Dugout Discussion

Lacazette and Luiz benched as budget FPL forward Martinelli gets first start

The final match of Gameweek 16 takes place this evening, as West Ham United take on managerless Arsenal.

Kick-off at the London Stadium is at 20:00 GMT.

Interim boss Freddie Ljungberg takes charge of the Gunners for the third time and has made a big call with his team selection, dropping Alexandre Lacazette (£9.3m) and David Luiz (£5.8m) to the bench.

Nicolas Pepe (£9.1m) and Calum Chambers (£4.4m) come into the side, as does Kieran Tierney (£5.4m) at left-back.

Budget Fantasy Premier League forward Gabriel Martinelli (£4.5m) is handed his first-ever start in the English top flight, meanwhile.

Sead Kolasinac (£5.2m) and Joe Willock (£4.9m) are also cut from the starting XI, with the latter failing to make the matchday squad.

Hector Bellerin (£5.4m) was injured in the warm-up, meanwhile, so Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£4.6m) comes in at right-back.

The West Ham United team news is far more straightforward: Manuel Pellegrini’s only change sees the fit-again Michail Antonio (£6.9m) replace Sebastien Haller (£7.0m) in attack.

Robert Snodgrass (£5.2m) recovers from a minor knock to start, while there is no place for Andriy Yarmolenko (£5.6m) even among the substitutes.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.9m) is by some distance the most-selected player on show this evening and the only FPL asset from either side who can boast a double-digit ownership.

The Gabon international sits in more than one in five Fantasy squads and in 8.59% of the teams who were in the top 10,000 at the point of the Gameweek 16 deadline.

Aubameyang has scored 50 FPL points on the road this season, compared to just 39 at the Emirates – and has played one fewer away fixture.

FPL’s cheapest playing goalkeeper, David Martin (£4.0m), gets his third straight start for the hosts.

Martin has already banked one clean sheet, three save points and two bonus points in his two appearances so far.


West Ham United XI: Martin, Fredericks, Ogbonna, Balbuena, Cresswell, Rice, Noble, Snodgrass, Fornals, Anderson, Antonio.

Arsenal XI: Leno, Maitland-Niles, Chambers, Sokratis, Tierney, Torreira, Xhaka, Pepe, Ozil, Martinelli, Aubameyang.

1,065 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Looks like an own goal no assist to me. Hit two Arsenal players and changed direction twice.

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      KdB G

  2. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Cue the Big Team Bias meltdown

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Dammit!

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

    Relegation battle is real

  4. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Go Freddy Go.

  5. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Freddie

    Nightmare on MNF

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Welcome to prime time, btch.

  6. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Imagine if Arsenal got relegated.

    Top banter that would be

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      They would get killed in Championship.

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      That AFTV episode requires a big bowl of popcorn

      1. JustPark
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Leeds 2.0

    3. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Literally zero chance arsenal get relegated

  7. Phil's Stamps
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    WC team ok?

    I think I'll chicken out of the KDB & Mount to Alli & Dilva switcheroo.

    Gaz Martin
    TAA Lundstram Soy Kelly Reid
    Mane Son KDB Grealish Mount
    Vardy Rashford Abraham

    1. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Arsenal pretty much the perfect team to play next for City

    2. Duderino
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Decent af, benching headache tho

    3. DAVESAVES
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      If u had too chose one of Mount and Grealish, who would u pick?

      1. Phil's Stamps
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Probably Mount, but it depends on the fixture.

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

    Leno is so out of place in this Arsenal team.

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      OOP?

    2. JustPark
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Genuinely feel sorry for him.

  9. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    At this point, just start the youth team

  10. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone else expecting city to thrash arsenal? Think City will be looking to respond and this arsenal side are awful

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

      Everyone, I think

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

      Murder live on Sky!

    3. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      They'll probably try and do what we did, defend deep and leave Auba/others up high with direct counter, their defence and mids are in much worse form than ours though.

    4. JelliedSpark968
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I can't predict either side this year. Angry City should not be messed with, but I said that when they played versus United

    5. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      It’s going to be brutal and just great to watch! Can’t wait, come on KEV!

  11. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Come on Martin!!!

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Looking safe.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Fingers crossed

  12. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I'm doing Pope > Leno. This is usually when the relegation threatened clubs show some resilience and keep a couple of cleanies in a row

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      As with the stock market: don’t try to catch a falling knife

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

        Buy the dip!

        1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Once you know it’s a dip, yes 🙂

    2. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Don't forget the save points

  13. Sarri-ball
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    reece james a option started 4 out last 5. 5.0 or avoid chelsea defence

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Avoid

      1. Oven Glover
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        And another one...

    2. Orion
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Avoid

    3. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Nope

  14. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    How many are over 22 on this place?

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      o/

      1. FER FUSCH AKE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        it was always gonna be you. Wasn't it?

        1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          As old as time

    2. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      There are 50 year olds and 10 year olds.

      Nothing in between.

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

        All us 50 year olds act like 10 year olds anyway.

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          \0/

      2. FER FUSCH AKE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thought so too.

    3. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A/S/L?

    4. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'm more than double it.

    5. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'm nearly the same as part of your name

    6. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Double it.

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

    Imagine sacking one of the greatest managers of PL history to sign someone with a history of success in the EL then sacking him to sign a Swedish fraud who just barely got his B level coach badge, all the while thinking this would improve the team.

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Caretaker manager

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Undertaker manager.

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Fundertaker Manger

      2. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        They should have had a successor lined up like Spurs clearly did. That is good club management

    2. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Who are you?

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

        Next Arsenal manager at this rate

    3. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Freddie does look good in jocks, maybe the owners had a thing for him.

    4. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Wenger wasn’t sacked.

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

        Semantics

  16. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Martin solid

  17. el polako
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Big Sam to keep Arsenal up ?

  18. Monkey Hanger
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Freddie probably not keen on bringing Laca on, as it might show what a prat he is.

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Harsh on Laca

  19. fc_skrald
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    2 free transfers and actually thinking about buying a Man Utd player... Martial instead of Pulisic. Would really like to wait buying Rico to see if he gets a fifth yellow card this weekend.

    a. Williams -> Rico
    b. Pulisic -> Martial
    c. other suggestions

    Henderson
    TAA, Lundstram, Aurier
    Salah, Son, KDB, Pulisic, Maddison
    Vardy, Ings

    Martin, Kelly, Greenwood, Williams, 0.6 million in the bank

    1. JelliedSpark968
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Save Pulisic for Bournemouth game, maybe Maddison to Richarlison for differential? Martial also a solid pick

      1. JelliedSpark968
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Actually I wouldn't ditch Madds

  20. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Swedish fraud!!!

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Fraudie Ljungberg

        1. FER FUSCH AKE
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          lol

      • Party time
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Harsh on Freddie

      • @persecuted_by_mods
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Leno slowly becoming overrated simply because he faces lots of shots

        • Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I'm Fred up with this

        • g40steve
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Auba shot back row 😉

        • OPTA FPL
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          When will Fab come back? Worth doing Pope to Martin?

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Did that this active gameweek

            1. Big boy Bowen
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Have 0.5ITB to sort Button out over the next 2 gameweeks

          2. Digital-Real
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            1st Jan

        • Digital-Real
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Tasty fixtures coming up for WHU! Who dares?!

          1. Piggs Boson
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Been monitoring a few of their players but won't be touching until after the blank at least.

            Though they're looking pretty crap. Only 1-0 against Arsenal after 45 is atrocious.

            1. Digital-Real
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Only Snod and Antonio interest me. The latter is their most effective player.

              1. Piggs Boson
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Those were the two I was monitoring 🙂

          2. JelliedSpark968
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Only one that looks promising is Antonio

        • Make United Great Again
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          My goodness. Arsenal are absolutely terrible

          1. Make United Great Again
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            And I love it

          2. Digital-Real
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Man U have been dreadful too, bar the last two matches.

        • Hooky
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          How the hell did Arsenal end up with a team this bad? Cygan and Squillaci would walk into this side

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

            What about Andre Santos?

            1. Hooky
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              He'd be an improvement on Kolasinac! Kiwomya and Harston up front as well

        • tiger
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Wonder how Arteta's Apprentice interview is going...

        • Orion
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Sure I have to keep Jesus against this crap Arsenal defense

          1. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            We knew Arsenal's defence was bad before today. 1-0 down at HT is probably an improvement on what I'd expect from them at this point.

        • Gudjohnsen
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Already regret getting rid of Sterling before this crap team.