Dugout Discussion
28 August 2021 1532 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
Share:

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

FFSCOUT MATCHDAY LIVE

GET IN-GAME DATA AT LIVE FPL

Check your own rank and in-play FPL stats on LiveFPL.net every Gameweek

1,532 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Amartey Partey
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Quick everyone buy Norwich assets! They’re playing Arsenal next.

    1. Dynamic Duos
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Pukki in

      1. FPL Pillars
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Not a bad idea haha

      2. Tabasco
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Do it then

    2. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Forget Ronaldo, all about Kane > Pukki (C) for next GW

  2. Botman and Robben
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Just logged in...Arsenal doing Arsenal things.

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

      It’s just annoying now though because they actually keep conceding a bunch of goals and players hauling against them

  3. Bobby Digital
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Spurs defenders, pick one:

    A. Tanganga
    B. Sanchez
    C. Dier

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

      A

  4. tbos83
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Jesus is such a good diff

    1. AIRMILES
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He looks good on the right.

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

    Pukki party ?

  6. dark91
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Wow just learned that this would be the 3rd time Arsenal haven't scored in their first 3 games. After 1904 and 1953

    Arteta writing history there

  7. Paqueta Rice
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Arsenal fixtures turn now get them in

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      5 years, 1 month ago

      This is why I sold White rather than Tsimikas. More of a priority 😆

      1. Gunneryank
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Exact same! Glad i wasn't alone.

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Thank god I have 2 FT. Will get three Arsenal in. Mini WC!

  8. Rainer
    5 years, 1 month ago

    The only threat to City defensive assets is an early subbing.

    1. Zimo
      5 years, 1 month ago

      And a bored Ederson

  9. Rankbajin
    5 years, 1 month ago

    So,my decision to stick with Mahrez rather than take a -4 feels a bit short sighted.
    WC in week 4 a cert now. Question is whether to keep a Man City player in the squad.
    Cant really cope with Mahrez Pep roulette at 9m but thinking Gundog or Torres might be worth it ?

    .

    1. TheBiffas
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Just don't do it. When foden and KDB are back no-one is safe

    2. Andy_Social
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Let's see who hauls in the second half first.

    3. thegaffer82
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Sure you're not over-reacting?

      Mahrez not being in the City team today doesn't seem like an automatic WC.

      I'd just sell him and not bring in a City player right now until they have a settled side or Grealish is pushed up into the old Sterling role

      1. Rankbajin
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I could FT him out for Son.
        Last weeks move (Toney down to Dennis) freed up the cash for that.
        But with Tsimakis on the bench (and a generally weak defense tbh in Pinnock, Coufal, TAA & Amartey) also want to switch harrison for Benrhama .
        looking at options I can switch things around and upgrade DCL to Lukaku .

        Tempted by the following...but will see how the scores go today
        Schmeichel ( Ward)
        TAA, James, ( one of Pinnock, Tanganga, Duffy)
        Fernandes, Salah, Benrahma, Doucoure (Bissouma)
        Antonio, Lukaku,Dennis

  10. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Oh bugger it's only halftime....going to be a long 2nd half

    1. AIRMILES
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Elneny on for Auba I expect. Just try not to concede in the second half.

  11. Qaiss
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I’ve never hated an Arsenal player being an Arsenal fan, but I genuinely hate Xhaka, he never ever learns. Just awful man.

    1. Rainer
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Still a few days left to do what should have been done a few years ago.

      1. Qaiss
        5 years, 1 month ago

        He was given a new contract!! I despise him. Wenger’s biggest mistake was buying that guy.

        1. Rainer
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Anyone can make mistakes buying players. Keeping after the armband and a new contract are both worse decisions.

          1. Qaiss
            5 years, 1 month ago

            It’s tragic. I don’t know how anyone with football IQ, especially people paid at the highest level, could keep persisting with this guy.

      2. Paqueta Rice
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Jose to come in with a half price offer now

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He is an idiot sometimes but at least he has the heart to put in a full blooded tackle, the rest look like scared u16s - also it’s not his fault the defence is beyond shite, I’d be frustrated too

  12. Gunneryank
    5 years, 1 month ago

    This is actually going worse than i expected. I'm impressed.

  13. Glad He Ate Her
    5 years, 1 month ago

    What's the process?

  14. Rainer
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Amazon Prime with Arsenal this season too.

    'All or Nothing' might need a name change.

    1. Glad He Ate Her
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Nothing or Nothing

      1. Jafooli
        5 years, 1 month ago

        😀

    2. Did you see that throw-in?
      5 years, 1 month ago

      It's the right title by the look of it.

    3. AIRMILES
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Maybe they're playing to the narrative arc. Start bad, overcome adversity, and finish the season breaking out of the relegation zone. Classic TV.

    4. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Maul and nothing

    5. grooveymatt65
      5 years, 1 month ago

      they should call it:

      "thanks for nothing"

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

    I said on here last night I didn’t understand why people were selling white because of the good fixtures to come

    I’d like to apologise for that comment

    1. Dynamic Duos
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Muahaha

    2. Gunneryank
      5 years, 1 month ago

      You are forgiven. Well said.

  16. Rice Krispie
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Antonio >Jesus + Salah>Torres fir a -4 hit and to release funds?

    1. Bubz
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Relax

    2. TheBiffas
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Madness

      1. Rice Krispie
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Bro I finished top 10k in the 2018/19 season I know what I am talking about. My team linked if you want to check.

        1. Rice Krispie
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Ignore the injury plagued season of 2017/18

        2. TheBiffas
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Irrelevant, this would be a bad move

    3. BIGREDDOG
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes. Now.

    4. Shaw must go on
      5 years, 1 month ago

      No

    5. AIRMILES
      5 years, 1 month ago

      You're not planning on brining in Ronaldo?

  17. JoeSoap
    5 years, 1 month ago

    The old FPL curse when you take Gundogan out.

  18. seewhyaxe
    5 years, 1 month ago

    the FDR for Arsenal needs to be updated..

    1. Gunneryank
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Is there a neon green bright enough?

      1. seewhyaxe
        5 years, 1 month ago

        😀

  19. BIGREDDOG
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Guys I'm sad about Mahrez

  20. FourLokoLeipzig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Arsenal have the perfect fixtures for a new manager bounce (bit like when Ole took over at United)

    1. TAT
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Arteta won't get the sack.

  21. Glad He Ate Her
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Who's the PK taker for city? Ederson?

    1. Paqueta Rice
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Kdb but today probably Gundo

  22. Cok3y5murf
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Pep to go easy on Arteta to save his job?

    1. Paqueta Rice
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Was just thinking this. Will Pep show mercy? Tell them to score one more and play keep away?

      1. Glad He Ate Her
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Are they gonna let his players sub in for Arsenal?

  23. jia you
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Bet Arteta wishes he was still bringing Pep his morning coffee!

  24. WHUFCSmith23
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    5 years, 1 month ago

    If Arsenal lose to Norwich, that's Arteta done isn't it? There has been no sign of improvement, direction, style etc

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah he can't survive that, he can just about get away with today

    2. Paqueta Rice
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Oh if they lose to Norwich almost certainly

    3. TAT
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He won't get the sack. The board have full confidence in him.

  25. Zimo
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Arsenal need Big Sam

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      5 years, 1 month ago

      It really has come to that level of decline, hasn’t it?

  26. MikeS
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Xhaka is a disgrace, absolutely terrible signing and a dirty player. A liability

  27. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Need Ings to score today so his price goes up tonight(98 on FPL Stats atm) so we can all sell him after!!! Haha

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Should go up regardless

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Wait, he's nowhere near the amount you're saying?

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
          5 years, 1 month ago

          You're looking at Mings lmao

          1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Doh!!!! Hahaha sorry guys so I was!!! Hahaha

            1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Silly me!!!!

          2. Joey Tribbiani
            5 years, 1 month ago

            hahaha

  28. Andy_Social
    5 years, 1 month ago

    So have I worked out Pep Roulette here:

    He doesn't make any changes to the starting line up for the first time ever (nearly).
    So next GW he'll make 11, right? Riggghhhtt???

    1. Zimo
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Nah only 8

    2. HollywoodXI
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Mahrez is nailed when he leaves City.

  29. MikeS
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Wenger IN

  30. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Who's off before 60 for City then?