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. Wizard of Ozil
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    This score ruined my "predict the football" result of 2-1 which would have topped a successful week. Arsenal are gonna win nothing without a decent defence. Kaka needss shooting.

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      They’ve needed a solid CB for years......

      So they buy David Luiz 😆 - Liability

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

    2-2

    But Watford blew it.

  3. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    poor Wtaford, played their hearts out in the second half but just lacked that quality in the final third. Glad they got a point, deserved 3 tho

  4. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Great from Watford... Feel more comfortable getting rid of Sterling on a wc

  5. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    The players can't run. What's wrong with the Watford guys?

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

      Exhausted

  6. Modest Bob
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Erm i brought in Pepe for a -12 my mate in the gym said he was the one to get

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Do you even lift?

      1. Modest Bob
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Not really it's a boxing gym and i have to keep my weight down.

    2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      id have at least used my wc for a -12

      1. Modest Bob
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Already used it

    3. Modest Bob
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      He also told me i wasn't allowed to sign players over 10 m because i finished in the top 500k last season. Who needs enemys eh 🙁

      1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Do you have a mind of your own or nah?

    4. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Drop some weights on his head.

      1. Modest Bob
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Hahahaha i like that one

  7. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    so tempting to do kane to auba........but spurs fixtures

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

      Think that’s my transfer this week

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

    Two points dropped by Watford.

  9. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Watford will need at least a week to recover.

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Good thing they've got one ;). City don't from being run ragged by Norwich. Watford triple up?

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

      City attackers that’ll be on after 75 are key!

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Mahrez and Jesus then?

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

          Foden C.

  10. JonBoy
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    The only thing I have learned from this game is that it is absolutely, one hundred percent essential, to watch Arsenal Fan TV this evening.

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

      People still watch that absolute nonsense?!

      1. JonBoy
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I watch it in a bubble bath with popcorn and beer.

        1. Tsparkes10
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Hahaha just thought about this and sounds like a plan tbf. What flavour popcorn

    2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      100% essential

  11. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    And ppl believe arsenal will finish above us. Easy top 4 for united

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Do you genuinely believe you will get top 4 ?

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

        Liverpool, City and Spurs top 3. But 4th is up for grabs. Utd are playing reasonably well (unlucky conceding some worldy goals) and Arsenal and Chelsea look like teams who could lose to anyone because they can't defend.

        Leicester and Everton continue to fluff up.

    2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      We will finish above you comfortably

    3. RichardNixon
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      It will be a race to the bottom between Utd, Chelsea, and Arsenal. Utd the worst of the bunch I reckon.

    4. Salah4Ever
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah i think Arsenal still have a chance to finish above Norwich

  12. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    If they're to challenge for a top 4 place, they really shouldn't be dropping points to teams like this. Watford will be disappointed

  13. RichardNixon
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Watford 31 shots to Arsenal 7. Any drunken thoughts of bringing in a cheap Arsenal defender have jut evaporated......

  14. Guy Demel
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Plenty of jammy Cantwell/Pukki bench points incoming from that Pepe autosub

  15. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Lille should be brought to court for fraud.

    £70+ million for Pepe.

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Dare I say he might be Arsenals Soldado 😀

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

        Harsh on Soldado.

        1. have you seen cyan
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          True he scored some penalties!

    2. Lionel Ronaldo
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      You don't buy a player for one match.

    3. MTPockets
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I watched that to gauge him. Fun game at times but utter fail as a scouting assessment

      • Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Lol, hit and miss but give the lad some time

      • Party time
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Lol... Zaha way better imo

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

            Can have two Iwobi’s and change to spare over him.

        • JonBoy
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          It was a big fee. But he'll be a good player.

        • Cok3y5murf
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Heard that the media manufactured news that Liverpool contacted them about Pepe and Lille let it stand to increase his asking price. Liverpool actually made no contact. Pepe, believing it to be true, stalled the Arsenal move and once it was found to be rubbish, joined them.

      • Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        rico smiling at 3rd bench

        1. LewanGOALski
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          second on mine 🙁

        2. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Lol at you
          2 nd on bench for me.
          Cantwell 3rd

      • Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        ÇWatford had the hunger, fair play

      • LewanGOALski
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        what about this -4?
        Worth it?

        Ceballos + McGinn + Kane

        Son + Cantwell + Barnes
        (-4)

        Yay or Nay?

        1. Aubamewho
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Yup

      • FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Same old same old Arsenal. Well done to Auba managers though.

        1. Party time
            4 years, 6 months ago

            and to Digne owners

            1. Debauchy
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Yeah

            2. FOO FIGHTER
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Bugger. Do not want to have a look at my OR later...

        2. schwing
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          The only thing worse than Arsenal defence is Arsenal midfield LOL

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            😀

          2. Debauchy
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            That is and has always been the problem

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

          At least I didnt go Vardy and Pepe on wildcard like I was planning to do. Small victories!

          1. have you seen cyan
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            You DID didnt you? 😀

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

              I couldnt ignore Kun. Kun and Maddison not much better 😛 but a little better!

              1. have you seen cyan
                • 4 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                ah fair enuf, when you were saying about Vardy gettin a hatti vs Man U I wasnt convinced lol. Wasnt expecting him to do good in that, at least u didnt get him. I guess I held him for one week too long. He is gone now on the wc

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

                  Tbf a lot of what I say is hyperbole bollocks

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

                    But I did honestly consider him strongly!

                  2. Supersonic Marv'
                    • 7 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    You're in the right place.

                    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                      • 14 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Hyperbole & bollocks are what makes this place tick tbf

                      We'd be lost without them 🙂

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

          feel bad for Auba plays for the wrong team

          1. Lionel Ronaldo
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            And what would be a right team?

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

              Man Utd. Rashford - Auba - Martial front three would be lethal. Especially now Utd have improved the defence with Maguire and AWB.

              1. Lionel Ronaldo
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Listen, people!

              2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                This is a joke right lol

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

                  He can't go to City (Aguero is better). He can't go to Liverpool (Salah, Firmino, Mane is set). Chelsea under a transfer ban. Spurs have Kane (so he ain't getting in). So that leaves Man Utd.

                  Are you really telling me that Man Utd's defence is worse than Arsenal? Keeping CS and not conceding is a bedrock of what makes a successful team. Defence wins championships.

        5. El Matador
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          March 2019 Raheem Sterling scored a hat trick v Watford. Just saying.

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

            Aguero's turn this time.....

          2. Amey
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Shhh

          3. tambourineman
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            December 2018 Sterling benched vs Watford. Just saying.

            1. Party time
                4 years, 6 months ago

                This 🙂

            2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Kdb captain over Sterling next week imo

              1. El Matador
                • 10 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Hmm very good differential

          4. St Pauli Walnuts
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            A, B or C? Have two FT so could do A for -4, B for -8 and C for -12. Have WC as an option and would consider using instead of -12. Abraham is the key player being brought in to replace Wickham in all options.

            A:

            Pope
            TAA / Digne / Soy
            Salah / Sterling / KDB /Mount
            Abraham / Haller / Pukki

            Button / Lund / Dendo / Rico

            B:

            Pope
            TAA / Digne / VDD
            Salah / Son / KDB / Mount
            Abraham / Haller / Pukki

            Button / Cantwell / Lund / Guilbert

            C:

            Pope
            TAA / Digne / Soy
            Mane / Sterling / KDB / Mount
            Abraham / Haller / Pukki

            Button / Cantwell / Lund / Mings

          5. Don Kloppeone
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Oh Arsenal. You are so predictable 😆

            1. Amey
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Consistent

              1. Don Kloppeone
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Auba plus a team it also-rans

              2. Don Kloppeone
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                team of*

          6. Naby K8a
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            No chance Arsenal renew Emery's contract next season

          7. have you seen cyan
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            AFTV will be good tonight, WENGER IN!

            1. Cok3y5murf
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              All that money coming in. Robbie must be rubbing his hands 😀

            2. Party time
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Wenger way better than Emery imo

                1. Debauchy
                  • 11 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  Yep, no doubt

                  1. Party time
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      I honestly miss Le Professeur

                2. have you seen cyan
                  • 4 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  I miss wenger, does anyone really dislike him? He is a smart guy, a nice guy and got the best out of that Arsenal team. Not even to mention the biggest feat in PL history he achieved

                  Arsenal fans will look back one day and realise what a good manager he actually was

                  1. Party time
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Absolutely!

                3. tucaoneo
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  Son rise imminent. Damn I haven't figured out a plan.

                  1. Party time
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Ask the missus

                    • The Ejiptian King
                      • 5 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Doubt he rises tonight.

                  2. Camzy
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 13 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    I deserve all of it. Going Pepe over Son. What was I thinking xD

                    1. have you seen cyan
                      • 4 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      EZ switch to fix it assuming u have 0.1

                    2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
                      • 5 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Tried to warn you

                    3. Cok3y5murf
                      • 7 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Strange move. Couldn't pass or shoot in the derby. 9.4 was too big an investment this early when Son is proven to be a better player.

                  3. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
                    • 10 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    Feel the need to look for a Ceballos replacement now

                    1. jez_wright
                      • 11 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Cantwell?