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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1,772 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Coaly
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Any chance Bamford plays next week?

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      No one knows for sure

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      sure

    3. _Ninja_
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Yes was only a dead leg.

    4. JammySprat
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Yes, he is still in contract

  2. DAZZ
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    A high portion of recent PL games have been extremely boring. This game included

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Because everyone is knackered. Also see why City are running away with the title

      1. DAZZ
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Because they could probably field 2 teams in this league and finish 1st and 2cd.

  3. fedolefan
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Auba better come on. Can't be having jammy autosub hauls for my rival.

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

      If he's out for disciplinary reasons then that's doubtful

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        He wouldn’t be on the bench if Arteta wasn’t going to bring him on

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

          Not necessarily

    2. Neevesy
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      He better come on as he's my VC after KDB captain.

      Also, why is having a good bench jammy?

  4. Deulofail
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    My main rival captained KDB with vice on Son.

    I benched Son.

    If only he weren't autosubbing in for Gundo.

  5. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    on WC. Lost 2 Villa clean sheets, did Veltman over Dunk last minute, moved Cancelo on to get KDB in, got Bamford & Son.

    Did Martinez > Pope a few weeks ago as Pope had the extra fixtures, Martinez still outscored him by a mile.

    Bruno (TC) fail last GW.

    1.8k rank down to 10.8k rank in 4 GWs. you will say its still a great rank but i cant seem to stop the rot no matter what i try..

    1. Debauchy
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      grind awhile think of us in the 300 to 400 k bracket

    2. Woy_is_back
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      For me 10.8 is a krap rank but most people here are noobs who barely finish top 100k

      1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        What about 57k? 😉

      2. DAZZ
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        You’ve only finished top 10K 3 times and +100k times many times. 10.8 is a superb rank.

        1. Woy_is_back
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Look at my last 5 u dork. I figured this game out. Top 20k so easy its ridicolous. 10k not much harder

        2. Woy_is_back
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          You are not even linking your team. Says it all

    3. Bushwhacker
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Excellent humblebrag. Eight points.

    4. JONALDINHO
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      I lost 2 Villa clean sheets too, got White over Dunk, own Bamford, Son and KDB. Salah(TC) fail in the DGW too yet I’ve gotten a few greens. Most people are in your position

    5. @persecuted_by_mods
      5 years, 4 months ago

      You think that's bad, I dropped from the 200's to the 400's yesterday

    6. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Biggest brag ever

      1. Hooky
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Definitely Billy

      2. OneDennisBergkamp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        zzzzz knew some idiots would say that, which is why i put "you will say itsa great rank".

        dunno what your standards are, but i am disappointed with it after peaking at 1.2k this season.

    7. JammySprat
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Avoid double up on defence. Don't leave transfers to last minute, think them through. Don't spend transfers on city to city moves.

      Rest seems like good moves / unlucky.

    8. shirtless
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      I’ve dropped from 377k to 1.1m since Xmas. This time last year I was 602nd!

  6. Woy_is_back
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Kane fail

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Definitely

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Here we go

    3. Digital-Real
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      just takes a Moura dive in the box to change that.

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Lamela is on which means we’ve the best diver in the league in play

  7. Vamos Los Celeste
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    I take a 2-1 Arsenal win with a goal of Reg no kane or Bale involvement.

  8. Henning
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Hmmm.

    So take a -4 to get 2 players for gw 29
    Will that be enough?
    Then wildcard for gw 30

    Martinez
    Dallas Coufal Targett
    Raphinha Son*
    Bamford* Kane

  9. Fudgy
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Starting to fall out of love with fpl now

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Lost all it’s integrity and fun factor years ago

      1. Fudgy
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Agreed. I'm playing out of habit now

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 15 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Me too, I’ve been on a flyer the last 10-12 GW’s so just playing to keep that going really, still been no fun at all

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Bit of bad luck goes with all the good luck. Take it on the chin.

    3. JammySprat
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      go for differentials, makes it fun 🙂

  10. Nightcrawler
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Some observations from the 1st of 1st half

    Kane cappers totally deserve this. Typical mourinho away performance in big away game

    29 FHers LOVE to see it. Oh yes we do

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

      Why do you hate yourself

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Because there's nowhere to hide, for any of us

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

          Absolutely nowhere to hide

    2. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      God you’re inane

  11. S.Kuqi
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Not much to gain with fh29. Gw33 would have been lot better

    1. Vamos Los Celeste
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Not if popular picks keep falling.

  12. Pep bites Kun
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    So was was the disciplinary issue that got Auba benched?

    1. Pep bites Kun
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      *what was

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Probably went for another haircut

      1. Pep bites Kun
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        He should just let it grow out

    3. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Late to team meeting this morning, probably.

      1. Pep bites Kun
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Got to be more than that surely v Spurs. Even Fergie wasn't that strict with a big game in hand

    4. M2.0
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Late

  13. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    No idea what to do with Son out

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Just keep it simple and bench him, he’ll probs play next game. Meanwhile, I’ll be doing Barnes & Digne > Bale & Veltman most likely

  14. Woy_is_back
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Put 40 bucks on spurs, bet it will end 0-0
    Man U-West Ham definitely a 0-0 game

  15. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Bamford, son. Who’s next? Antonio?

    1. Vamos Los Celeste
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Kane.

  16. Jindaljain
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    All GW (C) fail

  17. sminkypinky
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Tough old game this. Won’t go into specifics. I’ll just leave it at that.

  18. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 16 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    OMG lamela

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Moura A

  19. sminkypinky
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Lol!

  20. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Pathetic

  21. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 16 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Lamela steals the points

  22. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Lamela G
    Moura A

  23. shirtless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Chin up gents my ML rival has Gundogan(c) Sterling(vc) 🙂

  24. GROBARI
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    LAMELA

  25. Jindaljain
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    I am Out for next Gameweek best of luck Guys

  26. diesel001
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Lamela G
    Moura A

  27. Bushwhacker
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    LOL lamela

  28. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Holy cow. What a goal.

  29. _Ninja_
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Lamela g Moura a

  30. La Roja
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Rabies king