Dugout Discussion
3 January 2026 926 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
Share:

A chilly Vitality Stadium plays host to the final Premier League match of the day: Bournemouth v Arsenal.

Kick-off on the south coast is at 5.30pm GMT.

TEAM NEWS

Andoni Iraola continues to eke out the services of the exit-bound Antoine Semenyo, starting the winger against the Gunners this evening.

It may not even be the Ghanaian international’s swansong in a Bournemouth shirt, with his manager confident, or at least hopeful, of another appearance in Gameweek 21.

Semenyo is part of an unchanged XI following the 2-2 draw at Chelsea.

New signing Fraser Forster, snapped up following Will Dennis‘s injury, is among the substitutes.

Mikel Arteta has sprung a few surprises with his teamsheet, making three alterations.

One sees Declan Rice return from a knee injury and take the place of Mikel Merino in midfield.

The big calls are in attack, with Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard dropping to the bench.

In come Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli for starts alongside Viktor Gyokeres, who continues to see off the challenge of Gabriel Jesus.

Gabriel Magalhaes starts again at centre-half, fresh from his 15-pointer on Tuesday night. That appearance against Aston Villa marked his first start since Gameweek 11.

LINE-UPS

Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert, Scott, Tavernier, Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo, Evanilson.

Subs: Forster, Cook, Soler, Smith, Diakite, Adli, Kroupi, Unal, Rees-Dottin.

Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Madueke, Martinelli, Gyokeres.

Subs: Kepa, White, Saka, Jesus, Eze, Norgaard, Trossard. Merino, Lewis-Skelly.


LIVE GAMEWEEK PAGE!

New to Fantasy Football Scout this season is the Live Gameweek page, which you can see on the side menu.

Here you can follow the scores, watch the defensive contribution (DC) points roll in, see who the leading players are for xG and more as the games play out, as seen below:


Introducing The Eye Test 2
926 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Vasshin
    • 7 Years
    1 day, 7 hours ago

    Having Rice for Dinner tonight confirmed 🙂

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 13 Years
      1 day, 7 hours ago

      3.40 am local time and I'm going to sleep well, thanks to Rice 🙂

  2. Pep's Money Laundry
    • 10 Years
    1 day, 7 hours ago

    I'm going to have to do a goalkeeper transfer for the first time this season,.

    I hate wasting FT's on keepers but Raya out to facilitate Rice in is becoming a must

    Or I can simply to Saka to Rice

    1. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      1 day, 7 hours ago

      Gab, Timber & Rice

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      1 day, 7 hours ago

      Raya out full stop is an improvement in itself, regardless of who you get to replace him.

      Sad to think Wolves keeper outscored Raya today.

    3. Glasner Ball
      • 13 Years
      1 day, 7 hours ago

      I recommend Rice/Saka/Gab - Raya not worth the extra premium

  3. Il Capitano
    • 5 Years
    1 day, 7 hours ago

    Kneejerk of kneejerks, but I can do Cunha, O'Reilly, Raya to Rice, Gabriel, Pickford (-8) exact cash. Y/N?

    1FT 0.2m ITB

    Raya Dub
    Chalobah O'Reilly Andersen Senesi Alderete
    Saka Foden Cunha Rogers Bruno G
    Haaland Ekitike Guiu

    1. Bucket Man
      • 7 Years
      1 day, 7 hours ago

      No as you say knee jerk for -8 it isn’t worth it. Cunha has Burnley. Rice has Liverpool

  4. Ronnies
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    1 day, 7 hours ago

    Benched Rice because knob head Arteta was coy on him apparently having a swollen knee..... love this game

    1. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      1 day, 7 hours ago

      Ditto

    2. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      1 day, 7 hours ago

      Many, many of us.

    3. riot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      1 day, 7 hours ago

      Did the same with gabriel last week, happens

    4. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      1 day, 7 hours ago

      That today is why he didn’t say Rice is okay

    5. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      1 day, 7 hours ago

      One has to understand that a: Arteta is a liar when it comes to such things, and b. his intention is to mislead the opposition and he has no interest in us or this silly game we obsess over.

      1. Sir Michael Taker
        • 11 Years
        1 day, 5 hours ago

        C. Hes a knob head

  5. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    1 day, 7 hours ago

    How does Senesi get Defcon every game yet doesn’t vs Arsenal?

  6. Qaiss
    • 10 Years
    1 day, 7 hours ago

    Own Rice, Gabriel and Saka. 3 played, 8 players tomorrow

    Lovely

  7. Punned It
      1 day, 7 hours ago

      I benched Rice's 11-pointer as well.

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 13 Years
        1 day, 7 hours ago

        Did that, to play Szobo and got a single point

        Never again

        1. Punned It
            1 day, 7 hours ago

            Terrible. If Keane doesn't show and Pep rotates out Foden, I'm good, though. Ha.

        2. Captain Mal
          • 1 Year
          1 day, 7 hours ago

          Damn, that sucks. Was it the injury rumours that forced your hand or was that your plan anyway?

          1. Punned It
              1 day, 7 hours ago

              The injury rumours. Thought he'd get a cameo at best and played Wilson, like a fool.

              1. Punned It
                  1 day, 7 hours ago

                  I even felt clever for holding on to him!

                • Captain Mal
                  • 1 Year
                  1 day, 7 hours ago

                  Sometimes having a strong squad works against you. My bench was poor this week, so taking the chance was an easy call for me.
                  Anyway, we should learn to believe the opposite of what Arteta says.
                  At least you don't have to spend a transfer to get him in.

                  1. Punned It
                      1 day, 6 hours ago

                      Cheers, Mal. I feel slightly better.

            • Ronnies
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              1 day, 7 hours ago

              Any chance O'Reilly misses out tomorrow, I might have Rice 1st sub!

              1. fedolefan
                • 11 Years
                1 day, 7 hours ago

                Big chance you get lucky.

            • Atimis
              • 9 Years
              1 day, 7 hours ago

              Chances of Timber DC?

            • Bucket Man
              • 7 Years
              1 day, 7 hours ago

              Thought selling Eze earlier in the season was bad. Sold Rice, as have very little bench due to injuries etc and no funds to change any of them. Anyway Gabriel seems important. Timber to him with 1FT? After tomorrows games and then hopefully I can roll a ft for a week or two.

            • Fifa las vegas
              • 13 Years
              1 day, 7 hours ago

              Honestly tempted by Ekitike > Kroupi over next few weeks alongside DCL and Haaland.

              Allows midfield something like
              Saka, Palmer, Rice, Rogers, Gordon

            • Baps Hunter
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              1 day, 7 hours ago

              Saka to Rice done. I prefer having the money since their returns are so similar and Saka at least not on all pens.

            • Tonyawesome69
              • 7 Years
              1 day, 7 hours ago

              So Rice travelled to Bournemouth and was joined in the pre-match team walk but folks still sold or benched him

              1. mookie
                • 12 Years
                1 day, 7 hours ago

                Quite a few used his flag as an excuse to WC.

            • Mother Farke
              • 1 Year
              1 day, 7 hours ago

              Nobody expected Rice to start and play 90 minutes on the back of a swollen knee with Liverpool in a couple of days. Don't beat yourselves!

              1. Fifa las vegas
                • 13 Years
                1 day, 7 hours ago

                I have and I will

              2. Utopsis
                • 5 Years
                1 day, 7 hours ago

                I'm black and blue already

            • wiseguy
              • 4 Years
              1 day, 7 hours ago

              Raya, King -> John, Rice?

              A) Yes
              B) Yes

              1. Bucket Man
                • 7 Years
                1 day, 7 hours ago

                John went off injured

                1. wiseguy
                  • 4 Years
                  1 day, 7 hours ago

                  Balls, thanks. Though could just perma start Dub. 2 points from Dub = 2 points from Raya.

                  1. Bucket Man
                    • 7 Years
                    1 day, 7 hours ago

                    Yeh. No goalkeepers seem great this season. Not sure I’d do it though.

              2. mookie
                • 12 Years
                1 day, 7 hours ago

                John? He was taken off today, not sure whether for being shite or injury. Most likely both.

              3. Utopsis
                • 5 Years
                1 day, 7 hours ago

                John made a howler and went off injured. Even without the injury, he probably lost his place

            • Bleh
              • 9 Years
              1 day, 7 hours ago

              Semenyo > Rice or not yet? Already have Gab and Timber.

            • The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              1 day, 7 hours ago

              Can’t believe people benched Rice!

              1. The Knights Template
                • 12 Years
                1 day, 7 hours ago

                But you benched him TKT!

                1. The Knights Template
                  • 12 Years
                  1 day, 7 hours ago

                  Shhhhhhhhh! Quiet you!

                  1. The Knights Template
                    • 12 Years
                    1 day, 7 hours ago

                    Fooool of a Took!

              2. Captain Mal
                • 1 Year
                1 day, 7 hours ago

                How magnanimous of you to allow peasants to catch up.

              3. mleonard
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 16 Years
                1 day, 7 hours ago

                benched Rice?!
                I sold him

            • fedolefan
              • 11 Years
              1 day, 7 hours ago

              Matz Sels only needs 12 mins to keep up with Raya.

              1. Bleh
                • 9 Years
                1 day, 7 hours ago

                Took a hit last week to get rid of Raya for Gab. Doesn’t look so bad now!

                1. fedolefan
                  • 11 Years
                  1 day, 7 hours ago

                  You are a better FPL player than me.

                  1. Bleh
                    • 9 Years
                    1 day, 7 hours ago

                    Definitely not, most of my -4 decisions backfire so surprised this one didn’t.

            • Bleh
              • 9 Years
              1 day, 7 hours ago

              Those going without double Ars defence, which teams are you getting defenders from?

              1. Unliklinho
                • 12 Years
                1 day, 7 hours ago

                I've got Gabriel, Nunes, Tark, James, and Alderete

                1. Bleh
                  • 9 Years
                  1 day, 7 hours ago

                  Good selection!

              2. fedolefan
                • 11 Years
                1 day, 6 hours ago

                Don't laugh but: Timber, O'Reilly, Van Hecke, Alderete, Richards.

                O'Reilly may be out soon though.

            • fedolefan
              • 11 Years
              1 day, 7 hours ago

              Does Mark own Van Hecke? Need that extra bonus point.

            • Vasshin
              • 7 Years
              1 day, 7 hours ago

              1. Play Gabriel and Timber vs Liverpool and play Thiago, and Bowen and bench Semenyo and save FT
              2. Play Gabriel and Timber vs Liverpool and upgrade Thiago, or Bowen to Watkins and downgrade Semenyo to Kudus(on bench), also have Rogers
              3. Upgrade Andersen to Tarkowski and bench Timber

              1. DBry
                  1 day, 7 hours ago

                  Sell Timber

              2. Philosopher's Stones
                • 5 Years
                1 day, 7 hours ago

                On the positive, I never owned Rice. So no regrets of benching or selling.

                1. Punned It
                    1 day, 7 hours ago

                    Lucky!

                  • Bleh
                    • 9 Years
                    1 day, 7 hours ago

                    Same here! You thinking to bring him in?

                    1. Philosopher's Stones
                      • 5 Years
                      1 day, 7 hours ago

                      After the Liverpool game.

                2. DBry
                    1 day, 7 hours ago

                    Rice and Saka?

                    Too much Ars attack?

                    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
                      • 11 Years
                      1 day, 7 hours ago

                      go for it

                  • Ajax Hamsterdam
                    • 11 Years
                    1 day, 7 hours ago

                    was all set on saving transfer but does timber to gabriel just needs to be done?

                    1. how now brown cow
                      • 11 Years
                      1 day, 7 hours ago

                      Depends if you think double def is a good idea.

                      1. how now brown cow
                        • 11 Years
                        1 day, 7 hours ago

                        Fixtures after Liverpool look good defensively

                      2. Ajax Hamsterdam
                        • 11 Years
                        1 day, 7 hours ago

                        would only have one def

                    2. DBry
                        1 day, 7 hours ago

                        Gab sig better than T.

                      • Utopsis
                        • 5 Years
                        1 day, 7 hours ago

                        The ultimate question now is Timber or Saka? The other 2 are locked in

                        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
                          • 11 Years
                          1 day, 7 hours ago

                          I have saka and timber. not a clue what to do

                          1. Utopsis
                            • 5 Years
                            1 day, 2 hours ago

                            So do I mate. And for precisely that reason, I'm doing absolutely nothing for a couple of weeks. Those Rice goals were the result of some truly criminal defending from BOU

                    3. how now brown cow
                      • 11 Years
                      1 day, 7 hours ago

                      Assuming the Rice question is now settled, is timber or Saka the best 3rd arsenal spot?

                      Feels like Saka cash is more useful perhaps?

                      1. FPL Blow-In
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 13 Years
                        1 day, 7 hours ago

                        Cash for what. Frontline of Haaland, Kroupi and Mane

                      2. DBry
                          1 day, 7 hours ago

                          I’m still stuck with Raya.

                          So will get rid of him to free the Rice spot.

                          Ideally I’m looking at Saka to Bruno when back.

                          Palmer maybe?

                      3. DBry
                          1 day, 7 hours ago

                          I need to sell Raya to get Rice.

                          Or just swap Saka to Rice?

                          1. Utopsis
                            • 5 Years
                            1 day, 7 hours ago

                            Raya in the long term needs to go anyway

                          2. Magic Zico
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 7 Years
                            1 day, 7 hours ago

                            Raya to go

                        • Jordan.
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 15 Years
                          1 day, 7 hours ago

                          on jan 2nd wilson starting rice benched,jan 3rd i had a little think,evidence suggests a spaniard with a 4 sided head appeared to be lying,a common tell in poker was his lips were moving, rice is either going to play or not so i played rice and benched wilson,yet another happy and heart warming tale from the world of fpl

                        • theshazly
                          • 2 Years
                          1 day, 7 hours ago

                          Is it worth double arsenal defense ?
                          Or just do Timber > Gabriel ?

                          1. DBry
                              1 day, 7 hours ago

                              Gab and Rice.

                              One of T or Saka most likely.

                          2. DBry
                              1 day, 7 hours ago

                              Raya to Pickford before the price rise?
                              Cunha to Rice in 22

                              Keep Saka spot.
                              Bruno or Palmer options if I wanted to move him

                            • FPL Blow-In
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 13 Years
                              1 day, 7 hours ago

                              Saka and Timber both dropping in price ffs. Give it a rest until the rest of the games are played