Dugout Discussion

Arteta names unchanged side as Arsenal become increasingly settled

Mikel Arteta has named an unchanged Arsenal side for the trip to Crystal Palace which kicks off the Saturday schedule.

For those keeping an eye on the Gunners with their new manager, such a decision will come as positive news.

One of the biggest issues with Unai Emery’s Arsenal outfit was the constant chopping and changing, both from one match to the next and often at half-time too.

That made investing in the right Fantasy Premier League assets hard to do, and that was before we consider how patchy their form was.

By contrast, Arteta already has the Gunners in a period of positive momentum, so to see him start to settle his starting XI makes our job even easier.

Both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.8m) and Alexandre Lacazette (£9.3m) feature in the line-up as do Mesut Özil (£7.2m) and Nicolas Pépé (£9.1m).

Furthermore, amid some recent defensive improvements, the same back-four which shut out Manchester United has been rolled out at Selhurst Park with Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£4.6m) and Sead Kolasinac (£5.2m) selected either side of David Luiz (£5.7m) and Sokratis Papastathopoulous (£4.9m).

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace embark on the first of a three-match period without important central midfielder Luka Milivojevic (£6.7m), their designated penalty taker too.

Following his sending off in the FA Cup third round, he will be absent for Gameweeks 22, 23 and 24.

Cheikhou Kouyaté (£4.9m) comes in for the Serbian international and looks set for a role in the midfield trio alongside James McCarthy (£4.4m) and James McArthur (£5.2m).

In defence, a hamstring injury for Mamadou Sakho (£5.0m) means experienced former Chelsea centre-back Gary Cahill (£4.4m) comes back into the Palace side.

New signing Cenk Tosun (£5.7m), who joined the Eagles from Everton this week, is on the bench.

Crystal Palace XI: Guiata; Riedewald, Cahill, Tomkins, M Kelly; McCarthy, Kouyaté, McArthur; Meyer, Zaha, Ayew.

Arsenal XI: Leno; Kolasinac, Sokratis, D Luiz, Maitland-Niles; Xhaka, Torreira; Aubameyang, Özil, Pépé; Lacazette.

886 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Auba is so good. Best striker in the league.

    1. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      No

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

      *Vardy

    3. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      No. Aguero

  2. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Guiata 🙁

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      🙁

    2. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Guaita

  3. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Kane to Auba done

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Same 😉 but before deadline

  4. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    There’s plenty of time for a penalty save Guiata.

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Hope not, need more pts from auba

      1. Dont give a fuchs
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Spurs fan asking for more goals from Arsenal

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

          It's just good business 😉

        2. El Presidente
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Ah ah ah

  5. FPL Pillars
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    The palace is breached! Sound the alarm

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

    There are 3 teams I haven't owned a single player from all season. 2 are playing right now

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I had Tompkins and AMN briefly earlier on.

      Kolasinac is definitely interesting me as an Aurier replacement, though.

    2. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      i had 4. Watford, Newcastle, Arsenal and my 1st West Ham came in this week ............. Fabianski 🙂

    3. Rash
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Same.. I think

  7. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Gunners don't deserve Auba

    1. UTD - HATED, ADORED, BUT NE…
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      We’re taking him off their hands this month.

  8. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    If Auba was in City or Liverpool he would be essential.

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Not disagreeing

    2. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      He would get played in the centre too.

    3. POLSKA GOLA
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I disagree, Auba’s attractive at Arsenal as he always gets mac bonus once he scored. Not sure that would be the case at City or Pool though

      1. POLSKA GOLA
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Max bonus

      2. Bunk Moreland
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        He would score about 94 goals per season though . Could sneak a bap or two.

    4. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Who’s place would he have to take at Liverpool? Not sure he would make the squad

      1. UTD - HATED, ADORED, BUT NE…
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Better than Henderson imo

      2. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        What???? You can say maybe the style of play or something but Auba is 10x better than Firmino

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

      He will be essential for the end of the season run I believe.

  9. Budweiser
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Guaita is a waste of space

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

    Auba is a good pick. But when you can get Vardy, Ings, Rashford, Jimenez and Abraham for cheaper and doing similarly well then it is difficult to get him in.

    1. Sailboats
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Then hes not a good pick.

    2. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Still he’s outperforming salah

    3. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Wholeheartedly agree. I seem to always own Auba during his occasional dry patches as well.

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

        i dont think auba has blanked in more than 3 consecutive league games ever or something

        1. Top Lad Dakes.
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          im impatient.

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

            lol, i think he has always done well for me when I own him. But he is just a one goal kinda guy, and a bit pricey. When you take that into account and look at someone like Jimi who is far cheaper and offering similar returns then he becomes hard to justify

    4. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      This is the problem I have with him.

      Cheaper options giving you similar output but allowing you to have better players in MF and defence kind of make him a luxury rather than a necessity.

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

        yea this, Jimi over him is so much better imo

        1. Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          It’s a shame because I’d love to have him, but I’d have to sacrifice a mid to get him.

          Probably give you a captaincy dilemma too between him, Vardy, Mané and KdB most weeks.

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

            he isnt captain material imo, I have had him for long spells and im not saying his returns are bad but he isnt explosive or very rarely.

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

      Meh.

      I held him for 2,2,2,8 this season with great fixtures. Very frustrating. It was by all accounts the right move with form and fixtures but it just didn't work out.

      1. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I make a lot of right moves too but they mostly blank

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

    i still own zaha 🙁

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Rip. That's one pre-xmas bandwagon I'm glad I had second thoughts about and avoided

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

        its been awful

  12. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Time to consider Arsenal players in FPL.

    What's the world coming to

  13. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Where are my Tammy (C) buddies at?

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Considered him but in the end just don't trust him enough.

    2. Podge
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      The men in the white coats got to them already

      1. Arse Craic
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Haha 😀

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Too much of a differentiator for me

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

      Can we still be friends with VC?

      1. Differentiator
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        no

    5. mojoindojo
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Here mate.

    6. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Nowhere to be found.

  14. Random Name
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Just saw Lacazette's pass.

    Phwooar.

  15. SweepaKeepa
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ayew really wants a yellow card.

  16. seewhyaxe
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Any Kun cappers here? Who are your VCs just in case?

    1. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yes - Rashford

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

      Salah

    3. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Vardy

    4. Rust Cohle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Vardy

  17. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Looking at Rashford to Firmino next week
    Have Trent salah, can’t get Mane or Robbo without major surgery
    Would you use second transfer to move out Guaita or roll (vs city) ahead of gw24?

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I will likely hold... run after City looks good

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

      Firmino is very punty. Bad value, has looked poor lately too.

      1. FPL_Crisis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Underperforming stats wise
        Will assess but likely can’t get other pool players (besides Gomez)
        Away form better too

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

      In 14 games, Firmino has just 3 with attacking returns. Would not get him. Would consider major surgery to get Robbo or Mane instead.

      1. FPL_Crisis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        On cue, Bobby scores vs Spurs
        He’s due and also scored twice in club World Cup
        Great differential imo

  18. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Maddy starting?

    1. UTD - HATED, ADORED, BUT NE…
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Should be in the squad I think - if he’s not ready to start today I think he’ll at least be good for the next one

      Rodgers declared him fit so should be good for the bench at least

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers

    2. Arse Craic
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Check back in an hr

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

    watching this game because I own Zaha is rubbish.

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

      Zaha has always been wildly overrated as far as I'm concerned.

      1. UTD - HATED, ADORED, BUT NE…
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Moaniest poutiest player in the league too

        1. Blueberg
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I think Richarlison is.

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

    Rashford and Jiminez to Aubameyang and Maupay?

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      It’s still early keep yar kneejerks to yourself

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

        I just really like Aubameyang, I had earlier in the season and he was great for me, has great fixtures and I want a premium striker

        1. FPL Pillars
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Well then sounds like your mind is made up, but let’s see how the other two fair later 🙂

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

    Arsenal showing grit and fight, how we have missed that!

  22. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Palace are such a boring side. Zaha is the only one with the slightest bit of flair or creativity in there

    1. Differentiator
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Forgetting Benteke?

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        He needs a move away, not sure what's happened to him

        Maybe a move abroad

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'm surprised how the manager has kept them in top 10, pretty good job.

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I rate what hodgson has done. Definitely a solid team with a real lack of creativity and he's done well

      2. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Hodgson does an amazing job of just keeping them in the league but the football is awful. If I was a palace fan I’d rather be challenging for the title in the championship and trying to play decent football. Prime example of money being more important than anything else

  23. Pariße
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Sorry but how did Pepe get a yellow here and not McCarthy as the initiator? Borderline racism.

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Pepe should have seen red

        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Wise up

        1. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          As much of a kick as Son a few weeks back

          1. Klaren
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Neither should be a red. Unless it’s a match played by 7 year old kids.

        2. UTD - HATED, ADORED, BUT NE…
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          He absolutely booted the Palace player. I saw him do it.

          1. Pariße
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Equity. Is McCarthy innocent?

          2. UTD - HATED, ADORED, BUT NE…
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            And no he wasn’t just trying to move while the Palace player held onto his legs before someone suggests that. It was vicious

            1. Arse Craic
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Gone give him the red card then

              1. UTD - HATED, ADORED, BUT NE…
                • 4 Years
                4 years, 2 months ago

                VARsenal

            2. Surfeit of Lampteys
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              He was just trying to move while the Palace player held on to his legs.

              1. UTD - HATED, ADORED, BUT NE…
                • 4 Years
                4 years, 2 months ago

                It’s the most brutal act I’ve seen on a pitch since Vinnie Jones grabbed Gazza by the balls

                1. Arse Craic
                  • 14 Years
                  4 years, 2 months ago

                  Cantona vs Palace was far better

                  1. UTD - HATED, ADORED, BUT NE…
                    • 4 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    Cantona kicks someone associated with Palace - 9 month ban. Pepe kicks someone associated with Palace. Yellow card

                    Where’s the consistency?

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        True that

    2. Differentiator
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Borderline pathetic comment

    3. SB8
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Have you already applied for a job in FA?

      1. Pariße
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        They could use some of that expertise lol

    4. UTD - HATED, ADORED, BUT NE…
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I’m a lipreader and I saw Pepe tell McCarthy he was going to kick him just before he did it

  24. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Kolasinac in Aurier out?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Maybe wait for couple of weeks

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah via Robertson DGW by the way

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Looks a decent option with Tierney out for a couple of months

  25. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    How bad did Fabianskis injury look?

    Fabianski -> McCarthy?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Didn't see it but if he had to go off then must have been bad enough. Can't trust him now anyway. Time to sell.

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        True! Cheers.

  26. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Anti-AFTV chants really picking up.

    "Arsenal Fan TV, get out of our club!"

    1. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Not now, but during the half.

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I fear this gives aftv even further fire. They will use this for their own gain somehow

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

        At least they can no longer pretend to be acting with the club and the fans' interests first.

    3. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      good, bunch of helmets

  27. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I hate P E.

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

      Fattie

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        He plays for Barcelona.

  28. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    like Ozil pointing at Luiz after that goal, he knows

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

    There has only been one Palace game all season where either team scored more than 2 goals. Hodgson is the destroyer of football.

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

      See last season too

      Until the 5-3 last match of the season Selhurst Park was going to break the record for least goals scored in PL history. Easy avoid of relegation into the bargain

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Thank for jinxing on behalf of all Guaita owners 🙁

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Wow you jinxed it 🙁