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. seewhyaxe
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    lol arsenal train derailed really quickly...

  2. Rotation's Alter Ego
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Son and Trossard to Ceballos and KDB was an absolute masterstroke 😎

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

      Ooof

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

      Oh dear. That’s painful

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

      well u gained 1 point on ceb over trossard 😀

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

      What it for -4 too?

      1. Rotation's Alter Ego
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Oh yes. 😆

  3. tucaoneo
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Tbf this is what you get when you buy a non-Auba Arsenal player.

  4. Alan Watts
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Auba 2 shots, 2 goals

    Underlying stats , unsustainable etc

    1. Guy Demel
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not an owner, but if I was he could keep doing that all season for all I care

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

      Ok

    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Golden boot winner. He's class and will continue to get goals

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

      He has 3 shots

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

      World class finisher, just needs a better team behind him.

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

      Auba is and has always been a clinical finisher. Arsenal need to work out how to get the best out of him when Lacazette is on the pitch. A proper 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 would be ideal for them IMO.

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

      He's a bit like Haller. Takes good shots from good locations most of the time.

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

      Doubt it. xG for the 2nd goal must have been between .99-1.0 and closer to 1 😉

    9. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I’m curious as to whether he was a “stats-buster” during his time in Germany. If his 100 goals there defied what we typically look for in a striker’s underlying stats, that would be pretty solid evidence it’s sustainable

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

    Best Norwich 4m defender? Hanley?

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

    Pereyra bandwagon about to take off

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

    If you had to pick between Abraham and Aubameyang, and you had to pick one and not both, who would you say has the biggest forehead?

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

      Haha, read that so intently.

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

        Hahahahaha

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

      Abraham no brainer (or big brain in this case)

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

      Caught me so off guard

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

      Got to go for value for money as Tammy offers more forehead per pound.

      1. Party time
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Hahahahaha

      2. Alan Watts
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Neither comes close to the GOAT....Jolean Lescott...

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

      transfers set then if no injuries emerge - Ceballos + Kane ➡ Son + Barnes/Haller

    6. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      7 Shots on target from Watford to Arsenal's 2

    7. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Should have chosen Son over Pepe on WC 🙂

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

        Same 🙁

    8. Silecro
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      People who have Sterling and KDB..are you switching Kevin for Son?

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

        Kevin had his rest.

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

          This, and Sterling seems to play most and maby due for another haul?

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

            or a rest

            1. Top Lad Dakes.
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Stop that. Please.

            2. RamaJama
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              😀 could be, but hope not

      2. MTPockets
          4 years, 7 months ago

          no

        • The Albatross
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          No

        • SHOOTER MCGINN
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          No way

        • DantheManinaPan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          No no no no no

        • Shearer & Sutton
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          No

        • Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Nope. Salah to Son done 🙂

      3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Nearly a sarr bandwagon there

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

        Which option?

        A) Digne/Greenwood to Rico/Abraham

        B) Zinchenko/Salah/Greenwood to Maitland-Niles/Mane/Abraham -4

        1. Lionel Ronaldo
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          I could live with (B), but as you said, Maitland might not be sustainable.

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

            Cheers! But he could easily be switched to another def. And probably Zinchenko the one to sell to fund Abraham, and not Digne or TAA

            1. Lionel Ronaldo
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Agreed. I am myself considering Matip-Coleman-Otamendi for my WC, although I would want TAA-Digne-Cheapie.

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

                Cheers! Would rotate Lundstram, Soy and Rico, not the best combo, but defence points hasn’t quite been up to it so far this year.

                1. Lionel Ronaldo
                  • 8 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  Food for thought. Thanks.

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

        Most important players to own at the moment?

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

          Pepe

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

          KDB

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

          Pukki, Wilson, Tammy, KDB, Son & Cantwell

          1. RedLightning
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            And Haller after his hat-trick tomorrow.
            Three forwards just isn't enough this season!

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

          Anyone scoring 10+ this week.

        5. Eleven Hag
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          KDB, Auba, TAA

        6. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Cleverley

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

          Aguero has scored in every game so far....

        8. Rasping Drive
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          All those not in my squad

      6. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Watfords 2nd looks inevitable now

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

          Nah - they can't get it on target. Going to need a lucky deflection.

      7. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Emery is another Pep?

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

          Emery's inability at PSG to handle big players and come up with good tactics in big games suggests 'no'.

      8. dshv
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Heaton

        Robbo - walker - digne - vvd

        Salah - sterling - mount - david silva

        Pukki - wilson

        1. Vvd + dilva To 4.5 + son
        2 downgrade vvd and upgrade Greenwood?

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

        Arsenal aint getting top 4 tbh

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

        Duel very close

      11. Longlatini
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Ceballos to Cantwell?

      12. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Watford deserve something from this game

        1. Lionel Ronaldo
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          A loss

      13. BrutalLogiC
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        only tuned in to watch Ceb and he's subbed off after 5 mins

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

          Didn’t even know he was on.

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

        Sarr outperforming Pepe.

      15. Astonvanilla
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        A) Aurier Abraham

        Or

        B) Bissaka Barnes

      16. FredrikH
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Team is this.
        Adrian
        Digne TAA Lundström
        Salah Sterling KDB Cantwell
        Pukki Barnes Haller
        B: Mcgovern Mount Kelly Söyüncü
        2FT 0.1ITB

        A. Haller -> Tammy
        B. KDB -> Son
        C. Adrian -> Pope

        Problem is none of those transfer is tempting. Need a juicy suggestion lads. Go

        1. Astonvanilla
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Barnes>Tammy, Salah>Mane

          1. FredrikH
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Barnes with a nice run of fixtures while Haller is facing better oposition. But might to for it if Haller scores at Villa. Salah Mane only if going for the Barnes transfer if not I think Haller Tammy and save a FT.

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

        Nelson time baby. Could be a good way into the arsenal attack if he starts... Tempting

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

          Only one option is good.

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

          About as tempting as a cactus sandwich.

      18. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Ozil waves goodbye to Arsenal fans

      19. PlayPercentage
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        So Ceballos is not a cheap route into the Arsenal side. A pity, as they have great fixtures.
        It looks like its Auba or nobody.

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

          He is, you just get what you pay for.

          EL rotation won’t help either.

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

        Had to play 70 mins for 300k this weekend, effort of that.

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Looks like 70 more than he’ll play between now and January

      21. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Anyone else in for a massive rank freefall this week?

        300k to around 800k predicted tonight (likely more tomorrow) after 41 all out. Sterling(c) KDB fails hurt the most, but at least I played Pukki.

        Anyone similar?

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

          try 1.8m to almost 3m

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

            lol, pretty sure our teams aren't the same but our results seem to be at the moment.

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

              nice to have a companion

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

          Having a pretty decent week actually, still in top 3 million, thought I'd drop out.