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. dark91
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    How do Grealish owners feel about his returns today?

    1. Steirish
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Glad he didn't get a yellow

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Have to look long term with City assets. Torres walked away with nothing after 5-0 va Norwich. The points will be spread out.

      1. dark91
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Totally agree

  2. Coaly
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Why is Salah being sold?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Blanked

    2. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I sold him for Son this morning as I'm planning to WC over the IB, not sure if that's the reason others have done it!

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Red fixture

  3. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Link to Mark’s podcast?

    1. Rainer
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Cueing up already? Keep me a spot.

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Is it on YouTube or where?

      2. Bennerman
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        What, we playing as snooker?

    2. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Crazy he sold Torres while he was starting. His GW1 instinct was right!

  4. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Likeliness of Arsenal getting relegated?

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      0%

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

      50/50

  5. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Arsenal bottom of the league and played a game more than 18 other teams 😮

  6. Rainer
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    All things considered, a good result for Arsenal.

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Genuinely is, city wasteful

    2. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Yeah, this mathematically possible to stay up. Just.

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        *still

  7. Team Bobcat
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Villa vs brent lineup delayed on sofascore

    1. Andy_Social
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      last-minute covid tests?

  8. Tango74
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone else not captain Antonio??

    1. Andy_Social
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Yeh, could be a disaster but I’ve gone with Son

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Many

    3. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Vardy(c) here

    4. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Magnus Carlsen

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Who he captain?

    5. Gunners in Haaland
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Bruno here

    6. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Got it on Kane, Antonio VC

    7. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Bamford

  9. Dynamic Duos
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Torres going up tonight probably, doh

  10. seewhyaxe
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Mahrez passing the eye-test!

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

      I'm deleting him tf off my team

  11. rozzo
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Just look at the Arsenal back line though.

    Chambers and Holding are barely Premier league level.

    It's not about players out of form.

    Their defence on paper is about the same standard as Norwich.

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Holding looked really good today

      1. rozzo
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        But it's a massive step down from Adams, Campbell, Koscielny etc

        He might well be decent for Southampton or Palace but this is Arsenal.

  12. HollywoodXI
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    I’ll take an assist from Mahrez as a leaving present.

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Could’ve had 2 more

      1. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        If sterling can finish more than tap ins

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Same. Good riddance. Genuinely could have had a goal and 2 assists in the time he was on tho.

  13. Bartowski
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Fat Sam slowly lowers his plate of chips and starts putting on his shoes.

    1. boc610
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      he's got a pino in the fridge and a frosted pint glass ready to go so he can celebrate in style after he gets the call

    2. Plant Based FPLer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      The start to your novel about the 21/22 season. I'll buy a copy, sounds good.

    3. Bennerman
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I did enjoy this image. He would do it very slowly and methodically

  14. boc610
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    only brendan would stop a hotstreak in its tracks like Iheanacho's. his per minute strike rate was one of the highest in europe. and just because of a formation change??I don't get it

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Very harsh dropping him. Should have at least waited for a poor performance.

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      He’s straight into my team as soon as he starts again

      Price drops making it even easier

    3. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Agreed, madness

    4. Pep bites Kun
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Yep, it's a real waste

    5. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Apparently, it's because they don't have the midfield to sustainably win when playing 3-5-2

      But he really has to realize Perez/Albrighton + Barnes will be weaker than Iheanacho + 1 more CB

      He has to realize it eventually, right?

      ...right?

  15. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Finally… Torres haul.
    Now for Vardy (c) party…

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Finally? It’s GW 3 lol

      1. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        He’s had enough chances! 😆

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      What happens when KDB and Foden are back?

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Meant for HRYSZKO

        Congrats on the haul 🙂

  16. Paqueta Rice
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Cancelo owners must be gutted with the meagre 6 points after watching that game!

    1. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Sold him this week. His attacking numbers very poor in the first two games.

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Check them after today’s game.

        1. Baines on Toast...
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          But with no involvement. Same as last season!

  17. Kodap
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Grealish owners, moving to F Torres or keeping? Seems like Torres is playing up front and £1m cheaper

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      For how long though?

      1. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Until Kane comes

    2. Zimo
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      He's so cheap u can wait a while. Right now Ronaldo is the one I want

      1. Khark
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        If Ronaldo doesn't get 60% ownership instantly then i dont understand life.

        Messi and Ronaldo are alien footballers. Age doesnt mean anything, he is a must in anyone that isn't a bots team. Cant afford him? Find money.

        1. Excused By Bemused Confusio…
          • 16 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          😆

    3. pundit of punts
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      It’s Torres this gw

      Could be Grealish next gw

  18. factorxtaz
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Do I keep mahrez?

    1. Lazaretti
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Too expensive, I Will sell.

    2. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      You do, yes

  19. rupopo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    I did Torres to Benrama this week. Ouch

    1. Zilla
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Could still work

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Wow imagine if benny out scores Torres

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Ooops

    3. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Gundo to Benny here

  20. pundit of punts
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Mark on MOTD challenge right?

    He’s in for shock.

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      The minute he sees the running order, he'll know he's effed it.

  21. Marvin.
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    I feel sorry for Arsenal fans. As a Liverpool fan I suffered through the dark days in the early 90's and 2010's. We never finished lower than 8th though. Christ knows where this Arsenal team might end up.

    1. Bennerman
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Early 90s - did you not win the league in 1990?

      1. Marvin.
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Yes. Then finished 8th in 94.

    2. GinjaWhinja
      • 17 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Nothing has changed in 20 years. Except their diabolical spending of late

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        A lot has changed in 20 years. Top 4 has gone from being taken from granted to an impossible task

    3. Nightcrawler
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Arsenal will still finish 8th or above. 2 of the 3 games theyve lost were against european and england chanpions. The line up vs brentford has like 3 first team players. Its bad but still expect a top half finish from them

    4. EmreCan Hustle
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Arsenal will do OK. With or without Arteta. GW 4 comeback 😉

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

      We're used to the club being what it is by now. The only question is how bad it will get. I won't rule out the possibility of this team being relegated.

    6. Khark
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I don't.

      Cried Wenger out for years, club has crumbled.

      Funny really.

      1. Marvin.
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Fair comment.

  22. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Took a Gundo price drop but was worth it after his man of mtch performance today

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Could have been so much more. Created a lot, and almost grabbed a second.

  23. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Goals made: 0
    Goals conceded: 9

    It’s going to be a long season.

  24. Zimo
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Arsenal gone from 1st to 20th.

  25. squ1rrel
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Gundo -> Benrahma not good for me

    1. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Same move here could still be golden

  26. Under my Cucurella
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Had A planned for next week but have exact money for B. Too knee jerk or a better move?

    A: Ings > DCL
    B: Ings Son > Lukaku Torres (-4)

    Sanchez Steer
    TAA Shaw Dier White Amartey
    Salah Bruno Son Benrahma Gilmour
    Ings Antonio Oba

  27. Red Red Robins
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Tempted to sue WC, Ronaldo, Mount and Torres in - and tidy up defence
    Worth it or wait until GW 7?

    Id be doing a -4 to get Ronnie in and Fernandes out anyway

    1. Bennerman
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I love the idea of suing your wildcard.

      Would have taken legal action many a time over the years

      1. Red Red Robins
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Dammit!!! hahaha

  28. TheBiffas
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    A) Gray + Coufal
    B) Sarr + Ayling

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      B

  29. Stupendous
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Just came to say...

    TORRRRRRRRRRESSSSSS!!!!

  30. Warbling Wendy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Did Mark transfer out Torres and Mahrez?

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Yeah

    2. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Mahrez made sense. Too costly for uncertain starts. Torres though. Stoopid