Dugout Discussion
28 August 2021 1532 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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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 Login to Post a Comment
  1. A-L
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Mahrez to Torres - I'll take that

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

      Great move, congrats

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

    Ings + Bruno > CR7 + Torres in the cards

    1. Davros
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yup

  3. Random Name
    5 years, 1 month ago

    i feel physically ill. Absolutely putrid performance

    1. Nomar
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Do you reckon he's lost the dressing room?

      1. iL PiStOlErO
        5 years, 1 month ago

        He lost his dress

      2. Andy_Social
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Who, Mark S?

      3. Bartowski
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Getting changed in the parking lot doesn't excuse this performance.

        1. Jafooli
          5 years, 1 month ago

          😛

      4. Random Name
        5 years, 1 month ago

        he's completely lost the whole plot. Time to go

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Boom Xhaka Lacca

    3. Rainer
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Not used to it by now?

  4. Eastman
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Took Torres out. Can I have some sympathy

    1. Thomas Magnum
      5 years, 1 month ago

      For who?

      1. 15men1cup
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Whom

    2. My heart goes Salalalalah
      5 years, 1 month ago

      No, only Mark it seems...

      1. Eastman
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Benrahma

  5. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Two more inbound

  6. TheTinman
    5 years, 1 month ago

    MOTD Blackbox live just became essential viewing.

    1. seewhyaxe
      5 years, 1 month ago

      absolutely.

    2. Il Capitano
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Going to be a corker

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

      Will be epic

    4. Francescoli
      5 years, 1 month ago

      So true

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

      Oh yes! Car crash tv 😀

    6. Joey Tribbiani
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Cant wait

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

    Ugh - Torres to Greenwood as my one FT this week may not have been my best FPL moment ever... :facepalm:

    1. Paqueta Rice
      5 years, 1 month ago

      That’s really tough. Unlucky. I sold Greenwood on wildcard.

  8. el polako
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Arsenal are no longer get new Spurs they're new Fulham now.

  9. Paqueta Rice
    5 years, 1 month ago

    On my WC and dropped Greenwood yesterday after the Ronaldo news. Had to decide between Raphina and Torres and went with Raphina because the .5 allowed me to upgrade defence. Was always leaning towards Raphina to be honest so can’t be too sour. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      5 years, 1 month ago

      No milk for you...

    2. My heart goes Salalalalah
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Insightful

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

    OR39 praying for a Greenwood rest https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/5550164/event/3

  11. Total Slotball
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Popcorn at the ready for Mark Sutherns viewing later...

  12. Steinburg FC
    5 years, 1 month ago

    template rating 41% its going to be an interesting gw!

    1. Andy_Social
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Mine's 37%. Nervous.

      1. Steinburg FC
        5 years, 1 month ago

        good luck us!

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      5 years, 1 month ago

      45%

  13. Granville
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Mark sold Torres and Mahrez for a hit. He's doing a live match of the day challenge with Az. Get your popcorn in.

    1. Francescoli
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Can’t wait Granville!

      1. Francescoli
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Can you please make a cameo on the show just so you can rib him? Just like old times.

    2. Rainer
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Guest appearance needed from yourself for old times sake!

    3. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Haha

    4. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      5 years, 1 month ago

      😆

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

      You will surly turn up to rub the salt into the wound like the old days. 🙂

    6. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I would do but I'm on holiday in Croatia and the connection is dodgy.

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

        Hvar is a strong recommend!

  14. el polako
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Wished I had balls to captain Torres....

    1. dark91
      5 years, 1 month ago

      You already have balls for owning him. Enjoy his points

      1. iL PiStOlErO
        5 years, 1 month ago

        This

  15. Rainer
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Bruno & Ings to Torres & Ronaldo could he the most popular double transfer ever.

    1. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Cue Ings hatty

  16. SADIO SANÉ
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Imagine if Mahrez was nailed, absolutely liquid

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

    Started the season with Mahrez / Torres and after GW1 it didn't feel good. But stuck with them and that combo is satisfying!

    "A City player is for a season not just GW1"

  18. JohnnyCroat
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Moyes telling the lads... "Just need 4 to go back top..."

    1. Chalobah's Witness
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      5 years, 1 month ago

      4 what? They've got one game in hand now.

      1. JohnnyCroat
        5 years, 1 month ago

        :/ goals... they need 4 goals to go back top.

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

          Thet only need to win. City lost their opening match.

          1. JohnnyCroat
            5 years, 1 month ago

            That's my bad so. Easy to forget that result. Was looking at GD all day, since it's sort of bonkers for 3 games in.

  19. The Ilfordian
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    5 years, 1 month ago

    All of Arsenal’s players combined have 6 points. Any team ever been on minus points?

    1. Random Name
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Southampton after the 9-0 they took from leicester

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

        Yes I can’t find the team score but it would’ve been -2 for each defender plus -7 for Bednarek so probably in the minus numbers

    2. Rainer
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Southampton 0-9 at OT with Bednarek OG & RC has to be close.

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

    Gundogan has literally done nothing in this second half. Far too deep.

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

      Just named MOTM by BT.

    2. Bennerman
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Literally?

    3. Hotdogs for Tea
      5 years, 1 month ago

      could have had 2 or 3 assists in the second half and had a few shots too

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

    Everyone in the Arsneal squad calling their agent begging for a transfer before the window closes. Ødegaard included.

  22. Paqueta Rice
    5 years, 1 month ago

    3x 5-0 wins for city in a row at the Emptihad in the PL. 2 of them against Arsenal

  23. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    5 years, 1 month ago

    The good news is Pep will definitely keep starting Torres now, zero risk of benching

    1. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Errrrrr

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      5 years, 1 month ago

      😆

  24. Paqueta Rice
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Dias and Laporte could have hailed today also.

    1. Paqueta Rice
      5 years, 1 month ago

      *hauled

  25. fantasyfog
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Torres 2% Jesus 4%....I can live with that

  26. delux
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Arsenal on 20th place! Must be all time record

    1. Bennerman
      5 years, 1 month ago

      All-time record? How far back do you think football goes?

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

      First to last in the space of 2 weeks.

  27. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Cancelo owner feeling very left out, 10 goals scored in two games and no attacking returns

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

      You must be new to owning Cancelo 😀

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

    Cancelo in the six yard box 😆
    Nearly a haul!

  29. Zimo
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I'm annoyed as a Cancelo owner

  30. GREEN IS GOOD
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Harvey Barnes please punish the sellers.

    Thank you.