Dugout Discussion
15 February 2023 1537 comments
FPL Marc FPL Marc
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The final match of Double Gameweek 23 takes place at the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal host Manchester City in the 19:30 GMT kick-off.

This huge top-of-the-table clash was originally meant for Gameweek 12 but had to be rearranged due to Queen Elizabeth II’s death and the subsequent moving of a Europa League match.

It means that we’ve reached February without the league’s two best sides having faced off, a chance to see if the student – Mikel Arteta – can overcome his master Pep Guardiola.

Visitors Man City can overtake their hosts tonight and have made one change to the side that beat Aston Villa 3-1 on Sunday – Nathan Ake (£5.1m) replaces Aymeric Laporte (£5.7m).

That means Erling Haaland (£12.2m) has shaken off the knock which resulted in his half-time withdrawal and there are also starts for Kevin De Bruyne (£12.4m) and Riyad Mahrez (£7.8m). However, owners of Manuel Akanji (£5.0m) and Rico Lewis (£3.9m) will be frustrated to lose at ‘Pep Roulette’ for both parts of Double Gameweek 23.

Arsenal had the same starting XI for the previous six league matches but have made two changes here. Popular FPL defender Ben White (£4.7m) is on the bench and midfielder Thomas Partey (£4.7m) misses out because of “a tight muscle.”

In comes Takehiro Tomiyasu (£4.2m) and Jorginho (£5.8m), which is good news for Gabriel Martinelli‘s (£6.6m) owners – he keeps his place despite Leandro Trossard‘s (£6.7m) weekend goal.

Bukayo Saka (£8.3m), Eddie Nketiah (£6.8m), Martin Odegaard (£7.0m), Gabriel (£5.2m) and William Saliba (£5.3m) start too.

GAMEWEEK 23 LINE-UPS

Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Jorginho, Xhaka; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli

Subs: Turner, White, Tierney, Kiwior, Holding, Trossard, Fabio Vieira, Nelson, Cozier-Duberry

Manchester City XI: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake, Bernardo; Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan; Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish

Subs: Ortega, Laporte, Lewis, Akanji, Sergio Gomez, Phillips, Palmer, Alvarez, Foden 



FPL Marc Broadcaster, writer and overthinker. Hoping that ‘differential potential’ will catch on.

  1. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    6 starters, can’t complain

    1. Sun God Nika
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hauland better last longer than halftime fa

  2. DycheDycheBaby
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    White benched arghhh. And if Lewis doesn't come on for City then my rival gets 12 points from Shaw. Screw this game.

  3. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    See you in the 88th minute Lewis.
    Good lad!

    1. NotsoSpursy
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Doubt very much Lewis will come on

  4. Digital-Real
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinelli 1pt locked in.
    Let's go!

  5. OPTA FPL
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Akanji start weekend then?/

    1. Haalander
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thought he’d start tonight think it’s time to get rid for me

      1. OPTA FPL
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        why? if he start tonight likely he will be benched 2 days later
        he is on the bench today is a good sign for NFO

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You should know by now that's not how Pep works...

      1. OPTA FPL
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        game on 2 days later, before Champions League

    3. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Makes zero sense but yep if you like

      1. Haalander
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        If he can only pick up a one pointer in a double game week he’s not worth having imo! Besides it’s not as if Citeh are keeping many cleanies!

  6. ☈☾
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mistake by Arteta to bench White

    1. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm not so sure. Grealish is a handful, Tomiyasu a more aggressive (and better) defender.

      (I have White)

    2. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What a shame for Arteta that he did not consult this forum before selecting his team. His loss.

  7. shirtless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    To think I nearly switched Cancelo out for Lewis for a hit which would have meant benching Shaw! On top of selling Salah for KdB! Fine margins..

    1. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Lewis not looking like he'll get any minutes anyway. 10 juicy Almiron pts off the bench for my rival

  8. Haalander
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Need KDB to do a Mahrez tonight

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Need Haaland to do a Haaland tonight

      1. Haalander
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This too I’ll take a Haaland haul as TC’r

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kdb will do a Kdb.

      1. Haalander
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        And score nothing lol

        1. DA Minnion (Former great)
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          No . 2 points.

    3. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Need Mahrez to do a Mahrez

    4. Red Star Toro
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Need Pep to do one.

  9. Botman and Robben
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinelli owners, here's to hoping he makes it to the 60th min.

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Small mercies. I actually cheered on Saturday when he made 60. Was praying the ball wouldn't go out of play before then.this is what he has reduced me to.

  10. Red Star Toro
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinelli already smiling about the prospect of punishing the doubters, me included

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Just don't see it happening.

    2. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      1 or 3 points, will he get subbed off on 59 mins or 61 mins...

  11. Nate(U)dog(ie)
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I'm assuming there's a specific tactical reason why Arteta is playing Tomiyasu over White, especially as it looked like White was pretty good against Brentford. Still it's an issue, luckily I wasn't going to play him next week anyway so I have time to assess

    1. TheTinman
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Think White still plays 9/10 games.

      Hopefully Tomiyasu plays more in Europe or something

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That would be my assumption. Better 1v1 defender against Grealish. I'm not too worried as a owner yet

    3. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Presumably to counter Grealish, T is a better defender

    4. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm finally vindicated for saying White's not nailed for 1.5 seasons

    5. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      White has been poor by the high standards set at Arsenal since getting a telling off from Steve Holland.
      Surprised by the timing of Tomiyasu stepping in but not the replacement itself.

  12. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Are you planning on playing a 343 or a 352 in the weeks ahead?

    Will you have a strong front 8 or a regular bench player like Andreas?

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      352 + Gnonto currently. 343 for 25 with Rashford kept on the bench.

      After that, depends how the fixtures fall might be a WC27!

      1. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Good plan. Do you like Iheanacho as an alternative or not really?

        Also, will Felix/Darwin make you consider a 343 longer term?

        1. Rainer
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Nacho is brilliant, a Mahrez-lite forward version, when he's on the pitch! The problem is Brendan but yes, really like him!

          I think Darwins xMins are going to start getting hit now so he's slipping down my list of priorities.

          Felix & Watkins will be popular in BGW28, only one I'm looking at atm is Toney for his double.

          It's not worth serious consideration before FA Cup results!

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Might depend on Fulham if they have a fixure in 28 or not

  13. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hugo Bueno ready and waiting to step in for Ben Shite on Saturday morning!

  14. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kevin DeBoner today please, not Kevin DeBlanke

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Forget it! He's applied to become a citizen of Finland.

  15. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Why is White on bench?

    Just to wind me up? Or save me the -2 from City scoring 6?

    1. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wants to stay injury free and available for selection in the new season of Love Island.

  16. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinelli, Gabriel, Nketiah, Haaland C, Mahrez & KdB owners ... do we feast ?

    1. Silecro
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Let the absolute festation commence

    2. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No, only Odegaard, Gabriel, Nketiah, Haaland C, Mahrez & KdB owners

      1. banskt
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Rather Odegaard, Saka, Nketiah, Haaland C, Mahrez & KdB owners.

    3. Haalander
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I want to be morbidly obese by the time this game ends from feasting!!

    4. Hughes Your Daddy
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Martinelli, Saliba, Nketiah, Haaland C, Mahrez & KdB yes please.

    5. Haa-lala-land
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I only have Haaland, so I'd only like a snack, please

  17. camarozz
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I have Haaland but wouldn't have minded him not starting as I didn't capt him due to a missed deadline.

    Thank you Rash tho ,you did ur bit.

  18. Hairy Potter
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I've got five players in the starting line ups and none are defenders. It's going to be 0-0, isn't it?

  19. how now brown cow
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Botman, trippier, white for a combined 5 vs shaw's 12 laughing at me on my bench.

    Hope city rip them to shreds.

  20. Hairy Potter
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Ali McCoist is the best co commentor at the minute. Seems to just be enjoying himself and saying what he sees.

  21. Tcheco
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    FPL aside I really want to see Arsenal crumble

  22. putana
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Arsenal have such a thin squad. Trossard the only threat on the bench

    1. camarozz
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yep it is true. Done well considering but I have a feeling city win tonight and they will crumble unfortunately. Hope tats not the case coz I like Arteta

  23. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mahrez and Martinelli to start both in the dwg is a shock tbh

    1. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Martinelli has 58 mins written all over him

    2. Hughes Your Daddy
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      As owner of both, was not expecting this 😀

  24. BeaversWithAttitude
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Game on, baby!

  25. camarozz
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Decided to keep Kane so..

    Mitro ➡️ Felix
    Bruno ➡️ Maddison-4

    And play double Newcastle v Pool

    Or do Schar ➡️ Chelsea defender instead?

    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sure about selling Bruno before Leicester?

      1. camarozz
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Ik. Maddison is bang in form tho. Jumped on Mitoma and it's served me well..

        Bruno was always a sell after the double.

  26. DropkickMurphys
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Predictions? 1-1 for me.

    1. BeaversWithAttitude
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I've got six players in this match, but no defenders. I want goals! ARS 3 – 4 MCI (Mahrez hattrick!) ⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽

      1. DropkickMurphys
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Good luck! I’d like a KDB hat trick lol

      2. BeaversWithAttitude
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        (De Bruyne four assists, lol.)

  27. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    They can move that scoreboard from the top left, expand it and put it in the middle of the screen because this has 0-0 written all over it!

  28. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    1-1, City to score first.

  29. Ser Davos
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Were'nt there some goading people for selling White?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If it was for a hit White owners are still currently better off?

      1. Ser Davos
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        people were suggesting sellers were idiots in thinking to sell for fear of reduced minutes despite starting every game

        Also, it was part of the 5 in 3 scenario

        1. Ser Davos
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          My point is that people were suggesting White sellers were idiots because they feared he would be dropped/subbed early. Those fears were justifiable

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Only as part of a -4 😉

  30. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Ref on City’s side already.

    How’s that not a yellow