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. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Such a rotten GW... leic trio didn't feature at all and expecting salah and robbo to be benched too 🙁

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

      Klopp can’t risk Milner vs Adama, if he plays.

      Robbo is needed but maybe expect a YC.

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Hope Robbo covers TAA this GW but you are right I would be rewarded with a YC for being a pro and not following the herd...

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          😀

          1. Chucky
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            😛

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

          😛

    2. luk46
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Salah has to play, hes my captain 😀

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        mine too 😉

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

      It ain't over till the fat lady sings. Keep tha hope!

  2. L'Aeroplanino
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    3rd striker guys?

    Maupay
    DCL
    Ings
    Deeney

    Thanks.

    1. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      DCL

    2. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Ings

    3. T.Henry14
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      DCL

      form, fixtures, Ancelotti factor, Siggy behind him.

    4. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Ings

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

    Anyone consider selling Vardy with so many budget options available?

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Thought criminal

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

      Sold already but will bring him back probably for gw 22

    3. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Not with his next 5 and baby celebrations.

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

      Don’t try be too smart with Vardy, like KDB.

    5. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Vardy is a budget option and more nailed than most ... why sell ?

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

        There are Ings Jimi DCL Rashford. Can free up some funds. Just a thought.

        1. Karhumies
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          50% will C Vardy every week. Can you handle such excitement with alternative captaincy choices?

    6. DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Errmm no, sorry.

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

    Really thought that Haaland would have gone to United purely on the fact that Ole has a connection with him and that United want to buy young players.
    As a Liverpool fan I can't say that I'm not happy he didn't come.

    1. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      All in all, a good pick by him imo. With Paco's history of injuries, he is sure to get game time as the main man. Wonder who will get the nod in when both are fit though.

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

        Yes definitely a better call in terms of his personal development and growth. Paco should remain first choice for now. Surely Haaland wouldn't have left without some guarantee on playing time.

    2. luk46
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Same here, should help Borussia - looking forward to see him in the Bundesliga, especially as I sympathise with Dortmund!

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

        I hope they smash PSG and win the Bundesliga. Always supported them from Klopps time

  5. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Nelson is quality isn't he? Raw, but the potential is clear.

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

      Over hyped & diving, the full package for a young English player.

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

      Yeah, raw pace and hopefully he can be our Sancho. 😉

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

      Hopefully they can find a different spot for Pepe

  6. T.Henry14
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    bott

    I have Rushford and Martial, is that too much from Uniteds attack?

    ars, NOR, liv, BUR, WOL
    next five

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Goal, goal, goal, goal, goal

      • Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        The double up has served me very well for a long time and is not looking like corrupting anytime soon. Given the alternatives there is no reason to sell, especially in martial’s case

        1. T.Henry14
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          yes, right, Martial relative cheap, out of position and good form.

          Rashford is questionable, maybe (but only maybe) for Laca if Arteta does a good job.

      • TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Home games could be anything. Arsenal have improved and Pool will probably smash them.

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Honestly if Mané and TAA are rested and Salah plays my red arrow will be stratospherically bright!

    3. Firmino
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Abraham to

      A) Jimenez
      B) Rashford (have Martial)
      C) Maupay
      D) Ings
      E) DCL

      1. CFC1990
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        If you can use the extra money effectively I think Maupay.

        If not Jimenez.

        Definitely have to consider Ings but hard fixtures. Thing is he is doing very well so may not matter toi much

      2. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        A

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

        Jimmy no brainer

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

      Nelson has similarities to Sancho. Definitely still not near his level but he is quite fast. Nice to see Arsenal players qualities coming out.

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        He's just raw, needs to be refined. Great pace, intelligent movement. Hopefully Arteta can coach him well enough.

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

          Yup, Arteta has a huge job to do. If he does be a success, then he will have done a massive job.

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

        lol

    5. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Fifa world champions badge on the shirt today. A one off, bet they won’t be throwing them into the crowd.

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Ebay

    6. CFC1990
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      So who is going with Salah and Mane then? I might stick with one due to the Man United and Spurs games. Then go both for double GW.

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

        Very likely come GW24.

        1. CFC1990
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Yeah I think l I may hold off until GW24

          1. CFC1990
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Will obviously just monitor for now

      2. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Got both now, might lose none next GW

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          one*

        2. CFC1990
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I have Mane and no Salah. N
          Basically my cup chances are down to Mane vs salah captain. Think I may go out haha

    7. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Tammy looking like scoring?

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

        No

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

      Lucas Moura has similarities to Messi. Definitely still not near his level but he is quite fast.

      1. Dirty Leeds
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Hahaha

      2. Am sorry to say again it�…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        trollol

    9. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      That teamsheet tweet 😮

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        lol

      2. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Seemed to flash up on the Liverpool feed and then was taken down...

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          ...all I saw was So, not sure if Salah or Shaqiri..

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

        OMG.. I Kante believe it

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

        Giving these posts up in your New Year's resolutions?

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          You don't mess with the classics

        2. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Maybe 😛

      5. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        just came back after spending 24 hours in the sinbin.. beware.. 😉

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          😯

          Really? What did you do 😛

          1. Chucky
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            just posted 'Moo(pa)y goal when Mooy scored 🙁

            1. Jafooli
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              You got binned for that, this place has gone to the dogs....

              1. Chucky
                • 10 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                😀 mail is full of sinbin notifications...

                1. Jafooli
                  • 12 Years
                  4 years, 3 months ago

                  😛

            2. Party time
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Hahahahahaha

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

        Lamptey coming on

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

        Tariq coming on.

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

        Lamppost inc

      9. Arteta
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Craig Pawson is a f***ing s*** referee and I'm being generous.

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

        Lamptey IN

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

          One pacy boi

      11. T.Henry14
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        C'mon Tammy, do something

      12. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Tomori off

        Run ragged

      13. HurriKane
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Lampard son Lamptey coming on

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

        Tomori 58’ 🙂

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

          🙂

        2. beric
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Nice

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

        Frank bringing Lamptey on so that he can evolve into a Lampard.

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

        1pt tomori off the bench for mmany

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

        Is Lamptey Lampard's son?

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

          Lampard and Tettey's son

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

            Brilliant mate!

      18. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Tomori run ragged by Nelson and Aubameyang this game. No surprise here.

      19. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Liverpool line out as expected.

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            4 years, 3 months ago

            How do you expect it

        2. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          A surfeit of Lamptey

        3. Fred54
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Big moment for Tariq Lamptey...very bizzare subs from Lampard though.