Dugout Discussion

Saka, Aubameyang return to Arsenal starting XI but Smith Rowe absent from squad

Having been handed breathers in Gameweek 26, both Bukayo Saka (£5.2m) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.3m) return to Mikel Arteta’s starting line-up in Gameweek 27.

Martin Odegaard (£5.9m) is set to take up the No 10 role for the Gunners, with Emile Smith Rowe (£4.3m) absent from the matchday squad after picking up a hip problem during the 3-1 win at Leicester in GW26.

“Emile had some discomfort still in the week, he wasn’t ready. Hopefully it’s not too much. But I think Martin is adapting really well to the team.” – Mikel Arteta speaking ahead of kick off

Hector Bellerin (£5.1m) remains on the bench as Calum Chambers (£4.5m) replaces another absentee in Cedric (£4.6m) at right-back.

Pepe (£7.6m), Alexandre Lacazette (£8.1m) and Mohamed Elneny (£4.2m) also drop out of the Arsenal XI. The latter is replaced in midfield by Thomas Partey (£4.9m).

“We have to rotate. I want to maintain everybody in top form.” – Arteta

Kieran Tierney (£5.2m) continues his injury return by keeping his left-back spot, with both Pablo Mari (£4.4m) and David Luiz (£5.4m) also remaining in defence.

Blank Gameweek 18 and Double Gameweek 19: The key player and team stats

For Burnley, Chris Wood (£6.2m) and Matej Vydra (£4.8m) continue up front in the absence of the injured Ashley Barnes (£6.0m).

Sean Dyche’s steady backline of Charlie Taylor (£4.4m) Ben Mee (£5.1m) James Tarkowski (£5.3m) and Matt Lowton (£4.5m) will once again guard goalkeeper Nick Pope (£5.6m).

Johann Berg Gudmundsson (£5.4m) is back from the treatment table to start at right midfield, while Robbie Brady (£5.0m) is also available from the bench. Jack Cork (£5.0m) misses out with a hamstring injury.

Burnley XI (4-4-2): Pope; Taylor, Mee, Tarkowski, Lowton; McNeil, Westwood, Brownhill, Gudmundsson; Wood, Vydra.

Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tierney, Mari, David Luiz, Chambers; Xhaka, Partey; Willian, Odegaard, Saka; Aubameyang.

635 Comments Post a Comment
  1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Just noticed. I had moved captaincy from Gundo to KDB but forgot to "confirm". On Gundo now!

    1. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      Lucky. KDB won't play both games anyway. Think it's madness how so many people think he will. Yes, he's played every league game this season when fit so far but that was when they needed him and couldn't afford to rest. Now the league is almost certainly locked up (and even more so if they beat or don't lose to United) and Southampton is the perfect chance to give him a rest.

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 22 days ago

      Did that in 24 when I left in on Vardy by mistake instead of Gundo when I was on WC. The Vardy spot had been Kane I think.

      Got a return but very painful loss.

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 22 days ago

        Who is your C this gw?

      2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 22 days ago

        Just saw. Good pick!

  2. F_Ivanovic
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Aubameyang...nobody else owns him in the top half of my ML. Please score another 15+ pointer.

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      Hope that pays off for you. Nice differential.

    2. estheblessed
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      I nearly went for him. Wish I did now tbh!

    3. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      Good luck, fact that Arteta wants to prioritise EL over PL put me off Arsenal assets.

      1. F_Ivanovic
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 23 days ago

        Yeh, that fact nearly put me off but with him getting a rest against Leicester + the fact he already had a lot of time off with personal reasons makes me think he's one player likely to be safe from too much rotation. Also with the fixtures being as they are (2 derbies) I expect he'll play both and maybe get a rest in 30 against Liverpool.

    4. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 22 days ago

      He will haul!

  3. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Ended up on Salah captain after all

    1. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      Great nostalgia pick

  4. Guru Mediation
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    BGW 29 planning, how did look for a -4 and 10 players:
    Martinez
    Coufal Dallas Dunk
    Son Auba Lookman
    Kane Bamford Watkins

    Will play FH later for a DGW and WC in 30

    1. ThisTimeNxtYrRodney
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      You wont see many better teams than that without the use of a FH.

      1. Guru Mediation
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 22 days ago

        Cool, thanks

    2. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      Surely it's a form of cheating if you still have your WC and FH chips?

      1. Guru Mediation
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 22 days ago

        Shucks, thanks 🙂

  5. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Does Dan Burn come forward during set pieces?

    1. Luton_Fan
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 22 days ago

      Yep

    2. Luton_Fan
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 22 days ago

      Would gave got assist vs west brom if brighton didnt miss pen after his header hit an arm following a corner

  6. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    7000 rank drop already!

  7. Kellz86
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    If I’ve ever needed a Saka goal it’s today

  8. seewhyaxe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Any midweek fixtures this week?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 22 days ago

      City

  9. mezza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Template rating of 48%....

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      Can be great for a big fat green arrow!

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 22 days ago

      Up to 50% here - slightly more than last week - big green then.

  10. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Any chance Dias gets a rest in either game? Rival has capped him

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      Imo he gets rested against Southampton!

    2. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 22 days ago

      I dont think he’ll get rested.

    3. Mufc202020
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 22 days ago

      I think he’ll play boss. Non Owner

      1. Mufc202020
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 22 days ago

        Both**^

  11. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Currently on 0pts and 0 played and will be until the Liverpool game tomorrow afternoon. Anyone doing any worse?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      Minus 4

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      Much better than me! -8

  12. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Not owning Saka freaks me out.

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      Buy him then.

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      Owning him has been a bit freaky too.

  13. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 22 days ago

    I have literally 1 player today. What a write off

    1. Brimble82
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 22 days ago

      I’ve got 2.
      The first one is benched!
      [facepalm emoji]

  14. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 22 days ago

    Gundo triple captainers hands up o/

    1. Pedram
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 22 days ago

      Hmm no one i guess

    2. Luton_Fan
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 22 days ago

      Just cap enough for me but wish u tremendous luck

  15. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 22 days ago

    My rival copied Andy again with the only difference being he had Bamford starting instead of Bruno.

    Then Andy dropped the bombshell he had brought KdB in and captained! Haha!!!
    Serves those right who try to copy, just don’t get it.

    Play your own game it’s much more fun!

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 22 days ago

      What is the fun in just copying others ?

      Don't get it.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 22 days ago

        I know me neither, I’m wondering if they’re so desperate to catch they’ve just resorted to copying Andy seeing how good his season is.

        But even if it did pay off I personally wouldn’t get gratification from it

      2. Luton_Fan
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 22 days ago

        Cheats never prosper

    2. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 22 days ago

      It was so funny when the copycats started raging at Andy after his big reveal.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 22 days ago

        I didn’t watch it live, just saw my rivals team so was intrigued to check the end of Andy’s video.
        Nearly fell off my chair in laughter!

  16. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 22 days ago

    Next week is a bit of a save week isn't it? Most highly owned teams with decent fixtures, even Spurs to Arsenal is fine for Kane/Son owners.

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 22 days ago

      Yes it is. I will definitely hold and use 2 FTs to see who to bring in for 29.

    2. Luton_Fan
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 22 days ago

      Will prob do salah to grealish if greals is back and salah flops

  17. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 22 days ago

    Who wins?

    A) Martinez, Cancelo, Coufal, DCL
    B) Forster, Rudiger, Lewis, KDB

  18. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 22 days ago

    Link to professional & Fudgy watch?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 22 days ago

      Also would like this

  19. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 22 days ago

    Come on Auba

  20. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 22 days ago

    Big GW for me, benched Bruno and (c) Ederson

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 22 days ago

      Balsy, kind of all or nothing.

      1. Brimble82
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 22 days ago

        I went Cancelo.
        Seems people are embracing Pep Roulette in my MLs.
        In my most contested ML, the top 6 have gone 5 different ways!

        (Cancelo, Sterling, Gundo, KDB & Mahrez)

  21. Luton_Fan
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 22 days ago

    kane cap in 28 vs arsenal away?

    kane's record vs arsenal is insane.

    1. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 22 days ago

      Hes almosr certain to score a penalty

    2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 22 days ago

      See how both teams get on this weekend, Arsenal have looked better than Spurs lately IMO, in the last 8 Spurs have won 3, 2 of those being against West Brom and a really poor Burnley, and against Fulham by an own goal

  22. el polako
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 22 days ago

    Sold Tarkowski and Mee on my WC, those with Pope still in their teams thank me later for CS 😉

  23. Doug McCasual
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 22 days ago

    went barnes and salah to son and bale for a hit..good moves?

    1. Luton_Fan
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 22 days ago

      Do you have kane aswell?

      1. Doug McCasual
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 22 days ago

        yep

        1. Luton_Fan
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 22 days ago

          Too much spurs for my liking but could pay off handsomely if they play like they did vs burnley

          1. Doug McCasual
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 22 days ago

            wildcarded last week, 11 DGWers for 72..its time to have some fun

  24. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 22 days ago

    Martinez captain 28 if they get the double looks interesting

  25. 2999 - Lady of Legend
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 22 days ago

    Coyg let's do this! Auba normally grabs a couple up here 🙂

  26. Mufc202020
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 22 days ago

    Saka hatty incoming

  27. Brimble82
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 22 days ago

    That moment when you’ve played a differential captain - and you notice the popular choice’s EO!

    Come on Cancelo! Let’s show Gundo how it’s done.

  28. nolard
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 22 days ago

    Auba eye test coming up.
    Salah replacement...

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 22 days ago

      Limited minutes incoming unfortunately - Arsenal firmly focused on Champions League place via Europa

    2. nolard
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 22 days ago

      there ya go!

  29. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 22 days ago

    Suddenly, without any real intention, my team has become very differential. Could be a boom or bust next few weeks

  30. CRAZY TRAIN
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 22 days ago

    Lowton screamer and cs please

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 22 days ago

      Lowton will scream when he loses his CS*

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 22 days ago

        His fault partly too.

        Along with Pope!!