Dugout Discussion

Dugout Discussion – Newcastle vs Arsenal

The first of two Sunday fixtures kicks off at 1.30pm as Newcastle United welcome Arsenal to St James’ Park.

With both sides set to play in Gameweek 35 and twice in Double Gameweek 37, today’s fixture affords Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers the chance for early scouting.

Unbeaten in their last six at St James’ Park, the Magpies have conceded just twice in that run and are seeking a fourth successive clean sheet in front of their own supporters.

That resilience hasn’t stopped Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang being named as the ninth most popular captain pick (2.04%), despite Arsenal playing just once in Gameweek 34.

Sold by over 217,000 FPL managers in the clamour to acquire Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku, the Gabon international has five goals in the last four Gameweeks and averaged 6.4 points per match since arriving in the winter transfer window.

With Arsene Wenger rotating heavily due to the Gunners’ Europa League schedule, the likes of Hector Bellerin, Laurent Koscielny, Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil all miss out altogether.

However, Alexandre Lacazette is named on the teamsheet alongside Aubameyang as he continues to build up his match fitness following a recent stint on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, the 5.1-priced Alex Iwobi has the chance to play his way into our Free Hit chip plans, having delivered two assists against Southampton last weekend.

Similarly, the cut-price Kenedy (4.8) and Ayoze Perez (5.3) have excelled for the Magpies of late, with both bagging two goals and an assist in the last three Gameweeks.

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1,051 Comments Post a Comment
  1. TR19
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Guys, when to activate FH? now or wait for the GW to be over (i.e. the potential price changes of players).

    1. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Doesn’t matter when

    2. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      I'd wait till sat morning

    3. Ghost Gooner
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Play it now

    4. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Better to do it earlier as the players you’ll want are going up in price.

    5. Sánchez
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Asap. You get these players cheaper and prices of old players will be whatever they are at the end again anyway

    6. TR19
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      thanks. i thought i would wait for my players to increase in price before activating it. then i should have more money to play with right? some of my players are due a price rise.

      1. BigBarn
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 13 days ago

        You'll get them anyway - team just reverts back after the GW. Same players, including price changes.

  2. Ravager
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Halfway through and all that. But this has been the most underwhelming DGW34 I've personally experienced.

    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Dilly dilly

    2. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      I haven't hit 30 points yet

    3. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      3 goals and 3 assists for my team so far, bench boost providing an extra 11 points, Lukaku (C) incoming..I'm content so far

  3. Je suis le chat
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Overall competition getting interesting. Many peoples fancy; Luke Kylewalkers dad could take over top spot if Kaku hauls.

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      This still makes more sense than whatever Andy says.

      #Bantz

      #Don'tBanMe

  4. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Think I wasted my bench boost!

    1. Richd
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      It's not worth that much. Those that didn't own Aguero for his haul or didn't captain Salah in 31 for his haul missed out more than a wasted BB

  5. Pariße
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    How do we know Mourinho won’t rest Lukaku and Sanchez midweek for the semis?

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      We dont

    2. The Mastermind
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      It’s mourinho

    3. makaveli123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Thats the problem. We don't know

    4. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Could do be he's never rested Lukaku

    5. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Mourinho hasn't rotated heavily all season . I think it would surprising if he started now

    6. Numb
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      He did say on Friday "Lukaku always plays"

      1. Camp No No
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 13 days ago

        Sounds good enough to me.

  6. Camp No No
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Where's the Lizard of the Öz anyway?

  7. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    After Wenger adapted Conte's tactics, it looks like he's now trying to recreate Pep's/Pozzo's W-W formation - to poor effect.

    You need a world class holding mid for it, and I think it's fair to say they don't have anyone near the quality of Fernandinho or Busquets!!

    1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Fernandinho isn't quite world class

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 13 days ago

        ?!! 😯

        1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 13 days ago

          I think we have different definitions of world class is all Giggs

          1. Piggs Boson
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 13 days ago

            I think he's phenominal, and one of the best holding mids in the world.

      2. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 13 days ago

        Fernandinho is criminally underrated

    2. Ghost Gooner
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Changing formation is not being tactical.

    3. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Fernandinho didn't even play yesterday and City destroyed Spurs

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 13 days ago

        True. City have one hell of a replacement though!

    4. Camp No No
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      If going by players, he should perhaps try to recreate the Pirlo-Juve with Xhaka as DM. Maybe he's not a Pirlo, but he could do well in a similar deep playmaker role.

      On a second thought, having Özil in the squad one might want to form his team with him as the playmaker.

      On a third thought, having that much pace upfront, it would make sense to play counter attacking 4-3-3 with a dynamic 3-man midfield without a designated playmaker.

      I've always been sure that the 3 at back was certainly the wrong formation, but I'm not sure what this squad the best forms into. In any tactic that suits well to strengths of some parts of the squad, you're going to have to leave out some of the best players or give the a role that doesn't suit them well or make good use of their skills. And in every case some glaring weaknesses remain.

      I've heard a lot of thought has been put into building the squad, which makes me wonder what they were thinking so hard.

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 13 days ago

        I think I agree with all this.

        But if they do play 2 CBs, with a creative holding player, only one full-back can forwards at a time. This then means only one wide player can cut inside without giving up width. Not sure that suits Arsenal, they like both to cut inside with both full backs pushed up for width.

  8. Richd
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    I don't own Lingard and hope he comes on and scores.

    Some of you are very bitter people at times.

    1. Ligdon
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Why would you want a player you dont own to do well ?

      1. Richd
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 13 days ago

        Because it winds me up how nasty someone can be about a logical pick someone made. We all have a passion for this game, and elements like this are sheer guesswork. Yes Matic is the nailed choice, but Lingard is the upside ballsy pick.

        1. Yozzer
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 13 days ago

          It wasn't a very good pick. He has history of rotation. Silly pick imo

    2. *Reformed-Character*
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      You want players you don't own to do well ? Great logic flapjack..

    3. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      I don't understand your way of thinking but each to their own

      I want him to get punched in his annoying face because I want to do it myself . You don't get as bitter as that but it's just how it is 😆

  9. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Lindelof was always the obvious choice for the DGW...

    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Go away discount Captain Hindsight

      1. Richd
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 13 days ago

        I think hes joking. I hope he is 🙂

  10. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Lol @ Kaku owners

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Why?

    2. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Wish I had captained him 🙂

  11. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Spewing did a hit for gudmundsson > Lingard
    Disaster week may be my last

    1. Richd
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      I was 0.1 off doing it.. else it was happening.

      However Long would have made up for it.

      1. Richd
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 13 days ago

        Your hit could still pay off. Minimum of 1 today..maybe more eh! Then midweek haul and you're in dreamland

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 13 days ago

          Cheers hope so 🙁

  12. TooDifficuIt
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    I'm not sure Rafa is shaking Wenger hand in this picture

  13. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Come on Auba we want an equaliser

  14. Gnu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    My GW32 wildcard has payed off wonderfully.
    Everyone else?

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Matic, heh.

      1. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 13 days ago

        Looking better than Lingard......at the moment.

        1. Fred54
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 13 days ago

          Hey no complaints here, I brought Mili IN on an FH and retained Arnie.

          1. Gnu
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 13 days ago

            Nice.
            Matic gives me the money I need for GW36 & 37 transfers.

    2. Richd
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Kante did what he said on the tin.

    3. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Nope. I took needless risks even though I didn't need to and didn't want to follow the herd mentality. It's ended my season but I don't regret playing my own game. Could have easily gone other way.

      1. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 13 days ago

        🙁

  15. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Iwobi is such a nothing player

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Recommended my by the official fpl twitter

    2. Richd
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Try supporting a championship team and then say that

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 13 days ago

        What?

        1. Richd
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 13 days ago

          Well these Premier league teams are so spoilt with depth and money they can say Iwobi is a nothing player...

          1. Bubz
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 13 days ago

            Nonsensical thing to say. Everything is relative. He's a nothing player relative to the standard he should be playing at

            1. Richd
              • 11 Years
              6 years, 13 days ago

              Well Arsenal are not a champions league team. So what can be expected.

              1. Bubz
                • 10 Years
                6 years, 13 days ago

                I really don't know what you're trying to argue. Do you think Iwobi is good? He does absolutely nothing to affect games

                1. Pariße
                  • 9 Years
                  6 years, 13 days ago

                  Wow you 2 are on totally different pages 😀

                  1. Bubz
                    • 10 Years
                    6 years, 13 days ago

                    Yeah maybe I missed his point 😀

          2. *Reformed-Character*
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 13 days ago

            Eh???

    3. Ghost Gooner
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Him Elneny Welbeck Chambers Wilshere AMN Willock, could add another 3-4 players.

      Too many generic players in that squad and few specialists

    4. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Good player
      Shite team
      Shite manager

    5. TallestJohn
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      He's 21

  16. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Auba 90'

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Auba and out.

  17. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Arsene putting four strikers on 😆

    1. Ghost Gooner
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Too muych FIFA 😆

  18. LIARS POKER
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Any other DDG owners that are hoping United concede? Double United defence all over my ML

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Only 3 defenders playing

      One of which was unexpected

  19. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Why no Bailly? Not even on the bench! What a distaster pick he was...

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      He is made of glass

      1. Steve Stiffler
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 13 days ago

        most solid united defender, dont understand why he plays lindelof the gimp

        1. Somalion
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 13 days ago

          Yeah, but Bailly is made of glass as Syd says. Far too injury prone.

    2. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      With FA Cup semis to still deal with rotation was always on the cards and he is just coming back from injury...

  20. Smurf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    As a non Pogba owner I’m not happy about Herrera starting.

  21. Sandy Ravage
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Rafa has transformed Perez, Shelvey & Diame into quality team players.

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Excellent manager

      1. Zladan
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 13 days ago

        What? Go for a sleep.

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      He managed to win a CL with Djimi Traore at LB.

      The man is a genius!

    3. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Very good job....needs funds tho

    4. XabiAlonso
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      One of the most underrated managers in the world.

      The British medias treatment of him at Liverpool was borderline racist

      1. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 13 days ago

        About to +1 this post until I realised you had written 'underrated' 😉

      2. Je suis le chat
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 13 days ago

        It was just Fat Spanish waiter-ist!

    5. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Shelvey was always quality, though Rafa has got head right which is fair going. Great manager.

  22. Rsforstar
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    arsenal playing 2-4-4 formation rn

  23. Monkey Hanger
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Arsenal - What a bunch of willocks.

  24. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Wenger in
    Feel less bad about monreal to vert now

    1. *Reformed-Character*
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Smalling starts ....

  25. OldBenKenobi
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Great result for Newcastle.
    Well deserved!

    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Hope wba get the same result

  26. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Auba and Arsenal defence fail. Beautiful.

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Auba outscored kane so far unfortunately.

  27. Bobjonesjnr
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Bailly better start midweek...

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Could happen but maybe he is injured

      1. Bobjonesjnr
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 13 days ago

        Hopefully just given off because of his birthday.

  28. Tommy J
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    What's the betting Arsenal will now want Rafa as their manager-could be a good choice

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Rafa will be the man who stops them getting relegated after Tony Adams is fired.

    2. Ghost Gooner
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Wouldn't mind Rafa tbh, knows the prem, has pride in his job, not scared to cull rubbish players and wants to win

  29. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Glad I sold Bailly