Dugout Discussion
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. vedas1
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Got the wrong Arsenal attacker ffs

  2. La Roja
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Bought Martinelli this GW

    😎

    1. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah me too. God bless him for being the only one I could afford

  3. Neevesy
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Too early to start a ESR - Martinelli bandwagon?

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

      *late

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

    Why did I get Saka and Laca over Martinelli?!? Season over 🙁

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

      Well perhaps not yet 😉

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

    Martinelli has had enough, Arteta. Get ESR on.

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

    Well done, Martinelli owners...

    You win this GW!

  7. Andy_Social
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    A Xhaka not SakaLaca

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

    Ffs… stealing all these points that could’ve gone to ESR

  9. @persecuted_by_mods
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Sack this PE teacher arteta!

  10. Zilla
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    get ESR onn

  11. TwiggsJameson
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Martinelli, I love you. You can have my babies. 🙂

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

    Why's I go Saka over Martinelli?

    Oh well, cmon Arsenal

    1. Gross Blank Point
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      My reasoning was I couldn't be 100% sure of him starting, whereas Saka was.
      Right decision to make at the time in a game week where I can't even field a starting 11

      1. Zimo
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah same. Bit annoying tho because I wanted martinelli more 🙁

    2. Goooo Rickie
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Martinelli was expected to be rotated tbf. Predicting an early substitution for ESR.

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

        Yeah, I did expect ESR to start over him.

        Still plenty of time for Saka to do something I guess. Think there are more goals to come

  13. Paqueta Rice
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Martinelli in for Bissouma last gw has been epic

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Well done mate!

    2. Fish up a tree
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Fair play mate. Martinelli is quality now been given his chance & taken it big style

      Could get a mega haul today!!

  14. King Kun Ta
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Assist Laca first goal?

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

      Yes but Steve in fpl towers doesn't own him.

      1. King Kun Ta
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Such a shame

    2. King Kun Ta
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Now then?

  15. Cok3y5murf
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Harsh on ESR owners. Would’ve been his brace!

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

      Maybe the first, he's not in that position for the second.

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

    ESR mightn't be risked now...

    1. Murder on Zidane's Flo…
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Risked? He's fit, needs minutes in contrast to others who already have a lot of minutes into their legs with little recovery - they are the ones at heightened risk

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

        Yeah, he'll come on to get minutes I think you're right

  17. borat
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Pls ESR come on early.

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

    Az smashing it, massive differential call with Martinelli

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

      Az is one of the most entertaining guys to listen to, doesn't take FPL too seriously despite earning an income from it.

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

    Laca off pens.

  20. Bleh
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    An Arsenal fan warned me against Martinelli. What a fan.

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

    Why didn't anyone advise me to get Martinelli?

  22. Optimus.
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Big congrats to Martinelli owners who couldn't afford Saka

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

    2 from 3. Going well.

  24. lewis274
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    no way i brought in saka instead of martinelli

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

      Way

  25. Danstoke82
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Wish I’d have brought in Martinelli instead of Laca now. Oh well.

  26. lewis274
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    i’m sorry but how is that not a lacazette assist loooool

  27. 1zverGGadeM
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    ESR>Martineli 2 weeks ago paid off

  28. Alan The Llama
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Lacazette owners wanting an assist for the second goal too

  29. Andy_Social
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Woah, ML rival has Martinelli on his FH. My GW over.

  30. Make United Great Again
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Did Martinelli > ESR 5 minutes before the deadline