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18 December 2021 2028 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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The only Premier League match of the day sees Leeds United face Arsenal, with kick-off at Elland Road at 17:30 GMT.

Five other top-flight fixtures scheduled for today, the last of which was Aston Villa v Burnley, fell by the wayside after Covid-19 ripped through the football calendar.

The evening match is still standing, however, despite the fact that Marcelo Bielsa’s squad has been ravaged by injury.

Ten senior Leeds players are unavailable for the clash with the Gunners, with Diego Llorente added to the nine we already knew about.

Bielsa’s four changes are all enforced, with Jamie Shackleton, Llorente, Daniel James and Junior Firpo all out.

Robin Koch returns from injury, while Joe Gelhardt, Cody Drameh and Mateusz Klich also come into the side.

The Whites’ very youthful bench contains 15-year-old Archie Gray, with the average age of the hosts’ substitutes being less than 19 years old.

Arsenal’s team news is a serene picture by comparison, as the visitors are unchanged for the fourth match in a row.

Emile Smith Rowe remains a substitute as a consequence, with the fit-again Bernd Leno joining him on the bench.

The Gunners do have a confirmed Covid-19 case, however: Albert Sambi Lokonga misses out after testing positive.

Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang also sits this one out following a recent disciplinary breach.

GAMEWEEK 18 LINE-UPS

Leeds United XI: Meslier, Drameh, Ayling, Koch, Dallas, Forshaw, Raphinha, Klich, Roberts, Harrison, Gelhardt.

Subs: Klaesson, Bate, Summerville, Greenwood, McCarron, Jenkins, Moore, Kenneh, Gray.

Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney, Saka, Partey, Xhaka, Martinelli, Odegaard, Lacazette.

Subs: Leno, Smith Rowe, Holding, Soares, Pepe, Nuno Tavares, Chambers, Elneny, Nketiah.

2,028 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. fantasist
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Leeds are really struggling defensively

    1. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      And with that piece of exquisite insight, I sign off for the night. Adieu all

  2. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    No way they gave that assist haha

    Should lose it.

    1. Postman Ty
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      They must have claimed the ball's path wasn't significantly altered by the defender.

  3. Mr. O'Connell
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    2 x 0.5 assist = assist

    1. Dušan Citizen
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      This! 😆

  4. @persecuted_by_mods
    4 years, 6 months ago

    How the hell did they give him this assist

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Good old fpl

  5. Thanos
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Had it not been for Meslier, score would already be in double digits!

    1. AlCapwnUK
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      He's great

    2. Postman Ty
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I mean he's made some saves but nothing I wouldn't expect any Premier League keeper to make.

  6. Shteve
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Laca assist given

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      That makes absolutely no sense lol

      1. Shteve
        • 16 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Maybe not but at least my hit is making sense 🙂

    2. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Finally

    3. Mr. O'Connell
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Which one? If it's the 2nd one I expect him to end up on 2

      1. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        First

      2. Shteve
        • 16 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        You'd think the first one.

  7. FPLtfs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Felt so good avoiding the Watkins move and got Laca in, only to see him avoiding points in an easy game.

  8. Dušan Citizen
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Salah tc next week?

  9. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Leeds are going down at this rate.

    1. AlCapwnUK
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Too thin a squad for the big injuries they've had

    2. Pep bites Kun
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Lot's of gws ahead and they certainly have the metal. Just need some players back and hopefully strengthen the squad in Jan.

  10. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Feel bad for Leeds and Bielsa - just have no players left

  11. fusen
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Saka
    Points: 7
    Effective points gained: 6.23

    Poor Saka is so unloved.

  12. xHaTr
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Lacazette assist!

    1. Bobby
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      For which goal!?

      1. Gazza2000
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        First

    2. Gizzachance
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Third

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

        Wrong

        1. Gizzachance
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          My bad !

  13. JJO
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    What the f is Odegaard doing in all this mess?

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

      Playmaking

  14. The Train Driver
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Messlier to get 3 baps, already on 6 saves.

  15. Botman and Robben
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Saka vs ESR debates...and we have a winner!

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Martinelli!!

  16. bigwig
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Opta have given the first assist to Laca

    1. bigwig
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Second one won't be given

    2. Gizzachance
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Thought second was more of an assist! An given quickly

      1. Don Van Vliet
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Looked like he didn't even touch the ball for Saka's goal...

        1. Gizzachance
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Clutching at straws mate !

          1. Don Van Vliet
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Clean off them peepers, son.

            1. Gizzachance
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Ha,

  17. Stranger Mings
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Confused is laca assist given ?

    1. Don Van Vliet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      For Martinelli's first goal, yes.

      1. Gizzachance
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Took its time !

      2. Stranger Mings
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks god as a new laca owner

  18. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    FPL tweet Saka G None A

    Opta might have given the 1st assist.

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Has to be

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Probably gets 2 ultimately

  19. JONALDINHO
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    This is painful. Was going to have Saka and Watkins but with Villa game called off had to switch to Laca and Raph

  20. Moose™
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    CR7 to Laca is justified!

  21. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Brought in ESR only to be benched. Joke of a season.

  22. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Painful watching for someone with just arsenal defensive assets!

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Why? They aint scoring

  23. Dušan Citizen
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Laca looks so lazy on the pitch

  24. rnrd
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Has lacazette got the assist for the first or third Arsenal goal?!

    1. Gizzachance
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Third

    2. BrutalLogiC
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Third for sure

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

        First for sure!!

    3. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      First

    4. Don Van Vliet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Open the FPL. Click on the match. Check the match info and/or running commentary.

  25. Nomar
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Decided Odegaard over Martinelli this morning.

    1. JJO
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Me too
      Will cry myself to bed tonight

    2. not_astarte
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      did Rowe

    3. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      He has been better than Saka tbf

  26. fantasist
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    The Martinelli goal was a Laca assist, not sure about Saka's but that was given

    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      First one was. As expected.

  27. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    AndyLTFPL has both Saka and Lacazette
    Did well to wait until 5 mins before the deadline to bring in Laca despite planning to do Watkins earlier

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Does he have martinelli

      1. schlupptheweek
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Nah, he's no Az

      2. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        No, but hardly anyone has him. Az does though!

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

        Nope, Ramsdale is his third Arsenal player.

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      If it was my job to play FPL I think I'd be doing my transfers 5 mins before the deadline as well

    3. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Well, it was between them but no decision to make after all.

  28. Postman Ty
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Can't wait for Leeds to score a consolation in extra time, it would be Raphinha as well just to really screw me.

    1. Denis Tueart on the wing
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      You take things far too seriously, What is better than watching a game of footy with a beer and not giving a sh*t. This FF is a joke this week - Relax 🙂

      1. Postman Ty
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I mean fair point really. I try not to let fantasy bother me, definitely not a week like this. Things are lighthearted this week.

      2. Postman Ty
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Not injury time but I called it...

        1. Denis Tueart on the wing
          • 16 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          🙂

  29. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    I keep buying centre forwards who play left back.

    1. The 12th Man
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Left back in the changing rooms.

    2. Denis Tueart on the wing
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      You must have Kane, Lacazette and Firmino 😀

  30. Mr. O'Connell
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Shows how bad Chelsea actually are needing 2 dodgy pens to beat this lot

    1. Postman Ty
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Seriously how did that happen.