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”.

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  1. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 24 days ago

    Knowing this GW an Antonio injury later?

    1. Catastrophe
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      That's likely in any Gameweek!

  2. Warby84
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 24 days ago

    Might take a punt on Pepe next week, things are getting desperate

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Things can’t be that bad...

  3. fr3d
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    RMT

    McCarthy
    Pereira - Digne - Konsa
    Son - Bale - Gündogan - KDB - Foden
    Kane - Bamford

    1. Christina.
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      half your team is inj

    2. puhd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Yeah Bamford and Son are injured. Gun, KDB and Foden all rotation risks. Digne a risky pick. I’ve owned him and got rid. Nightmare to own.

  4. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    What happened to Son chaps?

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Hammy

    2. not_astarte
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      do you really want to know?

  5. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Lamela is getting sent off here

    1. seanie3
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      hope so

    2. Keep Calm and Play On
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Lmao timing

    3. Patson Dabaka
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Called it +1

    4. DAZZ
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Called it

    5. WiredWeasel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Fair play, you called it

  6. Deulofail
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Was scared of this game as an Arsenal fan, but the way Spurs turned up was pathetic given their obvious attacking capabilities. Glad I don't support a Mourinho team. And to think, some Arsenal fans wanted him. Of course, it could still work out for them, but more likely handed to them by lack of Arsenal quality, which should really be a problem for this established, solid Spurs team.

    1. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      which shouldn't*

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Pathetic performance from us

    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      I won’t understand why mourinho continues to rely on the weakest part of the team.

      Just seems crazy considering how free flowing the team was going forwards. They were starting to click but this is a huge step back and a dig in the confidence again. It’s back to where they were, this loss is going to have consequences on their form. It may take a few weeks

      Arsenal on the other hand have been good. Driving the game at spurs and really impressed with their technical ability

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        Would he really be telling them not to attack though?

        And even if he does, I can’t imagine the likes of Kane, Son or Bale would listen and just attack anyway

        1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 15 Years
          5 years, 23 days ago

          Well not saying that outright

          I’d imagine him telling them to be more disciplined. In their shape. Asking the likes of bale to track them back more.

          All the little things I guess add to a more cautious message to players. They are less likely to really go out and attack

          I’m no expert but that’s what I’m guessing

      2. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        This, the midfield needed more bodies against this setup

    4. Moderately content penguin
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Yep

      Only one team turned up today.

  7. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Back to it how pathetic state of affairs again where only a souceck masterclass can save me

  8. sminkypinky
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Kane wasn’t the right cap pick. o/ Hard to see a goal for him in this.

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Hindsight's a beautiful thing so wouldn't feel too down about it. He was bang in form coming into this game.

    2. sminkypinky
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Now even harder

    3. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      He won’t score, simple as that

  9. Esalman
    • 16 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Why does Kane stay flagged on FPL every time he is on the pitch?

  10. Ejaaz11
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    if it stays like this, I should be able to get a point from holding off the bench

    every point counts 😉

  11. Athletico Underachieving
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    What a stinker from spurs. Don’t even look bothered about getting back in to it

  12. Digital-Real
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Rashford probably starts 🙂

  13. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    How was Kane not carded there

    1. AzzaroMax99
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Reff has him in his FPL team 😉

  14. Christina.
    • 16 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    lots of hits,WC and fh's this wk

  15. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Lamela rested for GW29

  16. EDUARDO DA SILVA
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Where is VAR for Kane elbow?

  17. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Lemela off

  18. diesel001
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Lamela RC (2 YCs)

  19. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Yeah lamela is sent off

    The guy is a clown. Liability as I said

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Was meant to be Bale's replacement. Hasn't even been close to a Bale replacement.

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Bit of a flop

    3. AllGonePozzo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Should have got 2nd yellow 5 minutes earlier

    4. Vazza
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      How do you know what is going to happen hours before it has actually happened ?

  20. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Don't know why some of the Free Hitters feel so gleeful, there are only four matches in GW 29 and not that many good players to choose from. 😀

    1. ivantys
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Cos there is no need to hoard Leeds, Villa and Spurs players where almost all blank this GW.

    2. michaelington
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      It seems we all Free Hit in the blanks when usually there’s low scoring weeks. I don’t know why we do it.

    3. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      If you have Son and I FH with Son, we are equal in that slot. If I have another player, I will get more points than you (unless they get negative figures). Very popular players missing out is only a good thing for FHers; the strength of the FH is greater, even if you're getting a worse player as a result of Son missing out. Less popular players, it becomes arguable.

  21. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    This game shows what Lamela is about...brilliant skills and also nuts

    1. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      True, except for the brilliant skills part.

    2. Keep Calm and Play On
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      It’s not that’s he nuts because sometimes you need a player like that, he’s just a cheating snake, very similar to Suarez. Roll on the floor for ages when they get touched but always looking to actively hurt another player

  22. CloudSky
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Lamela is quite dumb.

  23. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Classic lamela

  24. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Gtfo of this club lamela, useless player who’s been ok the pay role far to long, brainless

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Bale money put to great use

  25. Paqueta Rice
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Pamela is a foul human being. Scumbag

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

      😆 *Lamela 😳

    2. Ain't No Holebas Girl
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Must have been a rough break-up, I'm sorry.

  26. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Serves Jose right.

  27. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Will be lucky to hit 50 points, just one of them GWs

  28. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Lamela giveth, Lamela taketh

  29. Lord.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Well that was coming

  30. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Who would be your top picks on WC from players not playing gw29? Digne DCL since dgw soon, one ManCity, KDB? Mendy maybe in goal. Other ideas?

    1. Moderately content penguin
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      First name on the list is Digne 🙂