Dugout Discussion

Arsenal and Leicester retain three-man backlines for Emirates clash

Mikel Arteta and Brendan Rodgers have kept faith in their respective clubs’ recent switches to a three-man defence for their Emirates Stadium meeting on Tuesday evening.

Arsenal have now been operating in 3-4-3 since Gameweek 31+ winning every match since then without conceding a goal.

As has been the case throughout that run, Sead Kolasinac (£5.2m) sits in the back-three, joined there by David Luiz (£5.7m) and Shkodran Mustafi (£5.1m).

That means Kieran Tierney (£5.3m) and Hector Bellerín (£5.3m) are handed wing-back roles one again, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.9m) and Bukayo Saka (£4.7m) flank Alexandre Lacazette (£9.2m) in the front-three.

As Mason Greenwood‘s (£4.6m) stock continues to rise, Eddie Nketiah (£4.4m) Fantasy credentials are still travelling in the opposite direction. After blanking in the Gameweek 33+ win over Wolves, the former Leeds loanee has been named on the bench for the second time in three matches.

Leicester’s back-three is the foundation for a slightly different shape, featuring Jamie Vardy (£9.7m) and Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.7m) at the front of a 3-4-1-2 formation.

Changing to this system played a big part in the Foxes’ 3-0 win over Crystal Palace last time out, a game in which both of their centre-forwards found the back of the net.

Ayoze Pérez (£6.1m) supports them in a number 10 role tonight with James Justin (£4.7m) and Marc Albrighton (£5.1m) acting as the left and right wing-backs respectively.

That means Ben Chilwell (£5.6m) and James Maddison (£7.4m) have not passed their fitness tests in time, while Harvey Barnes (£6.0m) is named among the substitutes for the fourth match in a row, despite his two assists against Palace.

Arsenal XI: Martínez; Kolasinac, D Luiz, Mustafi; Tierney, Xhaka, Ceballos, Bellerín; Aubameyang, Lacazette, Saka.

Leicester City XI: Schmeichel; Söyüncü, Evans, Bennett; Justin, Tielemans, Ndidi, Albrighton; Pérez; Vardy, Iheanacho.

1,215 Comments Post a Comment
  1. @ocprodigy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How have Crystal Palace not scored those last two chances... incredible!

    1. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      How long did Benteke want!

  2. Rains of Castamere
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pulisic 9 pointer, decent start

  3. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Much needed as a Willian owner and taking a -4 this week!

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

    Really need Martinez CS wiped. All Im asking.

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Wiped? They need stuffing 0--3

  5. GE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    So close Palace!

  6. el polako
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Ben Foster you useless muppet welcome to my never ever ever again list.

  7. joelsprylar
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Everybody got to use five midfielders as starters now?
    There are to many good midfield options.

  8. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Everyone ready for a Auba brace?

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

      Which Leicester players to assist him?

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'll be pissed. I was really really close to picking him over Kane.

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        No way you were

  9. Feanor
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Thank god I didn't get Azpi in.

    1. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He was totally non-existent tonight

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I got him this week, my bad.

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

    Unlucky Palace. Benteke took too long there. Brilliant game though.

  11. Champions united
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    On wc
    Salah+col+son>bardy+willian+mahreZ
    Yes or no

    TAA awb soy saiss stevens
    Son kdb salah bruno,cantwell
    Jimmy rash,colly

  12. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Willian 😎

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

      Paying back that -4 already, you're next Harry.

  13. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pullliiiiii

  14. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I’ll take the 2 points from Kiko TYVM

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

    Willy 3
    Pulisic 2
    PVA 1

    Pulisic will jump Willy once the first goal is given to him...

    1. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      not a chance he gets that goal!!

    2. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      They have time till the next deadline.

  16. Dele
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pulisic Max BAPS?

  17. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Watching Chelsea trying to hold onto a lead is great television 😀

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

      Carbon copy of old Liverpool.

  18. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    On my way to be outscored by my draft team

  19. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Puli to get the 3 bonus pts?

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Miles away

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

      Not without first goal.

  20. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Brendan needs new teeth

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

      There’s character in them bad boys though.

  21. Tempestic
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pulisic tackled 7 times, still on for 2 baps?

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

      Chances created, dribbles.

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        He was amazing

      2. Tempestic
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        cheers

  22. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Audition for Vardy!

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nacho!

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yes! Him too!

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Also thinking this. Although Monday was the audition for Kane and I still bought him

  23. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Martial or Pulisic?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Or both and sell Salah before a home game against Bur?

    2. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Martial with the better fixtures.

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Both man, fighting for top 4 and play good football at the mo

  24. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Kiko is back with a bang...

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      2 pts?

      1. SHOWSTOPPERRR
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah one pointer is bck with a bang..

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

      He has ended non-owners seasons this evening.

  25. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Itching to confirm

    Son/DCL for Puli/Vardy

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      In a heartbeat !

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Great potential

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      DCL > Nacho ... scouting now

  26. Amey
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pulisic is such a good player ...
    Jealous of Chelsea 🙂

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      New fpl constant in our teams. Nailed on for my GW 1 team

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        How much is he? May be 8.5/9m... not sure at that price

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          8m

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I think your kids will do alright, we’ll take Pogba off your hands...

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        120m only

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Is that all?

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Ha ha
            Yep

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      You've got Greenwood ...

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Aye
        Better finisher 😀

  27. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pulisic is the new Salah

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Lol
      Be careful with the wording.
      Remember how Salad ended up at bridge ?

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No

      New Hazard

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      The new Jimmy 7 7 8 6 9 last five

  28. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What's is about the pulisic fst goal? Did I miss smthng?

    1. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      some ppl claiming he got a touch, its been ruled he didnt. Giroud goal..

      1. SHOWSTOPPERRR
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        OK.. Thanks..

  29. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Now to watch my arrow go red again... no one in this match.

    Good luck Kane buyers 😉

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Oops meant Vardy but wrote Kane!

      I need a drink

  30. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    That game felt electric even with no fans

    Injury time was crazy