Dugout Discussion
17 January 2026 600 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
Share:

Buoyed by Manchester City’s defeat in the early kick-off, Arsenal will be hoping to go nine points clear at the top of the Premier League this evening.

Their match at Nottingham Forest kicks off at 17:30 GMT.

TEAM NEWS

It became apparent in December that Mikel Arteta is averse to starting Bukayo Saka three times in a week. Now, even successive games seem to be beyond him.

Despite a rest against Portsmouth last weekend, and despite the upcoming UEFA Champions League game against Inter effectively being a dead rubber for the Gunners, Saka finds himself on the bench again this evening.

So too does Leandro Trossard, with Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli coming in.

The other change from Wednesday’s EFL Cup semi-final first leg is the return of David Raya at the expense of cup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

There’s still no Piero Hincapie in the Gunners’ squad. Cristhian Mosqueraruled out for “weeks” by Arteta only on Tuesday – does make the bench, however.

Gabriel Magalhaes starts for the fourth time in 10 days.

Having savaged his second string after their performance in the FA Cup against Wrexham, Sean Dyche unsurprisingly goes back to his regulars this evening.

There’s just one change from Gameweek 21, with Ibrahima Sangare coming in for Omari Hutchinson.

LINE-UPS

Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams, Sangare, Anderson, Gibbs-White, Dominguez, Hudson-Odoi, Igor Jesus.

Subs: Gunn, Morato, Awoniyi, Luiz, Ndoye, Hutchinson, Yates, McAtee, Savona.

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

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Mosquera, Saka, Jesus, Eze, Trossard, Merino, Havertz, 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 (DefCon) points roll in, see who the leading players are for xG and more as the games play out, as seen below:

Saka benched again

price change predictions
600 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    Sick of Foden. Welcome back Bruno!

    1. bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      Before ARS away?

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 17 days ago

        Yes

    2. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      Arsenal away or Wolves at home - think I’ll wait a week

  2. Old Wulfrunian
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    And now everyone will sell Saka and he will score against Man Utd.

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      Not selling him before he faces United for sure.

  3. terranullius
    • 1 Year
    2 months, 17 days ago

    How are Nunes and Cherki owners feeling?

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      Where was Nunes?

      Pretty good tbh. Hopeful of starts against Wolves.

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      Nunes has been really good for me. I had benched him this week. So does not matter

    3. terranullius
      • 1 Year
      2 months, 17 days ago

      So we hold Nunes. But what about Cherki, should we sell?

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 17 days ago

        Both on my chopping block tbh after Wolves. City defence a mess and I don't want to be sweating over teamsheets every week with Cherki.

        1. terranullius
          • 1 Year
          2 months, 17 days ago

          Sounds reasonable. Let's hold for one more week.

  4. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    2 FT and 0.8 ITB.

    A - Szob & Foden > BrunoF & Wilson
    B - Szob > Wilson and roll 1

    Pickford
    Gabriel - Timber - Andersen
    Foden - Szob - BrunoG - Rice
    Haaland - Ekitike - DCL

    Dubravka - Cunha - Guddy - Dorgu

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      Maybe punt on someone else over Wilson?

      1. Jet5605
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 17 days ago

        He blanked today but I still think he's a good pick. Tav is another one but has a tough game

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      A

  5. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    Is there much between these? Any stands out?

    1)
    23: Foden to Bruno
    24: Saka Potts Ekitike to Palmer Rice Mane -4

    2)
    23: Ekitike Potts to Bruno Mane
    24: Saka Foden to Palmer Rice -4

    3)
    23: Saka to Palmer
    24: Foden Potts Ekitike to Bruno Rice Mane -4

    4)
    23: Saka Potts Ekitike to Palmer Bruno Mane -4
    24: Foden to Rice

    1. JT11fc
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      If Foden is out then option 1, youl lose a load of value otherwise

      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 17 days ago

        I'm kinda tempted to go Foden to Bruno anyway so maybe just stick with that one

        1. JT11fc
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 17 days ago

          Ill likely do the same

  6. JT11fc
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    Bowen and Palmer defcons taste nice

  7. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    Is Foden injured?

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      Pep said no? But can never be sure

  8. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    Who to bench?

    A) Enzo (palace away)
    B) DCL (Everton away)

    1. JT11fc
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      Hmm assess Everton tomorrow

    2. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      B no Guehi

  9. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    Right call go bench both Watkins and DCL?

    Roefs
    Gabriel Chalobah Tarkowski Mukiele
    Palmer Bruno Rice Rogers Enzo
    Haaland

    Dubravka Watkins DCL Alderete

    Or play BB?

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      BB could be interesting caall

      Dubravka (Tottenham home)
      Watkins (Newcastle away)
      DCL (Everton away)
      Alderete (West Ham United away)

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 17 days ago

        Yeah, it's not too bad, but not great either, to be fair
        I'd like to be done with it though. Think i'll make a last minute decision on this!

  10. dansmusen
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    Funny old game this. Sels and Dorgu on bench against Arsenal and City and have almost more points the rest of my team

  11. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    Who to get for Foden?
    How did Semenyo look?
    Bruno F has ARS away next. Not the best time to get him.

    1. Feanor
      • 16 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      Going up in price tonight, and probably again later this week

  12. Feanor
    • 16 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    Saka out, BrunoF in.

    1. Ignasi M
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      yep. done

    2. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      nice call

      Arsenal Defence possible + Rice

      1. Ignasi M
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 17 days ago

        Yeah I'm thinking of having triple Arsenal defence tbh. Most of their points come from defenders.

  13. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    Another horrible low energy Arteta match

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      Suppose - true but managing squad with League Cup Semi & lots of games in short period
      of time - point gain over Man City now clear by 7 pts - agree Villa could cut to 4 pts
      but Artetas to lose now

  14. Bluetiger1
    • 3 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    What is the highest points this GW

    34pts (if results stay at present) 2 play

    1. Kingy109
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      I think it will be much of a muchness this week unless Rogers bangs - I imagine many are around 30

      1. Bluetiger1
        • 3 Years
        2 months, 17 days ago

        thanks

    2. bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      34 pts with Rogers BrunoG and Verbruggen to play

      1. Bluetiger1
        • 3 Years
        2 months, 17 days ago

        cheers

    3. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      37 with Watkins, Bruno G and Kadioglu to play

      1. Bluetiger1
        • 3 Years
        2 months, 17 days ago

        nice

    4. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      50 with Rogers and Watkins

    5. Vazza
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      50 all out here mate. Thinking about playing wildcard. See my message below.

    6. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      38pts
      Watkins Rogers and Cash

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

      43 Rogers to play upto 15k

    8. CoracAld2831
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      27 with Rogers & Tavernier to play.

  15. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    Is it worth holding Bowen vs SUN? He’s lost his scoring boots.

    1. Ignasi M
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      no. like Foden, he's also trying for a new baby.

    2. Eightball
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      Depends what the rest of your team is looking like and if you have other more important moves. He is def a sell some point soon though.

    3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      No

  16. Ignasi M
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    Arteta needs to be buy a matchwinner in the summer.

    1. JT11fc
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      Not sure they know how to play with a match winner

    2. Ghost Ship
      • 15 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      A top class striker is the answer.

  17. Wild Card this!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    Just saw Oliver Glasner post match interview.
    WOW.
    Don’t think I’ll be getting any Palace players…

    1. Ghost Ship
      • 15 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      That was a Nuno style “fire me now please” interview. Be surprised if he’s there next game. Real shame how palace have gone off the rails.

  18. Vazza
    • 5 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    Worth playing wildcard, which would involve these moves:

    O’Reilly, Saka, Foden, Ekitike
    =>
    Saliba, Palmer, Mbeumo, Wirtz

    Two other moves would be remove a midfield fodder to forward fodder to reconfigure formation and cheap defender to even cheaper defender.

    Thoughts pls?

    1. Punned It
      • 1 Year
      2 months, 17 days ago

      A bit punty. Gabriel over Saliba, and don't quite like the double arsedef. The next three look good - but due to pens, playing leaky City and playing Burnley. The four you're shipping out need to go, though.

    2. diabydoesgallas
      • 12 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      Prefer Bruno and rice to mbeumo and wirtz

  19. Punned It
    • 1 Year
    2 months, 17 days ago

    Ok, so I and everyone else'll be doing Foden > Fruno, cause I'd be benching Foden anyway and I'd like to catch the price rises. But I also quite fancy Palmer or Enzo. Do I move on Rogers or Wilson? Or not worth it? Also have Rice and Gruno, but I'm keeping them for the season bar sudden terrible form.

    1. Vazza
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      Love the creativity with Fruno and Gruno.

      Fruno and palmer are essential with the upcoming form and fixtures.

      Rogers and Wilson are sellable to make way for the above.

      1. Punned It
        • 1 Year
        2 months, 17 days ago

        Yeah, but as I wrote above, I worry that Palmer only looks good cause of pens. Can't have a pen every match, can he?

    2. JT11fc
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      Like enzo because of mins really

  20. JT11fc
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    How did Bowen look attackingwise?

  21. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    Need Bruno G to blank tomorrow to save my season...

    1. Punned It
      • 1 Year
      2 months, 17 days ago

      Score a hattie, you say? Couldn't agree more. DC, cleanie and max bonus doesn't feel too much to ask either.

      1. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 17 days ago

        I said nothing of the sort

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      This… so much this. Him and Rice have killed me this season.

  22. Gazzpfc
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    Next Gw

    1 Wilson
    2 Bruno F
    3 Semenyo

    ???

    1. tbos83
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      3

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      One week punt? Or?

      1. Gazzpfc
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 17 days ago

        Moving forward

  23. Il Capitano
    • 5 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    1FT 0.3m ITB

    Raya
    Gabriel Chalobah Alderete
    Saka Foden Rogers Bruno G Enzo
    Haaland (C) Ekitike

    Dub - Andersen Senesi Guiu

    Can't go straight from Foden to Bruno F, worth selling Saka or just roll this week?

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      Roll for sure.

  24. FC Hakkebøf
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    I did Foden, Cunha and Ramsdale to Palmer, Gakpo and Sanchez for a hit. My Only hit this season. I thought I might as due the goalkeeper transfer for a hit as I have other transfers planned out down the line. Safe to say it paid off. 45(-4) with Rogers and Gordon. Lovely stuff.

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      Might as well do the*

  25. One for All
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    Roefs
    Gabriel, Hall, Alderete
    Bruno G, Rogers, Saka, Cherki
    Haaland, Bowen, Ekitike

    Dubravka, Tarkowski, Garner. Gudmundsson

    3FT 0.3 ITB

    A) Bowen> Thiago
    B) Saka> Palmer, Bowen> Thiago

    A or B Guys, worth holing Saka vs Man Utd?

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      Saka is a safe starter next week. Not sure the same can be said for Palmer. But I prefer Palmer over Saka my self.

  26. Mother Farke
    • 2 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    Watkins (C) was the play me feels. He'll get the chances, depends what Olly turns up.

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      Ekitike (C) was the play. He should have scored. I captained Haaland. Too afraid not to even though he has been poor of late.

  27. Halftime
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    Stach to Reijnders and play him, Cherki and Haaland against Wolves?

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      Not sure I would want Reijnders in my team. Better options at that price imo. Go for Tavernier or Wilson Maybe?

    2. Four Letter Wirtz
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      No. Reijnders had a nice run of games around Christmas, but now Semenyo has arrived, Doku is fit again, etc... Yes, he'll almost play second striker when he's on the pitch, but the 1 point ten minute cameos are killing me

  28. Flynny
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    Is it worth keeping saka for next weekend where he will defo start?

    Or switch to bruno? Thanks

  29. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    Raya, Keane, Cunha to Verbruggen/Sanchez, Chalobah, Bruno F for a -4?

  30. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 17 days ago

    Who are the best front three for upcoming fixtures?

    1. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 17 days ago

      Having a front 2