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. Bill Haverchuck
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Sanchez likely to lose his bap do we think?

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

      I have him, so yes

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

      yes

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

      he will i think.. he is on 27 now

    4. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      No.

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

    Nice gesture there Alexis

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

      What did he do? Switched off stream

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

        Gave away his shirt to a kid

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

    Carroll--> Benteke worth a hit? Have Zaha if that matters

  4. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Dressing room selfies in 3...2...1...

  5. Lizard Lips
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Got exact money for Heaton Kun Fletcher to Valdes Zlatan Zaha -4. Obviously want to wait but Zlatan going to rise soon and price me out.

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

      have we Valdes news yet?

  6. Shifty
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    So that's what it feels like to get Capoue's points.

    GW1 owner...First time I'm getting his points. Thank you Walcott.

  7. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Alexis out of baps

  8. Jazz!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Yay, no Alonso and Negredo first sub.

    🙁

    1. Orange Roughy
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Hope you were playing four at the back...

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

    sanchez seems very happy at end there

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

    Man of the people.

    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      My ears are burning 😉

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

    Wenger to announce the 2 year extension tonight?

  12. Trilogist
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Wenger can finally announce he's signed another 3 year deal

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

    Bring in Friend or bring in Chambers? Who's more likely to get two starts in DGW?

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

      Nobody considering Barragan? Seems to go under the radar and has played alot apart from when injured.

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

        Unfortunately, capped at 4.3 ITB if I bring in Ibra so can't afford him, so gonna have to take a gamble on one of them

    2. Bill Haverchuck
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Barragan more likely than either of them. Or Friend if Fabio's injury is going to keep him out

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

    Alexis BAP - DEAD!

  15. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    hmmmm food for thought.............arse are really pants, sanchez just not doin it for me, holding his place in my team by the skin of his teeth 😕
    sad to see

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

      personally ive got money to burn he will be going nowhere for leics home. thats sofa time id suggest

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

    Wenger said Sanchez wants to be on the wing, well Sanchez is certainly doing a good job at hiding it

  17. Hakuho FPL
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    65 all out nice GW.

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

      Snap

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

      Snap

  18. BadgersBoys
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    *Generic Sanchez post

    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      * Generic Sanchez reply

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

        Something about Sanchez

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

          Alexis

          1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            This is worse than the times you mixed up Zlatan with Ibra .

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

              Damnit. I give up.

      2. BadgersBoys
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        *Generic Emoji reply 🙂

  19. Uppercut Panda - A legend i…
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Sanchez was really bad tonight. Is he still guaranteed a spot in the optimal GW37 team, FFS?

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

      He was instrumental in the win, no?

      1. Uppercut Panda - A legend i…
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        If guzan was a decent keeper that freekick doesn't go in. and how many times did he give the ball away? he should pass more. He was bad

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

          Doesn't change my point

    2. walkman666
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I didn't think he was really bad. He made some very good passes, and he set up the second goal (a hockey 2nd assist). He lost the ball a few times, but I think he was far better than "really bad."

      1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        "far better than really bad" equals the definition of back handed compliment

    3. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      He scored tonight - didn't see it- just a jammy goal?

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

        Perfect free kick. He played well.

        1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Cheers Eddie

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

    Latest BAPS:

    Özil (33)
    Negredo (31)
    Ramsey (28)
    Xhaka (28)
    Sánchez (27)

    Poor game with those lot at the top.

  21. jam
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Not sure what I'd do with the extra 2 mill, but I currently have Sanchez in my WC team & I'm wondering if Ozil is a better pick.
    Didn't watch the game tonight.

    1. walkman666
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Both were crucial to the team's performance tonight.

  22. Martial Law
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Sell Lukaku to get Sanchez, Y or N?

    1. Jethrik
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Is that a joke?

  23. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Ok, so no baps for Sanchez, but I'll take a goal
    Thanks

    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Your welcome

      1. L S P
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Adam West would never use the wrong your/you're - impostor!

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

    Carroll to Benteke for a hit.

    Yay or nay?

  25. Hakuho FPL
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    thanks for those 7 points sanchez

  26. boogle
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    For the double:

    A) Bailly + Negredo (own Valencia)
    B) Friend + Benteke (own Zaha)

    Thanks!

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

    How many BAPS for Sanchez?

    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      0 , nought , none etc etc etc

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

      Looking like ziltch

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

      5th number in your name 😉

      1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        That's an O not a 0 . Reported

    4. Hakuho FPL
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      just 7 points total.

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

        Next match seems ideal for a Sanchez hatrick.

  28. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Caballero to Hennessy and McAuley to Gibson for a hit..yes or no?

    1. walkman666
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I also made the mistake of getting Caballero on wc, yet I think Hennessy is unlikely to get a good use of a trade. I was inclined myself, but am now likely holding and then swapping to a dgw36/37 keeper. McAuley to Gibson could be good, but it's also a short-term move.

      1. AzzaroMax99
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Then Forster maybe?

  29. andy85wsm
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Streaming in a few minutes! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO10CP6p7Rk

    🙂

  30. Uppercut Panda - A legend i…
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Sanchez needs to remember that 10 other guys are playing for the same team as he is more often.