Dugout Discussion

Lacazette benched as Kolasnic misses out on Saints trip with injury

There was instant disappointment for owners of two Arsenal assets as team news for Sunday’s Gameweek 17 matches came out.

Alexandre Lacazette (£9.6m) is on the bench once again, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.5m) preferred as the lone striker for the Gunners.

Meanwhile, Sead Kolasinac (£5.1m) misses out on Arsenal’s trip to Southampton after picking up a thigh injury in training on Saturday.

He is replaced at left-back by the returning Nacho Monreal (£5.4m), making his first start since Gameweek 8. With Rob Holding (£4.4m) injured and Shkodran Mustafi (£5.4m) and Sokratis Papastathopoulous (£5.1m) suspended, Laurent Koscielny (£5.4m) and Stephan Lichtsteiner (£4.5m) line-up at centre-back.

Aaron Ramsey (£7.3m) and Mesut Özil (£8.1m) are named on the bench.

There is a third Premier League start for young Southampton defender Jan Valery (£4.0m) while Danny Ings (£5.4m) recovers from his recent hamstring injury to feature for the first time since Gameweek 12.

At Brighton, there is another game at false-nine for Eden Hazard (£10.9m) who leads the Chelsea line, flanked by Pedro (£6.3m) and Willian (£7.3m).

Alvaro Morata (£8.5m) was not considered fit enough for the bench, where Olivier Giroud (£7.7m) has been named.

Meanwhile, Mateo Kovacic (£5.8m) comes through his injury doubt to start the match in central midfield.

Glenn Murray (£6.6m) leads the Brighton line with Pascal Groß (£6.7m) operating as the number 10.

Brighton XI: Ryan; Bernardo, Dunk, Balogun, Montoya; March, Stephens, Pröpper, Knockaert; Groß; Murray.

Chelsea XI: Kepa; Alonso, Rudiger, Luiz, Azpilicueta; Kovacic, Jorginho, Kante; Pedro, Hazard, Willian.

Southampton XI: McCarthy; Targett, Yoshida, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Valery; Redmond, Romeu, Hojbjerg, Armstrong; Ings.

Arsenal XI: Leno; Monreal, Koscielny, Lichtsteiner, Bellerín; Xhaka, Guendouzi, Torreira; Mkhitaryan, Iwobi; Aubameyang.

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2,219 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Do people still own Ings ? Yes they do 🙂

    1. Stimps
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Sold him this GW...

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

        Ouch

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

      Well done. Sold 2 weeks ago but may bring in to break the cheapie temple of Wilson, Jiménez, Mitrovic

    3. Tshelby
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Oh yes they do!

  2. BON
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Arsenal deserved to win that, despite the scoreline Southampton were extremely poor.

    1. Dannyb
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Dunno what game you were watching tbh.

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Don't agree. Arsenal were poor also. Defense and keeper were terrible and backed cohesion going forward. The team that wanted it the most won.

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Really? Arsenal were sh*t defensively

    4. XabiAlonso
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      They scored 3 goals against arsenal. Can't be that bad

    5. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      really poor were they? scored 3 goals! are you for real

    6. BON
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Some people can't read "despite the scoreline".

      1. JohnnyMagrinho
          5 years, 3 months ago

          But that doesn’t mean anything.

          “Despite all the evidence and any conclusions that can be drawn from the facts, I actually indeed think the contrary as I insist it is my right to do so.”

          Ok?

      2. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Saints were superb. Good pressing and fast transitions. One or two mistakes but overall extremely promising.

        1. Sasquatch Slayer
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          This

      3. TRIPOS TOPPER
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        welcome Arsene!

      4. JohnnyMagrinho
          5 years, 3 months ago

          I’d say, seeing as they scored 3 (1 more than Arsenal did) that Southampton probably deserved to win the game.

          I say that because 3 is more than 2.

      5. DAZZ
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Please sell auba, drive his EO down before Burnley home 🙂

        1. HurriKane
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          No worries auba will be rested. Cue laca upfront

        2. We Will Klopp you
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Gladly, enjoy his 1 pointer.

      6. XabiAlonso
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        So sterling back to hazard or sell Auba and get a super mid of Salah sterling hazard with cheap strikers

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

          This.

        2. We Will Klopp you
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Can't sell Sterling, super mid imo.

      7. StoichkovFPL
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Gunnar, Auba > Hazard, Kamara free (change to 3-5-2)?

        * if Haz is fit obv

        1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Suree

        2. Mysterion
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Harsh on gunnersaurus he's only the mascot...

      8. bananaboy331
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        should i sell hennessey? if so who for? foster, fabianski?

        1. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Anything itb? Guaita 4.2 upgrade to him if you have a 4.0?

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

        With his rest now out of the way, is it time to bring in Laca or have I missed the boat?

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

          No, you’re probably just on time

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

            Sorry about your (c)
            🙁

        2. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Wait for next season or someone getting injured

        3. Business Cat
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          I don't think 1pt + 4pts and no price rises is missing the boat.

          Don't think I'd bring him in if I didn't already own him...too many better options (Hernandez, Jiminez...)

          I'll still be rid after Burnley probably

      10. Cookie Kid
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Mkhitrollyan essential?

        1. Sánchez
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          You know the answer already

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

            Ok, Pedtroll then 😉

      11. the Penman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Well, away to Brighton was not a game you pencilled in Alonso for a 1-pointer. Hmmm.

      12. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Kane and Auba flops but I'm keeping em in for now at least. Not keen on just kneejerking them out.

        Hope Hazza is fine to play next weekend though.

        1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          I have 2fts and I am nervous not owning sterling . Dumping aubss likely..Keeping Kane through congested fixtures

      13. drughi
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Lacazette and Aubameyang has scored 12 points in total over these 2 last fixtures, very nice. Was worried going without them.

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

          Some people prefer 0.1m rises so the points come second to them.

          1. Sun Jihai
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            1.3 million players brought in Auba over the last 3 weeks to get 2 - 5 - 2
            One of the biggest kneejerks I've seen in FPL

      14. HurriKane
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Salah has been a flat track bully this season.

        No way he is scoring against man United. He will be in Ashley Young's pocket 😉

        1. Rsforstar
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          he will score vs the mid table team today

      15. Silecro
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        sane, sterling, aguero an overkill?

      16. seanie3
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Salah and Robertson lets do this and smash utd

      17. Ziyech on the Bench
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Asian games in 2019 don't seem to be including South Korea? Son already played Asian games after the WC...What are these rumors about him going to play another one in 2019?

      18. Ruth_NZ
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        A United win today would be nice, tighten the race up a bit. Maybe 2-3 with a brace from Salah in there, would that be too much to ask?

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

          No thanks. Reds due a win

        2. Mika-eel
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Agreed on the Salah brace, but scoreline 2:0 🙂

        3. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Too much to ask from ManU

        4. TRIPOS TOPPER
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          how would that tighten the race, City are already ahead !

        5. We Will Klopp you
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          A Liverpool 1-0 more likely

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

        Was planning to do Laca to Auba this week but after that I think I'm better off keeping Laca. Surely he comes into the team now.

      20. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Just know Hazard will go dry as soon as you bring him in. Most annoying fpl player ever possibly

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

          Happy to bring him in. Prefer him over any of the heavy hitter forwards. But know what you mean

        2. Business Cat
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          I've never had much luck owning him over several seasons...he is the worst troll

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

          This.

          If you can ignore the odd game like this one he won’t troll you when you bring him in and he does nothing for the next 6 GWs.

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

        I pray Sane gets benched next GW and Sterling starts.

        1. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Both start

      22. JustPark
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        72pts for a WC team fair score?

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          I'd be disappointed with less than 100

        2. HurriKane
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Nahh poor score Red arrow incoming

        3. JohnnyMagrinho
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Really awful score that. Utterly horrendous. Get that every week and you’ll finish ~5m.
            Woeful.

        4. F4L
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Brighton are quickly becoming the dirtiest team in the league.

        5. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Time to go 352 with rotating cheap strikers/5th mid? Chica, Jimenez & Ings and Snoddy maybe?

        6. Differential C (Mark)
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Saints win, Im crying. Is this what the winning feeling is?
          Whatever it is, I want more of it.

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

            You got rid of Hughes, you can reacquaint yourself with that winning feeling now.

          2. Piggs Boson
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Congrats 😀

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

          Sad thing was I had Ings on my WC but decided Deeney against Cardiff was the better option.

          Utter idiot!

        8. F_Ivanovic
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2018/12/15/consistent-sane-challenging-sterling-for-fpl-popularity/?hc_page=5&hc_sort_by=comment_date#hc_comment_19479970

          Was close on my predictions so far... had 2-2 for the Arsenal game and 2-1 to Chelsea. Can def see Liverpool getting a 1-0 win as Jose finally gets the bus working.

          1. Now I'm Panicking
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Great - cheers.

        9. XabiAlonso
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          36 with 2 to go any good

        10. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Bus parking 101 incoming

        11. Digital-Real
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Auba owners, you can cash in your chips now

        12. FER FUSCH AKE
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Might be forced to bring haz back in so that the owners can stop getting the points.

        13. GE
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Would you use the 1FT here? 🙂
          Correct first XI and bench?

          (1FT, 0.1 itb)

          Patricio
          Alonso/Laporte/Vert
          Haz/Sterling/Fanderson/Rich
          Kane/Wilson/Chica

          Bench: Button, Doherty, AWB, Hojbjerg