Dugout Discussion
14 March 2021 1772 comments
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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”.

GET IN-GAME DATA AT LIVE FPL

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  1. Isca Extremadura
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Not a bad shout, good week to try things !

    1. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      AhHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhh

      1. Deulofail
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        How was this one?

  2. Deulofail
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    If Arsenal lose this game, I will be furious with Willian

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Me too!

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

    Bale back in the bad books

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

    Well, now that’s Kane definitely not getting anything, turned it off

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

      But they have lamela

  5. Duke Silver ☑
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    At least Son covers Bale.

    1. Pep bites Kun
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      How does that work? You get points for the player you own

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

    Bale needed for midweek so.

    Hold them trannies!

  7. Flynny
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Are we expecting Everton to have a dgw in 30?

    I'll be keeping dcl if that happens...

    Thanks

  8. DMP
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Wow, That went well for triple Spurs with Kane(c).

    1. Mid budget coach
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Triple Spurs with Saka too, Kane C i am feeling the heat man

  9. DAZZ
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Salah Barnes > Auba Bale -4 looking brilliant

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

    Bale rested for GW29 🙂

    1. Moderately content penguin
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      🙂

  11. MoSalad
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Salah & Periera to Son & Bale this GW looking like great transfers.

  12. Botman and Robben
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Bale off? Why?

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Invisible

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

      Wrong answers only

      He played great

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

        Mourinho was impressed with his work rate

        He’s definitely back in mourinho good books

    3. Duke Silver ☑
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Spurs getting murdered down their right. Bale not helping Doherty at all.

    4. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Forgot he was even on

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Haha

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

      Dominated

    6. OverTinker
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      not needed in the bus

  13. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    saka has been horrible to own.

    always hanging on to him for gw29.

    awful fantasy asset

  14. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Did people actually triple up on Spurs or was it just a joke?

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

    Take 2 Bale

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

    How many did Bruno or Salah to Son/Bale?

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

    It’s the Bale fail .....

  18. JONALDINHO
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Did anyone triple up on Kane, Son and Bale?

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

      No, so you can’t have a go at anyone now, shame

    2. Firminooooo
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Og course not. Just joiking. Its Mourinho for God sake.

    3. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      o/

    4. Duke Silver ☑
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Trollnaldinho.

    5. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah, on ‘form’ and with 29 in mind. Also Kane captain this week. F this game

  19. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Oh ffs. Risked selling Salah for Bale, only to have Son go off injured and now Bale early sub too wtf is this.

    May as well book in the Kane captain fail and Salah haul now 🙁

    1. aborg
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes I’m just disgusted watching this game. Can’t believe I’ll be getting just 4 points out of Son, Bale and Kane !

    2. AllGonePozzo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Hope so held my transfer and captained Salah

  20. SB007
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    All of a sudden Vardy captain seems like a grand move by Magnus and I. Just need Soucek to strike!

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

    Bale wagon lurches out the station at 100mph and then stalls, not ground to a halt though, we might still jump on 😀

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

      Did it hit the Ricardo one?

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

        Haha no mate pereira wagon been salvaged for parts

    2. Moderately content penguin
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Overtaken the Mo one perhaps?

    3. Firminooooo
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I might try to jump over from the Son train in flames.

  22. Deulofail
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Bale looks doped up on ket

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

      How big are my hands

      1. Deulofail
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Let me take a closer lo- THWACK. Face Palm lol

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

      Tiernied

    3. M2.0
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      So that’s what bale meant when he said he wants to be in the hole

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

    Martinez GW29 GK!

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

      Yeah this makes Areola vs Martinez a tougher call now.

  24. BrockLanders
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Bale injured???

    1. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Don't know but on a lot of painkillers regardless

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Lmfao

    2. _Ninja_
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Rested for Thursday since Son is out.

    3. TKC07
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Bale can't stay in defence for ever according to Mou.

  25. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    salah captainer

    2 points tomorrow or?

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Huge haul I hope given he was the most transferred out player with most going to KDB (0), Son (1) or Bale (1)...

  26. jonnybhoy
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    For next week my team looks like this:

    Martinez
    Konsa Coufal
    Son Soucek
    Bamford Kane Watkins

    8 players 2 potentially out and no FH. Do I take hits to bring in a few? Thinking Veltman, Raphina and Dallas in- worth -8pts?

    1. Tea for the Tielemans
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      and then take a bunch more hits to get your team back to the way you like it now? As painful as it is, it might be a week to just bite the bullet.

      I'd think about using a move to bring Grealish in if he's going to be back. Villa have a couple games in hand which would make his addition pretty justifiable. I was planning on dropping Sterling for Grealish for next week and then using the money a week later to upgrade Smith Rowe to probably Zaha, but I'm going to wait until close to deadline now to see if I can't get more clarity on Grealish and now Son. If Son is looking at 4 weeks out or more, there's just not enough season left to justify carrying that salary on the bench.

      Maybe Son to Grealish for next week if Son's prognosis is bad and then Sterling to Salah for the stretch run. Gotta figure that Liverpool is more likely to use regular starters in league matches than City might be given City's lead and their involvement in other competitions.

  27. Mr. O'Connell
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    FH midfields be like

    El Ghazi, Pepe, Sissoko, Trossard, Lingard

  28. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    That’s why they call him Gareth Fail

    1. Dennis System
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Lol no one calls him that

    2. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Do they though?

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        First time here?

  29. HollywoodXI
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    This has a late Kane winner written all over it

    1. Lord.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      That’ll be a brace then

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

    GW29 looking like it could be the dullest GW in FPL history?

    Martinez (c) at this rate

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

      A fully rested Auba 🙂

    2. OverTinker
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      FHing