Dugout Discussion
11 August 2017 3415 comments
Mark Mark
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The 2017/18 season gets underway this evening as Arsenal entertain Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium.

With last season’s top scoring Fantasy Premier League (FPL) player Alexis Sanchez stuck on the sidelines through injury, the stage is set for new arrival Alexandre Lacazette to make an immediate impact.

Boasting an FPL ownership of 17%, he’s is the most popular Arsenal player after netting 28 times in Ligue 1 for Lyon last season.

Encouragingly for the hosts, Lacazette scored six goals in his last four opening day appearances in the French top division.

Fellow new arrival Sead Kolasinac also makes his Premier League bow tonight – he’s owned by 12% on the back of Sunday’s Community Shield strike against Chelsea.

With clashes against Man United, Chelsea and Liverpool also to follow in the first six Gameweeks, Leicester’s key assets have been mainly overlooked.

Only 4% have taken a punt on Jamie Vardy, who averaged a healthy seven points per appearance under Craig Shakespeare in the latter stages of 2016/17.

The Foxes also face promoted pair Brighton and Huddersfield over that period, though, affording us a chance to scout Vardy and new strike partner Kelechi Iheanacho as potential differentials up top.

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

  1. FlockofSeagulls
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    I just told my missus that I was going to pick Lacazette.

    She punched me in the nuts and told me to make her a cup of tea.

    I'm not even mad. I deserved it.

    1. Fred54
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Random Comment.

      1. FlockofSeagulls
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Random nut punch too.

        1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          I like you. Hope you'll stick around 🙂

          1. FlockofSeagulls
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 4 months ago

            I will be sticking around until me and the fam have to fly south for the winter.

  2. PvA
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    I wouldn't like to be a Laca owner now. Giroud is fighting his corner to start against

    1. PvA
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Stoke in GW2

      1. noquarternt
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah he'll probably be dropped after scoring the same amount of goals as Giroud.

        1. PvA
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          They could start together with Laca on the wing like today

          1. Ohhh Shola Ameobi
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 4 months ago

            Lacazette looked, if anything, even more productive on the wing. Don't think there's cause for concern.

      2. barracuda
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Whats up bro, any points today?

        1. PvA
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          0 from 0

          Season starts tomorrow for me

          How bout you?

          1. barracuda
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 4 months ago

            Just Kola buddy. Can't complain and delivered as I thought (minus the cleanie). Got in PVA in the end as I was inspired by your Scott Dann .

      3. Sánchez
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Plan laca to kane gw3 all along
        Laca sure starter then punted
        Giroud is useless away

    2. Turbolag
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Nah, it's pretty great.

    3. fedolefan
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      I think this will be Giroud's role and Wenger will have convinced him for this 1 season. We'll have all three this season: Laca, Lexi and Le Donk.

  3. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Announce Essential!

  4. French Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED ?

  5. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Lmao loving everyone on here already saying how happy they are that Lacazette is going to outscore Kane and Lukaku. I like him too, but calm down 😆

    1. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Much cheaper than Kane

    2. Nascimento
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      1 person = everyone

      1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Look back a few pages, plenty of people saying things along those lines.

  6. fedolefan
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    So pumped. My goodness. Was literally depressed when Arsenal were trailing 2-3.

    1. Debauchy
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      this

  7. KOLASINA(C)
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    grav check

    1. KOLASINA(C)
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      yissss

    2. _Make
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Nice

  8. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    So many shit streams, people will still be posting about Giroud goal after this 🙄

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Giroud goal? He's only just come on... 😕

  9. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Here comes the "can't believe I swapped out Xhaka 10 mins before the deadline" crew 😆

  10. Ohhh Shola Ameobi
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    While it's probably contributed to a cracking final 10 minutes, what the hell was Shakespeare thinking putting on Iheanacho?

    1. KLOPPTOMANIA
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Utterly no idea

      1. KLOPPTOMANIA
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Maybe pre-planned to give him a run out following his transfer but didn't change his mind given tactical situation

  11. FlockofSeagulls
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    If you got Vardy in your team email me please.

    I'd like to take you out to lunch and pick your brain for a couple hours.

  12. Guy Demel
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Surely we won't be treated to an arsenal fan meltdown on the first day of the season.

    Would love a Leicester 4th

    1. zizoo10
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      inb4 arsenaltv post game interview with chino w****r saying "bruv" "fam" "innit"

  13. The Gobstopper
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Quick observation. Kolasinac looks great when marauding forward. Passing the ball? Not so much. His pass completion rates must be atrocious from this game. That said, he does look like someone worth having this season.

    1. Turbolag
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Nope, 84.3% passing.

    2. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Were we watching the same game??

      1. The Gobstopper
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Really? I guess all those short pass worked out for him because I just remember seeing a number of attempted passes that ended up to no one or to the other team. Eyes can lie, though, so I stand corrected.

    3. QueefParkRangers
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      get down spec saves mate

  14. FlockofSeagulls
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    This Kolasinac fella was a terrible piece of business from Wenger. They're conceding rubbish goals to mediocre teams just like they did last season.

    He needs Mertesacker to rip that band aid off his forehead and get out there!!

    1. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      He's good going forward. Big unit, lots of passion. He isn't great defensively. I would have taken him on a free though. Certainly isn't a LCB.

      1. Licky
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Hopefully he's out at LWB soon.

      2. FlockofSeagulls
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        So you're saying my cousin Dave is a good chance to join Arsenal next season, cause you just described him, and most of the other male Seagulls in my family. Dave especially is able to move forward well, but struggles to back it up, he's a massive unit for a seagull, extremely passionate, and hardly ever gets defensive when we tease him about having chubby wings. And best of all, he's many things but a CB he most definitely is not.

        Looks like playing for Arsenal is well and truly for the birds. Dave will be wrapped! 🙂

        1. Business Cat
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          ...and I ran

    2. StalkingDwarf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Well he is playing out of position.

    3. Debauchy
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      lol

    4. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Not sure if you're serious. But Kola is a great player, not his fault Arsenal are behind.

      1. FlockofSeagulls
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        I'm as serious as a clown at a funeral.

  15. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    I wonder can a Kola manage a goal, a booking & a sending off in the second half. It would cement his legendary status after 1 game.

    1. Fred54
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Certainly would put Woodgate's debut for Real Madrid in the shade.

  16. mattk lfc
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Was really considering Vardy but his fixtures put me off 🙁

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Same, went firmino instead. Should've known these are the games vardy thrives in...

  17. The Tinkerman
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    FFS why did I change Vardy to Firmino...

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      One tinker too many.

    2. Oven Glover
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Your username might be a clue...

    3. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Welcome to the club...

  18. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Easy transfer from Firm if he hits hot form. No problem.

  19. SADIO SANÉ
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Vardy the first price rise...BHA next

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      straight swap for those with Batshuayi..

  20. Keno
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Kolas steels the 1 bap, no more for danny welb

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Deserves it for the Cryuff turn

      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        *kola-turn

        1. 32chickens
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          That's the name
          Wasn't o kruffgg

      2. Deulofail
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Cruyff turns are easier than passing the ball

    2. DeathoftheParty
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Swam the absolute channel for that bap! If I win my league by 1 it'll be remembered!

  21. Too Mane Men
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Can we calm down and not jump to conclusions after seeing only 45 minutes of the new season. Thank you

    1. Net Gains
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      No! Stop being unreasonable!

    2. FrankieTheGent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Vardy captain

    3. Podge
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      WHAT !!!
      How much more do you want ??

    4. Tony Warner Fan Club
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      I've paid my Sky Sports subscription therefore I'm entitled to jump to as many conclusions as I want - thank you very much.

    5. Fred54
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Oh go and play The Telegraph postal version of Fantasy Football...

  22. Tommyg
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Arsenal to finish...?

    1. zizoo10
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      4th

    2. Net Gains
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Your sentence?

      1. Tommyg
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Lol.

  23. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Sanchez missus is hot

    1. Sánchez
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks

    2. MarvelouSuccess
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      big lips. 😉

    3. Sterling is £11Mill..…
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      yep shes not bad

    4. Fred54
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      I always thought he was asexual....that or "into" his dogs.

  24. The Royal Robin
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Kola owners, happy?

    1. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Yep

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Very, want him to get to LWB or LB as soon as possible though to unleash his true potential but in the first half the guy was in strike half the time

      • StalkingDwarf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah

      • ChelseaGuy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Definitely

      • VS10_
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Yes. He had his bad moments defensively but bossed it otherwise and Ox can't play on the left. 1+1 = LWB next game.

      • Shanty Toon
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Most definitely. Potential 6pt haul after conceding 3 goals and playing at CB haha looks an absolute beast!

        1. The Royal Robin
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Will he start the next game?

          1. Deulofail
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 4 months ago

            Of course!

      • KOLASINA(C)
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Yip, shame about that 3rd goal for Leicester, would have been a sweet six-pointer.

        1. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          that's a clean sheet score. arsenal don't look like getting a lot of them. think he looks great for assists but there are other WBs that have that and clean sheet potential. don't get me wrong I'll be keeping an eye on him

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              8 years, 4 months ago

              Arse usually reliable for clean sheets, once everyone is fit

            • KOLASINA(C)
              • 10 Years
              8 years, 4 months ago

              They have been playing with Holding, Monreal and a natural wingback at the back, wait for Koscielny and Mustafi to come.

        2. Football Weekender
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Very. Hope to see him at LWB against Stoke.

        3. DeathoftheParty
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          So happy my team name is now 'Rolla Kola'

        4. slamdunk
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Yeah be great when he starts lwb

        5. Fred54
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          They ought to be 4 points is a steal considering one assist, 3 goals conceeded and 7 goals in the match!

          Not value for me. From a 5.5 I'd be content with 4-5 points but from a 6.0 maybe not but then he doesn't take a mid slot but there will emerge way better value defs anyhow.

        6. reason17
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          very

        7. Prøfeßör …
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Yup. Like others have said, can't wait to see him at LWB and for the likes of Koscielny and Mustafi to return.

        8. Scapegoat Salah
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Yes, very. If he's that attacking playing LCB imagine him at LWB

      • Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Arsenal currently bottom of the league.
        http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/table

        Wenger out.

        1. Business Cat
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Relegation battle!

        2. nicoTours
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          1. Piggs Boson
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 4 months ago

            ^ Arsenal's points total

            1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
              • 8 Years
              8 years, 4 months ago

              Gold 😆

        3. Sánchez
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Leicester 2 titles in 3 seasons

      • Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        I've had enough of this Ville Ronke obsession. Link to Numb's team?

        1. _Make
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Waxys' or nothing. You know that.

        2. Gnu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Which one 😉
          Apologies Numb.

          1. Numb
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 4 months ago

            Heh

        3. Netley Lucas
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Is this a Keyser Soze moment? 😆

        4. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          666

          1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
            • 15 Years
            8 years, 4 months ago

            No wait that's my number

        5. Fred54
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Diesel FTW!

        6. Lebowski85
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Have you got a link to his history? ; )

        7. Ógie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          He is a has been anyway i dont see why people get so worked up about him.

      • fedolefan
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Pretty much every poster has a grav.

        1. Sánchez
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Casuals quit already

          1. fedolefan
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 4 months ago

            Yeah, lol. It's almost like game locked, close tab, next login 5 minutes before deadline.

        2. blizzle
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Didn't even notice, interesting.

        3. StalkingDwarf
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          No use in doing RMTs anymore

        4. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Except me, and I would have one except I forgot which email I used to make this account 🙁

        5. rokonto
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Wtf is a grav?

      • United10
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        When are we going to be able to see our opponents teams?

        1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          when you show you can be trusted to use them properly

          1. United10
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 4 months ago

            in what sense

        2. F4L
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          when Pogba scores

          1. Debauchy
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 4 months ago

            Cmon , really ?

        3. MB10
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          You can already on the app

          1. United10
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 4 months ago

            thanks

      • Nabs Kebabs
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Kolasinac performance today was 9/10. Great player.

        Lacazette looks very sharp but needs more service. Ozil was awful.

        1. Moin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Before that assist even Xhaka was horrible.

          Maguire a really good signing for Leicester

          1. Nabs Kebabs
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 4 months ago

            Xhaka got 2 assists though. He was very solid throughout imo except for one very sloppy pass in the first half.

          2. The Gobstopper
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 4 months ago

            Big Maguire (and Hull) fan, and just hoping that Maguire doesn't get pushed out by Huth. The guy has some real talent. Good distribution from the back, great in the air (although he did get beaten by Giroud (unfairly?) for the goal), good positioning, and willing to sacrifice his body. Just worried that this scoreline could really affect Shakespeare's thinking and push him to get Huth back in.

          3. Boydinho
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 4 months ago

            Didn't impress me defending tonight, last goal is his tbh

            1. The Gobstopper
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 4 months ago

              Agreed on the last goal. As for being impressive, he was as solid as anyone else on the pitch at the back tonight (Kolasinac included).

        2. HammersFan
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Hopefully Ozil leaves so xhaka keeps set pieces

        3. barracuda
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          He was at fault in 1st goal (Kola owner).

          1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 4 months ago

            He should be playing LWB. He's not a CB

            1. barracuda
              • 8 Years
              8 years, 4 months ago

              Clearly not- a monster wingback.

        4. Granville
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          His average position was on the halfway line. Don't often see that from a CB

        5. Boydinho
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Kola was good in one half of the pitch, not his own.

          1. Nabs Kebabs
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 4 months ago

            100% tackle success.

            1. Nabs Kebabs
              • 14 Years
              8 years, 4 months ago

              His defensive positioning needs a bit of work though.

              1. Boydinho
                • 10 Years
                8 years, 4 months ago

                Yes, stats is big in FPL not that much IRL.

            2. Boydinho
              • 10 Years
              8 years, 4 months ago

              Positionally then? First and third goal... not impressed.

      • VFORVANDETA
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        This guy TC Lacazette.Lol.
        https://fantasy.premierleague.com/a/team/3857365/event/1

        1. Netley Lucas
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Trying to be 1 overall for a day

        2. Harper_
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Yeah it's random name

        3. Waylander
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          TC Lacazette and has Schmeichel in goal. Genius that.

          1. VFORVANDETA
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 4 months ago

            Haha.

        4. Granville
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          I bet plenty people set up a 2nd team and loaded it with Arsenal and Leicester players and triple captained Vardy just to be number 1 tonight.