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. WVA
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Just face it, we are all getting Rico on.

    If he doesn't come on I'll get Shaw off my bench which will never happen.

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      🙁

    2. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Estupi for me. Sigh.

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

    Ake off the bar

  3. Hairy Potter
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mahrez needs to put his lucky gloves on for the second half, if Pep doesn't hook him.

  4. JBG
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    As a Ake owner... that should have gone in.

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

    Thiago Silva scored a Hand of god goal but they saw it lol

  6. Bartowski
    • 15 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Haaland appears to be rubbish in any years he doesn't play in the EU.

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

      What?

      1. Bartowski
        • 15 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        2023 is the first year he hasn't played in an EU country.

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

    Shocker of a gw. Rank is going to double as things stand

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

      Yep, owning white Odegaard Martinelli doesn't help

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Not doing martinelli to saka has backfired and having shaw on bench!

      2. bso
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Especially if you don’t have KDB either

    2. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thought most people were doing alright this week a

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No one likes to mention a bad week!

        1. Free Hat
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Indeed,
          I just crawl up in a ball and cry silently then

    3. Bucket Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Glad to see there are others like me. What I gained in rank last week is lost and more this week. And team looks bad for next few weeks too!

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Fine lines sometimes. Shaw benched for me and not having saka the difference. Some tight calls going wrong way this week but can turn again next week

        1. Bucket Man
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yep got Ake in for Cancelo -4 and benched Shaw and stuck with Martineli as never considered a -8.

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

    Haaland away to the Big 6...

  9. Lord of Ings
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Timely KDB g that. Great week this.

  10. TanN
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who looks the better team rn?

    Hopefully city ....

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

      Both can be got at, both dangerous, it's tight.

      Trossard & Foden could have big says!

    2. Hairy Potter
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Neither looking at their best, and pretty even. Maybe Arsenal at bit better at keeping the ball.

    3. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Arsenal much better team for me

    4. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Arsenal. Much better

  11. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Haaland is a flat track bully right?

    1. Sandy Ravage
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He's no Drogba

      1. Hairy Potter
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Drogba for Marseille against Newcastle in the Uefa Cup is one of the most dominant striker performances I've ever seen. Such a big game player for Chelsea after that as well.

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

          Woodgate put him in his pocket at St James but then was inevitably injured for the 2nd leg

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

      Not if his team mates don't pass to him

  12. Snake Juice
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Saka captain worked 🙂

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

      Nice call so far

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Well done, great call

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

      Great brave call, well done

    4. Zimo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nice one. I chickened out myself.

    5. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Fantastic call

  13. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    With Walker & Bernardo on YC got to be changes?

    Lewis to block those Shaw points

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

      Doubt Lewis will come on

    2. Eleven Hag
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Akanji will take Walkers spot imo , it's Silva that worries me

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

      Definitely expect one change, doesn't necessarily have to be both of them though

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

      Lewis probably won’t come on

  14. PogChamp
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What a player Saka is. Would love to see him at United 🙂

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

      Lol never going to happen.

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

      he dives at any opportunity, would settle in at United

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

        To be fair he’s been targeted tonight wouldnt call him a diver

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

    Arsenal 60% possession, nearly all the play in City's half and people are dissing Haaland. People really just hate to see others succeed eh.

    He's had a good battle with Saliba and has looked sharp.

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      City been launching it long to him as well. Strange tactics, almost like they don’t feel they can match up with arsenal

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

        They're really struggling to play through the press! Could do with Bernardo in midfield over Rodri or Gundog as he can take it in tighter spaces and turn his man.

    2. Hairy Potter
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      They should have watched the likes of Lineker, Cottee, Romario etc. who did nothing for 89 mins, but were there to take their chances. That's what strikers did. Nowadays people are obsessed about strikers being involved with play.

  16. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Ode is prime chump

  17. TheBiffas
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Joe Gomez for 4.3m may be a nice Botman replacement

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

      VVD is almost back. He probably get benched

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

        I think matip drops to the bench. He's been dreadful

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

          Both have been poor. It's a gamble

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

            I'd definitely say Gomez has been better. But yeah it's a punt

    2. Eleven Hag
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Is he still playing?

    3. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Vvd back though

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

    DeBoner and Saka - dreamland!

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

      Team #4 and team #7?

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

    Omg the Bein Sports pundits are having a mare. Barely a brain cell between them

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

      That the one with that dummy Richard Keys?

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

        Yeah and he's the reasonable one!

        1. Hairy Potter
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Oh dear!

      2. panda07
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Old hairy knuckles! Did you smash it Redknapp?!

    2. Hairy Potter
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kieron Dyer on there? He was struggling to string two words together when covering the Newcastle game for Sky.

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

        Not today. Here they are https://twitter.com/beINSPORTS_EN/status/1625955740304244746

  20. Arteta
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    SAKA (C) YOU BEAUTY

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

      Again?

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

        Not yet haha

    2. The Mentaculus
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      We want more 😀

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

      Congrats. Good luck for the 2nd half in this huge match for your club!

      P.S. why did you bench White. Not too late to fix a mistake! 1pt better than none.

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

      Nketiah and Saka(C) here 😀

  21. lilmessipran
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What's the point of winning fpl when they don't even give the prizes for years.

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

      Bragging rights

    2. villa_til_i_die
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Don’t think we’ll ever have to worry!

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

      Cash minileagues

    4. Westfield Irons ⭐️
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Because every day you can remind yourself you won FPL - it's a great feeling

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

        Cracking thumbnail pic!!!

      2. lilmessipran
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Can't argue with a former winner..did you get your prize by the way?

    5. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It’s pretty crazy.

      A pretty poor prize and then one they will only offer on their terms

  22. Mr. O'Connell
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Could really do with a return from Martinelli in the next 10-15 mins.....

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      All you can hope as an owner he makes 60.01 mins tbh

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Only 1 point loss w/o the clean sheet I guess

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

      Big time

  23. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Why didn't ederson get booked for the fault on the pen?

    1. Hairy Potter
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Did it deserve a yellow?

    2. Shteve
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not all fouls are a yellow card.

    3. Free Hat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Found it a harsh pen in the first place, would be even harsher to get sent off for that imo

  24. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    kdb,nketiah POOOOOOOIIIINNNNNNTTTTTTTSSSSSSSS

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

    Chelsea looking good from the bits I've seen.

    Having Chilwell & James fit absolutely key for them!

  26. Thanos
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    No changes spotted at HT

  27. tim
    • 16 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Saka going up tonight? Getting him now, went w Mahrez instead.

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

      You should do the lottery when you’re at it

  28. Baked baines
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How long has the players stats tab been on FPL for?

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

      New today I think

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

      Earlier today

  29. Saka White Rice
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Aside from the goal what's happened to KDB? He's missing so many passes

  30. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Tommy YC