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

    Great assist from Xhaka 😉

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

      Xhaka Can

  2. Lav
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Poor week from me, 8 points down in ML at the start now 25+

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

    A second half Sanchez hattie and Gibson goal too much to ask for?

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

      Nope

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

    Zaha - 2

    Kane (c) - 24

    -4 point hit

    VS.

    Llorente (2)

    Sanchez (10)

    Lukaku +6 as I would have captained.

    As it stands I'm still up points. Looking for some way to console myself 😆

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

      Another Alexis goal would not be good for you.

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

        It would mean I'm only down 1 point then 🙂

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

      Still time for a Sanchez hattie though 🙂

  5. Jay_
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Who scores more?

      A) Holgate (whm, WAT)
      B) Friend (bou, SUN, SOT) -4

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

        A maybe

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

        B

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

          if Fabio is out

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

        Holgate..Fabio's knee injury may not be that bad

      4. Jay_
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Cheers guys

      5. Numb
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Sanchez but not captainers still benefit from his goal rank wise? Seems like most own him.

        1. Hibbo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          He's in 40% of teams.

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

          Owners benefit greatly

      6. FALCAO & MOU
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I want to see a nice Arsenal pass goal, till then I am not impressed with Sanchez.

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

        Sell Tadic or Siggy to raise money for Ibra?

        What a bad call it was to get tadic early for DGW. I still have my WC for GW35.

      8. Jet5605
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Sanchez has a juicy home game against a tired Leicester who shipped six in their last two. A definite hold.

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

          Don't make me regret selling him more 🙁

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

          Then the annual North London Derby goalfest at The Lane

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

          Posted this before.

          Sanchez stats interesting. Before tonight's match (so he has another away goal against a bottom half team now):

          At home: 6 goals and 5 assists in 15 appearances
          Away: 12 goals and 4 assists in 15 appearances

          He has scored 10 of his away goals against teams currently in the bottom half of the table (9 games played).

          Not as good at home so be wary.

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

        Views?????

        Jaku(heaton).
        Alonso-bavies-Holgate(pieters, MAGUIRE)
        Alli-hazard-firmino-siggy(tarroll)
        Lukaku-Kane(c)-origi

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

          No Sanchez?

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

            removed him this week . Already regret it .

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

            Origi to benteke views!??

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

        What a bad week for my squad, Valencia my only defender (4 injured or didn't play) and Walcott benched with only Negredo to come off the bench for him if he doesn't play at all.. 😐

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

          Wallie will come on and score..don't worry

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

          Bummer!!!... I got Mustafi injured, Walcott not playing Valdes potentially out of the DGW? Stone injured too. And like you Negredo as my last hope if Wally doesn't come on..

        3. Revival
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Ox yellow means Wally be on at 70 minute mark

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

        Xhaka YC needed to help Sanchez in the BAPs race, anyone know if hes fond of a booking?

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

          No he is not that kind of player

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

          Xhaka Yellow.... the two don't compute

        3. Smurf
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          It's not his favourite colour.

      12. Pigeon
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Glad I haven't gotten Valdes yet lol. Thinking of not getting a Boro player at all next week so might do double United defence so it will look like this..

        DDG (Heat/Jaku)
        Valencia Maguire Walker (2 So'ton)

        Or should I just get Valdes?

      13. davies
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Friend off the bench instead of Maguire

        Stupid or unlucky?

        1. Pirlø's Pen
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Stupid

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

            Feels like it - not sure why I put him first sub but was expecting Hull to get smashed which they did

        2. dark91
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Both

      14. Jolly Good
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        bottomed...if money is not an issue, which defender would you get for next week? utd or boro? boro seem to have better fixtures

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

          'Boro are crap. Can't even keep Arsenal from scoring.

          1. FALCAO & MOU
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Why are you talking like Arsenal is some crap team, they didn't play well 5 games, still just 6 points behind big spending United with a game yet to be played.

        2. Guvnor
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Boro

      15. Kane-harry Island
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        What's the news on Valdez. I hope its just a virus or some mild little insignificant bruise that just needs 15 minutes cryotherapy and rest for just 2/3 days 🙁

      16. Syd.
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Just in from a lovely Mexican meal yum yum

        But more importantly how is my wee Chilean Captain performing. Is he serving up a hot dish tonight 🙂

        1. Jay_
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Well done 🙂

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

            You know what the say..hot in the mouth, hot in the

          • the axolotl
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            on fuego

          • Viper
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Hasn't had a sniff other than his goal but it's his goal that matters

        2. Pirlø's Pen
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Alexis essential

        3. FPLFamily (Lee)
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Is it completely bonkers to consider King (c) next week? This Boro team look there for the taking...

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

            Not completely, no.

            1. FPLFamily (Lee)
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              I'm unlikely to have Ibra, so probably go Kane. Chasing by a few in my ML, so King a decent punt in my opinion...

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

            Not really, Can see some goals in that fixture

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

          Sanchez would have to go to afford Ibra. Dilemma time

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

          70% of the time he hauls, every time

        6. KJT123
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Players with just Sanchez playing tonight(not captain), likely to get a green arrow?

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

            Depends on how many other points they got this week.

        7. All Hail K
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          How can Xhaka be leading in bonus points, he's been Xhit.

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

          Sanchez OG and RC please

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

            How do you like them apples Son

        9. Bubz
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Did the commentator just say that was only Alexis' second direct FK goal for Arsenal? Find that hard to believe

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

            He hardly takes FKs though.

        10. *sigh*
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          The healing has begun

        11. My Name Is Prince
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Can we make another "Your Top-3 DGW players for GW34"?

          Are you thinking outside the box? Herrera? Mikhitaryan? Pogba? Or just Gibson, Zaha, and Tekkers?

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

            I'm considering Ramirez

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

            Lukaku ->Ibra (c) for my FT

        12. Magic Bean
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Sanchez breaking my heart

        13. Rinseboy
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          team is

          Jaku Randolph
          Friend Valencia Baines Davies Pieters
          Eriksen Sanchez Zaha Sterling Firmino
          Lukaku Kane Barnes

          Would you
          A - lose Lukaku for Ibra or
          B - lose Sanchez to fund Ibra
          C - ignore Ibra and just get Rashford for Barnes?

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

            C

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

              Thanks

        14. EDEN THE MAN
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Pick 2 on WC

          A)Alli
          B)Eriksen
          C)Hazard

          Will have Kane and Alonso if it has a baring on the decision.

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

            A c

          2. Guvnor
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            AC

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

            B & C. Alli owner but prefer Eriksen when Kane is fit!

          4. brianutd-why always we? 20
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            A and B