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. Andy_Social
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Hey hey! Get Mkhi on for the 2nd half. Please?

    1. SuperMane Returns
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Mkhi for the 2nd half 30-45 min cameo....and the BAPS

  2. DeathoftheParty
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Well this is just dynamite

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

    Boom Xhaka Laka

  4. MTPockets
    8 years, 1 month ago

    *chuckle*

  5. FISSH
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Xhaka is SO BAD

  6. Brosstan
    8 years, 1 month ago

    That settles it.. no Arsenal defence on my WC

  7. Homer21
    8 years, 1 month ago

    You're having an effin laugh!!!!

    1. Homer21
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Time for WC

      1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
        8 years, 1 month ago

        This Homer J.

  8. Fantastisk
    8 years, 1 month ago

    That's why you don't get Arsenal defenders

  9. how now brown cow
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Love it

  10. manu4life99
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Would you wildcard if this was current squad?

    Patricio Foster
    Mendy Robertson Alonso WB Daniels
    Mikhi Walcott Mane Salah Stephens
    Aguero Zaha Ings

    1. Keno
      8 years, 1 month ago

      no

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Absolutely not - who would you sell & who would you sign?

    3. Salarrivederci
      8 years, 1 month ago

      NO?

      How many transfers?
      Daniels and Walcott is all you need to improve.

      1. yakirh
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Why not?
        Walcott injured
        Mkhi rotation
        Zaha doubt
        No spurs
        No Hazard

        Might be worth it

    4. dvdguy
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Hell no

  11. Keno
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Aub deff getting shipped now, gave him 1 last week to do something, feels good to have that WC activated

    1. Oven Glover
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Can you give him 45 minutes more before you decide?

    2. Four Hit Wonder
      8 years, 1 month ago

      He does look completely off the pacr

      1. Four Hit Wonder
        8 years, 1 month ago

        *pace

  12. Salarrivederci
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Mkhi will be subbed on for 2nd half.
    Aubameyang has been dreadful

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

    Ozil needs to come off, zero workrate

  14. Eden Wizard
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Arsenlol

  15. tvz32
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Visit Malaysia not Rwanda guys

    1. Fantastisk
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Lol

    2. Four Hit Wonder
      8 years, 1 month ago

      But Rwanda is a country with beautiful fonts

  16. Differentiator
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Emery out fam

  17. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    8 years, 1 month ago

    G'Wan Cardiff

  18. Differential C (Mark)
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Teams who have kept CS vs Cardiff
    -Newcastle
    -Huddersfield

    Arsenal are unbelievable.

  19. Messsiaah
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Ings 8 pointer awaits

  20. Wouldiwas Shookspeared
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Any suggestions on this WC Draft.
    I plan to add Liverpool players after their fixtures turn a bit.

    McCarthy Hamer
    Alonso Mendy Pereira Yedlin AWB
    Hazard Maddison Dilva Kenedy
    Aguero Kane Mitrovic

    0 ITB
    Thanks

    1. Wouldiwas Shookspeared
      8 years, 1 month ago

      +4.5 mid as a bench fodder
      sorry

    2. Salarrivederci
      8 years, 1 month ago

      You need to have either Mané OR Salah. That is bare minimum.

  21. Bolivian Seaman
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Arsenal won't finish in the top 5 this season

    1. Fantastisk
      8 years, 1 month ago

      It's GW4

      1. Dannyb
        8 years, 1 month ago

        He's got a point though.

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

      Obviously

    3. diesel001
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Emery has changed nothing defensively. What is the obsession with playing 'good' football?

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

    That's what you get for benching Mkhi you silly

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Can't blame a benching of mkhi on non existent defending

      1. Salarrivederci
        8 years, 1 month ago

        No, but not like they are playing that good offensively either, and tbf Mkhi has been their best offensive player so far this season. All in all don't bench Mkhi, Emery.

  23. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Knew salah to camarasa was worth the minus four.

    1. Fantastisk
      8 years, 1 month ago

      This

    2. jwong23
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Funny

    3. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      8 years, 1 month ago

      The lad's not even got a picture on fpl.

  24. Jafooli
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Cardiff the last club (out of 92) to score this season 😆

    1. Jafooli
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Arsenal continue to break records....

  25. NestorC
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Just sell all Arsenal assets if you are on WC.

  26. Boomerang V
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Wenger out!

  27. rick ding whoop
    8 years, 1 month ago

    anybody know when Heung-min son will be available to play?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Next gw

  28. Oven Glover
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Wenger in!

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

    Hazard to Camarasa for a hit?

  30. TAT
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Auba/Mkhi>Haz/Mitro (-4) yay or nay? Potential price drops/rises will probably force an early move.

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

      There's another 45 minutes.. look what it turns out like.

      1. TAT
        8 years, 1 month ago

        And if no goal involvement from either of them…?

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

          I would still keep Auba TBH and find another way to get Hazard.

          I'm finding it absolutely ridiculous that a striker of his calibre is blanking game after game. I think all he needs is a goal to get off the mark and then he's gonna fly. But again, that's just me hoping and speculating.

          1. TAT
            8 years, 1 month ago

            I can see that point, but this is four GW without returns for an 11m (now 10.9 going down) striker. My only other option getting Hazard is a straight swap for Salah - which is an option, but much more likely to backfire.

    2. Podge
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Hell yeh

      1. TAT
        8 years, 1 month ago

        That's my feeling right now.