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. Pierce34
    8 years, 1 month ago

    "Hector Bellerin violates the rules and gets a yellow card."

    1. Fantastisk
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Hand ball

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

    Is Mhky already in to ruin my Ings swap?

    1. XabiAlonso
      8 years, 1 month ago

      He will defo come on unfortunately

    2. Dannyb
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Few more minutes.

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

      If he's coming he needs to come soon.

      He'll start the next match. Unfortunately by that time he'll have lost 0.2 off his value due to the combination of a million wildcards during the international break, and l the fact that we are still early enough in the season that everyone is making kneejerk decisions from week to week. Also tonnes of people will just put Richarlison straight back in and he's an easy swap.

  3. SuperMane Returns
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Mkhi on at 60?

    1. Andy_Social
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Yup, incoming ....

  4. Beautiful Game
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Maybe it's the transition period but this arsenal team looks shite!

    1. RashFraud
      8 years, 1 month ago

      When was the last time they looked good? 2004?

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

        Three years ago when Sanchez was bossing it

      2. SADIO SANÉ
        8 years, 1 month ago

        when they won the FA Cup 3 times in 4 seasons

  5. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Mustafi close

  6. Dannyb
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Ozil is quite possibly the laziest player I've ever seen.

    1. Brap.
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Never saw Jardel then #pies #cocaine

    2. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      8 years, 1 month ago

      He doesn’t help himself with his posture, the lethargic style... enough, I feel I’m making excuses for him. He’s nicking a living.

    3. Fantastisk
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Check his stats.

  7. Murder On Zidanesfloor
    8 years, 1 month ago

    On WC
    A) Kane + up to 7.2 mid
    B) Salah + Mitro

    1. Dannyb
      8 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. yakirh
      8 years, 1 month ago

      A with Maddison

    3. Dannyb
      8 years, 1 month ago

      But see how Kane gets on first obviously.

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

      B. Mitro is the best value forward in the game.

      If you want Kane, use your 3rd slot.

      1. CloudSky
        8 years, 1 month ago

        No he isnt.

        1. Cok3y5murf
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Yes he is.

          1. CloudSky
            8 years, 1 month ago

            No, he isnt. Alonso, Robbo, Etheridge and even Holebas are mileeeees better value than Mitrovic.

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

              Someone hasn't been reading witg their glasses on

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

          Who then? He's on all set pieces, PKs and takes a load of shots. He's easily imo the best forward 7 or less.

          1. CloudSky
            8 years, 1 month ago

            As above.

      2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        8 years, 1 month ago

        A) Maddison Hazard Mane Fraser
        Kane Kun Ings
        B) Salah Hazard Mane Fraser
        Mitro Kane Ings
        What do you think? Defence is sorted

  8. korbendallas82
    8 years, 1 month ago

    1-1 good for me as Mkhtaryan owner.

    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      8 years, 1 month ago

      How?

    2. korbendallas82
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Bigger chance they need him on the pich.

    3. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      8 years, 1 month ago

      He’ll be on any minute now.

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

      Cos you put a bet on 1-1 with Mkhi not to play...?

      1. korbendallas82
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Yes. Thats it. Hehe.

  9. Fantastisk
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Mustafi close again. Essential?

    1. yakirh
      8 years, 1 month ago

      They can't defend and he won't score every game

    2. Dannyb
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Absolutely not, it's Cardiff.

  10. RashFraud
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Emery gotta get Ozil off. He’s been absolutely useless. Mkhi should’ve started too. Arghhh

  11. ⭐ ABHISHEK - THE CURIOUS …
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Mkhi coming in for Ozil ..... 🙂

    1. luke
      8 years, 1 month ago

      about time

  12. hannibalos
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Auba and Ozil have been very poor so far. Mikhi and Welbeck must enter in their places

    1. ⭐ ABHISHEK - THE CURIOUS …
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Auba must have been subbed of in 1st half only

      1. ⭐ ABHISHEK - THE CURIOUS …
        8 years, 1 month ago

        dont know how that guy is 11M , ridiculous

  13. Hotdogs for Tea
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Mkhi to block all those jammy benched Ings points 🙂

    1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      8 years, 1 month ago

      His best assist this season 😉

    2. Richd
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Not jammy to own Ings. The value pick of the game.

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Jammy to get his bench points though after playing AWB instead of him

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

        He would have been 7million if he hadn't moved from Liverpool at literally the last minute. As 1st choice he's probably good for 10-15 goals over the season, which is absolutely worth 5.6million for your 3rd striker.

  14. Mic
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Ramsey playing poorly.. Emery out of his depth

    1. diesel001
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Ramsey should be off IMO. Get Torreira on and push Xhaka forward.

      1. Dannyb
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Xhaka? He's awful.

      2. Mic
        8 years, 1 month ago

        He looks very tired

    2. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Emery had a fantastic record in Spain... his crime at PSG was not winning the CL. Not sure Arsenal is a step up for him.

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

    That moment when you accidentally click confirm transfers and lose 0.2m 🙁

    I guess I'm not keeping Robbo on my WC.

    1. ⭐ ABHISHEK - THE CURIOUS …
      8 years, 1 month ago

      🙁

    2. Ask Yourself
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Hahaha I did that last week sucks don’t it. Ah well probably for the best

    3. Homer21
      8 years, 1 month ago

      D'oh!!

    4. Richd
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Good move

    5. Cok3y5murf
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Never experienced it 😉

    6. yakirh
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Its fine, you can go without Robbo on WC

    7. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Ugh. Sorry for your loss. Just annoying when something like that happens.

  16. Homer21
    8 years, 1 month ago

    So my three Arsenal players today - combined total of 1pt, yes that's right 1pt!!!!!

    1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      8 years, 1 month ago

      D’OH!!!!

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

      That's what you deserve for tripling up on Arsenal.

      1. Homer21
        8 years, 1 month ago

        This

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

    Ik everyone's saying the Guendouzi kid is Arsenal's best player but I think he kind of kills their play.

    Most of his passes are sideways and backwards which makes his stats look good, that's it. Torreira should be on the pitch.

    Don't even get me started about Ozil's workrate.

    1. ⭐ ABHISHEK - THE CURIOUS …
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Perfectly said 🙂

    2. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      8 years, 1 month ago

      You, you might be onto something there (I’ve previously said Guendouzi was great in the first two games).

  18. Brosstan
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Imagine benching your best midfielder for Lazil and Flicksey

    1. diesel001
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Emery is afraid of 'big' players. He was afraid of Neymar and Cavani at PSG.

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

        I can understand Ozil's reputation but how would one classify Ramsey as a BIG player?

      2. Desperately Seeking Dusan
        8 years, 1 month ago

        They are in a different league tbf Diesel. This is Neymar... he answers only to the Qatari owners and does as he pleases.

  19. Mic
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Gendouzi yc

  20. TAT
    8 years, 1 month ago

    I hope I can reach 40 points this GW! 🙂

  21. Futile Tinkering
    8 years, 1 month ago

    I was not planning to WC but I have too much Arsenal dross in my team

    1. Volley127
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Same. That being just 1, Auba.

      1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
        8 years, 1 month ago

        He just did it for you!

  22. Stevie B
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Peltier -> Bennett for free because the price changes? Or is it not worth?

    My other defnders are Mendy, Alonso, Robertson and Wan-Bissaka. I am with my team happy beside B. Silva.

    Thank you!

    1. toystory2wasok
      8 years, 1 month ago

      i did this last night but regret it. 0.1 million on benchfodder is surely not going to be my most pressing concern over the international breaka

  23. Bulldogs FC
    8 years, 1 month ago

    What's the max price rise for Alonso until GW5? 0.2 or 0.3?

    1. Lone Wolf FPL
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I say 0.2

      1. Lone Wolf FPL
        8 years, 1 month ago

        *a lot of WC

    2. Ask Yourself
      8 years, 1 month ago

      0.3

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

      He won't go up more than 0.1m. Most of the people already have him and those that don't have a hard time fitting him in.

      1. Bulldogs FC
        8 years, 1 month ago

        I'll wait then until after the break. I need a hit to get him anyway so I won't rush anything now..thanks

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

    Why isn't Mkhi on yet? Emery out

    1. Drexl Spivey
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Watch him come on and throw an Ings shirt into the crowd.

  25. TomSaints
    8 years, 1 month ago

    This is first full Arsenal game I've watched. Really don't look great...so even with nice fixtures I'm not so worried by no lacazette / aubameyang. I'm certain they'll get a few goals but just not in a very good team.

    1. TomSaints
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Ha

  26. Brap.
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Question: exactly how much of Ozil's wages will Arsenal have to subsidise when he goes on own to Galatasaray in January?

    1) Over £250,000

    2) £100,001-£249,999

    1. Brap.
      8 years, 1 month ago

      …loan

  27. meksss
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Sane or Yarmolenko from this point on?

    1. Rover
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Sane. Expensive players on the bench seems to work for Pep. No reason why it shouldn't for you.

  28. Fantastisk
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Lovely pass from Özil, shame it wasn't controlled.

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

    Johnny Johnny...

  30. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    8 years, 1 month ago

    OMG auba

    1. Ha.
      8 years, 1 month ago

      F