Dugout Discussion
3 May 2025 329 comments
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A quieter-than-usual day of Premier League football concludes at the Emirates this evening.

Arsenal v Bournemouth gets underway at 17:30 BST.

Despite the Gunners’ UEFA Champions League semi-final being delicately poised, Mikel Arteta has named a strong side for tonight’s game.

Indeed, he’s only made two changes from the defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

One of the players coming into the side today, Thomas Partey, almost certainly would have started in midweek had he not been suspended. He ousts Mikel Merino from the starting XI.

Ben White replaces Jurrien Timber in the other change. The Dutchman, unlike the benched Merino, is not in the squad at all.

Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli all start.

There are three changes for Bournemouth, the most surprising of which sees Antoine Semenyo drop down to the bench.

That’s the first time he’s been named among the substitutes this season.

Adam Smith and Alex Scott also make way as Julian Araujo, Lewis Cook and Marcus Tavernier come in.

Evanilson starts as expected, having had his Gameweek 34 red card rescinded earlier this week.

A win for the Gunners tonight all but assures a Champions League place for next season. The Cherries, meanwhile, will climb to eighth with a point or more.

LINE-UPS

Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Rice, Partey, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Trossard.

Subs: Setford, Tierney, Zinchenko, Clarke, Merino, Nwaneri, Butler-Oyedeji, Gower, Sterling.

Bournemouth XI: Arrizabalaga, Araujo, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez, Cook, Adams, Tavernier, Kluivert, Ouattara, Evanilson.

Subs: Dennis, Senesi, Smith, Soler, Hill, Brooks, Scott, Jebbison, Semenyo.


CHECK YOUR LIVE FPL RANK

If you haven’t seen it already, the beta version of our new Premium Members Area gives you a customised dashboard detailing your latest points and where you rank in the world.

You can find it via this link and you only have to type in your FPL ID number (so no password/email) to see the visuals.


329 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    Saka starts after scout said he would be benched 😡

    I went without dinner 3 times this week so I could afford my FFS membership this season. They told me he would start, but he didn't start.

    What's the deal, does FFS want me to not only starve, but to have a terrible rank too?

    1. Hooky
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      Yawn

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        11 months, 16 days ago

        have you not seen cyan?

    2. have you seen cyan
      • 6 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      Lol

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        11 months, 16 days ago

        😀

    3. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      Bit too obvious on this one

    4. Drexl Spivey
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      Think they're having a meat raffle later for the malnourished.

    5. My own Personal Jesus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      Arteta learning mind games from his old boss.

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        11 months, 16 days ago

        2nd place in the league was under threat and Arteta needs to get Saka match fit for 90 full minutes ahead of PSG. He was always going to start.

        1. My own Personal Jesus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          11 months, 16 days ago

          Not complaining I have Saka starting in FPL and two draft teams and am currently sat looking down on the corner flag to the left of the goal Bournemouth will be defending in the first half. This week’s FPL transfer Merino to Mbeumo(C)

    6. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      Mods: can we just give this guy his 20 quid back?

      I’m pretty sure we would all take up a collection if it got him to shut up.. pass the hat.

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        11 months, 16 days ago

        I'm paying for a Fantasy Football service, m8. I have to justify this expense that's taken out of my household budget. When I'm paying to read what they write, I think I'm entitled to have a bit of a moan when they get the biggest calls of the gameweek wrong.

    7. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      Best running gag on here

      1. Pep bites Kun
        • 9 Years
        11 months, 16 days ago

        Yeah, I'm ok with it as a gag rant

    8. Yozzer
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      Why do you take what scout says seriously mate. They know no more than me or you?

      1. Utopsis
        • 6 Years
        11 months, 16 days ago

        He's got one!

    9. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      I can pay twice as much if they ban this guy

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        11 months, 16 days ago

        Calm down dear. It's a private joke with me and have you seen Cyan.

  2. Gazzpfc
    • 9 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    Assistant Manager

    Brentford at Ipswich or table bonus Everton at Fulham???

    1. Yozzer
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      Wait if Brighton beat Newcastle I'd play it on wolves

  3. Feanor
    • 16 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    Only 5 points from Moyes and I benched Martinez for Raya. Not a great start to Saturday.

    Hopefully Moyes can get a table bonus win at Fulham next week

  4. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    Rise of Kerkez is a bit annoying really, I remember punting on him a few times last season and he was disappointing, especially in a DGW where he was subbed at ht.

    Just shows it was the right decision just wrong timing as usual

    1. Admiral Benson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      He’ll be popular as a £5.5m Liverpool asset next year I reckon.

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        11 months, 16 days ago

        I think they should get Robinson, Trent reincarnate

      2. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        11 months, 16 days ago

        If he goes to Liverpool he'll be more than 5.5m.

      3. Yozzer
        • 8 Years
        11 months, 16 days ago

        6 mil imo. Mark Sutherns is running the show now. He will see attacking threat for the best team in the prem

        1. Admiral Benson
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          11 months, 16 days ago

          Aye, could be £6m

  5. Riverside Red
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    Left my three Arsenal players on the bench after expecting them to field a a weakened team.
    Just need tham to concede or I'm in big trouble.

    1. Admiral Benson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      I would have bet my mortgage on them resting most of the attackers today. Can’t believe the risk Arteta is taking.

      They could lose today and still comfortably finish in CL places

    2. yousunkmybattleship
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      Wow

  6. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    No idea what Arteta is playing at not resting 3 or 4 here.

    1. Yozzer
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      Rest,? 4 days after and before a game doesn't require rest . Thars ample recovery time

    2. mookie
      • 12 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      Bournemouth the perfect opponent to prepare for PSG perhaps.

      PSG rested everyone except Barcola and Neves from the ones you'd expect to start vs Arsenal.

    3. Nightcrawler
      • 6 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      Resting didn't really help in the first leg. Better off playing especially when arsenal have had only 1 game last 11 days

    4. Gizzachance
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      Champs league is mathematically done
      Plus new pool next
      Would be disaster if they don’t get it!

      1. Gizzachance
        • 11 Years
        11 months, 16 days ago

        * isn’t

  7. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    Why did everyone predict Saka was going to be benched?

    5 days since they played PSG

    1. Admiral Benson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      Just wait till Tyler Adams goes through the back of him after 5 mins……

  8. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    Saka will haul here

    1st on my bench

    it's 100% going to happen

    1. Quality Quality Qualit
      • 16 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      For some reason I have Saka as 3rd on my bench.

      1. The Philosopher
        • 5 Years
        11 months, 16 days ago

        For some reason, Saka is out of my team.

      2. Mozumbus
        • 4 Years
        11 months, 16 days ago

        For the same reason, Konsa is third on my bench

      3. Bluetiger1
        • 3 Years
        11 months, 16 days ago

        For some reason decided to sell Saka for Mbeumo,
        possible as would not start to day with PSG game
        2nd leg next week & if final will be rotation

    2. Gizzachance
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      Lot sold or benched

  9. JBG
    • 7 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    A Cook goal, with no assist would be lovely here

    1. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      Cook be cooking!

  10. RICICLE
    • 3 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    Another goal would be most welcome Mr. Kiwior

    1. keefy59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      I'd take that plus
      Arsenal c/s ,Saka booked & subbed before 60mins

      1. RICICLE
        • 3 Years
        11 months, 16 days ago

        Absolutely!
        I’m actually still glad I sold Saka, this game doesn’t excite me at all for him, and not worth the headache either.

    2. Mozumbus
      • 4 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      Yes please

  11. lilmessipran
    • 13 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    Saka looking hungry, I actually started Rogers over Saka yikes

    1. FantasyTony
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      It is dinner time to be fair

  12. BIGREDDOG
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    Man I need a Bournemouth goal so badly

  13. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    Evan close

  14. ball c
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    I know bit risky but it chasing in ML would you bring in Wood for Marmoush?
    Already have KDB for city.
    Wood has good remaining fixtures

    1. bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      Yes

    2. keefy59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      It's the move I'm planning next
      Waiting to see Wood play on Monday first. Haaland was on the bench last night so Marmoush minutes might be a doubt

  15. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    What is raya doing?

  16. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    Kepa saves Tross

  17. JBG
    • 7 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    Pen?

  18. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    Rice baby

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      Ode A

  19. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    Rice yay

  20. TOLV TUMS
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    G Rice

  21. Nightcrawler
    • 6 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    A real shame Rice was wasted in the holding role Vs psg. All down to partey

    1. The Reptile
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      Yeah - stupid booking for Partey

    2. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      both play against PSG as Partey is free from suspension

  22. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    I aint buying the Arteta Air Punch

    1. TOLV TUMS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      Seems to have some volleyball moves tho

  23. TOLV TUMS
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    Whomever posted in the last article that Saka was looking tired and leggy was onto something. Doesn’t loos]k his usual springy self.

    1. JBG
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      Only missing a limp

  24. The Philosopher
    • 5 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    Arsenal winning.
    No Saka involvement.
    Raya and Kiwior CS intact.

    Will take it.

  25. F4L
    • 11 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    you reckon Rice might sneak in next season at 6mil or something? looks to really be coming into his own with those runs forward

    1. The Philosopher
      • 5 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      Yeah. He'll be on my radar.

  26. Mr. O'Connell
    • 13 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    Bournemouth couldn't score if they played all night

    1. JBG
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      Lets hope they prove you wrong

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        11 months, 16 days ago

        No chance

        1. JBG
          • 7 Years
          11 months, 16 days ago

          Kluivert close and unlucky

          1. Mr. O'Connell
            • 13 Years
            11 months, 16 days ago

            Upgrading it to not scoring if they played all week

    2. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      Nice jinx attempt

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        11 months, 16 days ago

        Worked 🙂

  27. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 14 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    Brownhill and Piroe to watch for budget mid-fwd options next year, for sure.

    1. JBG
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      Let's first see if even need any budget players... who knows if premium players will be worth it.

      1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 14 Years
        11 months, 16 days ago

        I think with Haaland regressing a bit, but expected to bounce back and Salah having just done a record-breaking season, the temptation to fit both of them into the same team will be just as strong as before this year started. Plus, Isak will surely be in the 10.5-11.0 range.

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      yeah some nice looking options. firpo looks decent as well

    3. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      You're kidding yourself if you think any of the promoted teams will be anywhere but 18th-20th

  28. Bluetiger1
    • 3 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    Its now time of season for more rested teams/some teams on the bench & some crazy results - scorelines in
    last three Game weeks

  29. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    Raya you clown

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 16 days ago

      benched himself in fpl no doubt

  30. FlyingCanary
    • 7 Years
    11 months, 16 days ago

    Anyone else an evanilson owner, this is painful