Dugout Discussion
14 March 2021 1772 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur is the third of four Premier League matches to take place on Sunday.

Kick-off in the north London derby is at 16:30 GMT.

Much of the pre-match coverage has centred around Mikel Arteta’s surprise decision to omit Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.4m) from his starting XI.

We have seen the Gabon international, among others, rested after his exertions in Europe in recent weeks but today’s benching is instead for “disciplinary reasons”, rather than influenced by fatigue.

Mikel Arteta said ahead of kick-off:

He was going to start the game. We had a disciplinary issue, we have drawn the line and we move on. He’s on the bench.

We have a process that we have to respect for every game, and that’s it.

Aubameyang is one of four changes that Arteta has made from the side that drew 1-1 with Burnley last weekend.

Calum Chambers (£4.5m), Willian (£7.5m) and Pablo Mari (£4.4m) also make way, as Alexandre Lacazette (£8.1m), Cedric (£4.6m), Emile Smith Rowe (£4.2m) and Gabriel (£4.9m) are recalled.

As for Spurs, Tanguy Ndombele (£5.9m) in for Harry Winks (£5.1m) is the only change that Jose Mourinho has made from the Gameweek 27 win over Crystal Palace.

That means that Harry Kane (£11.4m) has recovered from the knock to the knee he took in Thursday’s win over Dinamo Zagreb.

The England international is reunited with Son Heung-min (£9.6m), Lucas Moura (£6.6m) and Gareth Bale (£9.5m) in a front four that looked potent against the Eagles last weekend.

Kane and Bale were the top two most popular purchases of Gameweek 28, following their double-digit hauls in the Lilywhites’ previous league outing.

The Spurs duo were transferred in by over one million managers combined in the run-up to Friday’s deadline.

LINE-UPS

Arsenal XI: Leno, Cedric, Luiz, Gabriel, Tierney, Xhaka, Partey, Saka, Odegaard, Smith-Rowe, Lacazette.

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Lloris, Doherty, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Reguilon, Højbjerg, Ndombele, Lucas, Bale, Son, Kane.

GAMEWEEK 28 SO FAR…

.

Kelechi Iheanacho‘s (£5.6m) superb Fantasy Premier League form continued on Sunday as Leicester City thumped a Sheffield United side marooned at the foot of the Premier League table and starting life without Chris Wilder.

The Nigeria international hit a hat-trick in a 5-0 win over the managerless Blades, taking his total to five goals and 35 FPL points in his last three appearances.

Iheanacho has been flourishing alongside Jamie Vardy (£10.2m) since the budget FPL forward’s return to the Leicester starting XI in Gameweek 26, and has had over twice as many shots as the long-serving striker in that time.

No Fantasy forward has registered as many shots in the box or big chances as Iheanacho over the last three Gameweeks.

Vardy again failed to find the target on Sunday but was as much a part of the Foxes’ victory as his strike partner, supplying three assists – two of them sublime passes for Iheanacho before Ethan Ampadu (£4.3m) deflected in his off-target effort – en route to his first double-digit haul since Gameweek 14.

The fit-again Ayoze Perez (£6.0m) also got in on the act by finding the net on his return from injury.

This was not a match to gauge the offensive threat or defensive competence of Brendan Rodgers’ troops, however, as Sheffield United turned in a thoroughly abject display under caretaker boss Paul Heckingbottom.

The Blades managed just one shot on goal as the hosts cruised to what was their first clean sheet in six matches.

Owners of Ricardo Pereira (£5.9m) couldn’t enjoy the routine shut-out, however, as the Portuguese full-back was withdrawn at half-time because of “tightness in his hamstring”.

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  1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Preparing for a mourinho bus parking session. I don't see any evidence of a Mourinho team going and attacking the opposition or going on the offensive in an important game especially away from home. I am guessing spurs are play on the counter and try to Knick a goal. Expecting a tight match

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      We will score 2

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      i'd love to be wrong but again show me evidence of a recent mourinho team attacking and going out for the win in an very important away "big" game

      1. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        1-6.

        1. Egg noodle
          • 16 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          LOL i instantly thought of the same

        2. Nightcrawler
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Vs 10 men

    3. tambourineman
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Have you seen the line-ups, if anyone's parking the bus it's Arteta

    4. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I have three Spuds in my team and I too expecting the Mo Bus.............The best thing to happen would be if Arse score early.

    5. Defcons are for Kinnear
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      So a 0-0 coming up

  2. Neevesy
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Fuming at Auba. Did he not know that I had him as VC after KDB's no show.

    This season has been a joke from start to finish.

    1. jammie26
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Oops

  3. GlasgowFF
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Kane gonna haul

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Not looking like it

  4. Defcons are for Kinnear
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    What did Auba do? Wrong answers only

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Triple captained Kane.

    2. Hooky
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Went to McDonalds for breakfast

    3. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Brought pea shooter to team tactics meeting.

    4. Garlana
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Ate Arteta's last Rolo

    5. Egg noodle
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He changed electricity provider without checking price comparison website

    6. Kun Tozser
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Rested after record breaking season

    7. Valar(Keith)
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He went against Artetas philosophy of suckage and scored 4 goals over 4 games

    8. Reedy
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Exceeded the water fill line on Arteta's pot noodle

      1. Vazza
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Haha!!!

  5. Nightcrawler
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Hars to believe so many captained a Mourinho striker away from home in a big game

    Unless arsenal go a man down like united vs spurs at OT the ceiling is very linited

    1. Debauchy
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Agree keep 11 on the pitch no Kane haul

    2. seewhyaxe
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      i captained Aubameyang.

      lol @ me

    3. Wirtzle Gummidge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Luiz is playing after all

    4. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes hard to believe so many captained the best striker in the world while in stonking form

  6. Vazza
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    What was the Leicester score in the end?

    1. JBG
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      10-1

    2. Debauchy
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      5 - 0

    3. Vazza
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Come on guys, please be serious.

    4. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Do you have an FPL team? All the scores are right there where you check your points

  7. Mile Plankton
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Red card for Sanchez or Alder would mean Dier starting in BGW29.
    Come on Arsenal, let's make it happen.

    1. JBG
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I'd rather want a Son or Bale RC tbh.

  8. Fudgy
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Kane captain looking very stupid right now

    1. james 101
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      8 minutes in?

    2. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes, Kane never plays well against Arsenal

    3. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      More lucky points for you earlier with that Slam Dunk 😉

      1. Fudgy
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Not lucky was a shrewd pick

        1. Rainer
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Hopefully he gets another next week 🙂

    4. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah should have gone Nacho

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        BGW and lousy fixtures through 32 ... nah.

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Didn't get my joke ehh 😉

  9. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    That Sheff defensive performance - oh what could have been for Ings last week!

  10. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Saka almost through on goal

  11. The Gravless Wonder
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    If auba plays 0 mins I think it'll be first time my entire bench comes on including keeper

  12. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Arsenal dominating

    1. Debauchy
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Often do but have to finish

  13. fr3d
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I can only field 4 players in GW29, would you FH?

    Martinez - Steer
    Son
    Kane

    1. Traction Engine Foot
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes!

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      What do you think lol

    3. Vazza
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      No way... not with that team!

    4. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Steer clear of the FH.

    5. Egg noodle
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I would BB that team. Just for the lols

  14. EDUARDO DA SILVA
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Crossing like we have Giroud in the box.

  15. Parsnips
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Strong start here. Keep this up lads

    1. Debauchy
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      have to finish though . lots of games like this and no end product
      Cmon maybe today !

      1. Parsnips
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yep. Excellent effort from Rowe. Son off here to at least stop that counter attack a bit more. We need to take these chances now

        1. Debauchy
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          have to win this cmon !

  16. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Smith-Rowe post

  17. Baron Penguin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Need an Arsenal goal to bring Spurs out of their shell. If they’re allowed.

  18. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    This is absolute trash from Spurs. Already regretting captaining Son.

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Oh my ....

  19. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Song hammy

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Son*

  20. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Son hammy

  21. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Son hammy

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Seriously though?

  22. Bushwhacker
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Sons hammy gone

  23. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Spurs so frustrating. Really poor start ... and attitude ...

  24. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Alli sighting

  25. Iwantmorepointsthanks
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    hm

  26. Paqueta Rice
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Wow Iheanacho is on 94bps. Been awhile since I’ve seen it that high

  27. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    You’ve got to be kiddingggg me

  28. EDUARDO DA SILVA
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Spurs without counter attack are just WBA.

  29. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    GW29 players falling fast...

  30. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Son down... I repeat Sundown