Dugout Discussion

Mount returns to the Chelsea starting XI as injured Pulisic misses out

The first three Premier League matches to take place on Sunday kicks off at 14:00 GMT, as Arsenal welcome Chelsea to the Emirates.

After the widespread rotation across the country on Saturday, there is relatively little team news to report from north London.

Mikel Arteta has made only two changes for his first home fixture in charge of Arsenal, both of which are enforced.

Calum Chambers (£4.4m), back from suspension, replaces the injured Sokratis (£4.9m), while Matteo Guendouzi (£4.4m) returns at the expense of Granit Xhaka (£5.1m), who is ill.

Nicolas Pepe (£9.1m) is only among the substitutes as Reiss Nelson (£5.3m) is again chosen to accompany Mesut Ozil (£7.2m), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.8m) and Alexandre Lacazette (£9.3m) in the Gunners’ four-man attack.

Budget FPL midfielder Bukayo Saka (£4.5m) is deployed at left-back, meanwhile.

Frank Lampard has also made a couple of alterations to the Chelsea side that lost 2-0 at home to Southampton.

Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.4m) and Jorginho (£4.9m) both drop to the bench, with Mateo Kovacic (£5.3m) and Mason Mount (£6.4m) handed recalls.

Christian Pulisic (£7.1m) is not in the visitors’ matchday squad, with a minor injury being widely reported for the American.

The Blues look to be in the same 3-4-3 shape that the deployed away at Spurs in Gameweek 18, with Mount and Willian (£7.1m) flanking Tammy Abraham (£7.8m) in attack.

There of the five most-sold players of Gameweek 20 – Mount, Pulisic and Abraham – are on Chelsea’s books.

The Blues have kept only one clean sheet on the road this season, while Arsenal have recorded just one shut-out on home soil.


Arsenal XI: Leno; Maitland-Niles, Chambers, Luiz, Saka; Torreira, Guendouzi; Nelson, Ozil, Aubameyang; Lacazette.

Chelsea XI: Kepa; Tomori, Rudiger, Zouma; Emerson, Kovacic, Kante, Azpilicueta; Willian, Mount, Abraham.

1,414 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Aftermath
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Let's hope an extra body in midfield helps

  2. MITHRRANDIRR
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Emerson out for Jorginho.

  3. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Rudiger YC

  4. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Cards for everyone!

  5. Bob_the_builder
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    YC galore here

  6. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Jorginho on
    Emerson off

    Lampard admitting he has got the tactics wrong.

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No stubborn, good to see.

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Shame Jose didn't get the message last week vs Chelsea. Should have switched to 3 at the back after 20 mins.

  7. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I like how Lampard is bringing Jorginho in right away and not waiting till half time.

    As an Arsenal fan though, I'm nervous.

  8. Mo Salah No Mane
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Of course my fpl cup opponent vice captained Auba (Vardy C)
    The guy didn't even know he has a wildcard and randomly did a minus 28 earlier in the season.
    Please Auba stay quiet.

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      They aren’t a rival if they purposely take a -28 surely

  9. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    3 added minutes needed for Jorginho to get a CS point.

    1. Mo Salah No Mane
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Added minutes don't count

    2. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      they can add on 83 minutes and it won't make a jot of difference

  10. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Borussia just confirmed the signing of Haaland in January!

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Dortmund or Gladbach?

      1. Zilla
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        D

        1. EmreCan Hustle
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          They do need a forward. Too much pressure on Sancho and Reus

          1. Abraham & Cheese
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Sancho probably leaving in January, possibly to Chelsea for 120 mil

    2. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Kind of out of nowhere

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        As expected to Germany.

      2. CloudSky
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        It was United three days ago, Juve yesterday and confirmed signing for Dortmund today. Mad.

    3. Bob_the_builder
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Looks like a smart decision on Haaland's part.

    4. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Alf-Inge? 😀

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Junior.

  11. Threat Level Midnight
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Read this for a good little chuckle.

    So my close friends fiancée whom has never watched a game in her life was forced to join our ML this year. She chose her team based on uniqueness of names and attractiveness.

    Nice little league—$100 a person and we have 48 people. Figure she’s a donation to juice the pot up a little more...

    Here we are and she’s currently 2200 OR......

    She is currently referring to all of us as her peasants.

    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Shark

    2. Differentiator
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Lonk

    3. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      You've posted it twice, mate. End of season is when it all matters.

      1. Threat Level Midnight
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        May post it a third time as well. Thank you for noticing 😉

      2. Threat Level Midnight
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Also this is an ignorant response in my opinion. I agree that end of season is when it matters but it’s still quite insane. Lol shows that this game is 90% luck.

      3. Indpush
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        It's a fun middle of season story. That said, would like hear how she and the league ends up after 38 weeks of play.

        1. Threat Level Midnight
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I will update as it winds down. But all of us are still pretty amazed by it.

          My OR is shite currently but I finished 2nd last year in my first year playing. Hope to really kick the tires on some green arrows here moving forward.

          1. Indpush
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            She hasn't been picking transfers by the same criteria has she? With her OR so great that would just be ridiculous luck.

    4. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      its a marathon........ got a nearly half a season left

    5. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Can you tell me who she plans to captain next week coz I want to copy

  12. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Chelsea are definitely winning the yellow cards anyways

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      One will be a red shortly

  13. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Torreira is an absolute pansy

  14. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    DEAL DONE: Dortmund have signed Erling Braut Håland on a four-and-a-half year deal from RB Salzburg. (Source: @BlackYellow)

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      GGMU

      United are back!

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      United fanboys in scenes

      1. Threat Level Midnight
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Expected it and happy with it. Rashford and Tony flying, no need to disrupt.

        1. FPL Pillars
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Time will time I suppose

          1. Threat Level Midnight
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Very true

    3. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Man Utd don't need an attacker. They need someone to play in central midfield next to McTominay who is mobile and can tackle. Someone like Kante, Gbamin or Gueye.

      Losing Herrera and not replacing him properly has hindered Man Utd a lot.

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Haaland is one of the best prospects in the world, of course it would've been good to sign him. Needing something else doesn't mean that we couldn't have used him as well.

        1. diesel001
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Sort out the first team. Personally think Man Utd are a lot closer to being able to challenge than people think. But putting Pogba and Fred in defensive roles is stupid. Fred and McTominay are similar types of player and one should be back up for the other. De Gea has turned into an issue as he is making mistakes. Matic is too slow to play for Man Utd. Young is past it. There are good youngsters coming through (Greenwood, Pereira etc.) who should be given more game time.

          De Gea
          AWB Lindelof Maguire Shaw
          ????? McTominay
          James Pogba Martial
          Rashford

          1. The Ejiptian King
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Pogba won't be there next season but yeah of course we need a mid, more than one really.

    4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Frees up Sancho to Man Utd

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Chelsea*

      2. Threat Level Midnight
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        This is all that matters IMO

    5. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Gutted.

    6. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      sold for £18m

  15. Bruno Commando
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Which option is the best?

    A) Kane + Alli + Cantwell [Current]
    B) Kane + Martial + Grealish
    C) Kun + Martial + Traore
    D) Rashy + Alli + Maddison

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      D

      1. Bruno Commando
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        thanks!

    2. Threat Level Midnight
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Kun, Alli, Cantwell

      1. Bruno Commando
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        no $$$ to replace Kane with Kun without freeing some of that Alli cash!

  16. Sailboats
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Clear pen not given wtf

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Big club bias.

    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      ?

      1. Sailboats
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Guendouzi foul on Tammy

  17. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Chelsea racking up so many fouls. What is the PL record for first half fouls?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      We're just making up for that match we made 0 fouls in.

  18. MITHRRANDIRR
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Rudiger so brainless, constantly hoofing up the ball aimlessly.

  19. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    With Klopp likely to be resting TAA and Mane today, Traore swapping to the left against Milner will be a tough job! This will be a difficult game for Liverpool today. I feel Mane offers more than Origi/Salah defensively

  20. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Zouma on last warning. Next foul is a YC

  21. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Harsh on Emerson to get hooked earlier. Think he's a smidge better than Robertson, and probably only third in line behind Chilwell and Digne

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Get the net ready. You're going to hook a few with that one.

    2. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Whaaaaat, I don't think he's anywhere near as good as Robertson.

    3. MITHRRANDIRR
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Nice bait.

    4. Mo Salah No Mane
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      You're joking right?

  22. fantasyfog
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    would you rather have salah and ings

    or Rashford and maddison

    I have vardy and mane

    1. SB8
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Salah and Ings

    2. Sailboats
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      salah and ings

    3. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Salah + Ings

  23. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    45 minutes to Teamsheet Armageddon

    Klopp to rest three or four key players

    Nuno to rest his entire first team

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Firmino, Mane, TAA and Henderson all to be rested?

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Who knows

        My personal hunch fwiw

        Mane benched today, starts Thursday

        TAA & Salah start today, both sit out Thursday - in TAA’s case either via a rest, or via a 5th booking

        But it’s pure guesswork, albeit reading Salah’s early substitution as a signpost that says “starting Sunday” rather than “coming off because rubbish”

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      As long as Salah(c) starts I'm ok. Came off early last game so should do...

  24. Superflymonk
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Aubemayang looks like he's thriving under Arteta. Can I squeeze him in though with Salah KDB Mane Vardy already in m team?

    1. The Big Fella
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Doubtful

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      If you want Salah Mane TAA for the double it looks difficult.

      1. Superflymonk
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Can't have 'em all I suppose

  25. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Torreira has been immense.

  26. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Kante could have been killed.

    1. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Dangerous play by former Chelsea.

  27. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Tomori kicks the ball to Tomorrow

  28. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Chances of Tammy scoring?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      He’ll need to be subbed on 1st.

      1. FC Hakkebøf
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Weird Chelsea only field 10 at the moment..

      2. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        He is there you just can't see him because he is invisible

    2. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      slim

      1. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        That bad? FML

  29. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A) Kane + Pulisic -> Sterling + DCL -4
    B) Pulisic -> Traore (Kane to Aguero next)

  30. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Abraham, Mount, Azpi and Tomori look tired tbh. Just a little bit off the pace.