Dugout Discussion
3 January 2026 926 comments
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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. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    4 days, 43 mins ago

    Rice a much better FPL pick than Saka clearly

    1. brianutd-why always we? 20
      • 14 Years
      4 days, 42 mins ago

      Glad I played him

  2. brianutd-why always we? 20
    • 14 Years
    4 days, 42 mins ago

    Saka lol

  3. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 days, 41 mins ago

    How on earth did Saka make the predicted line ups on Scout? 😡

    Mikel Arteta has been clearly reluctant to use Bukayo Saka three times a week.

    Every time Arsenal had a three-game week since start of December, he's had at least one game on the bench.

    Brentford (Dec 3), Club Brugge (Dec 10), Palace (Dec 23) and now today - after two starts in last week.

    1. Philosopher's Stones
      • 5 Years
      4 days, 36 mins ago

      Looks like the scouts pick don't do their homework and are as clueless as we are.

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 days, 33 mins ago

        The lack of research into this is difficult to excuse.

    2. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      4 days, 34 mins ago

      Membership abort?

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 days, 31 mins ago

        I cannot express how angry I am. I've screamed into a pillow, smashed a mug and snapped at my nan. I was trying to get my season back on track and now my weekend is ruined.

        1. chocolove
          • 15 Years
          4 days, 30 mins ago

          Scout should take you to psychiatrist

          1. Deer-in-headlights
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 days, 26 mins ago

            To be treated for low frustration tolerance.

        2. MADCHESTER UTD
          • 10 Years
          4 days, 29 mins ago

          Saka can still maybe score off the bench if that helps

          1. chocolove
            • 15 Years
            4 days, 28 mins ago

            But the mug is already broken

        3. All Hail K
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          4 days, 27 mins ago

          Hope there are no guns in the house.

          1. FPL Virgin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 days, 4 mins ago

            I've booked a double session with my life coach.

        4. fedolefan
          • 11 Years
          4 days, 27 mins ago

          Think your nan would’ve appreciated a screaming or a smashing more than being snapped it. Would leave no doubt as to who’s the real boss.

    3. panda07
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 days, 21 mins ago

      No credit given to Tony for the bits you robbed from him?!

    4. panda07
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 days, 18 mins ago

      Virg, you just rob opinions from different sources and play them off against each other. Do you have any opinions of your own?

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 days, 13 mins ago

        Saka had a significant hamstring injury last season and invested heavily in a back-up right winger over the summer. Of course Arteta was going to protect him ahead of Liverpool.

        1. panda07
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 days, 10 mins ago

          😆 captain hindsight!

  4. dansmusen
    • 8 Years
    4 days, 41 mins ago

    Van Hecke got defcon last seconds?

    1. JBG
      • 7 Years
      4 days, 40 mins ago

      Indeed he did!

      1. dansmusen
        • 8 Years
        4 days, 40 mins ago

        Love that

      2. Yes Ndidi
        • 6 Years
        4 days, 38 mins ago

        Yay!

    2. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      4 days, 25 mins ago

      World cup star this year

    3. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 days, 24 mins ago

      Piled up about 4 of them in the last three minutes.

  5. mad_beer ✅
    • 11 Years
    4 days, 41 mins ago

    Of course I sold Rice. I hate FPL

  6. Yes Ndidi
    • 6 Years
    4 days, 40 mins ago

    Gotta love your striker getting DefCon.

    Just score an effin goal will you!

  7. Thanos
    • 4 Years
    4 days, 39 mins ago

    Let’s go captain Odegaard!!

  8. F4L
    • 11 Years
    4 days, 39 mins ago

    i wouldnt mind Bournemouth somehow being 2-0 up by HT

    1. Philosopher's Stones
      • 5 Years
      4 days, 36 mins ago

      Ban

      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        4 days, 30 mins ago

        but.....saka hattie second half to get the win 😉

        1. Yes Ndidi
          • 6 Years
          4 days, 19 mins ago

          You spelt Gabby wrong

        2. Philosopher's Stones
          • 5 Years
          4 days, 17 mins ago

          F4L for mod!

  9. Bobby Digital
    • 8 Years
    4 days, 39 mins ago

    Will Semenyo play vs. Spurs on Wednesday?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 days, 37 mins ago

      Possibly

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 8 Years
        4 days, 37 mins ago

        Maybe I'll just keep and roll transfer...

    2. mad_beer ✅
      • 11 Years
      4 days, 37 mins ago

      I don't know, but not selling him in GW 15 was one a very few good moves by me.

  10. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 days, 37 mins ago

    Van Hecke bumped to get DEFCON too

    https://x.com/i/status/2007498234940531082

    1. #1 Salah Hater
      • 1 Year
      4 days, 35 mins ago

      He'd better not steal that 3rd bap off Verbrug

    2. fedolefan
      • 11 Years
      4 days, 24 mins ago

      Now they better bump him to get a bonus point as well.

  11. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 13 Years
    4 days, 36 mins ago

    Gabriel Timber Rice here we go!

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      4 days, 32 mins ago

      That's the ideal trio. I have Raya, Timber and Saka...

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 13 Years
        4 days, 29 mins ago

        Ouch.. could work next GW

    2. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      4 days, 31 mins ago

      Gabriel Timber Saka, here we gooo
      *plays sad trombones

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 13 Years
        4 days, 26 mins ago

        I'd bring the cello for greater effect

    3. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      4 days, 29 mins ago

      Its going to hurt me this game, only Hincapie and Saka

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 13 Years
        4 days, 22 mins ago

        Ouch. Better luck next time

  12. fedolefan
    • 11 Years
    4 days, 31 mins ago

    I’ve got Bowen and Sels playing each other next week. Guaranteed points. I’ve stumped FPL with this move.

    1. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      4 days, 29 mins ago

      I heard John miraculously recovered

      1. fedolefan
        • 11 Years
        4 days, 26 mins ago

        Nice try, but won’t work.

      2. Stimps
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 days, 20 mins ago

        *From the embarrassment

  13. Dynamic Duos
    • 12 Years
    4 days, 30 mins ago

    Shout out to the scout for spot the differential, did Senesi to Kadioglu 🙂

  14. Kno
    • 14 Years
    4 days, 29 mins ago

    Petrovic to one of these or just save the transfer? No other fires to put put so far at least

    A: sanchez
    B: Roefs

    1. Stimps
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 days, 20 mins ago

      I feel so much better getting rid of Peteovic. Do it

  15. Postman Ty
    • 11 Years
    4 days, 21 mins ago

    Verbruggen had 3 saves, Burnley had 3 shots on target, fpl says 2, why are we getting scammed?

    1. Captain Mal
      • 1 Year
      4 days, 19 mins ago

      Verbruggen had 2 saves, one shot was saved by Kadioglu.

      1. Postman Ty
        • 11 Years
        4 days, 8 mins ago

        Shot saved by a defender isn't a shot on target though it's a blocked shot. I'm going off Fotmob I wasn't counting during the game, I know I heard two for sure without paying attention.

        1. Captain Mal
          • 1 Year
          4 days, 1 min ago

          Fotmob says Verbruggen made 2 Saves. I really don't get you.

          1. Postman Ty
            • 11 Years
            4 days ago

            Oh weird it does, my mistake.

    2. Studs Up
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 days, 9 mins ago

      Violence isn't always the answer

    3. Not again Shirley
      • 9 Years
      4 days ago

      Take the 6 points mate.

  16. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 12 Years
    4 days, 17 mins ago

    Saka >

    A) Cherki
    B) Rice
    C) Gordon

    1. 1zverGGadeM
      • 8 Years
      4 days, 16 mins ago

      B

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 13 Years
      4 days, 14 mins ago

      B

    3. F4L
      • 11 Years
      4 days, 8 mins ago

      b

  17. F4L
    • 11 Years
    4 days, 12 mins ago

    gabriel defcon push

  18. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    4 days, 12 mins ago

    Welcome to my team rice

  19. Ignasi M
    • 8 Years
    4 days, 11 mins ago

    This ground is hostile. Cherries well up for this.

  20. Ignasi M
    • 8 Years
    4 days, 9 mins ago

    Timber super advanced.

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 13 Years
      4 days, 7 mins ago

      15 points incoming

  21. Sandy Ravage
    • 9 Years
    4 days, 8 mins ago

    This game needs more Saka

  22. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    4 days, 8 mins ago

    Eze still not getting a sniff. Why on earth did Arsenal buy him?

    1. Ignasi M
      • 8 Years
      4 days, 7 mins ago

      Because he's a fan, like Carl Jenkinson.

    2. Glasner Ball
      • 13 Years
      3 days, 23 hours ago

      Done his England chances no good in World Cup year, would of been playing every game with us.

  23. Gudjohnsen
    • 8 Years
    4 days, 8 mins ago

    Saka to Palmer?

    1. Ignasi M
      • 8 Years
      4 days, 7 mins ago

      No, no.

    2. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      4 days, 6 mins ago

      Rested and plays Liverpool next. Could be worth keeping.

    3. Ignasi M
      • 8 Years
      4 days, 4 mins ago

      Remember, Chelsea have no manager and Palmer is still off it and will be load managed.

  24. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 days, 7 mins ago

    Timber playing upfront with Gyokeres

    1. Ignasi M
      • 8 Years
      4 days, 5 mins ago

      Pretty much

  25. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 days, 6 mins ago

    Saka is going to score a goal and assist in a 20min cameo second half and everyone will stop moaning

  26. Ignasi M
    • 8 Years
    4 days, 6 mins ago

    Madueke should have scored.

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      4 days, 5 mins ago

      Yeah that was really poor

  27. Bobby Digital
    • 8 Years
    4 days, 5 mins ago

    Madueke WTF?!

  28. Ignasi M
    • 8 Years
    4 days, 5 mins ago

    Too many steppovers and skyed it.

  29. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    4 days, 5 mins ago

    Nice, just seen that Bowen got defcon and Verb a bap 🙂

    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 days, 4 mins ago

      silly game

    2. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 days, 2 mins ago

      On the flip side, Bowen unfortunately still plays for West Ham

  30. Bigbars
    • 15 Years
    4 days, 4 mins ago

    Fraser Forster... a blast from the past !