Dugout Discussion
3 January 2018 4961 comments
Paul Paul
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The penultimate fixture of the packed festive schedule gets underway at 7.45pm as Arsenal and Chelsea go head-to-head at the Emirates.

For the hosts, Alexis Sanchez has upped his output in recent weeks – after a slow start to the season, last term’s top scoring player in Fantasy Premier League has delivered points in seven of his last 10 league appearances.

That form suggest that the Chilean is likely to pose the main danger to a defence that’s conceded just four times in their previous 11.

Nonetheless, it’s Alexandre Lacazette who is the Gunners’ most captained player for Gameweek 22, handed the armband by 2.02%.

The Frenchman has been a consistent source of points at home, producing a goal or assist in seven of his 10 appearances, but he’s struggled for a cutting edge of late and failed to find the net since Gameweek 15.

A return to form could reignite interest in Lacazette ahead of four kind fixtures (bou CRY swa EVE) in as many Gameweeks.

Despite a run of two goals in the last nine Gameweeks, Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata (3.7%) is the top armband pick for this fixture.

That lack of form means that the Spaniard and team-mate Eden Hazard were among the top five most transferred out players for Gameweek 22, sent packing by 243,000+ and 207,000+ respectively.

Hazard has mustered just a single assist in five yet both he and Morata also have some decent fixtures ahead to arrest their recent declines – over the next five Gameweeks, Antonio Conte’s side host Leicester, Bournemouth and West Brom and also make their way to Brighton and Watford.

Encouragingly for Hazard’s owners, he looks set to return to a central role with the visitors rolling out a 3-5-1-1 formation.

The Gunners, meanwhile, welcome back Mesut Ozil from a minor knee problem, though injuries in defence means that Arsene Wenger is forced to field the likes of Calum Chambers, Rob Holding and Ainsley Maitland-Niles in his starting line-up.

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  1. Sandy Ravage
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone else avoiding Aguero and going with a City trio of Otamendi, Sterling & KDB?

    1. Sterling is £11Mill..…
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      yea me

      1. Sterling is £11Mill..…
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        I dont think KDB and Aguero together can be justified thats just so expensive. Its either Aguero or KDB imo not both

    2. Dannyb
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Yeah probably, although Stones instead of Ota.

    3. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Need another attacker for sure. Sterling's points are becoming irrelevant with his EO.

    4. TomSaints
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Yep

    5. Frogman
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Regret ditching KDB due to the flag but still reckon Aguero is a good shout as a lot more options in midfield

    6. Phil's Stamps
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      me

    7. JustPark
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      I'm going Sterling, Ota and Stones. Is that viable do you guys think?

      1. Sterling is £11Mill..…
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        two man city defenders will get you cs ofc, but what a waste of an attacking spot. Just go double Man U at the back DDG & Jones with one Man U attacker like Lingard. Two City attackers and a city defender.

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 11 months ago

          I currently have DDG, Jones, Ota and Sterling and will likely be doing this.

        2. JustPark
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 11 months ago

          Thought so. Can only afford Jones now. KdB price though makes me think twice and Mahrez is cheaper with similar output.

  2. Fred54
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Cesc hugs Sanchez to avoid violent confrontation.

  3. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Arsenal playing some nice footy now and again

  4. Costa in Wengerland
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Sanchez and fabregas still a Better lovestory than Twilight

  5. Comment removed. Please refer to our terms and conditions on posting comments.

    1. TomSaints
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      He's involved in everything!

    2. grumpyman
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      ban.

    3. Podge
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Hooolllllldddd

    4. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      No

  6. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone got any mince pies left?

    1. Rik Waller
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Just offside?

      1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        Your mince pies are offside!

        1. Rik Waller
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 11 months ago

          your face is

          1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 11 months ago

            😯

            1. Rik Waller
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 11 months ago

              😉

  7. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    3 - Özil, Xhaka, Courtois, Fàbregas (9)

  8. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Got get that Fabs Sanchez hug in a slow mo with careless whisper playing in the background.

  9. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Got the ball... Joke

    1. HamezMace
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      This

  10. La Roja
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Terrible decision

  11. moz_1983
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Nwver a yellow for Fab.

  12. Ghost Gooner
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Hope this ends 0-0 and everyone is happy bar Haz and Morata owners 😛

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      1-0* Arsenal

    2. Patch
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      If that were to happen I would stop with patch predictions till next GW.

      Plenty of goals in 2H

  13. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Wow. Ridiculous yellow.

  14. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Horrible decision to get a YC there. So harsh has to be so careful the rest of the game

  15. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Getting so sick of these reffing decisions every game

    1. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      They aren't having a good time of late

      So many poor decisions

    2. HamezMace
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      As said on the previous page, Bobby Madley not PL standard

    3. Harper_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Yep, Llorente goal yesterday was disgusting

  16. Fred54
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Cesc should have hugged the ref.

  17. Syd.
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Brilliant from Hazard

  18. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Fabrelols

  19. Tcheco
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Brilliant from Hazard

  20. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Amazing from Azar

  21. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Who's this awful ref? He hasn't done anything right.

  22. Pacer.
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    First time I've enjoyed watching arsenal in God knows how long. Properly gutsy, pacey, creative performance. Ozil has been outstanding.

    Can't wait for second half

    1. CostaCoffee
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Ozil playing for a transfer

      1. Pacer.
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        at half time?

    2. Goalosaurus
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Its been a great first half, hope second half lives up to it!

  23. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Kante and Hazard are better at football than the rest of the Chelsea team

    1. Podge
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Flabbergast has his moments

      1. CostaCoffee
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah I’d throw in on form Fab

    2. George Sillett
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Best 2 players yes .

  24. Harper_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Hazard really doesnt like passing to Alonso does he

  25. Old Wulfrunian
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Really good first half from Arsenal.

  26. Dybala10
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Morata really tempting me to rage transfer.

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Reluctantly keep for Leicester then he becomes Kun.

      1. Futile Tinkering
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        Took him out last night

  27. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    As a non owner, is 0-0 better than a goal from Alonso, Hazard or Lacazette?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Beats 1-0 Alonso or Hazard
      1-0 Lacazette is best of the 3 by miles.

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      The best outcome for me would be a 1-0 Arsenal win with a goal from the likes of Wilshire. Only have Bellerin and Che defence is highly owned.

    3. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Goal from laca is by far the best option out of those for a non owner.

  28. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    When Sanchez leaves Ozil will have no one to pass the ball to.

    1. Rostah
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Maybe they can all start passing it to Kola then

    2. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      He can pass it to Theo Walcott...oh...wait...

  29. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Bellerin in the baps without the cs.

  30. Differentiator
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Morata is utterly useless for his price tag.

    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Too many words