Dugout Discussion

Aubameyang returns as budget FPL forward Martinelli keeps his place

The penultimate match of Gameweek 25 takes place at Turf Moor this afternoon.

Arsenal are the visitors to Burnley, with kick-off in Lancashire at 14:00 GMT.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.8m) returns straight to the visitors’ starting XI as expected but it is Nicolas Pepe (£9.1m), rather than Gabriel Martinelli (£4.6m), who makes way for the Gabonese striker.

Aubameyang and Martinelli were popular purchases heading into this weekend, having been bought by 280,519 and 130,017 Fantasy Premier League managers respectively ahead of Gameweek 25.

Aubameyang registered 13 points in this fixture last season and has scored seven goals in his four previous league meetings with Sean Dyche’s side.

The Gunners, indeed, have won all 11 of their previous encounters with the Clarets in league and cup.

Mikel Arteta’s only other alteration from Gameweek 24 sees Matteo Guendouzi (£4.3m) replace Lucas Torreira (£4.7m) in the middle of the park.

Burnley, meanwhile, are unchanged from their 2-0 win over Manchester United.

The Clarets come into this game off the back of successive Premier League wins, having also claimed the scalp of Leicester City a fortnight ago.

Only two outfielders in Dyche’s starting XI – James Tarkowski (£5.1m) and Chris Wood (£6.2m) – are owned by more than 1% of Fantasy managers, although goalkeeper Nick Pope (£4.6m) still sits in around one in seven FPL squads.

Pope has banked back-to-back double-digit hauls for his remaining owners and a point or more today will move him second in the overall goalkeepers’ standings and take him past the 100-point mark.


Burnley XI: Pope, Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor, Hendrick, Cork, Westwood, McNeil, Wood, Rodriguez.

Arsenal XI: Leno, Bellerin, Mustafi, Luiz, Saka, Xhaka, Guendouzi, Ozil, Martinelli, Lacazette, Aubameyang.

1,116 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ozil giving the ref the eyes.

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

      Such ugly gestures deserve red!

  2. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Mesut getting shirty

  3. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ozil seems like someone that needs a proper spanking or 2

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

      Giggity.

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I'll pretend to know what that means, and give you a LOL 😆

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

      He's definitely got issues

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

    Mee and tarkowski basically living in the arsenal penalty area

    Tells you what they think of the arsenal attacking threat

  5. WVA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Pope > Fab a few weeks ago sums up my season nicely, really struggling to enjoy it this season.

    1. SB007
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Something to be said for leaving team alone and stop tinkering

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

        Had him for 22 gameweeks

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

        Hardly tinkering

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

      Same here, only with Foster.

  6. SB007
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Mahrez and Jesus my differentials.

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

      Ah Jesus on a Sunday. Sounds right. I hope your faith bears fruits of an appearance.

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

      Nice, watch out GW28

  7. Goonsquad245
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ahh the familiar tension of owning Sergio and waiting nervously for the Pep roulette wheel to spin...

    1. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'm sure Aguero starts (fingers crossed)

  8. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Sheffield United should really believe top 4 could be achievable with all these "big" teams failing. What an achievement would that be?

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

      wonder how many times a team with a bottom-3 shot count have managed it!? would be something

      1. Rolls-Royce
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Shot count doesn't mean anything...

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

          I really hope you're not being serious

  9. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Auba isnt worth 10.8 especially in this Arsenal side

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

      Niho what do you mean a 4.6 on the attacking right 11.8 on the left. Oh I see 🙂

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

        Whoops *10.8

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

        how to spend 6m and make minimum improvement to your team

      3. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I wouldnt bring Martineli either

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

    Super Sunday ®

  11. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Auba bandwagon completely derailed

    1. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Sigh, still 45 mins to go

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      He’s had two very good chances, if owned him I’d be less worried than if he was invisible

  12. HollywoodXI
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    All this Auba hate. Why? Non owners? He’s a great player and will probably score in the second half.

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

      Salty owner?

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

        Non owner

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

      Owners want a haul. And so far he has fluffed the chances that would give him a haul.

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

      I don’t think they genuinely hate him

    4. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Im owner but he isnt worth especially you wont C him anyway in next 5-6 GWs.

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

      I hate him more when I own him

  13. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Wish Arsenal would give Pope something to do, I'll have to settle for 6 points at this rate.

  14. Moose™
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Whats the best moves ahead for Triple pool. Have Mane atm?

    A. Double def + Salah
    B. TAA Salah Mane(hold him until aftet winter break)
    C. Get Firmino

    1. The Sociologist
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A) I think

    2. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I went for A this week. Firmino looks great but I'd rather VVD/Rob + whichever of Jimenez/Ings/Vardy you'd miss out on over Firmino + any non Liverpool defender.

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

      Plan was A but stick with Bobby due to in form performance

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

    Put Auba central, Pepe on the right and Marty on the left. That simple.

    1. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Chill out Pep

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

        xD

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

      Nothing simple with Arsenal 😉

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

      Arsenal have tried that before and it usually leaves Auba isolated because there is noone in midfield to drop deep and link the play. Lacazette plays that role in the side.

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

        Carzola needed not Xhaka

    4. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Exactly. Lacazette should stay on the bench forever

  16. Qaiss
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Lacazette is holding back Arsenal big time. Auba should be up top with Pepe and Martinelli on wings. So much more balance and more talent.

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

      Pepe has Harding scored / assist for fun has he?

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

        Can’t assist or score if he’s not playing. And he offers way more than Lacazette. Auba is a better player than Laca.

        Next season you will own Pepe, just watch.

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

          When he has played he hasn’t been that’s why I’m he’s on the bench...

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

            Lacazette hasn’t scored since 4 December and he’s a striker playing for Arsenal. Idk what your point is, I said Pepe-Auba-Martinelli offers more balance and is much better for us. Youre arguing just for arguments sake it seems.

            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                4 years, 2 months ago

                People just focus on names rather than performance, in the same way Kante is holding Chelsea back now with the way lampard wants to play. In both cases player is "too big" to drop completely

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

                  On performance, Lacazette doesn’t score that much for us even when he plays. That’s why he should be dropped and sold.

                  1. @persecuted_by_mods
                      4 years, 2 months ago

                      Yeah that's what I meant, Kante is the same since he came back from injury and walked back into the team their form has been awful

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

              Is is going to grow a second leg during the summer?

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

                Did Mane light the world up in his first season? Hazard? Salah at Chelsea?

                I can go on hehe

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

                  I know but he seems so one sided that I think it's a huge disadvantage

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

          Auba is the one missing sitters 😀

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

            Sitters? One shot?

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

              I was exaggerating for effect, Pepe has not been good either (although better in the last few)

        3. Niho992
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Pepe should be sold to one lige side

      2. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Wouldn't say it's a terrible game but when a star striker falling over taking a shot is a highlight...

      3. FPL Maldini
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        % chance of Lucas starting today?

        1. Pieterke30
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          80%

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

        how's the eye test going for the first half?

        1. Pieterke30
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Very meh.

        2. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Ozil winning by a mile

          1. Pieterke30
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            ? Not doing much. Arsenal are just too weak in midfield.

            1. Wild Rover
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Sorry, thought it was a question about eyes

            2. My heart goes Salalalalah
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Read that again... eye test.

          2. Rolls-Royce
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Mesut eyezil.

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

          Arsenal are still a no go zone

        4. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Auba isolated, Leno looks great for save points, Pope for clean sheets.

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

            thanks, that's helpful

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

          MCI double game week vs Arsenal is looking better by the minute

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

        Thing with Auba is you just do not know when he will score. He is consistent though.

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

          Thing is it’s kind of stupid to moan when there’s still 45 to go and when you bring in a player, usually it’s not just for 1 game only? It’s for 4/5 or more.

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

          I don't know when anyone will score unfortunately

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

        Let's hope both Liverpool and Newcastle get knocked out of the FA cup on Tuesday ... fancy double New defense for gw31, home to Villa

        1. Over Midwicket
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          They'll both get through just to spite us

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

            think both are unlikely to get past Chelsea and West Brom .. but an early heads up would be better

        2. NABIL - FPL otai
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Same here (dubra n lasc)

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

            I'd be on Fernandez and Lascelles ... Pope in goal

      7. Victor6359
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Too much to have Egan and Henderson?

        Cheers

        1. El-Kloppico
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Yes

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

          Not too much no just bear in mind GW28

        3. NABIL - FPL otai
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Nope

        4. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Not at all. Have 2 playable keepers and bench in GW28.

          1. Victor6359
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Cheers fellas

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

        Looks like a big blunder getting in auba

        1. Rolls-Royce
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Hopefully.

        2. NABIL - FPL otai
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Naah he'll score later

      9. Rolls-Royce
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Need Westwood and Genduozui goals second half.

      10. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Firmino tops the xG non-penalty rankings over the last 6 game weeks. That said, he's only scored twice. I still can't see past him as the striker to have over the next 4 weeks.

        Anyone prefer someone else, money no option?

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

          Prefer double defence over him so that doesn’t help his case...

          Jimmy, Ings + 1 who fits and works for people’s teams.

          Kun this GW!

          1. Twisted Saltergater
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            I have Vardy and Ings at the minute, but Mané funds burning a hole in my pocket to upgrade Greenwood.

            Do you think Wolves score enough goals? Jimenez at 7m is fine, but he's nearly 8m now and I'd expect much more involvement from Firmino. But then there's the threat of rotation with the CL.

            I'm at a real crossroads with this. I'd get Aguero but already have KdB and Mahrez and don't fancy the triple up with GW28 around the corner. Stumped!

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

              I trust Jimmy for it, solid long term pick too, especially if not keen on a FH31...

              A City triple up could be magic for a week, but then annoying come 28.

              Enjoy the headache 😛

              1. Twisted Saltergater
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 2 months ago

                Haha, not enjoying prices going up while I'm dilly dallying 😀

        2. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Next four games I would say Bobby, Ings, Jimenez, Vardy in that order. Only reason not to have Bob is that you can't have 4 Liverpool.

          1. Twisted Saltergater
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Yep, I'd like to keep Vardy - I think his form is just a temporary blip, and partner him with Ings plus one other.

            Am leaning towards Enda Stevens and Bobby.

            1. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Nothing wrong with that pairing, different ways to play the game. Good luck either way

              1. Twisted Saltergater
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 2 months ago

                thanks mate, and to you.

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

          Guessing a lot of people (myself included) already have 3 other Liverpool players.

          1. Twisted Saltergater
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah this. I'm not even sure which 2nd Liverpool defender I'd get in. ML rival has VVD alongside TAA so it would probably need to be Robertson or go Firmino.

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

          I brought Firmino in for the dgw as I thought he was the most likely to score points (was my captain)
          Reluctantly kept him this week because of Norwich away next week

          The way I see it is that other forwards are a bit scarce at the moment whereas there are a good few decent defenders around. Not going with a second Liverpool defender saves 2.5m ... whereas Firmino cost me less that I sold Vardy for, after having taken 0.5m profit

          When / if I sell Firmino (depends on Tuesday's result), I might stick to just 2 premium Liverpool players
          e.g. I probably prefer Hendo / Vardy to Barnes / Bobby (subject to Vardy becoming viable again)

          1. Twisted Saltergater
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            appreciate the detailed reply. You're spot on about there not being other options:

            Aubameyang on the left
            Aguero potentially rotated with Jesus (blank in GW28)
            Jimenez a strong option but Wolves don't really do goals and their fixtures only really improve after the BGW 28.
            Abraham out of form
            Vardy out of form (got)
            Deeney? not sure.

      11. MagicMessi
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Any idea why Pepe not playing ?
        Also Martial to Ozil good idea?

        1. El-Kloppico
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Why would you want Ozil.

          1. MagicMessi
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Because two home games and he's on set pieces and Martial being rubbish lately ! I wanted Pepe but not starting today is a worry

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

          I was Ozil’s biggest fan when he joined 6 yrs ago, but he’s crap now

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

            It may be a bit unfair but it has always grated on me that commentators call him Mesut Özil and not just Özil

      12. Moose™
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Lundstram Simpson Mane Greenwood >>> Robbo O'Connell Traore Ings

        This -12 seems not really mental because it clear all the deadwoods in my team and will pay off instantly next week.

        Anyone agree?

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

        Auba to Vardy?

        1. NABIL - FPL otai
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Gw28 move for me perhaps

      14. Ha.
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Auba > Kun (-4)?

      15. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Vardy > firmino?