Dugout Discussion
21 August 2026 882 comments
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It’s finally here.

Champions Arsenal get the 2026/27 Premier League season underway against new boys Coventry City.

Kick-off is at 20:00 BST.

TEAM NEWS

William Saliba and Jurrien Timber remain out for Arsenal.

Bruno Guimaraes is also on the sidelines. He came off injured at half-time in Sunday’s Community Shield.

Declan Rice subsequently starts in central midfield, while Bukayo Saka, late back from World Cup duty, also comes into the starting XI.

They replace Guimaraes and the benched Noni Madueke, in Arsenal’s only two alterations from last weekend’s win over Manchester City.

Kai Havertz is again preferred to Viktor Gyokeres up top.

New arrival Christos Tzolis, owned by 25.0% of FPL squads, starts off the left.

As for Coventry City, they include five new players in their starting lineup: Carl Rushworth, who was on loan last season, along with Aurele Amenda, Frank Onyeka, Caleb Yirenkyi and Loum Tchaouna.

Fellow new arrivals Gustavo Hamer and Taiwo Awoniyi are both on the bench.

Ellis Simms spearheads the Coventry attack.

LINE-UPS

Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori, Odegaard, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Saka, Tzolis, Havertz

Subs: Kepa, Hincapie, Eze, Gyokeres, Madueke, Nwaneri, Merino, Zubimendi, Dowman

Coventry City XI: Rushworth, van Ewijk, Thomas, Amenda, Dasilva, Onyeka, Yirenkyi, Grimes, Tchaouna, Thomas-Asante, Simms

Subs: Wilson, Rudoni, Sakamoto, Awoniyi, Kitching, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, Torp, Hamer


882 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    That’s why Eze can’t break into the XI and is surplus to requirements.

    Gabriel goes over before the set piece, gives instructions, runs to Mosquera, gives instructions, and Eze does his own thing…

    1. jacob1989
      • 4 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      Eze should have just stayed at palace. Would have been their main player. Here just a reserve for tired legs.

      1. Ignasi M
        • 9 Years
        2 days, 23 hours ago

        Yeah, he's bang average

  2. FPL_trail_runner
    • 6 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    a 5,888 rank after game 1 of week 1, only downhill from here 😉

    1. Jahbulon Jaja
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      Deleting account?

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      very nice. Did you captain Odegaard?

      1. FPL_trail_runner
        • 6 Years
        2 days, 23 hours ago

        Cala, White, Saka (c)

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 17 Years
          2 days, 23 hours ago

          Brave going Saka with limited minutes! Paid off though. Hope he gets back to his best this season.

          1. FPL_trail_runner
            • 6 Years
            2 days, 22 hours ago

            Ive been high on Arsenal captain all week, and was reluctantly back and forth on Bruno but not all in, I think Hull will frustrate them and someone like Dorgu will get a tight 1 -0 goal

            So when the leak came i moved mBuemo and Tzolis to get Saka (C) and gomez as i felt id get a captain return. Happy with the trade and now also a more flexible week 2 - Can see how is doing terrible and look to bring in a Semenyo Mbuemo if necessary or just leave Saka if Villa look off the pace.

    3. Dank Squid
      • 8 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      From trail runner to trail blazer, 5888 to 1, only uphill. It's possible

      1. FPL_trail_runner
        • 6 Years
        2 days, 23 hours ago

        Just need a few differential Barry Palestra Gomez goals to get there 😉

    4. Raoul Nogues
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Follow your instinct !

  3. Twisted Saltergater
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    Data analytics teams getting a lesson in variance tonight.

    1. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      I was expecting Tzolis to score 4.6 pts tonight.

      1. Jacquet of all trades, mast…
        • 6 Years
        2 days, 22 hours ago

        😀

  4. Babit1967
    • 10 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    14 points for Odegaard - will take that all day long for a 6.5 m player.

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      11. He's got bonus already.

      1. Babit1967
        • 10 Years
        2 days, 23 hours ago

        Ah damn gutting haha, that’s good they add it on so early mind you.

  5. Feanor
    • 17 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    White beat Gabriel by 6 points, ugh

    1. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      It’ll be down to 4 next week

      1. Utopsis
        • 6 Years
        2 days, 23 hours ago

        Why

  6. Baps Hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    Selling White and Konsa in order to BB2 and to get DCL wasn't perhaps the best of ideas...

  7. The Tinkerman
    • 11 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    Is the price change predictor not available yet? Season is live?

    1. Gentlemen In Kilts
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      Joking right

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 11 Years
        2 days, 23 hours ago

        No, I’m just curious to see what it looks like, not planning to do anything. But people can make transfers… so you’d think it would be visible already on the site since it’s a new feature they’re advertising already, the link just takes you back to the home page

        1. Gentlemen In Kilts
          2 days, 22 hours ago

          Is it normal 5 mins after first game of the season for price changes sorry your way ahead of me

    2. The Tinkerman
      • 11 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Ah I see it on the website, just not working in the app

    3. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Next Price Changes Happen in: 1hr 56min
      :

  8. PartyTime
    • 5 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    Crazy turn of events. Tzolis received much love until Ødegaard scored. FPL is truly back!

    1. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      I love both, lovely start for my boys.
      Now I need my Leeds and Chelsea triples to come off and i'm away laughing, plus bb of Vuskovic, Anderson, van hecke, lammens

  9. Nightcrawler
    • 7 Years
    2 days, 22 hours ago

    Calafiori White Tzolis triple up good start. Konsa signing made white a decent differential ultimately

    1. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Nice.

      I was on that triple up until yesterday 😆

    2. -GK22-
      • 14 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Ditto. Enjoyable

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Nice. White a transfer waiting to happen in a few weeks, but I guess Konsa may be in then.

      I think Arsenal will play with the handbrake off now, so went Odegaard, Tzolis and Calafiori.

  10. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 22 hours ago

    Where are United fitting Santos, Tielmans, Baleba and Mainoo?

    1. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Four players for two positions makes sense, no?

      I expect it to be Tielemans/Mainoo - Baleba/Santos most games.

      But maybe in the big games they play Baleba & Santos together. All 4 have different qualities so might be a case of different tools for different jobs.

  11. Qaiss
    • 10 Years
    2 days, 22 hours ago

    Well that was a bit easy. 3 promoted teams need to get their act together if that’s the best team from the championship

    1. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Let's not forget Arsenal just beat City by the same score. I thought Coventry were alright

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 days, 22 hours ago

        Said the same earlier. Now City should have scored a few mind but still, that’s their first game in the PL against the best team having faced poor quality last season. Could have been much worse.

    2. Dank Squid
      • 8 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      "Only" 3-0 though. I remember when prime Pep-City won 7-0 etc

      1. Jacquet of all trades, mast…
        • 6 Years
        2 days, 22 hours ago

        Oh poor Watford

    3. George Sillett
      • 10 Years
      2 days, 21 hours ago

      " 3 promoted teams need to get their act together " Lol . Where's your realism ? Away to the Champions with 10 times the budget . Arsenal are not Cov's battles this season

    4. Yoshimiwinz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 days, 21 hours ago

      Coventry spending over £120M on new additions is quite the statement towards getting their act together.

  12. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 22 hours ago

    Eze is a low level mentality at a big level club

    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Should have signed for Spurs

    2. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      He’s just impulsive. That at the end was the kind of thing Arteta dislikes

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 days, 22 hours ago

        Pissed me right off. You could see Mosquera, Gabriel and Madueke all just look at him hands in the air

    3. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      only really good at dribbling through cones and hitting FKs

  13. Dank Squid
    • 8 Years
    2 days, 22 hours ago

    Fantasy World Cup fatigue (felt like it would never end), much needed summer vacation, but I really missed this - PL, and this community, the ups and downs and banter. The best

  14. GoonerSteve
    • 16 Years
    2 days, 22 hours ago

    Odegaard, Calafiori, Tzolis. Nice

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      same! \o/

  15. Brosstan
    • 12 Years
    2 days, 22 hours ago

    Fair play to Ode owners! Surprised how many I'm seeing in my leagues. Even a few cappers which was a great shout tbf if you own him.

    20pts from Gab/Cala/Tzolis is decent but it should have been more

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Same 3 here. Not a bad start

    2. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      26pts from White/Cala/Tzolis

    3. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      terrible pick, incredibly lucky

      This is the problem with FPL, dodgy points make a player EssEnTiaL

      1. FPL_trail_runner
        • 6 Years
        2 days, 22 hours ago

        he scored over and close to 200 points in 2 seasons back to back a few years ago, is now fully fit and playing the 10 for the champions, whether he is a season long player we will see, but nothing like a terrible pick, he is also getting close to Defcon even today.

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 days, 22 hours ago

          .28 xGi
          No pens
          No corners

          No thanks

          Hes good at real football tho

          1. NoOneCares
            • 1 Year
            2 days, 22 hours ago

            Love when people cry when they don't get as many points as others. Post this gibberish.

            1. The Suspended One
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              2 days, 22 hours ago

              season keeper then?

              Good luck!

    4. TheBrazilianRonaldo
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 21 hours ago

      Finding out you've got the same 3 Gunners as Brosstan...

  16. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 17 Years
    2 days, 22 hours ago

    LMS code : 3m8787

    About 350 in so far.

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Hey TM, happy new season 🙂

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        2 days, 22 hours ago

        Good evening TS, good luck for the season.

    2. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Hi TM.

      Thank you for running this again.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        2 days, 22 hours ago

        Cheers Moon Dog, good luck.

    3. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      who are you again?

    4. brianutd-why always we? 20
      • 15 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Joined today

    5. Brosstan
      • 12 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Good to see you TM

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        2 days, 22 hours ago

        Good luck to you Brosstan.

    6. ArthurBrutal
      • 5 Years
      2 days, 21 hours ago

      Joined

    7. Boberella
      • 9 Years
      2 days, 21 hours ago

      Thanks TM. Love this league.

    8. Woking Wanderers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 days, 21 hours ago

      Ta. In.

    9. TheBrazilianRonaldo
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 21 hours ago

      Joining

    10. The Sociologist
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 21 hours ago

      Joined, thanks for running again

    11. Bleh
      • 9 Years
      2 days, 21 hours ago

      Joined again 🙂

    12. Yoshimiwinz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 days, 21 hours ago

      joined, cheers

  17. Roly
    • 4 Years
    2 days, 22 hours ago

    Last minute change from White to Calafiori was totally worth it!

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      No it wasn’t.

  18. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 22 hours ago

    Tzolis unlucky not to haul

    Ben White - most undeserving 11 pter ever - true FPL

    1. FPL_trail_runner
      • 6 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      White should have scored in first half (shot blocked on 6 yard box) and had another cut back for an assist almost , was close to a huge haul even without the lucky Odegaard assist.

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 days, 22 hours ago

        i dont remember any shots. easy to run in behind when you dont have any defensive responsibility

    2. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
      • 9 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      As if Cala didn’t get bonus for a clean sheet and assist, madness

  19. brianutd-why always we? 20
    • 15 Years
    2 days, 22 hours ago

    10,350 on Tzolis already this week

  20. Dynamic Duos
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 22 hours ago

    18:28 White enters team 🙂

  21. FPL_trail_runner
    • 6 Years
    2 days, 22 hours ago

    Reasons not to get over hyped on Tzolis or Odegaard and focus on Saka (besides pens). Post match data shows Arsenal concentrated majority of all attacks towards Saka, with less than 25% towards Tzolis side.

    If this repeats Saka could be hauling like Salah at times.

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      wouldnt you? top 5 player if fit. Real life and FF

      cant wait for those madueke games.. it'll flip 75/25 the other way

    2. JBG
      • 8 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Because Coventry had a LB that isn't the best at defending 1on1 and for some reason the LW didn't track back that much to help him out for some odd reason.

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      You need to be looking at Odegaard; in 4231 and 433 formations, it's always the CAMs that get the goal threat.

    4. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Helps Saka that his competion is Madueke lol

      Though suspect he will keep getting pulled off when ahead, Arteta just needs to keep everyone fit and he'll walk the title

    5. Strike me a Gakpose
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Don’t ever compare Saka to Salah again ahaha

    6. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
      • 9 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Or Tzolis wide open tap ins from Saka crosses lol

    7. TheBrazilianRonaldo
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 21 hours ago

      On him until Tzolis. Staying fit is Sakad issue

  22. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
    • 9 Years
    2 days, 22 hours ago

    Wow no defcons for anyone, don’t remember seeing that once last season!

  23. FPL_trail_runner
    • 6 Years
    2 days, 22 hours ago

    Surely makes sense in background Arsenal have a decent chance of getting Alvarez or similar left side attacker who can play in CF also.

    No chance Martinelli being fully left out of squad, Gyokeres getting zero minutes and the new boy Tzolis going to just play as full time starter with no backup going into the rest of season

    Must be decent chance they have somebody coming in.

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Martinelli is gash

      1. Beanfield
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 days, 21 hours ago

        how rude

  24. Brosstan
    • 12 Years
    2 days, 22 hours ago

    Best thing about Ødegaard outscoring Tzolis is that people might bring him in instead of Tzolis

    1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
      • 9 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      I’d rather have Odegaard all day

      1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
        • 9 Years
        2 days, 22 hours ago

        Nailed for starters and same price

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      100%

      Ben White also

  25. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 22 hours ago

    Is Minteh really worth >60m ?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Last min price

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 days, 22 hours ago

        50m rejected, now 60m and seemingly they want 70m. Madness

        1. Ball Ake
          • 2 Years
          2 days, 22 hours ago

          If we get 70m it's another brilliant piece of business, sell from a position of strength.

    2. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Nope.

    3. Ball Ake
      • 2 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Not yet, he's too inconsistent, needs a couple more seasons here. Think he'd struggle at a big club this early.

    4. Boberella
      • 9 Years
      2 days, 21 hours ago

      And 70m for Baleba too? Seems mad.

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 days, 21 hours ago

        50m less than what they were trying to sell him for in 2025

  26. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 22 hours ago

    Only one clone out of 10m, thats pretty good

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      None here

    2. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 6 Years
      2 days, 21 hours ago

      Just the eleven differentials this week

    3. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 days, 20 hours ago

      where can we see that again?

      1. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 days, 20 hours ago

        never mind I found it. I have (-1) clones. How is it a negative number?

        1. Jacquet of all trades, mast…
          • 6 Years
          2 days, 13 hours ago

          Got -1 too

  27. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 22 hours ago

    What are the chances that Newcastle do me a favor and hold off Liverpool this week?

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Hopefully Newcastle surprises everyone

      1. PartyTime
        • 5 Years
        2 days, 21 hours ago

        Let’s hope Manchester utd(your club), don’t choke at Hull tomorrow because I really see that happening especially zero CS from Maguire & co.

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 days, 20 hours ago

          Double Manure defense here

          Lord help me

  28. JoeJitzu +42
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 21 hours ago

    Has anyone got the link to elite 64 league, mods league or FPL Andy’s team?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      2 days, 21 hours ago

      Are you a good player or a poorer player?

      1. JoeJitzu +42
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 days, 21 hours ago

        I’m an aged player

        1. Albrightondknight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 days, 21 hours ago

          25 th season here that must make me aged if not plain old.
          Got the 3 assists today so happy enough. Probably can’t compete with the BB will play the old tortoise role and catch ‘em slowly.

          1. The Knights Template
            • 12 Years
            2 days, 20 hours ago

            I’m detecting low level boasting here. Both of you:

            Xobjy6

            Quickly!

            1. Albrightondknight
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              2 days, 20 hours ago

              Can I boast with a beer resting on my gut?

  29. Vazza
    • 6 Years
    2 days, 21 hours ago

    Andy LTFPL has literally copied Pras’ team. HAHA!

    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 days, 21 hours ago

      Last Pras team I saw was nuts. The idea wasn’t bad overall but huge spend in defence that I didn’t understand.

    2. The Sociologist
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 21 hours ago

      They’ve both leant heavily on the same model I think.

      1. The Knights Template
        • 12 Years
        2 days, 20 hours ago

        They copy FPL_Review and FPL_Gout

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 days, 21 hours ago

      I hate Andy's Raya pick, locking down one of your three slots from the best team in the league to someone with a 6 point ceiling

      I also don't understand how every single content creator went for DCL - and in Andy's case he's bench boosting Neco Williams and DCL? Just doesn't feel optimal. DCL's better fixture is probably next week but now they have a benching headache GW2 because of the funds they saved with Haaland.

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 days, 20 hours ago

        Personally, I think Raya is set/forget and great value with the rotation you’re gonna see and Gab at 8m

        I don’t love the team either. Semenyo is going to be very wide under Enzo and Isak is a punt at best. Not enough value in those two and a weak BB

  30. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 days, 21 hours ago

    Hi, where do we see the new price change predictor?

    1. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 6 Years
      2 days, 19 hours ago

      https://fantasy.premierleague.com/en/price-changes [same menu bar as pick team and transfers on the desktop site]

      or for your own team on the transfer page change the drop down view from "Opponent" to "Price Change". No predictions currently.