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. Salah’s Sonnet
    8 years, 1 month ago

    And still glad i don’t own Auba, hopefully his owners keep now 🙂

    1. MikeBravo
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Yes Auba, yes!

      1. MikeBravo
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Save me a WC!

    2. Richd
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I’m glad this will prevent further drops. Can chill during the break now.

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

        True 🙂

  2. tvz32
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Will Mkhi come on now that ars is leading?

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

      There’s no way of knowing that

    2. AndyCook
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Think he still will when you look at who is on the bench

  3. Hotdogs for Tea
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Mark knew ....

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

      Knew that an 11.0 striker would score against the worst team in the league? Genius.

      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        8 years, 1 month ago

        All this Mark ass licking is cringe worthy.

    2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Yer his rank backs that up

  4. Finnish Fish
    8 years, 1 month ago

    FINALLY my dear friend! Aubamabloodclaatyang

  5. Fantastisk
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Aguero -> Auba for a -4?

    1. Klein
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Hit it. Hit it

  6. FC Barkerlona
    8 years, 1 month ago

    As it stands 3 BAPS for winning goal too. Such a shame lol

    1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Lovely

  7. Stevie B
    8 years, 1 month ago

    B. Silva owners what you will do with him? Transfer out (for who) or leave in the team?

    Thank you!

  8. Ady87
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Bennett on for Mkhi if he stays benched. Only 5 points but better than a kick in the nads.

    1. Dannyb
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Unless Mhki comes on and scores of course.....

    2. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Given the average at the end of yesterday was 34 and only 48 or so for the top 10k that’s 10% of the total! Handy 5 pts!

  9. diesel001
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Aubameyang (34)
    Mustafi (29)
    Xhaka (24)
    Camarasa (23)
    Bennett (22)

    1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Brilliant

  10. Red Star Toro
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Keep Mkhi on the bench Unai!!!

    1. Ask Yourself
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Not this ever

  11. Dannyb
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Aguero to Auba for a hit?......... lol

    1. Podge
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Only for -8

  12. Mic
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Arsenal fans singing youre fkn shiet lmao rich

    1. Rogue Todd
      8 years, 1 month ago

      They are though

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

      Otherwise known as "The Ballad of Ozil"

      1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Lol

  13. Differentiator
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Embarassing that Arsenal fans still sing the song they "we're by far the greatest team the world has ever seen"

    Just about beating a pretty lame Cardiff team

    1. Fantastisk
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Yes it's not like football fans to sing songs that aren't 100% factual.

      1. Richd
        8 years, 1 month ago

        This 🙂

    2. Richd
      8 years, 1 month ago

      It’s a pretty common song throughout the football league. Even teams like fleetwood will sing it

      1. Differentiator
        8 years, 1 month ago

        But Fleetwood are world class

        1. Richd
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Joey Barton’s world class fleetwood

      2. JamieC180
        8 years, 1 month ago

        When Fleetwood sing it there's more than a hint of irony, though. Not so much with Arsenal.

        1. Richd
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Seriously. I dunno a team that doesn’t sing this. I’ve done 62 of the 92.

        2. Desperately Seeking Dusan
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Nah, it’s just a traditional song. Think it goes back to Don Howe games.

          We’re not going to sing about winning Wenger Cups (not that we win them anymore anyway)

      3. Fantastisk
        8 years, 1 month ago

        I'm wondering if Differentiator has ever been to a match...

  14. JamieC180
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Incredible how quickly a player goes from 100% must-ditch to completely indispensable. Long live FPL.

    1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      8 years, 1 month ago

      It’s embarassing.

  15. Fantastisk
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Arsenal going to open Cardiff up like a tin of beans now.

  16. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    8 years, 1 month ago

    An 11.0 striker scored vs Cardiff. What's the big deal?

    1. yakirh
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Very low avg this week, goal is a lot

    2. BIind Moth
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Really poor logic there fella.

    3. AndyCook
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Well Aguero has had three blanks and everyone loves him

      1. AndyCook
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Sorry two, three without a goal

        1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Lol, it’s so true. Yet Mane last week was a “definite ditch” last week after a blank. The hysteria of the crowd.

  17. Ruth_NZ
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Where is Fkhitaryan?

    1. FlockofSeagulls
      8 years, 1 month ago

      You misspelled Welbeck. 🙂

  18. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Auba actually looks a bargain if laca and him continue to start games

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

      Why? He hasn't hardly been involved in this game. And that's coming from an owner.

    2. yakirh
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Bargain @ 10.9M
      Hmm

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

      *Facepalm. He's looked awful all game shunted out wide. Scores one decent goal and all of a sudden he's a bargain?! lol

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

      FAR from anything remotely bargain like

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

      After one goal lol

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

      😆
      Love it, comedy gold.

    7. FlockofSeagulls
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I'd rather one of this generations Cole & Yorke in Deeney or Gray.

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

    Wambamthankyoumam

    1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Just another notch on his bedpost

  20. Ask Yourself
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Xhakellow

  21. Silecro
    8 years, 1 month ago

    How would you get Alonso in this team?

    Ederson/4.0
    Robbo/Mendy/PvA/Boly/Peltier
    Salah/Mane/Walcott/Mkhi/4.5
    Wilson/Kun/Zaha

    0.0 itb

    REALLY not keen on pressing the button just yet

    1. GianniBanani
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I would downgrade Mkhi or Wally

  22. GianniBanani
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Aguero for Aguero for -8?

    1. The Mighty Hippo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 1 month ago

      not sure if it's worth it

    2. Differentiator
      8 years, 1 month ago

      only for -16

    3. yakirh
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn't sell Aguero, especially not for Aguero

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

      Only if its for Auba and then back to Aguero so you are priced out and have to sell Salah for a 12.7 mid...

  23. Ask Yourself
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Please Mkhi my rival has a Cedric 12 pointer on the bench

    1. Dannyb
      8 years, 1 month ago

      He's 100% coming on.

  24. Dannyb
    8 years, 1 month ago

    I used to like Arsenal, now I can't stand them. The whole club mentality and the board just really irks me.

  25. Mic
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Pen surely!!!

  26. Lucackadoodledoo
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Arsenal make Cardiff look half decent.

  27. Sandy Ravage
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Mkhi + Arnie > Pedro + Auba (-4)

  28. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    8 years, 1 month ago

    OMG ward

  29. SB007
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Experiement to rid of Salah to help with Haz and Aub is now on.

    This is a 4 week play.

    Bps to Auba.

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

    2-2