Dugout Discussion
3 May 2025 329 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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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Evanilson starts as expected, having had his Gameweek 34 red card rescinded earlier this week.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.


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329 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 7 days ago

    HT

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

    Random one, has a Content Creator ever forgot about deadline?

    1. The Philosopher
      • 5 Years
      11 months, 7 days ago

      Probably, when they'd missed their medication.

  3. JBG
    • 7 Years
    11 months, 7 days ago

    Bou can't even score when Raya try to gift them a goal

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

      They will score unfortunately, playing too well not to score, treble defense defo won’t keep cleanie for me lol

      1. FantasyTony
        • 8 Years
        11 months, 7 days ago

        Treble across how many teams?

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

          Kiwior in main, Raya and Saliba in other

    2. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 7 days ago

      Several so far

  4. The Philosopher
    • 5 Years
    11 months, 7 days ago

    Bournemouth sponsors seem to have missed a chance to name themselves BJ69.

    1. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 7 days ago

      Nooooooice

  5. have you seen cyan
    • 6 Years
    11 months, 7 days ago

    Anyone thinking of getting Haaland in for Saints?

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 6 Years
      11 months, 7 days ago

      Given that he didn't get any minutes off the bench yesterday it seems risky. But Marmoush is absolutely dreadful so maybe. . .

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 6 Years
        11 months, 7 days ago

        From Pep's comments, sounds like he should be ok. He was considering bringing him on in yesterdays game 2ndd half. I highly doubt Haaland gets 90, but first game back being Saints, is very tempting. I think I will do it:
        Palmer>Bowen and Isak>Haaland.

        I'll wait though.

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

      I’m actually thinking of punting on Foden

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        11 months, 7 days ago

        Which team?

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

          Both!

      2. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
        • 1 Year
        11 months, 7 days ago

        Are you high?

  6. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    11 months, 7 days ago

    Bradford City did it

    Late and lucky but promotion nonetheless

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 7 days ago

      96 mins !! Mental stuff...

  7. tricpic
    • 16 Years
    11 months, 7 days ago

    Marmoush - Wood
    Saka - KDB
    Worth a -4?

    1. Crispo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 months, 7 days ago

      Not even worth thinking about right now.
      We're only halfway through the game week, there's a week until deadline.

      Chill Winston

  8. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    11 months, 7 days ago

    Rice to be Lampard/Gerrard prime next season for 6.5m?

    Think I'm gonna get from the start....

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      11 months, 7 days ago

      Caveat - current rank is 800k

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        11 months, 7 days ago

        And next season likely OR 1-2m+

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

        Top 10% still decent

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

      Hmm I think I would if he was on pens like he was at West Ham

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

        I’m looking forward to Odegaard dropping in price, have him earmarked already

        1. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          11 months, 7 days ago

          Odegaard seems of the boil FPL-wise? Next season might be better if injury free...

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

            Yeah that’s what I mean, if he returns to form at 6-5-7 he will be a steal, wonder if it’s the Rice signing that has depleted his game somehow

            1. Jafooli
              • 14 Years
              11 months, 7 days ago

              Yep, fair one...

    3. F4L
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 7 days ago

      with set pieces in his locker yes sir. would have to be patient though. need 14-18 g+a. think it'd be doable

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        11 months, 7 days ago

        Agreed...

    4. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 7 days ago

      He’ll be over 7m easy with Zubimendi coming in and those free kicks

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        11 months, 7 days ago

        Who is Zubimendi?

        1. x.jim.x
          • 11 Years
          11 months, 7 days ago

          Sociedad DM

    5. have you seen cyan
      • 6 Years
      11 months, 7 days ago

      Rice is an interesting player. I considered him a few times this season. But he is one of the players you never really get a chance to get in because there is a better option, like Trossard or someone.

      Depends what price Rogers is next season, but its unlikely many would go Rice over Rogers as a long hold. Maybe if Arsenal have a nice fixture run though, but one again, surely you'd want Trossard or someone instead.

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        11 months, 7 days ago

        Next season he'll be like Yaya back in that year he went tonto...

  9. F4L
    • 11 Years
    11 months, 7 days ago

    get semenyo on

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

      I feel bad for owners that he was benched out of nowhere

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

        Scored last game too

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

    Saka very close

  11. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 7 days ago

    Evan YC

    1. FlyingCanary
      • 6 Years
      11 months, 7 days ago

      One of the most hilariously stupid yc I have ever seen

      1. Gamst - Up (?) the Rovers
        • 16 Years
        11 months, 7 days ago

        Yes, I was thinking the same. He Evan shook his head like he doesn't know the rules.

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 7 days ago

      will he get the point back for owners before the GW is out this time 😉

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

    Wonder how much longer Saka gets

  13. Nightcrawler
    • 6 Years
    11 months, 7 days ago

    Wouldn't be surprised if odegaard has some bet on not taking shots. Unreal drop in end product

    1. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 7 days ago

      He’s never had an amazing end product outside of that season where he fluked 15 goals

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 6 Years
        11 months, 7 days ago

        He had 19 goal involvements in the league last season. That's still pretty decent with just one penalty (8 goals). Fluke is when u get a bunch of penalties to skew the stats

        1. x.jim.x
          • 11 Years
          11 months, 7 days ago

          FBref is saying 6 NPG + 10 assists. Poor for the main creator in a title challenging team. Rodri beats that and he’s a DM.

  14. jonnybhoy
    • 13 Years
    11 months, 7 days ago

    Benched Kiwior last minute- how likely is Arsenal clean sheet? Not watching

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 6 Years
      11 months, 7 days ago

      Basically locked in.

  15. F4L
    • 11 Years
    11 months, 7 days ago

    kluivert and evanilson look really pissed off with each other for not passing

  16. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 7 days ago

    Dango YC

  17. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 7 days ago

    Kluivert off Semy on

  18. Fred the Red
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 months, 7 days ago

    Best Assistant Manager for the last 3 gameweeks?

  19. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 7 days ago

    Semy heavy touch

  20. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 7 days ago

    Dean G

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 7 days ago

      Semy A

      Ars busted

  21. F4L
    • 11 Years
    11 months, 7 days ago

    huijsen g
    semenyo a

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 6 Years
      11 months, 7 days ago

      Hooray!

    2. Mr. Eko
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      11 months, 7 days ago

      Hands by Semenyo

  22. Gizzachance
    • 11 Years
    11 months, 7 days ago

    Ars double def has been a trap

  23. F4L
    • 11 Years
    11 months, 7 days ago

    Are you rory delap in disguise...lol

  24. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 7 days ago

    Raya being short don’t help

  25. Sun God Nika
    • 5 Years
    11 months, 7 days ago

    Needed that so much

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

    One thing is for sure that Bournemouth CB is locked in my GW1 lineup, next season is the one!

  27. Shark Team
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 7 days ago

    Heart back to its place after Raya Kiwior Saliba all on my bench...

  28. CoracAld2831
    • 5 Years
    11 months, 7 days ago

    Double Arsenal CS busted.

    Awful, but predictable.

  29. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 9 Years
    11 months, 7 days ago

    Benched Raya & Saliba, knew we’d concede

  30. Sandy Ravage
    • 10 Years
    11 months, 7 days ago

    typical Arsenal