Dugout Discussion

Mahrez and Sterling benched as Guardiola names unchanged City team

Manchester City v Arsenal gets the final Gameweek before the September international break underway.

Kick-off at the Etihad is at 12:30 BST and you can follow the fantasy action on our live Matchcast.

A manager naming an unchanged side after a 5-0 win wouldn’t come as a shock in most instances but where Pep Guardiola is involved, it’s almost more of a surprise than when he makes multiple alterations.

The City head coach has indeed stuck with the same starting XI that demolished Norwich City 5-0 last weekend, so that means substitute roles for Riyad Mahrez (£9.0m) and Raheem Sterling (£11.0m).

Jack Grealish (£8.0m) makes it three Premier League starts from three following his summer move from Aston Villa, with Ferran Torres (£7.0m) also keeping up his 100% record.

Torres may well be leading the line again this afternoon, with Gabriel Jesus (£8.5m) turning in an excellent performance down the right flank against the Canaries in Gameweek 2.

Kevin De Bruyne (£12.0m) misses out with an ankle injury, as previously disclosed by Guardiola.

The Arsenal team news is bamboozling in its own right.

Head coach Mikel Arteta makes four changes following the Gunners’ 2-0 defeat by Chelsea a week ago, with Martin Odegaard (£5.5m) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£9.9m) brought into the side after starring in the EFL Cup in midweek.

Calum Chambers (£4.4m) is also recalled but the biggest surprise is the involvement of Sead Kolasinac (£4.4m), in for his first Premier League start since Gameweek 2 of last season.

Bukayo Saka (£6.3m) and Kieran Tierney (£4.9m) have shrugged off minor injuries to feature.

Pablo Mari (£4.5m), Albert Sambi Lokonga (£5.0m) and Gabriel Martinelli (£5.4m) drop to the bench, while Nicolas Pepe (£7.3m) is absent because of illness.

Ben White (£4.4m) still isn’t involved following his own spell in self-isolation.

LINE-UPS

Man City XI: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Laporte, Joao Cancelo, Silva, Rodri, Gundogan, Jesus, Torres, Grealish.

Subs: Stones, Ake, Sterling, Zinchenko, Steffen, Fernandinho, Mahrez, Doyle, Palmer.

Arsenal XI: Leno, Cedric, Chambers, Holding, Kolasinac, Tierney, Odegaard, Smith-Rowe, Xhaka, Saka, Aubameyang.

Subs: Lacazette, Maitland-Niles, Tavares, Pablo Mari, Sambi Lokonga, Elneny, Ramsdale, Okonkwo, Martinelli

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1,532 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Viprin
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Kane (C) lesgoo

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Let’s go champ

    2. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Kane doesn't score in August.

    3. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Come on Kane and Son!!

  2. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    If Man City doesn't bring a forward, then F. Torres could be a bargain. Started 3/3 so far as a forward.

    1. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Grealish too if he keeps playing on the left

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Best avoud the lot of them.

    3. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      It'll be interesting to see how they set up when KDB and Foden are back.

  3. Drexl Spivey
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Is there a particular reason we're limited to only one early kick-off per gameweek?

    Never understood this.

    1. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      For TV

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

    Pep with an unchanged XI

    August really has been wild

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      😮

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Don’t get used to it 😉

    3. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      🙂

  5. Gazwaz80
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    As I said to all the Mahrez owners, when he come on at60 and gets his brace our decision to keep him in will be justified, keep the faith 🙂

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      All the Mahrez owners await your every word.

      1. Gazwaz80
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        And so they should 😀

  6. R.C
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Raphinha to Ferran if he keeps starting

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      You've got it back to front.

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Lol, as if. I just brought Raphinha in. Aside from Liverpool his fixtures are stellar.

    3. TheBiffas
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Madness

    4. LarryDuff
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I'd sooner do the reverse

    5. BobbyV
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Torres couldn’t even get returns against Norwich.

  7. masterkyzz
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Ings + Mahrez > CR7 + ESR/Mbuemo for a -4 next week?

    1. brianutd-why always we? 20
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      CR7 won’t start

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Will against Newc

    2. LarryDuff
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      You could just do mahrez to a cheap and evaluate things for the other transfer

  8. Cheeto__Bandito
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Apparently Mings and Mcginn out... Time for Toney to shine!

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      You can't polish a ......

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Deano smith at it again?

    3. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Great news for the 180,000 new Mings owners - I wonder how many of them also bought in Tsimi 🙂

  9. The Final Boss
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    So Bruno is the highest capped player right? In my ml most capped Antonio. Myself bruno.

    1. dark91
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Yes he is

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Overall Bruno is most captained. The 'Top 10k' and most 'Legendary Managers' (see Live FPL) captained Antonio.

    3. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      In my 7 team ML - 3xAntonio, 1xBruno, 1xKane, 1xLukaku and 1xPogba
      Down to just 2 Bruno owners and no Salah owners

      I'm the Kane (C)

  10. The Final Boss
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Why no Pepe?

    1. Marvin Moon
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Sick.

  11. brianutd-why always we? 20
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Well done Andy LTFPL getting shot of City assets

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Agree.

  12. dark91
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    These captaincy figures mean capping Antonio is better if he returns right?

    1,775,412 - Bruno Fernandes
    1,233,071 - Michail Antonio
    983,019 - Mohamed Salah
    647,829 - Son Heung-min

    1. Rash
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Nice to see kane not on the list.. Nice rank jump if he hauls.

      1. Das Boot
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        hahaha. Same here Rash, I hope he starts

      2. HashAttack
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        We only gain the difference between his and Antonio's points - hopefully both get 15+ points (x2)

    2. FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Only if you have a poor rank.

      1. dark91
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Define "poor"? Is 700k poor?

    3. Das Boot
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      ohhhh. I am really going against the grain this week. Fingers crossed

    4. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I think Bamgord was the best option this week.

    5. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Relieved to see the Son figures, tbh.

  13. FPL Brains
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Where can you see captaincy for the 10k? Trying to see how Antonio's EO is calculated

      1. FPL Brains
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Top man thanks

  14. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Nuno might be an issue, but Son+Kane would be a mega differential going forward - fixtures aren't that bad except for Chelsea - not convinced that Lukaku and Ronaldo will be better than Harry...

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I have bamford/raph, the poor man's kane/son.

    2. LarryDuff
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Dull af but its a wait and see

    3. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I have both Kane and Son this week. I am hoping they reignite that spark from last season!

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        good luck!

    4. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Fpl royalty.

      I think Lukaku will be the most important player this season.

      Ronaldo joined the wrong Manchester

      1. FPL Brains
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        The wrong Manchester? What is there one in America or something?

        1. Get up ya bum
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Ronaldo up front for man City would be ridiculous

  15. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Unchanged team!!!
    So is this end of pep roulette?

    1. LarryDuff
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Assume that at your peril

      1. OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        May be he has finally learnt that he isn't winning UCL just because he doesn't play his first 11 regularly

        1. LarryDuff
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Kbd isn't in the team, neither is Jesus. He just has far too many options to cement a starting 11.

  16. LarryDuff
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Just going to avoid city players. Too unpredictable, value elsewhere and week long anxiety predicting team sheets. No thanks

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Exactly.

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      100% agree

  17. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Cancelo (resonably) safe with Mendy 'out'?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Nobody is safe with Pep

      1. Ruth_NZ
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Nobody is safe with Mendy by the sound of it. 😉

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Oh dear. Just avoid them sll and save yourself the hassle.

    3. jia you
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      nah he could go with Zin & Kyle and bench Cancelo but he should play a lot...I fancy him as season keeper myself

    4. LarryDuff
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      If I spent 6mil on a defender who was benched I'd be livid

    5. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Zinc a threat

  18. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Kept Mahrez all damn week and for what, absolutely useless he is, cannot stand Pep, and that is buh bye Mahrez!

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      it's not Riyad's fault, Pep will realise his mistake after 60 mins

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Not sure if it is considered a mistake when their 3-0 up 😉

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      At least you're providing enjoyment for others.

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Will be the last time 🙂

    3. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Jesus was brilliant on right last week, why would Pep take him out to accommodate your fantasy team?

  19. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    I am the only person to cap Bruno in my main ML in the top 15 - almost all Antonio

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I suspected as much.

    2. Athletico Underachieving
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Likewise, time will tell on this one, but 5pm can’t come quick enough today…

  20. jia you
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Cancelo owners unite!
    Torres sellers lick our wounds if he hauls!

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Swapped out Digne for Cancelo in GW2 so hoping he gets something today.

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        G, A, CS & 3 bonus in the post pal 😉

  21. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Grealish to announce himself as a serious fantasy asset today

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I seriously doubt that

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Okay…

        1. FPL Pillars
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          I would hope so costing 100mil!

      2. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        We got a nonowner here

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Yep, and proud

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      agree

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        he can play 3 different positions (technically 4/5) and is only 8.0 - if I'd known he would start GW1 I'd have had him over Mahrez and wouldn't be thinking about getting rid yet

        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Don't talk about Mahrez please

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      And then promptly take his place sitting next to Pep.

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Most nailed player in the attack imo

        1. Zimo
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          After Kdb obviously

        2. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          The bench is held together with nails.

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

      He is hre best FPL asset from city

    5. jia you
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      can see him getting several tap ins coming in from that left hand side over the season!

    6. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      He can make the announcement, but no one will be listening. 😀

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        That would be strange. 8.0m playing for the best team in the league?

        1. The Polymath
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          I'm a non-owner. 😉

    7. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Massively overrated imo

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        He’s 8m

        1. HashAttack
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          He was already 8m as a Villa player and was still a possible option - throw in that he's now at MCI and has started 3 out of 3 games and what's not to like

  22. el polako
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Come on Ferran my lad get some points.

  23. ClassiX
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Top 10k EO and Captain
    Antonio 168.85% 68.99%
    Fernandes 107.58% 12.55%
    Salah 97.49% 5.97%
    Benrahma 96.94% 1.2%
    Ings 91.2% 1.44%
    TAA 88.28% 0.03%
    Shaw 84.43% 0.01%
    Sánchez 81.88% 0%
    Greenwood 80.62% 0.13%

  24. Das Boot
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    The Emptyhad

    1. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Ha ha, yessir, that made me laugh, thank you Sir

  25. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Really not sure if Kane starts tomorrow or not, cappers taking a risk as if not he’ll surely cameo

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      He will 100% start

    2. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Think he has to start - especially as it's a WHL, but we still haven't seen Son and Kane play together this season

      I've gone Kane (C), Antonio (VC) and also have Son

  26. 2001: A Space Origi
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    I so wish I captained Gundo today, sure he will be a differential, but played safe in the end...

    1. 2001: A Space Origi
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Playing as captain and so many sellers in first 2 weeks, he will come good, you heard it here first, remember that!!!

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I have him too but glad I didn't captain. Arsenal playing a back 5 today, which is usually pretty effective against City.

  27. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Do Mahrez owners want a cameo or just their first player from the bench?

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      cameo

    2. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Ask me on Monday

  28. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    I actually think he will come off the bench and score again but if I were Mahrez, I would hand in a transfer request. So wasted at Man City - he spends more time on the bench than playing and he'd be first choice anywhere else. I don't know why players go to the honest. Gundo will be relegated to the bench when KDB is back.

    1. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      125 thousand pound a week reason

    2. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Plus the Manchester weather and club scene

    3. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      It's just Jesus stepped up with a performance last week on the right wing, he just had to start, imo.

      1. Cruyff's Eleven
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        If you have figured Pep out, can you please let me know your Insta, coz I'll follow you foh shiz

      2. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Mahrez came off the bench and played for 15 and scored. He scored the week before too. What else does he have to do?

    4. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Maybe Mahrez and Van De Beek could get together find something to do in Manchester on Saturdays

      1. Cruyff's Eleven
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Hahaha... Awesome

      2. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Manchester Museum of Science and Industry sometimes has good exhibitions

  29. ClassiX
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    First time Pep has names unchanged side in almost 4 years...

  30. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    With Ake on the bench, there goes Arsenal's only hope of scoring