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. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Would you play Cantwell (bur) or McGinn (ars)?

    1. Four Hit Wonder
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Cantwell

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

      I'd play the fixture.
      McGinn 😀

    3. AYLD28
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I’m doing McGinn > Cantwell this week I think so maybe that tells you

      1. AYLD28
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Arsenal at home always different to arsenal away

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

    Best defender (4.8 and below). I have Lundstram and Soyuncu

    1. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Lowton even with Pope

      Tomori and Ward just behind

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

        So I guess i should go with Lowton then

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

        Is tomori nailed? Plus Pieters or Lowton?? Which one please

        1. Ser Davos
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Calculated risk with Tomori, but worth a roll of the dice.

          Pieters has Taylor lurking while Lowton is .2 cheaper with Bardsley nowhere to be seen.

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

            thanks

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

      Burnley

    3. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Burnley

    4. AYLD28
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Tomori

  3. F4L
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    do you think Emery plays Auba in the EL this year?

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

      Yup.

      1. F4L
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        😐 Arsenal just don't have the squad depth, shame

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

          I told Unai to hang on to Nketiah but that guy never listens ...

          1. F4L
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            can you guys recall him please, could do with Leeds dropping some points 😆

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

    With Firmino's and Pukki's assists, MOTD might start running an assist of the month competition.

  5. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Arsenal have conceded 97 shots this season. 19.4 per game. Wenger's worst ever defensive season his team conceded just 454 shots.

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

      More interested in the goals conceded.

      1. Squeakybum99
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Their GD is 0. Joint 15th worst.

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

      Shots from where though? Quality of shot is relevant.

    3. F4L
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      two full backs who can't defend, trying to play out with a CB who can't pass, plays 3 CMs yet not one of them is a defensive specialist. not surprised, can see Emery getting the sack if he doesn't find a solution

      1. AndyCook
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Torreira is a defensive specialist, will and should get more game time

    4. R.C
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Mark and Ronka's id please?

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        21074
        1481271

    5. R.C
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Best mid of 4.8 who is not Cantwell?

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

        Perriera from manutd at 5.0 getting plenty of game time

      2. AYLD28
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        None. Don’t get a 4th mid under 4.8.

    6. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      WC activated.

      Transfers on this first night have left me with:

      Ryan Button
      TAA Digne Rose Kelly Rico
      Sterling KDB Son Mount Cantwell
      Abraham Pukki Haller

      1.0 to spend. Tempted to downgrade TAA, but not sure where I'm spend the money yet. Was planning to triple on Arsenal this week, but it didn't work last season, and can't see it working right now either. Maybe Aubameyang in for Pukki...

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

        That last sentence hovers too close to your username...

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

        Why no Pool attacker ??

        1. Ser Davos
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          It's crossed my mind depending on mid week to fit more of Son/KDB/Kun/Sterling/Auba in

        2. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Purely due to fixtures. They will be best value against the worst defences. They might well perform over then coming weeks, but I'm probably willing to bet that I can get better value elsewhere. We'll see...

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

            Pool attack scores against any team. I wouldn't care who they play they will score goals.

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

        Would rather sterling to salah or Mané then maybe upgrade mount or abraham with the cash. Unless you want to stick with the two Chelsea double up

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

        I like it other than Pope for Ryan in goal. Pope just gets more save points

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Fair enough. I've not looked at GKs yet 🙂 Cheers

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

        I think mane is more essential than son
        And auba over Sterling for next few GWs

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

        TAA essential ATM
        Squeeze Mane in there
        Surely Lundstram over Kelly?

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Sure. If Lundstram is looking nailed. I just didn't make any transfers on players who are unlikely to rise or fall soon. 🙂
          Not sure about Mané. Maybe if I had a 6th midfielder slot.

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

      Should I make the following moves?
      Sterling and Haller to Son and Auba

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

        At least wait 'til after tomorrows game!

      2. All For One
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I would if you have kdb

    8. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Pope
      VvD Digne Zinchenko
      Salah KdB Son Sigurdsson*
      Callum Ayew Pukki
      Heaton Soyuncu Diop Stephens

      1 FT, 0.0 ITB

      Want Sigurdsson out, before he falls in price again tonight.

      Just can't decide who to get in!?

      1. F4L
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        if Martial was declared fit i'd say him. Possibly Mount and hopes he doesn't get injured vs Valencia

    9. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Bad week at the office but Haller hopefully to the rescue tomorrow with at least one point more than Digne achieved today.

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

        Tell me about it. How you doing mate? Wildcard looking v likely

        1. George Sillett
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Was 77K before this GW but only 44 with Haller left. Decided to do the opposite to everyone else and go with both Pool full backs for next week. Thankfully off to Gran Canaria on Friday for a week so won't think about football at all.

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

      Alisson, Laporte and Gbamin injuries have destroyed the big at the back strategy.

      1. F4L
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        TAA and Robbo are still fine. Alisson should be back in a month, and missing a GK affects a team less than a CB/CDM

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

      Evening!

      1 FT, 0,6 ITB.

      Heaton (Mcgovern)
      TAA, Robbo, Zinc, Digne (Rico)
      Salah, Sterling, KDB, Cantwell (Dendonk)
      Barnes, Pukki, (Wickham)

      A) Zinc, Dendonk -> Def 4.2, Mount.
      B) Robbo, Wickham -> Def 4.7, Abraham.
      C) Save FT.

      Thanks!

      1. Triple P
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        A

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

      Pope, 4.0
      AWB, Zinchenko, Coleman, VVD, Lundstram
      Salah, Sterling, KDB, James, Cantwell
      Haller, Pukki, 4.5

      Worth widcarding to get on chelsea and tottenham assets or stick and do it next week?

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

        Hmmm. Depends how Haller does tomz tbh. You look okay tbf but minutes for Sterling midweek are huge. Think you should be safe for a week

      2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Good looking team, wouldn't WC

    13. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      2FTs and really no clue what to do. Tammy for Barnes could be good but not sure worth it this week. Digne could be downgraded or Salah to Mane?
      Or just do nothing? thoughts.

      Pope
      TAA Digne Soyuncu Lunds Rico
      Sterling Salah KDB Mount Cantwell
      Pukki Haller Barnes

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

        Feels wrong to downgrade Digne when they play Sheffield next. Nice team, I'd wait for CL-fixtures before doin' anything

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

          thanks mate sounds senisble

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

        By my count in the sub 6.5 category Digne remains 4th best value. You might I suppose decide Everton defence is now cack.

    14. AYLD28
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Thoughts?

      Current team
      Ryan Button
      TAA Digne Ota O’Connell Lundstram
      Mount Salah Sterling McGinn KDB
      Barnes Pukki Wickham

      Wildcard
      Gunn Button
      TAA Digne Tomori Soyuncu Lundstram
      Mount Salah Sterling Cantwell Son
      Barnes Pukki Abraham

      Wildcard split choice: Salah/Barnes or Richarlison/Aubam

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

        I like your current team and your wildcard team other than the Chelsea double up

        Not sure it’s worth using the wildcard though I would hold as your key players are more or less the same

        1. AYLD28
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          They are I know. Perhaps I just do McGinn to Cantwell tonight as he’s due to rise. He just seems too good value to ignore

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

        Nah. If I was going to wc which I might then I'd honestly get rid of Salah or Sterling.

    15. Raging wildcard
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Pukki or Abraham?

      I can only fit one in but can't decide which will be the best option for the next 5-10 games

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

        Pukki and mount

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

          This

    16. QUEN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Hi guys

      Would love some advice as I have no clue how to use my transfers. I just know jota got to go

      0.5itb and 2FT

      Heaton
      TAA Digne AWB
      Salah KDB martial mount
      Pukki auba jota

      Button lund dendoncker rico

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

        Downgrade TAA or AWB and get Callum Wilson for Jota

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

        This is sound advice tbf. Or Abraham but I guess you have Mount for Chelsea cover.

    17. BATISTUTA ®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      4,7 ITB ...Debating on:
      A) Haller -> Aubameyang (1,1 left ITB)
      B)Haller -> Aguero (0 ITB)
      C)Greenwood -> Wilson (1,4 ITB)

      Pope
      Aurier-Digne-Rico
      Salah(C)-Son-KDB-Mount-Martial
      Pukki-Haller
      4,0-Lund-Mings-Greenwood

      Thoughts??
      Cheers!

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

        4.7 itb. You crazy guy hahaha, give haller tomorrow atleast.

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

          Im giving it the whole week ... considering their coming fixtures I’d rather have any of those 3

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

        A or C .

        That midfield of yours though is what I am trying to get

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

          Yeah thx ... just downgraded Sterling in order to get Son +funds ...gonna switch to 3-4-3 possibly

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

            Ahhhh I see I was going to drop aub for funds and upgrade dens for a 3-5-2 but I won’t be after today

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

              Arsenal has nice fixtures so i would keep Auba ... thus the reason im considering him myself ...Aguero is gonna be rotated and Wilson just keeps returning points ...i have the whole week to tinker on it hehe

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

        Greenwood to vardy ?

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

          Wouldnt get Vardy for all the money in the world 🙂

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

            But why

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

              Its a bad timing ,their fixtures are hard enough and i think theres better value elsewhere... for exemple ...I have the funds for Auba and aguero ...why would I go for vardy with TOT NEW liv coning up ?

    18. Blanka
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Any news on Emerson injury anywhere?

    19. ryacoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Anyone tempted to go light at the back (+ TAA) on WC? Something like:

      Pope
      TAA, Soyuncu, Tomori, Lowton, Lundstram
      Mane, Sterling, KDB, Mount, Cantwell
      Cilson, Pukki, Tammy

      1. AYLD28
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Yes, check my wildcard

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

        Yes very mate. I like that a lot. My TV means I can't get Mount though annoyingly

      3. BATISTUTA ®
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Wouldnt even go for TAA ,use thise funds for better def

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

          Define better def. Nobody is getting CS and TAA at least is firing nice crosses all the time.

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

            Lets say you can upgrade one of Soy-Lowton-Tomori and split the 7,1 on 2 decent players... spurs have nice fixtures or maybe take a punt on mendy soon

      4. Ser Davos
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Yep, though I favour Son over Mount and a barrel scraper over TAA

      5. FPL.team
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Yes, have done for a few weeks now. Might backfire at some point...

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

      Jesus christ the WC spam. Looks like I'll be back at 1am ish 🙂 when it's slightly more quiet.

      I'll respond to a few now though cause I'm nice ;).

    21. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      No significant price changes tonight as a Pukki owner. Let's see how Haller fares tomorrow and then inevitably press the red button

      Remember Payet at the start of the 15-16 scoring a double on a Monday night v NEW that saved my GW. Here's hoping

      1. AYLD28
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Cantwell is rising I think

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

          Yes, and Dendonks probably dropping this week 🙁 I am not at all happy with this situation. I have been planning to do that transfer for weeks, but always bigger issues 🙁 Perhaps I'll just have to do it now and bite the bullet.

    22. hogree
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Kane owners, are you shifting on to Auba this week?

      1. AYLD28
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        If I had Kane I wouldn’t even hesitate

      2. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Hmmm cant decide between having Aubameyang or Son I'm my team if Son then I will be getting Barnes

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

          Son for me

          1. Dynamic Duos
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Why?

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

              Arsenal didn’t impress today. Son just so fresh and explosive. 1.5 m cheaper and think you can use that to improve elsewhere

      3. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Unless I switch team shape, yes.

    23. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Found a really tempting minus 20 🙂

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

        Gun to the head.

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

        Don't forget to press the WC button 😉

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

          Did that in gw2

          Hit the gw3 template a week early 🙂

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

            Nice

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

              Sadly the GW3 template was rubbish except in GW2

              A lesson there for WCs 🙂

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

      The plot thickens.

      Haller or Wilson?

    25. Stoic
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      On WC, Son price rise ?

      1. AYLD28
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Think he’s rising tomorrow

    26. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      This good enough to play and carry free transfer or look to WC. So far this week dropped 520,000 places to 624,000 overall- 34 points with Haller and Diop to play! And thought team was looking ok ...... just shows

      Pope
      TAA VVD Digne
      Salah Sterling KDB Ceballos Cantwell
      Pukki Haller

      McGovern Rico Diop Greenwood

    27. AYLD28
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Any other non Cantwell owners tempted to jump on him, I honestly feel like he’s too good value to ignore

      1. Four Hit Wonder
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        He is.

      2. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Totally agree mate!! I got him last night 4.8 is such good value and he’s pretty much a solid season keeper with such a range of benefits and frees up funds too!!

        1. AYLD28
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I’m looking at dropping McGinn to him this week, then upgrading my dud third striker to Abraham after Liverpool which I think makes sense

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

            This is exactly what I did mate! McGinn has Arsenal away and them 3 nice fixtures after that and I felt if I was guna move him in then this was the week to do it!! Other than that I would have been more then happy to keep him, but him to Cantwell and Wickham to Abraham mean I can play 3-4-3 now or 3-5-2 so have lots of options

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

              *was forced to do the moves last night as I had just the exact money to do so

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

      Most people keeping Digne as they have Sheff U next week? We'll be thirsty for a goal especially not scoring against Chelsea and likely to give Mousset his first start. Another blank due 😉

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

        I want to sell but i know if i do, he'd haul 😀
        So keeping & hoping that he gives something

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

          V true. I want to keep as if he does haul then atleast that's a tiny positive from the game.

          But obviously want him to flop next game

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

        3rd highest scoring defender. Season keeper methinks.

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

        Odd this

        Count how many mids at his price point (up to 6.5) are better value so far.

        You don’t need many fingers.

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

          Oh no... I definately agree in keeping. Just the fact people are saying keep as he has an easy fixture and then get rid.