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. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Chambers is w/o a flag!

    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      hurrahhh

      advantage burns!

    2. faver
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      11% chance of playing?

  2. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Who to lose this week,
    Baines or Alonso?

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Baines

      1. Ten Season Wonder
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        CHers Bane

  3. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    how have i ended up with 3 palace players 😯

    1. Camp No No
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Defensive form, cheap prices and an upcoming DGW.

      1. Camp No No
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        …and probably not buying PVA earlier.

    2. GertJan
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I think Andy is wondering the same thing now, lol.

      But hey, maybe it will actually pay off next week? 😉

  4. Mic
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Who are the best options for this DGW?

    1. UnitedFan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Ibra
      Zaha
      Bailly/Rojo
      Benteke
      Gibson

      Some of those

      1. Mic
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks. Chances they will all start every game?

        1. UnitedFan
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          All should except maybe Ibra, though he'll play most of both imo. Maye some doubt over Bailly/Rojo but we have a lack of fit CBs at the moment so they're fairly secure

      2. Ten Season Wonder
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        valencia?

        1. UnitedFan
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Oh yeah, forgot him. He'd be a bit more prone to rotation though, maybe

    2. Moosie the Staggie
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Negredo and Townsend for the list too imo

    3. Moosie the Staggie
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      It will probably be a nobody who ends up top scorer

  5. I Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Bottomed.

    Bench one:

    A) Origi (CRY)
    B) Sigurdsson (STK)
    C) Pedro (SOU)

    Currently have Divock on the bench.

  6. faver
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Is there any defender from City who's nailed and worth considering bringing in on WC? Clichy?

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Not for me. I'd get Bravo.

      1. faver
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        He wont be rotated with Caba?

    2. UnitedFan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Clichy has been nailed at LB for a while if you check his history. No idea if this will remain the case though

      1. GertJan
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Caballero was nailed on as well until Pep decided to mix things up and give Bravo another chance, lol.

        You just never know what might happen next...

        1. faver
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Too bad. Right now I'm swining away from City defender idea.. Cheers

        2. UnitedFan
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah, always a risk with Pep

    3. Moosie the Staggie
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Bravo gets till the end of the season to prove himself imho

      1. faver
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        so i should keep 0,5 itb to do Valdes > Bravo move

  7. Krafty Werks
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    A - Bailly & Barragan.
    B - Gibson & PVA.

    B = higher ceiling?

    1. UnitedFan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. faver
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      With PVA you have higher ceiling but cpl fixtures inside dgw are awful. both barragan and bailly can keep up at LEAST 1 cs.

  8. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Hi all. Iv escaped not having Sanchez since gw 29!!
    Think my luck is gonna run out eventually. Is he back on TC radar again or avoid seen as he's still on the wing. Didn't see the match earlier?

    1. Moosie the Staggie
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Apart from the goal and the assist of the assist he was next to anonymous. No need for you to worry.

  9. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Mark at seasons best of 468.

    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      nosebleed stuff

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Not for him.

    2. GertJan
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      And he did it with only 10 players this week. Wow!

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Yep, a few FA Cup injuries would be interesting.

  10. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    M'Boro defensive double up insane or okay?

    1. UnitedFan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Was thinking about it but with Valdes possibly out (not sure) and terrible fixtures after 34, I wouldn't unless you have a WC

      1. Ten Season Wonder
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        I do have WC

        1. UnitedFan
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          I'd go for it then once you've covered United's defence too

    2. faver
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      For me it's ok. I'm sitting on Chambers and Valdes, but both may not play...

  11. Jigger & Pony
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Would you do Olsson > PVA this GW or save FT?

  12. Foozeball
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Bottomed
    Holgate -> Friend/Barragan?
    Originally planned Mannone -> Valdes, but the GK situation at Boro is very uncertain now

    1. Moosie the Staggie
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Just wait until later in the week then.

  13. Crow
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Bernardo-Chambers FT?

    1. Mattymo23
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Thinking the same thing

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I'm hoping Agnew goes back to 3-5-2 with Fabio out and that Chambers isn't quite match fit... Wishful I know!

      1. Crow
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Fabio's out I think, but boro have a load of quality defenders, idk..

  14. Mattymo23
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Rank of 4997. Well top 5k is top 5k.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Congrats! 🙂

    2. Magic Bean
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Nice one

  15. Loker Joker
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Current team:
    Valdes*, Pickfrod
    Alonso*, Valencia, Bavies, Nyom, Amat
    Sanchez, Alli, Siggy, Zaha, Clayton
    Kane, Lukaku, Carroll
    1.0 ITB, 1 FT

    Which option appeals more to you? (:
    a) Lukaku, Carroll, Alonso --> Ibra, Benteke, Gibson
    b) Lukaku, Carroll, Nyom --> Ibra, Negredo, Kelly

  16. Godot - Fashanu Zealand
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Is top 1k out of reach? I'm 45 points away as it stands at 5029th, and I have my second WC and BB remaining

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Very possible.

      1. Godot - Fashanu Zealand
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Hopefully, I would extremely happy if I did. It's come down to the last two GWs twice for me now.

        2012/13: 1549th
        2013/14: I pretend that season never happened.
        2014/15: 5315th
        2015/16: 1613th

  17. ABCDEFC
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    A) Gibson and Bailly
    B) Barragan and Valencia

    1. UnitedFan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A

      1. ABCDEFC
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers

  18. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    If utd get beat in Europe they will have to go for it and win their two games in hand to clinch 4 so surely ibra starts both games if that's the case ??

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

      Can't see them lose to Anderlecht tbh

    2. Alan The Llama
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah, if they get beaten.

    3. dark91
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I don't see him starting 3 games in less than a week regardless of advancing in Europe or not
      Also can't see him missing the Manchester derby so could get rested for Burnley

  19. Mickey Tyrion™
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Was gonna do Sanchez & Llorente to Zaha and Ibra

    But what about Cout and Llorente to De Roon and Ibra and keep Sanchez?

  20. Alan The Llama
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Glad to see Brighton get promotion, and that Palace are staying up. Not enough people taking a deuce in the sink in the PL.

  21. The Quad
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Help wanted!
    4 points behind my mini league leader,i have 2 arsenal players in walcott and mustafi to ditch and i know arsenal have an upcoming double gameweek but walcott seems to be out of favour with wenger and arsenal aren't keeping many cleansheets.

    defence consists of Mawson-Lowton-Jagielka-Maguire-Mustafi
    midfield consists of Alli-Eriksen-Coutinho-King-Walcott

    $0 in the bank to play with.

    i have to swap mustafi for yoshida to upgrade walcott to firmino or should i swap walcott for either zaha, tadic or herrera? and bring in a man united defender for mustafi?

    1. Alan The Llama
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Zaha and a Man Utd defender.

  22. faver
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    KDB + Gabriel
    Sterling + Alonso

    1. UnitedFan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Sane + Alonso

    2. The Quad
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      cant afford that.

  23. bennyp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Best week to WC?

    1. Slam
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      GW30

      1. RoysCallerAnne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        boo boo BOOM

        1. Slam
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          😀

    2. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      30

  24. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Only downside to this GW was when i realised i couldnt get Carroll of the bench even though he was 1st sub for Alonso I played 3-5-2 so i got 1 point from Evans instead.

  25. Mickey Tyrion™
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    How long till price changes?

    1. UnitedFan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      They happen at around 2:15

  26. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    ML leader bought in Sakho who is now red flagged.... Oh the laughs. He's 60 points clear but was 100 two weeks ago. Reckon I can catch?

    1. Bruno Bruno!!
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      never say never 🙂

    2. Mic
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Tough one

  27. Batshuayi Crazy
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Doing Sanchez + Carroll > Ibra + a midfielder for a hit. Will WC Sanchez back in GW36.

    Who should the midfielder be? 8.3 to spend. Have Alli, Eriksen, Zaha already.

    1. Mic
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      King imo 🙂 Honestly. Or Sane is better use of money with an extra gw37 game

    2. Slam
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Townsend

    3. Ten Season Wonder
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Pogba.

      You not worried about not having Alexis v Lei (H)

    4. Mickey Tyrion™
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      WC before GW 36 or during 36 ahead of 37?

    5. Batshuayi Crazy
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Lack of consensus not what I was after! King blocks mini league rivals so leaning that way.

      Plan to WC pre 36, gets both Arsenal doubles. Not that he'll play all 4.

  28. Mic
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Some big DGW questions this week:

    % Chances of the following to happen?
    PVA to start both matches
    Negredo to start both matches
    Ibra to start both matches

    Also would you play Mawson (STK) or Baines (whu)?

    Finally, who is the most nailed MID def after Gibson?

    Cheers all 🙂

    1. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      100, 100, 75

      Mawson

      Dunno, minefield

  29. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Right, I still have WC intact... Carroll out for...

    1). Zlatan - if it meant losing Alexis for a hit v's Leicester (H)?
    ----would mean I can bring in ANY DGW MID i choose (Mkhi, Pogba)----
    Or
    2). Would it just be easier to bring in someone like Rashford or Negredo?

    (I'm worried about not owning Alexis GW34).

    Current team:

    Pickford
    VALENCIA - PVA - Alonso - B.Davies
    Alexis - Dele - ZAHA - DE ROON
    Kane - Lukaku

    Subs: Foster; Walcott, Baines, Carroll.

    1. Mic
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      2. Negredo imo. Looks like he's much more dangerous now under new coach.

  30. Foozeball
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    I couldn't watch the game. How did George Friend play? Will he be nailed for the DGW after Fabio's injury?

    1. faver
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Chambers can play also. Too hard to tell..