Dugout Discussion

Lacazette on the bench as Emery sticks with a three-man defence

Arsenal take on Tottenham Hotspur in a 14:05 GMT kick-off at the Emirates in what will be Unai Emery’s first taste of a north London derby.

The Gunners are unbeaten in the league since Gameweek 2, while Spurs are on a five-match winning run away from home in the top flight.

Alexandre Lacazette (£9.6m) – the most-sold FPL forward of this round of fixtures – has recovered from the groin injury that forced him to miss last Sunday’s win over Bournemouth but is only among the substitutes, with Emery naming the same team that defeated the Cherries on the south coast.

That means Arsenal will once again line up in a 3-4-2-1, with Hector Bellerin (£5.4m) and Sead Kolasinac (£4.9m) deployed as wing-backs, and Alex Iwobi (£5.5m) and Henrikh Mkhitaryan (£6.7m) supporting Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.9m) in attack.

Mesut Ozil (£8.2m) is not in the match-day squad, with Arsenal reporting that the German midfielder is suffering with a back spasm.

Mauricio Pochettino has made only one change from the side that defeated Chelsea in Gameweek 13, with Juan Foyth (£5.0m) replacing Jan Vertonghen (£5.9m) in defence.

That means starts for Dele Alli (£8.9m), Son Heung-min (£8.3m) and Christian Eriksen (£9.2m), as well as Harry Kane (£12.3m) in attack.

Kieran Trippier (£6.1m), as expected, is missing through injury.

Despite their unbeaten run, Arsenal haven’t kept a clean sheet since the 2-0 win over Watford in Gameweek 7.

Goals haven’t been a problem for the Gunners, though: Emery’s troops have scored at least two goals in ten of their 13 league fixtures this season.

This is Spurs’ ninth away league fixture of the season and most of Kane’s attacking returns (five goals, two assists) have come on the road.

Arsenal XI: Leno, Sokratis, Holding, Mustafi; Bellerin, Xhaka, Torreira, Kolasinac; Iwobi, Mkhitaryan; Aubameyang.

Spurs XI: Lloris; Aurier, Foyth, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Sissoko; Eriksen, Dele, Son; Kane.

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1,579 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ⭐ ABHISHEK - THE CURIOUS …
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    This Arsenal side looking like a underdog for winning PL against Man City.

    1. MTPockets
        5 years, 3 months ago

        ok

      • My Name Is Pepu
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Drop the pipe

      • wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I think he will get a rest.But he could score with a cameo.

      • LǝgleSs e|even
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Not even under Peps armpit ..

      • El Lobito 10
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Loooool

      • diesel001
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        LOL. When they start winning games away from home I will start to consider them. Until then they are still doing what they did under Wenger - great at home, but not away from home. Arsenal beat Spurs last season at the Emirates too.

      • CaTriEm
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        We'll get nowhere near City and Liverpool. Plenty of reasons to be optimistic of a return to the top 4 though, long way to go yet.

      • George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Can I have some of what you've been smoking please ?

    2. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Might Sterling get benched next GW? Is it unwise to get him in?

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I can do Haz > Sterling but might just leave it midweek and get him on WC

        1. TaiwanHC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          This is my exact thinking. Don’t like the price rise though.

      2. french holiday
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Even if benched he will be a great long term investment

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Kun >> Kane? Then WC for the Arsenal front two?

      Patricio
      Alonso • Robertson • AWB • TAA
      Salah • Hazard • Kenedy • Richalison
      Aguero • Arnautovic
      (Hamer / Bennett / Cairney / Ings*)

      1. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Sounds good

    4. All For One
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Aguero>Aubamayang
      Gudmundsson>Felipe Anderson
      Martial>Son

      -4

      Worth it?

      Will change Martial to son after the Arsenal game

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Son impressed today?

        1. All For One
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Son played well had quite a few chances ,assist for a penalty

      2. balint84
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        save martial. why would you sell him?

        1. All For One
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Man Utd are terrible

    5. Egbunike
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Template now?

      Fabs

      Robbo - Alonso - Doherty - AWB

      Sterling - Sane/Dilva

      Auba - Kane - Arnie

      1. Tempestic
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Only 10 players?

        1. Egbunike
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          The 11th is probably Fabregas

    6. Numb
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      As if we're going to get anything more than a vague mumble from Pep about Aguero's availability

      1. ⭐ ABHISHEK - THE CURIOUS …
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Aguero is 100% gone from almost 90% of top10k.

        1. Numb
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Of course

        2. Numb
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Most have them have switched to Sterling and / or Sane

      2. Numb
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        In response to people saying “if Kun is fit” etc

      3. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Jesus early subbing and his comments on Aguero yesterday was enough for me.

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          What was his comments about Kun?

      4. MTPockets
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Then he's not known to be fit

      5. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        This is what football is all about!

        A lesser team getting one over on their closest rivals.

        1. Fred54
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Keep fishing mate.

        2. jtreble
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Arsenal look much the better team. It’s not even close.

        3. Sterling Malory
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          But they're losing

      6. balint84
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        next week captain?

        A) Kane
        B) Salah
        C) David Silva

        1. I Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          A

        2. Maddamotha
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          A

      7. french holiday
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Come on Everton!!
        Do what Arsenal did

      8. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        One of Haz or Salah needs to go for Sterling.

        Think it has to be Haz really.

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Salah

      9. seewhyaxe
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Ozil who?

      10. KGFC
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I know Kane has poor today but would you get him in for the midweek clash with Soton? I have funds to get him in for Vardy or Arna...

        1. Bat Man
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Auba instead? He may ourscore Kane in next two games

          1. KGFC
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            This performance from Auba has me completely torn between him and Kane... biggest worry is that Kane doesn't look like he's upto full fitness...

        2. Weasel Boy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Think I'm going Kane this week
          Auba next week

          1. french holiday
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Will u captain kane?

            1. KGFC
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              If I end up getting Kane, I'll def captain him

        3. french holiday
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Who has a worse defence Soton or United...both equally poor

      11. El Lobito 10
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        To put things into perspective, Spurs have played three full strength teams in a week against top teams. Arsenal played a second string versus one of those European sides you've never heard of. Spurs simply tired. Legs went. Their top players remain as excellent choices but there is bound to be rotation now, making it more complicated.

        1. Pierce34
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Or, judging by past seasons, there will be little rotation and they'll continue to look disappointing.

      12. LǝgleSs e|even
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Proudest moment for Gunners since Wengers departure announcement , eh Blud?

        1. Nabs Kebabs
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          100% fam

        2. Fred54
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          What about when Gunnersauros received an MBE?

        3. seewhyaxe
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Yes fam you understand?

        4. Supersonic Marv'
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Little bit harsh. Wenger could be their best ever manager.

      13. Smurf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Sokratis faster than Kane. Oh dear.

        1. Nabs Kebabs
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Sokratis is deceptively quick.

      14. Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        A. Lacazette
        B. Kane
        C. Aubameyang

        1. Weasel Boy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Last week B
          This week C

          1. Weasel Boy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Next week who knows

            1. Ze_Austin
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              Very, very good point
              Comments here are more reactive than predictive

              A Hazard brace against Wolves with Mane and Salah running through Burnley and Kane blanking to Southampton, then the advice you'll get here for GW16 will be very different. Again. Same if Sterling is rested and Kane scores an away brace

              I've decided to trust my instincts, and let them fail me if they must. The info I seek here is more about injuries and the eye test reports. Since I don't have access to watch matches, I watch the FFS comments as commentary instead. Quite useful. But if you believe you're smart enough to make good choices, please don't be too easily swayed by what the rest of the FFS community seems to agree upon. Even highly ranked managers have been dropping, including myself, tbh

              Make the game simpler for yourself. If a move looks good, go with it. If you make a mistake, learn from it

              1. Ze_Austin
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 3 months ago

                *Sterling is rested and KUN scores an away brace, I meant

                1. french holiday
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  Kun wont play...Pep wont risk him

        2. Unliklinho
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          I wanted Kane and Auba, but Auba is the priority for me. I just dropped Haz and Jimenez to bring in Auba and Eriksen.

      15. french holiday
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Kane cant even outrun old Sokratis

      16. Bat Man
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Template burst open. Fun really begins now

      17. TAT
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Kane loses a sprint against Sokratis.

      18. Essem
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Sokratis outpacing Kane lmao

      19. R.C
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I had plans to ditch Auba after this GW.. rip

        1. Konig Luther
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          that would be stupid considering his next games

      20. Forza Papac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Kane outpaced by Sokratis 😆

      21. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Mane captains, unite!!!

      22. Styles_X
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        now the question is
        a. Auba
        b. Laca
        can afford both and wont have to take a hit. For kane i will have to take a hit.

        1. Tempestic
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          A

      23. Nabs Kebabs
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Sokratis isn't as slow as people assume

        1. Lemongrab
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Yeah he's surprisingly rapid

      24. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Fab / Hamer
        Alonso, Robertson, Laporte, WB, Bennett,
        Sterling, Mane, Fanderson, Richarlison, Stephens (lol)
        Auba, Arnie, Wilson
        0.4m ITB

        Thoughts on this?

      25. Lemongrab
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Seriously reconsidering bringing Kane in now, pen aside he's been anonymous

        1. Smurf
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Even as an owner I have to agree. He's done nothing.

        2. I Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Won't play Arsenal every week.

        3. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Same here, still not firing as a team.

      26. Dee Lixon
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Tempted to put Ramsey in on my WC. Guess it´s because the contract situation he started so few games?

        1. Nabs Kebabs
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          That would be extremely stupid. And yes that is the case.

      27. Rocky FPL
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Son or Sane?

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Sane

      28. Danstoke82
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Was all set to do Kun > Kane but Aubameyang has got me thinking.

        Kun >
        A) Kane
        B) Aubameyang

        Which one?