Dugout Discussion

Flores back in the Watford hot seat as Ceballos and Ozil return for Arsenal

The penultimate match of Gameweek 5 sees Watford take on Arsenal at Vicarage Road. Kick-off is at 16:30 BST.

This is returning head coach Quique Sanchez Flores’ first Watford match in charge since departing the Hornets at the end of the 2015/16 season.

Flores has made three changes to the starting XI that drew 1-1 at Newcastle a fortnight ago, with Jose Holebas (£4.8m), Gerard Deulofeu (£6.2m) and the fit-again Etienne Capoue (£4.9m) replacing Daryl Janmaat (£4.4m), the injured Craig Cathcart (£4.4m) and Roberto Pereyra (£5.8m).

The release of the teamsheet had the Hornets lining up in a 4-2-3-1, a formation Flores had favoured on and off during his managerial career.

Andre Gray (£5.9m) leads the line, with Ismaila Sarr (£6.4m) among the substitutes.

There is no place in the matchday squad for Danny Welbeck (£6.0m), however.

Unai Emery has made two changes to the side that rescued a point in the north London derby.

The injured Alexandre Lacazette (£9.4m) is replaced by Mesut Ozil (£7.3m), while Dani Ceballos (£5.7m) returns to the side in place of Lucas Torreira (£4.9m).

The Gunners may well be playing in a 4-4-2 diamond, given the number of central midfielders in the starting XI.

This corresponding fixture last season saw the Gunners keep their only clean sheet of 2018/19.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) scored the only goal of that match.

The Gabon international is the sixth most-popular captaincy choice of Gameweek 5.

Aubameyang starts up front with Nicolas Pepe (£9.4m) this afternoon.

Watford XI: Foster, Femenia, Dawson, Kabasele, Holebas, Doucoure, Capoue, Hughes, Cleverley, Deulofeu, Gray.

Arsenal XI: Leno, Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, Luiz, Kolasinac, Ceballos, Guendouzi, Xhaka, Ozil, Aubameyang, Pepe.

1,887 Comments Post a Comment
  1. tristanabc
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Deciding whether to go heavy up top (A) or more heavy up top (B) on my WC.
    Leaning towards B given recent performances. A or B?

    A)
    EDERSON (BUTTON)
    Taa DIGNE Soy (Mings, Rico)
    Sterling DeBruyne MOUNT Ceballos (Dendoncker)
    Auba Abraham Pukki

    B)
    POPE (HEATON)
    Taa LUNDSTRAM Soy (Mings, Rico)
    Sterling DeBruyne SON Ceballos (Dendoncker)
    Auba Abraham Pukki

    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B probably. Auba is class but does he out perform Mane even with better fixtures I don't know. I think his ceiling as a captain is limited ( cue hatrick)

      1. Albrightondknight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        See 1 already

    2. Squib
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Like B but worry with no LIV attack

  2. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    WC team
    Pope Button

    Digne AwB Robbo Rico Lundy

    Son Sterling Mane Mount Cantwell

    Abraham Pukki King

    Any changes?

    1. tafrère
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      TAA over Robbo and Barnes over King imo. Not sure about no KDB too with those City fixtures coming.

  3. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ceballos 40 pointer or bust

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Oui

  4. jtreble
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ceballos starts. Looking forward to this all week.

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Could do with him and Ozil swapping positions though

  5. tafrère
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Adrian Button
    TAA Zinchenko AWB Lundstram Kelly
    Salah Sterling KDB Cantwell Dendoncker
    Kane Pukki Wickham

    2 FT, £0.2

    GW6 : Kane + AWB > Barnes + Digne (free)
    GW7 : Dendoncker > Mount

    Good plan ?

  6. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    There really is nobody on that Arsenal bench. No depth. Ceballos could be more nailed that we think.

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Torreira?

      1. Albrightondknight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        One player who might take his place in more difficult fixtures yeah.
        Who are the rest of them?

        1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Xhaka

  7. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    We need to the talk about expensive defs.
    Not worth it atm excluding TAA

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      How many sub 6,5 mids have outscored Digne? Think again imo

  8. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Safety score currently 31

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      30 with 2 to play. Hmmm

    2. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Oh wait. 3 to play. Could be difference... Diop on for Montoya

    3. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Seems like 35 + Haller will be fine then. Small victories

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Way ahead of you on 37 plus Haller

        How did your bench do? I’ve got a mere 11 there

    4. Pranav Santhosh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      41 all out should be safe

    5. The Gobstopper
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Been sweating this. On 37 with Ceballos, Haller, and Masuaku left to play (no autosubs). Hope it will be enough...

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        That will be fine

  9. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I wonder if Kola could be an option

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      If they hadn’t signed Tierney, maybe.

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        any idea when he is likely to be fit? Kola goes straight out?

        1. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Not sure, worth checking if you want Kola.

          Arsenal wouldn’t have spent that much on a LB to sit on the bench, he’s better than Kola!

          1. have you seen cyan
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            true, I would onyl consider him if he is great this game and its mainly due to their fixtures/his attacking potential

      2. Vlad Tepes
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Well Kola should be nailed?

    2. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Final ball is awful. Always takes a touch before crossing and arsenal leaky. Nty.

  10. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    HoleBAPs always an entertaining watch 🙂

  11. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Sterling and Haller to Son and Auba?

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not for me.

    2. fgdu
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      let haller and auba play then decide, son looks very good pick though

    3. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No

  12. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Mendy and Cancelo could really change City defence just as Tierney and bellerin could for arsenal... Fullbacks mad these days

  13. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Cleverley wasting Capoue assist

  14. Party time
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Who are the 3 most essential players in this game?

      1. DAZZ
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        TAA, Salah, Sterling

        1. have you seen cyan
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          i own none of them lol

        2. Party time
            4 years, 7 months ago

            I used to think Salah was essential but not anymore

        3. dark91
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Anyone but the useless one in your grav picture

          1. Party time
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Lol...that is quite true! 🙂

          2. DAZZ
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Oh this game specifically? None of them

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

            Pepe, Ceballos & Pepe.

            1. Party time
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Yikes! I meant fpl generally

                1. Rainer
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  No, one & is.

            2. diesel001
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Salah, Sterling, Pukki

            3. Brosstan
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Unironically none are essential

            4. have you seen cyan
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              the only close to essential ones would be tammy, pukki and kdb, mainly due to their prices. The premiums like salah and sterling can have alternatives like Kun and Mane.

              1. Party time
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  Agree also

              2. WVA
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Tough IMO taking value into account Mane TAA KDB followed closely by Pukki at the moment

                1. Party time
                    4 years, 7 months ago

                    Agree, Son & Wilson might as well be. Wilson going under the radar!

              3. diesel001
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Good start by Watford.

                1. Rainer
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  As expected, big cojones vs Arse & new manager bounce.

              4. Grounderz
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Greenwood and Digne to Pukki and Mings, pull the trigger now?

              5. Cojones of Destiny
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                if McGinn doesn’t perform tomorrow would you him to Cantwell for free?
                Y or N?

                1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 6 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  Arsenal away next week for McGinn and then 3 good fixtures after that, so this is the week to move him on imo if you do!! I did last night to Cantwell

                  1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 6 Years
                    4 years, 7 months ago

                    *was part of a move to get Abraham in before price rises o must add! Would have been more than happy to keep him tho!!

                2. TorresMagic™
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 14 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  What does RMT say?

                  1. Cojones of Destiny
                    • 6 Years
                    4 years, 7 months ago

                    lemme check

                3. Pukki Blinders
                  • 4 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  Y

              6. Fpl Richie
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Is Barnes suddenly a duff pick 🙂 ?
                I could do Zinc and Gwood to Barnes and a 4.5 and that looks nice.

                (Haller and Pukki up top)

                1. Rainer
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  He blanked, that’s how FPL works... 😉

                  Fancy him vs Norwich, decent fixtures after too.

                  1. Fpl Richie
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 8 Years
                    4 years, 7 months ago

                    Exactly. Who are you rolling with up top Rainer? I should remember not to make decisions during the weekend games I guess

                2. pingissimus
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  Think he was a reach anyway. Burnley are strictly a one goal a match side and a good few of the sides they have in that so called normally finish ahead of them. He’ll return but likely just tick over imo

                  1. Fpl Richie
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 8 Years
                    4 years, 7 months ago

                    That was my reasoning when choosing Haller over him. Thanks. Tammy etc are much more awkward to get unsurprisingly

                    1. pingissimus
                      • 5 Years
                      4 years, 7 months ago

                      Yep given the options he felt ambitious - but he does still have a great calendar year record so holders could still do well

                3. fgdu
                  • 10 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  seems as though it doesn't matter who you pick so long as you've got 3 strikers

                4. The Ejiptian King
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  Can't decide whether to bring in him or Abraham, two blanks but great form for most of 2019 and Norwich concede for fun.

              7. Squeakybum99
                • 4 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                63 all out with Wilson 3 bps. Time to say goodbye to some defenders.

              8. La Roja
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Mesut looking shite as usual

                1. Amey
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  At least he's visible then 😉

              9. dark91
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Arsenal will concede anytime. So much space between their back and mid lines

              10. diesel001
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Arsenal and Man Utd are similar in that when teams go for them, make it physical and leave a few marks on them they don't like it and it rattles them.

              11. No_Mo_Salah?
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Vardy and Sterling to Aguero and Son for free? Or too sideways?

                1. ZeBestee
                  • 9 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  Sterling scored a hatrick against Watford last season. Make that what you want.

              12. Pukki Blinders
                • 4 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Bring in Ceballos or Cantwell?

                1. Epic Fail
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  B

                2. La Roja
                  • 12 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  Cantwell is an absolute bargain

              13. Vlad Tepes
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Who would you rather have, Firmino or Son? Have no other player from liv/spurs

                1. Epic Fail
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  Son

                2. have you seen cyan
                  • 4 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  son by a long way

              14. Tsparkes10
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Strikers week this week... Wesley just will blank though wont he?

                1. Epic Fail
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  Yes.-

              15. Cok3y5murf
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Pepe shot off target. Standard

              16. Muscout
                • 4 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Pope
                TAA, WB, Digne, Lund
                Salah, Sterling, KDB, Mount
                Pukki, C Wilson

                Button, Dendo, Rico, Greenwood

                1.0m in the bank and 2 FT, nothing too pressing, I was thinking maybe the below:
                A) Dendo to Cantwell (no brainer?)
                or
                B) Wilson to Abraham

                1. PrettyDick
                  • 6 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  Abraham plays Liverpool and Wilson plays Southampton
                  so 100 % A

                  1. Winners900
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 7 Years
                    4 years, 7 months ago

                    A

                  2. Muscout
                    • 4 Years
                    4 years, 7 months ago

                    Cheers!

              17. PrettyDick
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Holebas on my watchlist.. if his place is nailed I think he'll be a good option (after City away obv..)

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

                Auba goal 🙁