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. Zoostation
    • 12 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    Odegaard and Tzolis owners congrats

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

    6.5m. That is all.

    1. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      Proper value that

  3. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    Every Arsenal pick returning. We’re all safe 😎

    Bar Gabriel

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      He’s got a YC if that counts

      1. Jacquet of all trades, mast…
        • 6 Years
        2 days, 23 hours ago

        😀

        1. Mother Farke
          • 2 Years
          2 days, 22 hours ago

          About that Odegaard, lad...

  4. x.jim.x
    • 11 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    Sky popping up “second goal this season” for Odegaard

    They are so so shameless

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

      They are correct

      1. x.jim.x
        • 11 Years
        2 days, 23 hours ago

        Mbeumo already smashing the Golden Boot then if we’re counting friendlies

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

          As usual, only PL counts for u.. nothing else is football according to u.

          1. x.jim.x
            • 11 Years
            2 days, 23 hours ago

            Friendlies are not real football, correct

            1. jacob1989
              • 4 Years
              2 days, 22 hours ago

              Then why arsenal players held trophy and celebrate? Its not winning fa cup or league but its s minor trophy.

              1. x.jim.x
                • 11 Years
                2 days, 22 hours ago

                Can’t believe United didn’t put a parade on for the Boyle Sports Cup we won a few weeks ago!!

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

    White was in one of giraffes

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

      one of my giraffes*

      1. lilmessipran
        • 14 Years
        2 days, 23 hours ago

        How many giraffes do you have?

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

          Landed on one.

          The others were destroyed.

      2. lilmessipran
        • 14 Years
        2 days, 23 hours ago

        More importantly, what was White doing inside one of them?

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 days, 23 hours ago

          He’s got some neck

  6. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    Coventry keeper welcome to the premier league

  7. FantasyTony
    • 9 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    Fat Frank first manager to go. These guys can’t defend.

  8. Gizzachance
    • 11 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    Cal white tali’s going ok so far, need cs to stick now

  9. Haalander
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    Just waiting on califiori show b now on the 59th min

  10. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    Sweating about Rushworth and Van Ewick starting gw2 for my BB now…

    1. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      They'll both start, but not confident in a CS anymore

    2. fantasyfog
      • 11 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Snap

  11. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    Tzolis out the baps now…

    1. MIGHTY JOE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      Delight!

  12. Nutmeg Ninja
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    First Arsenal player to 2 returns?

    1. Warby84
      • 11 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      White

  13. x.jim.x
    • 11 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    Some people tripled up on this rabble at the expense of Haaland or Bruno

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      Wait until you see Hull

      1. x.jim.x
        • 11 Years
        2 days, 23 hours ago

        Poo vs pee

  14. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    Can IT sort the site so when you post you don’t have all the errors rubbish & need to refresh to see original post.

    IOS iPad terrible

    1. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      They've been "sorting it" for months

      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        2 days, 23 hours ago

        Need to get it fixed, its 2026 not 2006

  15. Make FPL Casual Again
    • 7 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    Not bad not bad...3 ars 3 assists

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

      2 assists and a goal ... dreamland.

      1. Make FPL Casual Again
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 22 hours ago

        Plenty of time

    2. Warby84
      • 11 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      3 assists and hopefully 2 cleanies

      1. Make FPL Casual Again
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 22 hours ago

        Sure...plus baps

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

    Well having only 2 arsenal was insufficient.

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      Could have told you that

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

        Yeah next 4 not great fixtures so played more medium term. Don't want early wc

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

          Same

  17. pundit of punts
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    Coventry all over the place

  18. WVA
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    Got rinsed on here for picking Odegaard!

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      Most of the comments about Odegaard I saw on here said he was a good pick?

    2. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      A fluke goal does not = a good pick. Tzolis is leagues better

    3. Salarrivederci
      • 10 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      Not by me 😉

  19. pundit of punts
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    Who’ll Arteta sub out first?

    Saka I think

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      Saka and Rice would make sense to “take care of them”

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

        😎

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

      Watch it be white on 59 mins

    3. Royal5
      • 15 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      Saka

    4. Nutmeg Ninja
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      Gabriel would be funny...

  20. Nutmeg Ninja
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    Was that Odegaard's knucklepuck?

  21. Royal5
    • 15 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    Raya will find a way to mess this CS up surely?

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

    Odegaard, "ode to a guard". Arteta finally removed the shackles? Movement looks free/direct

    1. Royal5
      • 15 Years
      2 days, 23 hours ago

      True. Maybe he watched him in the world cup

  23. Zimo
    • 8 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    I hate myself letting FOMO sway me from White & Wirtz to Ballard & Mbeumo.

    1. Royal5
      • 15 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Wirtz is shiteee

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

        White on a haul tho

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

      I moved White/Szobo to Shaw/Semenyo.

      I'm still holding out hope for Semenyo hauls over the next 3. I mean he plays Coventry in GW3...

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

      Ballard and Mbeumo haven't even played yet, and also - never hate yourself, regardless of the Fantasy outcome

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

        Thankyou for that. You're right.

  24. JBG
    • 8 Years
    2 days, 23 hours ago

    Holy fck Kai and Ødegaard... ruined a great opportunity for Tzolis

  25. Nutmeg Ninja
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 days, 22 hours ago

    CALAFIORI MADE IT TO 60'!!!!

    1. Gizzachance
      • 11 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Yeah !

    2. Offsider Slater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      OMG

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

      Yeeeees

  26. Raoul Nogues
    2 days, 22 hours ago

    No hour mark substitution

  27. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    2 days, 22 hours ago

    60 m

  28. Tigers Time
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 days, 22 hours ago

    60 mins just gone yeah

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

    Ben White loves an overlap

  30. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 days, 22 hours ago

    60
    Mins
    Threshold
    Passed!