Dugout Discussion
18 April 2021 506 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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Arsenal v Fulham is one of just two Premier League matches that takes place on a less-busy-than-usual Sunday.

Kick-off at the Emirates is at 13:30 BST.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.3m) isn’t part of the Arsenal matchday squad, with the Gunners confirming on Saturday that he “will continue to be supported and assessed by the medical team in the coming days” after contracting malaria.

Martin Odegaard (£5.9m) also misses out with an ankle issue but “is hoping to be back in light training next week”.

Aubameyang’s absence means a fifth successive competitive start for the in-form Alexandre Lacazette (£8.4m), who has six Fantasy Premier League attacking returns in as many top-flight appearances.

The Frenchman was the fourth most-bought player of Gameweek 32, attracting 270,608 transfers in.

Mikel Arteta makes five changes to the Arsenal side that started the 3-0 win over Sheffield United, with a benching for Bernd Leno (£5.0m) the most eye-catching decision.

Mat Ryan (£4.1m) starts in goal for the hosts this afternoon, with Hector Bellerin (£5.0m), Gabriel (£4.9m), Mohamed Elneny (£4.2m) and Emile Smith Rowe (£4.2m) also recalled.

Thomas Partey (£4.9m), Nicolas Pepe (£7.6m), Calum Chambers (£4.5m) and Pablo Mari (£4.4m) drop to the bench.

Arteta explained his line-up ahead of kick-off:

It’s rotation, it’s precaution, there are players who haven’t recovered from the [Slavia] game and we have to be very careful because we don’t want to lose them.

And then there are others who deserve to play, for example like Mat [Ryan] in goal. He trains like a beast, he’s been really positive around the place, he’s doing really well and he deserves a chance.

Scott Parker has matched his opposite number and made five changes to his starting XI.

Kenny Tete (£4.3m) and Terence Kongolo (£4.3m) are among the quintet to make way, with the former testing positive for COVID-19 and the latter out for the season with a knee injury.

Aleksandar Mitrovic (£5.5m), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (£5.9m) and Harrison Reed (£4.4m) drop to the bench, meanwhile.

Ademola Lookman is back from injury and starts, while Tosin Adarabioyo (£4.5m), Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (£4.5m), Josh Maja (£5.3m) and Ivan Cavaleiro (£5.3m) are also thrown back into the fray.

This is the reverse fixture of the Gameweek 1 clash at Craven Cottage, a match that the Gunners won 3-0.


Arsenal XI: Ryan, Bellerin, Gabriel, Holding, Saka, Ceballos, Elneny, Xhaka, Smith Rowe, Martinelli, Lacazette.

Fulham XI: Areola, Aina, Andersen, Robinson, Zambo Anguissa, De Cordova-Reid, Adarabioyo, Cavaleiro, Lemina, Lookman, Maja.


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506 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Mat Ryan assists the asisster.
    Wonderful header!

  2. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    What has Scott Parker done to annoy the football gods so?

    1. not_astarte
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      He refused to make sacrifices to the gods.

  3. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Yea Nketiah!

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

    I'm an Arsenal fan, and I think that this should be offside

    1. Pariße
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Gonna have to disappoint you. By no existing rule is this offside mate.

      Holding did not cover Areola's view, nor did he touch the ball or make an attempt to play it.

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

        Not sure on the current rule, but I do think the rule should be written to disallow it. GK has to take the offside player into account when saving and palming it away.

        1. Utopsis
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Except holding wasnt in his eyeline when making the save. If he was, would've been ruled offside

          1. Paqueta Rice
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            I think the point he is making is more so if the offside player wasn’t stood there the keeper could have pushed the ball back in a different direction. The keeper does not know if he is offside or not so instead he pushes it out to the side where Nkietah was able to tap in. You are correct though, the goal should stand.

            1. Utopsis
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              I see what you're saying, but being a keeper myself (now before your batter me I know I'm not a pro!) Areola is always trying to push the ball wide there - he certainly wouldn't deliberately push it towards Holding, in fact if he did that it would be a goalkeeping error. So it was a very good save, he's just been let down by his teammates' poor marking.

              1. Paqueta Rice
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 10 months ago

                I agree with you. He was right to push it wide. If the player was not on top of him could he have smothered it or at least attempted to hold? Probably not, but he definitely was not going to attempt it with the players stood on top of him in case he spilled it.

                1. Utopsis
                  • 6 Years
                  4 years, 10 months ago

                  Yeah it's a good point. I this scenario he was full stretch so I doubt he's doing anything else there. But you're absolutely right, player proximity can absolutely put keepers off.

                  Which begs the question, how close does the player have to be to the keeper in an offside position to be ruled as interference? Maybe just eyeline isn't enough and the rule needs looking at.

                  1. Paqueta Rice
                    • 5 Years
                    4 years, 10 months ago

                    Yeah, in this scenario he seemed to be full stretch which is why I agree with you and the goal standing. Holding was extremely close to him though. You’d know better than me now!

                    1. Utopsis
                      • 6 Years
                      4 years, 10 months ago

                      Just watched Scotty Parker's post-match interview - he more or less recited your argument verbatim!

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

            That's true. Irrelevant, but true. 😉

            1. Utopsis
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              Hehe 😉

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

    All the cleanies gone

    U LOVE to see it oh yes u do

    Dont u

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Nowhere to hide for Arsenal defence owners

    2. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Especially when don’t have any players losing them too. 😉

  6. OverTinker
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Will be sad if Fulham gets relegated

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Especially with their new stand being built, would hate for it to be completed and they’re in the championship

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      As a QPR fan.......

      However, I feel for Scott Parker. That's just brutal to have this happen 2 weeks in a row with virtually the last kick of each game.

  7. The Philosopher
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Called it. Just had this nagging feeling about this game ending how it did. Not really convinced about Arsenal assets right now tbh.

    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/23690975

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Did you?

    2. Brehmeren
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Huh?

    3. The Philosopher
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Fulham equalise just as I type this haha jokes on me

    4. The Philosopher
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      *Arsenal equalise

  8. Digital-Real
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Loftus Cheek has really poor attitude, strolling around like it's a meaningless game

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      It is v Arsenal tbf. Pretty meaningless team

  9. La Roja
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Unlucky Fulham

  10. Sandy Ravage
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Feel for Parker

  11. Salan
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Justice

  12. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Gutless Arsenal, so cruel

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Nah. Fulham didn't deserve to win. If anything, Fulham are toothless. Send them down. Along with Sheff Utd, WBA, Brighton, Palace and Burnley. Would be better if Rangers and Celtic were in the PL and it was only a 18 team league.

      1. Moderately content penguin
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Why stop there?

        Wolves Southampton and Villa escape why? I tell you what why not just limit it to 10 teams with no promotion and demotion. You could then get the Spanish giants involved as well and Bayern might want in too.

        I suspect you haven't watched much Scottish football in a while.

        1. diesel001
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          I personally would love to see a European Super League. Much like the IPL and the NFL. Get the best players in the best teams playing each other regularly.

          Rangers and Celtic are hampered by lack of TV money. Get them in the PL and give them the money Fulham or WBA or Sheff Utd got and you will see a significant increase in competition in the PL.

          1. Moderately content penguin
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            How fantastically dull that would be.

            Amused by the concept that Rangers would do better than an English team with the same amount of money. Must be their Scottish heritage I suppose.

      2. BoleynWin
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Both Scottish teams would be relegated in their first season, the standard of football is utterly dreadful.

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 16 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Steady on, they both account for themselves in Europe every season - they could easily finish mid table/top half in their first few seasons depending on management

          1. Moderately content penguin
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Eh?

            How has Celtic done in Europe? Have you actually checked? These are close to their only competitive fixtures of the season bar Rangers. Their record under Rodgers was abysmal

            Their occasional successes are generally measured in one off performances - I think you could say the same of all those teams you so happily lol at.

            Scottish football is extremely weak.

            1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 16 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              Scottish football being extremely weak and their big two finishing mid table are not mutually exclusive though...

              The premier league is nowhere near as good as Sky & BT Sport have brain washed people to believe

              1. Moderately content penguin
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 10 months ago

                Not disputing the second point but the idea that Scottish clubs are competitive in Europe doesn't begin to wash. Try again.

                You can argue that if you gave them money and a good manger they'd do okay - but that is simply vapid. Leeds got some money and a good manger and became good. They are mysteriously missing from your list of lols as are West Ham - though I suspect you were busy lolling at them at the beginning of the season.

                1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                  • 16 Years
                  4 years, 10 months ago

                  Leeds are on the list - they were in the championship last year...

                  I fundamentally disagree with the arrogance of the statement that the top two Scottish clubs would be auto related, and know that they could easily get mid table with the right management based on the state of the premier league - it’s over hyped beyond belief by the TV companies, serious amounts of brain washing going on

                  1. Moderately content penguin
                    • 7 Years
                    4 years, 10 months ago

                    Leeds were on there - sorry

                    But have you watched much Scottish football? Really? Truly?

                    And I draw you back to the essential vapidity of the statement of giving a club money and a manager. I assume you also include players there.

                    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                      • 16 Years
                      4 years, 10 months ago

                      We’ll try one more time

                      I completely disagree with the notion that Rangers & Celtic would be automatically relegated from the premier league were they added into it - there are just way too many extremely poor teams in England for that to be the case

                      Sure they *could* get relegated, anything’s possible - but for my money mid table would be very realistic for them

                      1. Moderately content penguin
                        • 7 Years
                        4 years, 10 months ago

                        I suspect you watch no Scottish football and no championship football either come to that.

                        Would Rangers get relegated? No idea. Would they automatically be mid table? No - not with their current squad. Look at Sheffield United last season and this and do some thinking.

                        And I'm currently lolling at United struggling to put away one of those very poor teams 🙂

                      2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                        • 16 Years
                        4 years, 10 months ago

                        Mate, Celtic are easily comparable to mid table premier league teams - easily

                        AC Milan are second in Serie A - Celtic scored 3 against them in two legs this season (despite being the worst Celtic team in a long long time and enduring management changes)

                        Lille are TOP of Ligue 1 with a chance of actually winning it (above PSG even) - Celtic drew 2-2 with them in Lille, and then beat them 3-2 in Parkhead...

                        I don’t know how we’re down this rat hole - but let’s come back up out of it and try one more time:

                        It’s arrogant to say Both Scottish teams would be automatic premier league relegations & they could easily finish mid table/top half

                        Jesus Christ, how has this ran up to 20 posts

                      3. Moderately content penguin
                        • 7 Years
                        4 years, 10 months ago

                        It's equally arrogant to continue to LOL at second tier PL clubs and you still haven't answered my question about whether you watch Scottish football or Championship football. What is your opinion based on?

                        You cheerfully LOL at Burnley who are currently drawing with United, beat Everton, drew with Arsenal and Leicester just in the last month. They are just one step above relegation. That's in no way comparable of course on your scheme of things - they are just a team you rubbish no?

                      4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                        • 16 Years
                        4 years, 10 months ago

                        What comment did I make about Burnley? (Dyche miracle every year - not cheerfully lol’ing - do you disagree that Sean Dyche is an absolute miracle worker of the highest calibre??)

                        The accusation of laughing at Burnley (like the accusation about Leeds a few posts back up that you then apologised for) is totally false

                        I made a statement that The Scottish clubs account for themselves in Europe every year which you also seemed to take umbrage at - but they did account for themselves, Celtic scoring 3 against the 2nd team Italy, and beating a team above PSG in the league over two legs, home and away.. Rangers went deep into the knockout rounds...

                        Hence, where @Boleyn posits that “ Both Scottish teams would be relegated in their first season, the standard of football is utterly dreadful.”

                        I say “ Steady on, they both account for themselves in Europe every season - they could easily finish mid table/top half in their first few seasons depending on management”

        2. Well you know, Triffic
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Lol they wouldn't. They'd be mid table. Rangers may even get top half.

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 16 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Yep - Especially when you look at the bottom half of the premier league - not a single one of the bottom half would look out of place in the championship

            Leeds - were championship last year
            Villa - were championship 2 seasons ago
            Wolves - were championship 3 seasons ago
            Palace - lol
            Southampton - lol
            Newcastle - lololol
            Brighton - lolol
            Burnley - Dyche miracle every year
            Bottom 3 - all gone to championship next year

            Even in the top half - West Ham were tipped for relegation pre season - Moyes is working miracles.... Spurs are a farce, Arsenal are worse... Utd are a Bruno injury away from mid table... Leciester are punching soooo far above their weight... Liverpool have pressed the self destruct button.... City bottle it every single year in Europe...

            The Premier League isn’t anywhere near as strong as Sky & BT brain wash everyone to think it is

  13. Forever In Our Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    So thinking of doing KDB and Son to Salah and Trossard. Tross being a 1 week punt as he plays Sheffield relegated. Surely they cannon fodder now?

  14. ☈☾
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    What a sad end to this PL season

    Fulham will probably get relegated and Newcastle will stay up

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      When ur finishing is as bad as fulham and u bench ur only player capable of scoring regularly u deserve ti be relegated

    2. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Burnley is the one

  15. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Vydra benched? Better not be next week, need him then

  16. La Roja
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    25K people already bought Laca since deadline

    1. ZAMUNDA
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Was Laca's sub due to injury?

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Yes sir, hamstring

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Price went up last night too!

  17. OverTinker
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    any chance of Kane starting against soton?

    1. Brehmeren
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Very unlikely

    2. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      There is a chance

  18. Thomas Magnum
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    How do you pick yourselves up if your Scott Parker and Fulham after that

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I think the win there would have pushed them on and saved them. That loss with the last kick again I’m afraid will be the end of them. No picking themselves up after that now it was 3 points or broke

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I think this also, especially when it’s happened what, 2 weeks in a row now?

    2. OverTinker
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      They still have 3 games where they can turn it around

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        They do but idk now you can pick yourself up to, would’ve taken them a lot to get up after the wolves game and now this

  19. michaelington
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Two weeks in a row my Areola clean sheet is ruined in the last minute. Can’t believe it.

  20. seewhyaxe
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    My bb currently only gives me 2 points 🙁

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      That's 5 more points than mine currently has

    2. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      gw26 was the time to bb ,i got 36

  21. It's Fergie Time
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    perfect result, no CS for Arsenal, no goals/assists for Saka

  22. Paqueta Rice
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    That’s heartbreaking for Fulham. Would much rather they stay up than Burnley

  23. Forever In Our Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Sorry for Fulham. They have been ahead so many times in the last few months and just can’t quite hang on. Unfortunately that will be their undoing.

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Instead of having 3/4 rotating strikers imagine if they had one lethal finisher up top with that good defense keeping the opposition to low scores

      1. Well you know, Triffic
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        They do. He's called Mitrovic.

  24. S.Kuqi
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Heart breaking cs lost once again.

    Last time lost Areola cs points at extra time against Wolves and few gws before Targett went from 12-> 2 in dying moments of the game.

    1. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Target went from 12 to 4

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        True. Still feels bad. Would have needed those points. My main money league is very tight atm

        1. Utopsis
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Yeah I was massively gutted as well, as was the only one who had him in my ML.

          Oh well

  25. not_astarte
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    this injuries are becoming no joke, fear for, salah, Jota,Bruno and gundog.

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Why them?

  26. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Lacazette was a good transfer in then...

    1. OverTinker
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      what happened to him?

      1. Pariße
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        hamstring

    2. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      😀

    3. Gazwaz80
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      He was last week 😀

  27. Paqueta Rice
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    If the offside Arsenal player was not on top of Areola would he have pushed it elsewhere? Clutching probably

    1. Pariße
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Pure speculation, he did not cover the GK's view. Nothing wrong with that goal.

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah I agree, just feel for them

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        4 years, 10 months ago

        It's an issue with the rule, they couldn't call it offside because they never have so that would be harsh on arsenal

        The wider issue is as you say, the keeper obviously has to factor in the offside person, as do the defenders

        I guess the argument there would be the defenders and keeper should judge what's offside and play accordingly but that doesn't sound realistic

    3. Pariße
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Fulham lucky to have that point really. The penalty execution was their highlight of the game. Absolute no show in attack and that bus had too many holes.

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Draw was a fair result. I certainly wouldn’t consider them lucky for the point.

        1. Pariße
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Dodgy pen, 1 shot on target (from that pen), conceded twice but salvaged by marginal VAR decision, and conceded another offside goal that didn't count. They had some exciting games but they can't really stay up like that.

      2. Jordan.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        correct,crap team ,bye bye

      3. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah. It was a really soft penalty too. Lucky to get it. Arsenal should have put the game to bed multiple times.

    4. Manani
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      what happened to Laca getting subbed off?? Injured or just playing bad?

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Injured, hamstring

      2. MrZ
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Hamstring

    5. Gazwaz80
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Why is Kane not flagged?