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. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
    • 17 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Ward

  2. Rogue Todd
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Wardijho

  3. Oven Glover
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Beautiful

  4. diesel001
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    2-2

    Love watching Arsenal away from home

    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Newcastle should beat them

  5. Jealous Viper
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Mhki certainly comes on now

    1. NATSTER
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Hope this goal forces that substitution.

  6. NATSTER
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    2 - 2

    Cool !!!

  7. Marcos Alonso is god
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Arsenal are a joke 🙂

  8. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Wardinho goal

  9. Podge
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    😆

  10. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    My man morrison

  11. SADIO SANÉ
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    4.5 OOP MIDFIELDER

    1. Morph - Unbelievable Geoff
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      4th £4.5m mid to score this week.

      1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Westwood to make it 5?

  12. Syd.
    • 17 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Arsenal defenders removed from all Watchlists

  13. Ginkapo FPL
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    A 4.5 Mid playing striker... its like a holy grail. Shame its for Cardiff who wont score much.

    1. Syd.
      • 17 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      And they won't play Arsenal every week

  14. Pariße
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    I knew it, what kind of foul was that?

  15. Differentiator
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Arsenal fans regretting tormenting Cardiff LOL

  16. Richd
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Auba better get cracking on his second

  17. My Name Is Pepu
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Conceding 2 against Cardiff.. how bad is this Arsenal side.

  18. Jack Frost
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    OK, that's fun... David vs and out of form Goliath... love it.

  19. Red Star Toro
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Welbeck on soon

  20. Dannyb
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Of course Ward scores when he's 3rd on my bench...

    1. Coaly
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Same here

  21. Football Heaven
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    My bench has ward and ings ffs

  22. FlockofSeagulls
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Arsenal are garb.

  23. FleckyT
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Aguero to Danny Ward? -4

  24. TyroneGAA
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    I honestly can’t wait for Arsenal tv later lol

  25. Dušan Citizen
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Lololol

  26. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Please don’t let Mhki on now as I want those Ward points

  27. Homer21
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    What a joke

  28. Coaly
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Please stay on the bench Mkhi

  29. Smurf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Ward OOP 4.5mid

    1. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Shame he will only play Arsenal once more again this season which dents his appeal.

  30. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    This game is a huge meme and i feel vindicated as a Mkhi owner. Side note, the jerk to 4-3-3 is definitely on