Dugout Discussion

Mkhitaryan benched as Lacazette gets his first start of the season

The first of three matches this afternoon kicks off at 13:30 BST, as Cardiff City entertain Arsenal.

The visitors’ starting XI represents bad news for those who own the most in-demand FPL player on show in South Wales: Henrikh Mkhitaryan (£7.2m) is only among the substitutes this afternoon. The Armenian features in more than one in five Fantasy squads and was the only Arsenal midfielder or forward to have played all 270 minutes of Premier League action this season.

Mkhitaryan recorded a goal, an assist and two bonus points in his side’s previous away league fixture at Chelsea in Gameweek 2.

Despite a tumble in ownership after three matches without an attacking return, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.9m) is actually the fourth-most-popular captaincy choice of Gameweek 4 – though that only equates to just over 3% of all FPL managers.

Over 148,000 managers lost faith with the Gabonese striker this week and cashed in on his premium price tag.

Alexandre Lacazette (£9.4m) gets his first start of the season today, which presumably means Aubameyang will move out to the left flank to accommodate the Frenchman. Mesut Ozil (£8.3m) returns from illness to take Mkhitaryan’s place, with Alex Iwobi (£5.5m) also dropping out.

The hosts have registered two clean sheets in as many matches, with Neil Etheridge (£4.6m) currently the highest-scoring goalkeeper in Fantasy Premier League following those back-to-back shut-outs and a brace of penalty saves.

The Philippines international is also the most-owned City player in FPL, sitting in over 6% of our squads.

There is further disappointment for those hoping for a start for Lee Peltier (£4.0m) – the Bluebirds’ most-owned outfield player – who is only among the substitutes this afternoon.

Neil Warnock has made three changes to his side, all in attack: Bobby Reid (£5.4m), Danny Ward (£4.5m) and the fit-again Junior Hoilett (£5.3m) come into the starting XI.

Cardiff City XI (4-4-2): Etheridge; Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett; Camarasa, Arter, Ralls, Hoilett; Reid, Ward.

Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Cech; Bellerin, Monreal, Mustafi, Sokratis; Ramsey, Xhaka, Guendouzi; Ozil, Lacazette, Aubameyang.

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2,514 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Lav
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    42 points. Drop to 1m OR pending (600k+ drop over two GWs). WC activated yeaterday.

    Plenty of time to turn it around, or is inside 100k already gone?

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      J0E (Jonty) came from outside 1m rank in GW12 or similar to Top 50k last season. Loads of time.

      1. Toby Lerone
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Joe is captain hindsight this year bit annoying

    2. Brap.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Come come, plenty of time yet

    3. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Im at 32 points. Dropping to 800k most likely. Soon in the real trenches battling the casuals. Maybe I am one.

      1. Lav
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        We will come back strong together.

      2. Fantastisk
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Lol

    4. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Plenty of time

    5. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Lol there are 34 GWs to go ffs

    6. Toby Lerone
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Early doors yet friend, you'll be fine

    7. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      You have loads of time left. It's a marathon, not a sprint.

    8. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      It's GW4.

    9. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I was 1.5 mil last year in GW5. In GW13, i was in top 10k.

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Now thats an uplifting comment!

    10. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Not gone

    11. BrutalLogiC
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I was +1M at gw10 last season and disappointed not to finish top 5k, like 8k in end after awful last few weeks.

    12. Point-one short
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I was about 2m rank this time last year and finished 17k

    13. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I battled back from 1.7m at the halway stage to close to top 100k last season, loads of time!

    14. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      It’s gone. It’s not like you have 34 weeks to make it up or anything ...

    15. Gangster Panda
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      It's totally doable for anyone. I fought back from 1.1m in GW7 to 24k by end of season.

  2. The Mighty Hippo
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Right, come on Spurs...some Eriksen points are needed to return me to a green arrow.

  3. ZTF
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Mkhi > Moura FT?

    Bottomed..

    1. darth_valdes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Maybe after he played ...

      1. ZTF
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Obviously

    2. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Nah. Try to get both if you can, but I don't think Mkhitarian's absence is going to be a regular thing.

      1. NWA
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Regular or not the risk is there... If there was even a slight hint that he wouldnt play i would have benched this mofo for ings.

        1. Dthinger
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          There were a ton of hints that he might not play. Every other midfielder had been rotated. He was the only one who had played every match and was due a rest, and Unai was obviously going to need to find a way to get Auba and Laca in the same side. Someone had to get dropped. I just didnt think he would go with both Ramsey AND Oezil (which was a bad idea imo).

    3. barracuda
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Hard with Son, Lamela, Sissoko. No?

      1. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I think their rotation risk is about equal at this point.

    4. WINNING!
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      With the storm behind me and a road of my own, I would say yeah..

  4. Dthinger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    I'm considering bringing in Danny Ward. I know, Cardiff's fixtures look rough, and he has competition for the spot, but he played well today. And a 4.5 midfielder playing out of position as a striker could be really interesting.

    Talk me out of it.

    1. Andy Mac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Do it. Or don’t. Are you sure? Really? Good.

    2. grumpyman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Just get a 4.5 who is nailed if he's going to sit on your bench every week imo. Think I'm going Billing.

    3. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I can’t

    4. Fantastisk
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Get your knee checked lad.

      1. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah, I thought it was pretty jerky. But I usually wait too long; so this season I'm trying to make quicker decisions.

    5. Morph - Unbelievable Geoff
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Most of the other options are either rotation risks or card magnets, and it's not like you'll play him much - why not.

      1. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Its the OOP that makes me so tempted.

  5. Brap.
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    When Dwight McNeil scores for Burnely it'll be the ultimate "irrelevant to FPL" goal

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      From a free kick that he won himself.

  6. Smurf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    the thing about Arsenal attackers is they will have to perform even against poor opposition to win games with such a bad defence.

    1. Brap.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Surely it's easier to perform against poor opposition.

      1. barracuda
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Not really. They play a 10 men wall.

      2. Eddie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I think the point is that they will have to battle even to get points against weaker sides. They are not going to stand a chance against the stronger teams if they keep playing like they have done these passed few games.

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Don't think they look that penetrative.

      Auba's was a great strike. A good set piece goal, but that is useless from a FPL persepctive if Xhaka is taking FKs and Corners and Mustafi is on the end of them.

  7. zachalio
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Pereyra or Schurrle to replace Mkhi? I already have Mitrovic btw..

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      keep Mkhi

    2. Brap.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      The cognoscenti are all about Maddison.

      1. Dr. Agabuse
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Fraser

        1. zachalio
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          I'm actually trying to free up funds to bring in Auba as well, that's why pereyra is the most i can afford. Already have Fraser.. shall wait for the Wat vs Tot game and see how.. thansk!

  8. Emery thing I do
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Still not convinced by Arsenal’s front line - thought on Auba & Walcott to Hazard & Mitro -4?

    1. My Name Is Pepu
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Not for a hit

    2. TAT
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Thinking about the same – possibly with Mkhi instead of Walcott.

  9. My Name Is Pepu
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    People mocking Emery for bringing Mkhitaryan on.

    What if he plays FPL too and his rival had Cedric 1st sub?

    Do you think about? No, you only think about yourself!

    1. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      upvote

  10. Dr. Agabuse
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    -8
    Salah and King to
    Hazard and Laca

    yes?
    no?

    have Ramsey

    1. My Name Is Pepu
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      No way

      1. Dr. Agabuse
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        why?

        Laca will start and score and is underpriced as the centerforward.
        Salah has tough fixtures and King plays second fiddle to Fraser and Wilson

        1. My Name Is Pepu
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          But it's for a minus 8

          I would asses Lacazete for another game TBH. They were playing Cardiff who are pretty much rubbish.

        2. Farteta
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          I think it's a great move. Laca and Auba will start next match - Laca in form and Hazard is too. I chanced keeping Laca and looking to go Salah --> Hazard next week!

  11. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Best 4.5 gk?
    Patricio?
    Ryan?
    Hennessey?

    1. darth_valdes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      +1 to Pat

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Patricio for me.

      I'm gonna take a chance on Hamer. 4.0m and rotates amazing with Patricio. Fingers crossed he gets back the #1 jersey.

  12. Ragabolly
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Top 10k average moved slighty from 46.6 to only 47.24 (with -0.76 hits) after Arsenal game.

    1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Amazing

      1. Collie01
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Most who are in the top 10k is there because they don't have Arsenal assets.

        1. Eddie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          You may have a point, it's those just outside the top 10k we need to worry about jumping up inside.

        2. Ragabolly
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Agreed.
          I am preparing my scripts to include top 100k stats or more starting next week

    2. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      only??

      1. Ragabolly
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Yup

    3. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Great stat, thanks

    4. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Surprised it's that low!

    5. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      probably most owned was Mkhi and who still held Auba got the points

    6. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Good.

    7. Point-one short
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks again Ragabolly 🙂

  13. MartialMatas
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Ideas? Open to a hit or 2, but don't think I need to WC yet?

    DDG
    Alonso Mendy TAA
    Salah Bilva Mkhitaryan Walcott
    Kun Zaha Mitro

    Stekelenburg Boly AWB Stephens
    1FT £1.0m ITB

    1. Podge
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      That’s a wildcard all day for me

  14. Superflymonk
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Woohoo! On 4 pts with Bavies left! Cech and Mikhi doing wonders for my team. Got them in for a hit too cuz of fixtures hahaha love this game

    1. Superflymonk
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      41 pts

      1. My Name Is Pepu
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        41 points is not disastrous for this week. Subtle brag?

    2. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      thats a taff week. 4pts.
      gotta have a lot of non starters.
      Still have your WC? its time

    3. BoleynWin
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      This genuinely made me laugh out loud as I’m in a similar, delerious position. Tough week mate but it’s a long season

  15. Tobeno
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Emery throwing Welbeck on before Mkhi, Would make you wonder if he's even part of his plans.

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      He'll be back next GW. Ozil and Ramsey didn't exactly cover themselves in glory.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Which is Newcastle. I'll certainly keep him for another GW.

    2. barracuda
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Iwobi also a risk to Mikhi... Not comfortable with him now.

      1. Tobeno
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Yup, question is who to replace with, Moura would be the obvious choice, but Son and CL will eat up his minutes, Perhaps a return to Richarlison once he's back?

  16. Maddi Son
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone who only had Auba playing today? You expecting an OR rise or drop?

    1. Pierce34
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Has to be a drop, top 10k had 2 players left on average, the rest had at least 3-4 players today.

    2. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Depends how some of the big names do I suppose, Shaw, Kane, Lucas all blanking would be nice, then maybe a rise.

  17. Gloria Leicesterfan
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    When will Burnley’s McNeil (he’ll get at least an assist today) become a fantasy player? Want him as an enabler for alonso.

  18. Bolivian Seaman
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Everyone's team look rubbish for next week? o/

    1. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yep

      1. Chenku╰☆╮
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        4 problems all part of playing 11..

    2. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      No, looking spectacular

    3. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      nul points

    4. Point-one short
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      3 Liverpool vs spurs is tough, but otherwise looks okay...

  19. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    53 all out now to watch the casuals get loads of points from pogba and Kane.

  20. Ohh1454
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    What's the story with aurier? Tripper now a good option ?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Pochtation.

  21. Farke in hell
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Lacazette just said he was shown analysis of Cardiff’s keeper by the coach and saw power shots caused him trouble so he knew to blast for his goal

  22. tafrère
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Odds for a Lowton cameo ? I'd say 65%

    1. Pierce34
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I think quite low. If I recall correctly, he didn't once replace Bardsley last year when he was benched (and same when Bardsley was benched).

      1. tafrère
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        But if Burnley hang on into a clean sheet, he will surely come in for Lennon and help Bardsley with Sanchez.

        1. Pierce34
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Maybe - it's just that last season Dyche rarely, if ever, subbed his full-backs. It's a good point but I'd be a bit more optimistic if I was hoping Lowton stayed on the bench.

  23. Paul Psychic Octopus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Who is going to price drop 0.1m first?

    A. Rich (delta -95.1)
    B. Wally ( -15.9)
    C. Miki (1.2)

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      What would you predict?

    2. barracuda
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Not that hard, is it..

      1. Paul Psychic Octopus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        This involves algorithms and assumptions not predictions. Want it to be Rich, but selling of him has now stopped and stuck on -95.

        Probably Wally.

  24. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Triple Chelsea and City if you're Wildcarding now?

    1. DR0GBA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Alonso Pedro Hazard
      Mendy Dilva Aguero ?

    2. Pierce34
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Double.

    3. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yup, already did last week.

  25. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    60 points all out. I'll take it.

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      53 here

    2. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      59(-4) here once autosubs kick in

    3. Point-one short
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Nice. 55 here

  26. Patch
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Call me a Genius!?

    Mane and Jota --> Hazard and Kenedy

    1. darth_valdes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Genius

      1. Patch
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Newcastle fixtures improving although a "tough" start with Arsenal next...

        Man U are leaky as well

  27. Lilac Breasted Roller
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Ouch. dropped Lacazette and Cedric this week ... luckily it was for Alonso/Mitrovic so the sting isn't that bad ..

    1. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Did you take a hit to do that though??

      1. Lilac Breasted Roller
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        no, saved my 2 FT. So I suppose I won't be calling the suicide hotline just yet

        Until Laca starts more games / also vs the tougher opponents it's too much of a gamble at 9 mil

  28. MTPockets
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Well 1pt is better than none.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        1 is better than 2 for me.

        I would've got 2 for Kante, but my rivals would've got 8 for Ings. Go me!

    • kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Is there an Arsenal asset worth getting? Lacazette could still not be nailed, Aubameyang seems too pricey for his returns, Mkhi benched, and they have now conceded 7 goals this season so little option in defence. What are managers thoughts?

    • Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      B Silva and Mhki to Hazard and Ward. Done.

      Patricio
      Alonso // Mendy // Trippier // Robertson
      Hazard (C) // Salah // Maddison
      Aguero // Ings // Mitrovic

      Hamer // AWB // Kante // Ward

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Wait....... Too late 😀