Dugout Discussion
2 September 2018 2514 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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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 Login to Post a Comment
  1. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    8 years, 1 month ago

    I told everyone to ship Aubameyang... Looks terrible. Willing to risk 45mins for him to silence me.

    1. Keno
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Yea was giving him 1 last GW since I had him from the start, deff shipping now though

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Had him for the first 3. I saw all I needed to see.

    2. Richd
      8 years, 1 month ago

      He’s a better option than Walcott imo

      1. JamieC180
        8 years, 1 month ago

        But he's also the reason why so many players have Walcott rather than Hazard

      2. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Honestly, he really might not be even if Walcott is injured. Just the fact he costs 11m and sucks up value.

    3. TAT
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Shipping for a -4. Had enough of Arsenal assets.

    4. Nomar
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Least he's playing.

      Kind of figured Mikhi would get benched just to complete an utterly crappy GW for me.

      Gudmondsen, Zaha, Mikhi. Great!

  2. NestorC
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Bring Wenger back, we forgive you all

  3. Pariße
    8 years, 1 month ago

    It’s mostly Xhaka’s fault, but Ozil is also done, that’s the 3rd time Bellerin had to defend alone against their LW and their LB.

  4. Gnu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    8 years, 1 month ago

    There was an article I read about it not being how good your star players being but in how much of a liability your weakest players are. in that they are more likely to affect the result negatively than the star can positively.

    Xhaka is a great example of this point.

    1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      8 years, 1 month ago

      This is true

    2. Andy_Social
      8 years, 1 month ago

      At least he laid on a goal. Ozil has done absolutely naff all.

    3. Oven Glover
      8 years, 1 month ago

      The old “a chain isn’t stronger than its weakest link” theory. Radical stuff 😉

      1. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Love your posts, keep up the good work.

        1. Oven Glover
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Another fan 🙂

    4. Four Hit Wonder
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Monreal would be the better example. Look at the replay of the Cardiff goal.

    5. diesel001
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Not sure why Xhaka is put in a defensive midfield position. He isn't a defensive midfielder, he just isn't as attacking at Ozil and Mkhi. Would be better to put him in a three where he has less defensive responsibility.

    6. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 1 month ago

      With Ozil playing, it's basically like playing with 10 men permanently

  5. OPTA FPL
    8 years, 1 month ago

    why did I double Arsenal defence? Bellerin and Monreal ((

    1. My Name Is Pepu
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Because the Cardiff attack is rubbish? So is the Arsenal defence

    2. Lone Wolf FPL
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah, why? Tell us

      1. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Very interested to hear the reasons also 😉

    3. Drexl Spivey
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Because you're a true deadzoner.

    4. Pariße
      8 years, 1 month ago

      You were close. Mustafi was the way to go today.

  6. Moolaah
    8 years, 1 month ago

    If you have money to buy, who will you bring into the team, Hazard or Kane? I've already have Alonso and Pedro. Hazard will replace Pedro if I bring him in. Kane will replace Zaha and currently I don't have any Spurs cover.

    1. OPTA FPL
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Kane

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Hazard is priority #1

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Until kane brace then it's posts about how to get kane in all over the place

    3. J T
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Hazard

    4. OPTA FPL
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Hazard is a troll, got 2 lucky goals so far

      1. J T
        8 years, 1 month ago

        He’s played one full match and is second highest points scoring mid

    5. tafrère
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Hazard.

    6. gaurava1216
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Kane

    7. Pep's Money Laundry
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Kane

    8. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Hazard

    9. Moolaah
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Based on Kane's number of shots and the location he took them, he should score just like the season before this, barring injury. Although it is based on just 3 GW, the stats look good.

  7. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Camarasa looks a talent

  8. Meinhoff
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Such a shame there is really no decent Arsenal option to get on a WC, those fixtures are beautiful

    1. Pariße
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Mkhi is the best one, don’t expect Emery to tolerate Özil’s attitude any longer.

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Mkhi

    3. Nomar
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Emery already looks like he's got no clue.

      These fixtures should be yielding a plethora of points for Arsenal attacking players. Instead were picking the carcass every week and wondering who he's not starting this weekend.

      1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
        8 years, 1 month ago

        I think that’s harsh on Emery. It’s a weak and unbalanced squad. Arsenal have been defensively and mentally frail for many years now.

        1. Andy_Social
          8 years, 1 month ago

          I agree. Bt like United post-Fergie, except Emery is a darn sight better than Moyes. He'll need 2-3 transfer windows and the finances to get Arsenal into shape to get back into the Champers League. Need to give him time.

          1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Yeah exactly. Although I don’t think the funds are there, that’s the problem.

            Now he owns virtually all shares in the club, the next step will be Kroenke paying himself a huge dividend.

      2. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
        8 years, 1 month ago

        How's he supposed to start all of Torreira, Ramsey, Lacazette, Aubameyang, Guendouzi, Mkhitaryan and Ozil?

  9. jacktaylor
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Auba (assuming quiet 2nd half), Salah and PVA ---> Kane, Mane and Alonso for -4?

    1. gaurava1216
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I like

  10. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Man City
    Liverpool
    Spurs
    Chelsea
    United
    Arsenal

    1. NestorC
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Pool
      City
      Che
      Spurs

      1. yakirh
        8 years, 1 month ago

        This

      2. My Name Is Pepu
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Pool winning the title? 😆 😆

        1. NestorC
          8 years, 1 month ago

          It's now or never imo, could be never though

          1. My Name Is Pepu
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Never it is then.. 😉

    2. Cok3y5murf
      8 years, 1 month ago

      The spuds won’t finish 3rd

      1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
        8 years, 1 month ago

        It will be close run but I think they'll manage

      2. My Name Is Pepu
        8 years, 1 month ago

        +1

    3. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 1 month ago

      4 champions league places and two of the relegation places? 😉

    4. My Name Is Pepu
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Arsenal?

    5. Andy_Social
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Chelsea above Spurs I think. Otherwise, yup. Wolves 7th.

      1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Wolves aren't going to make Europe...

        1. Andy_Social
          8 years, 1 month ago

          I rate them the best of the rest altho' Everton will be close.

          1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Fair enough if you do... I doubt they will.

      2. IRBOX ⚽
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Everton

  11. diesel001
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Wenger will probably be chuckling away. As it stands, Arsenal still only 1 away win in the whole of calendar year 2018.

    1. Jafooli
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Wow

    2. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Is that true? I didn’t know that. Shocking.

  12. Lone Wolf FPL
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Form over fixtures...always.

  13. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Wow Arsenal are fantasy non-entities this season

  14. SweeSwee
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Wenger not looking so bad now

    1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      8 years, 1 month ago

      This is his team and squad. Diesel above has stated Arsenal have just one win in the calendar year of 2018 - and Wenger always loved saying how Arsenal would be champions in the calendar year.

  15. Brosstan
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Theres something wrong with Arsenal. They never get stuck in, always looks like they are playing at 60% capacity. And when they get angry and energetic its always in a petty vengeful way, as if they are outraged that someone dared get physical against them. I have a feeling Arsenal training sessions under Wenger were always low energy strolls where they focused on technical passing drills and no gut-busting ever. That mentality has plagued Arsenal for years and its probably hard to get it out of the walls after so many years.

    Emery has a huge job ahead of him.

    1. diesel001
      8 years, 1 month ago

      What about Emery makes you think he will improve Arsenal defensively?

      1. Brosstan
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Hes not Arsene Wenger

    2. Andy_Social
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Bunch of bambis

      1. Four Hit Wonder
        8 years, 1 month ago

        That's a shorter way to say what he said lol

    3. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      8 years, 1 month ago

      This.

      Also, Emery has no money to spend and Kroenke throughout his history of owning US teams has never put money in, just taken it out of the clubs. Why Emery took the Arsenal job is beyond me. There has been 14 years of decay under Wenger and the squad is weak but there’s no money to bring it up to scratch. The reality is that Arsenal could spend 300 million and they still wouldn’t have a title challenging side.

      1. diesel001
        8 years, 1 month ago

        If you put Pulis or Allardyce in charge of Arsenal they would win more away games IMO. Defence is just as much about mentality and teamwork as it is about having great players.

      2. Where has all the rum gone?
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Even if arsenal gets relegated, kroenke will continue to leech.
        american version of the venkys.

    4. Meinhoff
      8 years, 1 month ago

      It's pretty simple imo: quality of their players is so low now. I mean not a single Ars player is good enough for Man City's first XI for example

  16. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Auba to Kane?

    1. Pukki Party
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

  17. Desperately Seeking Dusan
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Somebody on here yesterday was in disbelief of the idea that Cardiff could score because obviously failing to score in three games meant they wouldn’t score for the remainder of the season.

    I said it then and I said it today, I knew Cardiff would score once they went up against the Arsenal defence. Please no more “should I be getting Bellerin and Monreal?” questions. You should have known the answer just looking at the games the past few gameweeks. Not just looking at points and prices on the FPL website.

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Disbelief? Have they not watched arsenal play this season?

      1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
        8 years, 1 month ago

        I wonder sometimes Bemba, I wonder... West Ham should have scored a few times. That 3-1 was a false score.

    2. Andy_Social
      8 years, 1 month ago

      They won't score against any actual defences.

      1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Well, I agree with this. But specifically he was referring to this game.

    3. The Farke Side Gallery
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Your know everything cause you have google on your phone?

      1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
        8 years, 1 month ago

        You clearly don’t have a spell or grammar check on that’s for sure. Education is free you know. And I’m not sure what your response has to do with my statement.

    4. tvz32
      8 years, 1 month ago

      The same Ars defence that made me contemplate bringing Kante in

  18. TheCardinal
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Any cricket watchers around?
    Lovely test match battle ongoing on the 4th day at Southampton!
    And yeah, arsenal can't defend.

  19. gaurava1216
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Hi guys

    Hazard and Alonso for peltier and Salah for -4?

    Price rise of Haz/ alonso soon and I'm little concerned liverpool have busy run coming up....

    My team
    Fabianski Patricio
    Mendy Shaw Robbo WB Peltier
    Walcott Miki Salah Mane Ward
    Mitro Agüero Zaha

    1. chrisdale98
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I was gonna do this

      1. gaurava1216
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 years, 1 month ago

        peltier due to drop soon also... miki not playing has thrown a spanner into the works maybe

  20. Pukki Party
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Do we think Son will be back after international break?

    1. diesel001
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

    2. learnedlizard
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Yesss

    3. Andy_Social
      8 years, 1 month ago

      For sure. So Lucas????

      1. Pukki Party
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Could he start instead of Lucas?

    4. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Yes, but will likely start as a sub when he does play first game.

      1. Pukki Party
        8 years, 1 month ago

        So should be a great option after Liverpool game then.

  21. hannibalos
    8 years, 1 month ago

    What is more predictable? Arsenal conceeding or Ozil being terrible?

    1. Andy_Social
      8 years, 1 month ago

      both cast-iron

      1. hannibalos
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Lol

    2. JoeJitzu +42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 1 month ago

      IMO Ozïl being terrible?!

      1. hannibalos
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Maybe Ozil being terrible even after Arsenal have conceeded?

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Ozil has been terrible for ages.
      Maybe for ever.

      1. hannibalos
        8 years, 1 month ago

        He is morale damaging for any team for the last 1 year and a half or so.

  22. The Farke Side Gallery
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Wildcard disaster....

    Bellerin
    Mhki
    Zaha
    Walcott

    Knob ends

    1. JoeJitzu +42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 1 month ago

      They deserve a right slap!!!

      1. The Farke Side Gallery
        8 years, 1 month ago

        I deserve a harder one lol

    2. More Tragic
      8 years, 1 month ago

      no mitrovic?

      1. The Farke Side Gallery
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Went Bellerin and Zaha over Robertson and Mit

    3. OPTA FPL
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Mkhi and Bellerin Walcott will good picks IMO, patience

    4. toystory2wasok
      8 years, 1 month ago

      i have 3 of those. GW rank 58K.

    5. International Richard
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Took the word outta my mouth. I had to word that carefully

  23. JoeJitzu +42
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Would you wildcard A to B?

    A
    Patricio Hamer
    TAA Mendy Alonso WB Peltier
    Salah Mkhitaryan Walcott BSilva Stephens
    Aguero Firmino Ings

    B
    Patricio Hamer
    Pereira Mendy Alonso WB Bennett
    Salah Hazard DSilva Lingard Biling
    Aguero Mitrovic Ings

    1. Super John McGinn-
      8 years, 1 month ago

      No

    2. Pukki Party
      8 years, 1 month ago

      No 2 transfers in midfield should do it

  24. Boomerang V
    8 years, 1 month ago

    That goal was good for Mhki owners! I hope

  25. columbo
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Camarasa second on my bench, gonna be kept there by Miki 🙁 AWB comes in for Zaha. Tough game sometimes

  26. pjomara
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Kerry win the 5-in-a-row!!!!

    1. The Farke Side Gallery
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Looks like I picked a bad day to give up sniffing glue 🙂

    2. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 1 month ago

      🙂

  27. Supersonic
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Lads considering rotations and fixtures;

    A) Robertson
    B) Trippier

    Defence is currently
    6.1-Alonso-Mendy-wba-Bennett

    Cheers

    1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Tripps

    2. JoeJitzu +42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Really tough call! I think most will say Robertson is a season keeper and that Trippier will be more prone to rotation..... however Trippier when he plays looks excellent.

      1. Supersonic
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Might go with Tripp for now.. thanks!

  28. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Mkhi to Maddison?

    1. Andy_Social
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Nah. After this game he should be nailed.

      1. Supersonic
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Why do you say that?

        1. Brosstan
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Because Ozil is a fraud.

          1. Supersonic
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Yep fair enough

    2. Supersonic
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I will be

  29. meksss
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Should I trade my Yaromolenko for Sane in my draft league? Will Sane get some burn later in the season?

  30. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Done Vvd to Taa and Luiz to Alonso for a hit. Now my team looks like this:

    Kepa, Stekelenburg
    TAA, Alonso, Mendy, Trippier, WB
    Salah, Hazard, Fraser, Neves, Masuaku
    Mitrovic, Aguero, King

    Thougts?