated most the time.

    1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Not sure I'd believe anything that comes from Wenger's mouth.

    2. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Has to is probably the better way of describing it, no other good option with Iwobi being so raw and welbeck being cack

  6. Morgs
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Any changes needed here? 1FT 0.3ITB

    Jaku
    Alonso, Baines, Bernardo
    Sanchez, Alli, Coutinho, King
    Kane, Lukaku, Ibra (c)

    Grant, Carroll, Stephens, Brunt

    1. Johnny 8
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      You'll get more joy asking after the game.

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

    Literally as a Sanchez owner got in a minute before the goal.

    As a Valdes owner what's happened?

    1. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Rib injury, no further news at this time

  8. My Name Is Pepu
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Quietly transfers Sanchez back for Hazard ..

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      You just lost a million quid..haha

  9. Cork Eagle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Need Valdes back in. Sanchez hat trick would help all round.

  10. Whats the Huth
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Fpl discovery down?

    What's the update on top 10K average now after that Sanchez goal?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      It's working.

      1. Whats the Huth
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Not for me.

        What's the average now may I ask. Seeing as it's working for you.

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Total Average 54.9 41.2
          Today 3.5 3.1

          1. Whats the Huth
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Cheers

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

      Top 1000 up to 57.

      1. Whats the Huth
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Damnit

  11. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Friend nailed? 🙂

    1. Jay_
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Looks like it, nice run out too.

    2. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Replaced sanchez with hazard 🙁
      Can't watch more

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Overthinking.

        1. The Overthinker
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          It doesn't stops here. Did it for a hit .

          Overthinking at its best .
          Smh

      2. andymck
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I did that when Sanchez hauled against West Ham and it's nice to be on the other end this time round!

        1. The Overthinker
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Hope he doesn't score more

      3. My Name Is Pepu
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I did well before last week, enjoyed Hazard's double digit hauls, will do reverse trade if Sanchez bandwagon picks up courtesy of another goal or something in the 2nd half.

        1. The Overthinker
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          I will bring him back for the doubles though

    3. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Is Siggy -> Zaha/Townsend worth a hit? Reckon it is, given Swansea's terrible form and CPL have a nice GW35 fixture.

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        If you think it is surely that's all that matters?

        1. Over Midwicket
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Wondered what other people's thoughts were. STK would normally be a juicy Gylfi 14 pointer but is probably nailed on for 2 points.

          1. Pep says
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Siggy has been unlucky lately. It can't continue!

      2. Ready Manager One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Defo

        I think towsend is safer choice but zaha has explosive potential, coin toss at the end of the day

    4. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Boro more likely to take the 1-0 defeat than actually attack!

    5. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Just read through the last few pages.

      3 pages of "Sanchezzzz" with the odd RMT that nobody replies to. 😀

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        😆

      2. Back on the horse
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        was the RMT asking how to get Sanchez in?

    6. Sterling is £11Mill..…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Its raining now, all 8 of Alexis's double digit scores this season have come while its been raining.

      1. tm245
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Wet track bully.

      2. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        🙁 can't watch it

      3. Dazzler365
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I hope it lashes for the night then!

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

      The Ox has been the best player on the pitch so far..

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Because Gabriel has been pushing forward from RCB. Ozil isn't moving out wide enough (unlike Alexis on the left side) to create space for Ox to attack. Would like to see Ozil taken off and Walcott on.

    8. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Valdez likely to start in both matches next GW then?

    9. Differentiator
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Lol @ Boro DGW defender purchasers.

      Can't even keep a CS against a crap side like Arsenal

      1. Ryan Naysmith
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Someone will bite

    10. Back on the horse
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Friend will get forward for an assist. No worries.

      1. Individual
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Think you mean the mighty, mighty Barragan 😉

        1. Back on the horse
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          not sure he's had one all season has he? Friend has had two and hardly played 🙂

          1. Individual
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Eff knows, he's just there as cursory Boro dgw fodder 😀

      2. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        And leave his defence exposed..he has no pace..Arsenal(Ox or Theo) will have a field day

        1. Back on the horse
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          that would be ideal, yes

    11. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      It is was due since the past 3 gameweeks. Thank you Sanchez, Top of my ML!

    12. Viper
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      So Ibra - > Kane was the route to take rather than funding Kane with Sanchez out

      An example of when going with your gut doesn't work

    13. Speédy
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Xhaka on 3 bps

      1. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Always rated him.

      2. Sif
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        *Sanchez gwg

      3. Karan14
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Not after Sanchez gets another.

      4. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Loool

      5. Jay_
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Kosc would overtake both after 60

          1. diesel001
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Kosc has made a lot of interceptions and headers to be fair.

        • Annie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          not for known points.

      6. Pep says
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        It's 4 o clock in the morning. I must have heard the chanying here because I literally just woke.

        Sanchez, get INN!!!

      7. Sif
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        DGW hysteria is highlighted by people considering Boro players. The most lackluster teams to grace the PL of the last half decade.

        1. Konig Luther
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          well Stoke got 2 CS in their DGW after losing 4-0 vs Spurs.

      8. gorilla
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        awful game from guzan..

      9. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Sanchez THE PUNISHER:D

        1. Individual
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Haha the crystal core of fpl 😉

          1. Individual
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Or the older school 4 mana 7/7 is maybe more apt, thinking about it 😀

      10. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I scored a similar free kick with hazard at FIFA, moments before Sanchez goal!
        I scored & waited for Alexis to join the club! :p

        1. Dazzler365
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Score another few with him!

      11. FPL Puppy
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Got exact money to do;

        Llorente -> Ibra
        Brunt -> Friend

        For -4. Yes? No?

        Other choice is Brunt -> Gibson, Llorente -> Benteke.

        Team

        Foster, Heaton
        Alonso, Valencia, Yoshida, Brunt, Robertson
        Alli, Sanchez, Eriksen, Zaha, De Roon
        Lukaku, Kane, Llorente

      12. toystory2wasok
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        always sometimes bet on sanchez

        1. Greenbackbøøg…
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          He always hauls, some of the time