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. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Serious Lacatalent

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

      Nice

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

      Lacathreat is what I called him during Wenger's last year in charge

    3. SackWenger
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nonsense

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

    ML rival made what looked like an accidental free hit. He's kept Aubameyang and brought in Pulisic. Seems he knows what he's doing after all

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

    How's Auba looking?

    1. SuperMane Returns
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Great. Haul potential.

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Excellent

  4. james 101
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How is Marty playing so far?

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      2 saves for sure. Arguably 3.

      Decent.

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cool. Thanks!

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

      Solid.

      CS looking locked in.

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Ha. Would be good.

  5. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Leicester are so cack, get out my team Justin and Vardy

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

      I'm getting Vardy for the weekend, he will spank Bournemouth

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Vardy off form, Leicester off form; simple

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        He just scored a brace last game and has Bournemouth next

        1. Eze Really?
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          One swallow don't make a summer.

    3. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      It has to do with arsenal actually good. Out played wolves in similar manner.

    4. Costa Nostra
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Vardy our before Bournemouth? Lol!!

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Abot 10 games. No goal. a brace and good fixture. There is an argument there. But mids are kings atm.

  6. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Probably a daft question but why’s Barnes not getting his game? Contract or niggling injury or something?

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Just currently being used as an impact sub, doesn't fit this formation.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Isn’t he there best player? Seems strange

        1. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Hadn't played well since restart until last game when he came on but then again, none of Leicester had.

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Might be unfit

            1. The Ejiptian King
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              I don't think so, I think it's Rodgers enjoying a tinker.

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Like the French rugby side. You never know who will turn up

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        With Barnes? Always looks good to me

        1. Eze Really?
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Mommy has to blow his nose before he goes out to ply

  7. Sgt. Schultz
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Auba > Kane and no AFTV and chill ! gonna b a long long GW.

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

    When is Maddison coming back? Any idea?

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

      They desperately need him

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

        Exactly! No creativity in the team!

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

      Barnes should be starting to help with creativity

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

    Ouch.

  10. SuperMane Returns
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Vardy roundhouse kick to the head of Mustafi

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

    Vardy lucky to be on the pitch

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

    Saka is so much better than Pepe

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Should both be in the team. Saka on the left. Pepe on the right. Auba up front.

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

        Yes, this is the perfect front 3 for Arteta. I don't know why he doesn't start Auba in the middle!

        1. bench boost for every gamew…
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Well the goals comes from left so why play him in the middle? Tactical and IT works. Not sure how he would score more if playing in laca role. Top of ranks for shots since restarte among strikers.

      2. SackWenger
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Laca up front

        1. mox81
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Laca doing a Bobby!

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

    Why why why I pick DDG over Martinez. Of course in my ML everyone else have Martinez and he will keep cs. Like last 3 gameweeks.

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

      Bit early to say that. Leicester look like they could get a goal.

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

        I dont think so.

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Don't worry, I picked Martinez then shifted to Pope.

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

      DDG should get more clean sheets by end of season

  14. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who do you think will become the best FPL asset next season out of Greenwood, Saka and Foden?

    1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Foden Most likely

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Saka. Because he will play every game.

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

      Saka becuase he will get the most games

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        If Pep is to be believed then Foden should be starting regularly too with Dilva + Sane departures.

        1. diesel001
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I don't believe Pep. Sterling, Aguero, Mahrez will be his front three. Bernardo, Rodri, KDB his midfield three.

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

            Aguero will be getting on a bit though

    4. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Foden

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

      Foden.

      Greenwood might battle him if there’s no Sancho though.

    6. Livinginapool - Top 100 Any…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I doubt he will be, but if Greenwood's classed as a mid, then him.

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

        If the likes of Salah and Mane are midfielders then so is Greenwood. Rashford too by that logic.

        1. Livinginapool - Top 100 Any…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I agree.

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

          So is Kane

          1. Abra Dubravka
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            I was Too slow

        3. Abra Dubravka
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          And Kane a defender next season

        4. Zimo
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          And aubameyang

    7. Willmissudimitrypayet
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nobody on Greenwood? Because Man Utd will by another world class winger or what? If he is like a 7,5 midfielder he would be an interesting option

    8. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not buying either at 8.5m

    9. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Impossible to tell. Depends on who the clubs buy etc.

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

      Their prices will be adjusted next session though right?

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

      Foden. But Saka could be outstanding too.

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

      Greenwood due to the fact Ole will run him into the ground

      Pep will continue to rotate Foden

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

      No Sancho = Greenwood
      Sancho = Foden

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

        Saka and foden

  15. Qaiss
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I wish I had picked Emi Martínez on WC in 31...

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      You could've joined me in benching him every week too.

      1. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        If I had picked him, would have played him every week. Don’t like picking 2 keepers.

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I enjoy the pain of benched points.

  16. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    My picks post Corona have been atrocious, probably be around 500k by the end

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

      🙁

  17. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Obviously will wait for rest of the games, but is 352 the way to go now?

    A) Fodder --> Willian
    B) Fodder --> Antonio/Bowen
    C) Jimenez --> Vardy
    D) Kane --> Vardy, next week Fodder to Mahrez
    E) Combo of these for a -4

    If A/B then would bench Jimi against Everton

    1. No Totti No Party
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      most likely yeah

  18. Kiyoshi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I sold aubameyang for greenwood, knew I would be regretting this decision

    1. InSaneMan-e
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Too soon to make that call

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

      Nah u didn’t cause u made the move

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

    Hi All,
    What would you do with this lot, 2FT and 0.9 ITB?

    Martinez
    TAA Doherty Taylor
    Salah Bruno KDB Son
    Greenwood Jimenez Rashford

    Stek. Lascelles Guendouzi Simpson

    How would you improve it?

    Cheers

    1. InSaneMan-e
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Wait and see. I've gone 352 onwards and that's an option with pulisic/mahrez. I also got rid of rash for martial

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

        Thanks appreciate it

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Son + Guendouzi --> Pulisic/Willian/Antonio/Bowen + Mahrez?

      Then Jimi to Ings next week

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

        Cheers

    3. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Foden on Saka 5th mid so you can 352 occasionally? Unless Lascelles injury is worse than expected, in which case a 4th defender who plays in case one of your 3 starters gets rotated or injured.

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

        Thanks will definitely look at 3-5-2 as per your suggestion and the above...

        Hopefully nothing serious with Lascelles... need him to replace Taylor playing against Liverpool.

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

    Checks Arsenal fixtures.
    Earmark Auba for FH 38

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

      Could be in the FA Cup final a few days later

      1. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Golden boot

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

          Exactly

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

        Lol
        Pep can't lose vs Arsenal.

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

          If he can lose to Norwich he can lose to anyone :p

      3. SackWenger
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        And then again we might not

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

      He and Ings will be back to my team GW37

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

        Ings should be back in 36
        He's Playing Bournemouth

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

          BHA 36 bou 37

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

            Wtf ...
            I messed up the calendar 😀
            Thanks for the heads up

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

          Seems the perfect Jimmy exit plan.

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

            He is ..
            Southampton looking like playing for something nobody knows too 😀

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

            Yep, Jimmy > Vardy > Ings

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

    Goal should have stood; kola tries to hit nacho and misses, falls down

  22. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    If Mahrez plays the majority of the game this week would you do the below with 2ft?

    AWB and Mahrez to Gomez and Martial

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Gomez not worth it for one easy game left. He may not even start that

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Well it can be any defender up to 5.6. I currently have Doherty, Digne, Saiss and Garcia.

        1. Karhumies
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Keeping AWB is the popular option for def up to 5.6. Tarkowski has been my personal choice. Aurier or Tierney are hit-or-miss.

          1. FPL Blow-In
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Yeah I could keep but Martial is killing me. I know I’ll do the swap and AWB will haul no doubt but I think I’ve my mind made up in doing it. Thinking of possibly selling Pulisic instead of Mahrez though.

            1. Karhumies
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Chelsea seems to score a lot of goals consistently every match, so I would keep Pulisic/Willian. Triple ManU is must have, but I have personally gone for 1 def (DDG) - 2 atk split (bruno + martial). I am not planning to use 2 transfers to change that into 0-3.

  23. Karhumies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I thought Saka would get rotated for Pepe in the XI this GW now that Pepe is back from baby break. Sold Saka to Foden in 352 with my FT. Kept Auba and Sarr, and both returned today. I guess I had Foden FOMO. We'll see after MCity game how that transfer went.

  24. zotter
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Two FTs. What to do

    Martinez
    Doherty. Trent. Aurier
    Salah. Pulisic. Bruno. Martial. Kdb
    Mason. Jiminez

    Martin. DCL. Holgate. Saiss

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      1.4 itb

    2. InSaneMan-e
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Potentially nothing. Wait and see. I'm considering Vardy for Bou

    3. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Have you BB left?

      1. zotter
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        No

  25. HollywoodXI
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    This is the first time Benteke and Welbeck have both scored since the day the PS4 was released. Wow 🙂

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

      LOL

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

      Who had that stat? Lol

      1. HollywoodXI
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Daily Mail online. November 2013 last time they both scored. Brilliant.

    3. SackWenger
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      More like since the Atari came out and Pele’s Championship Soccer was released

    4. thomashl
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ah. A reference for our time indeed

  26. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Waiting for this Auba second goal. Got rid for Kane(C).

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

      Looking forward to Jose putting out an attacking line up against Bournemouth 😆

      1. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        What makes it an attack lineup?

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

      Got both but KDB (C)

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Standard.

  27. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Why do only our fingers, thumbs, toes and nose cause our phone screens to turn on?

    Disclaimer: I haven't tried all body parts.

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

      Your missing one

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Didn't want to be sexist.

        1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          You kind of are when leaving the one out

  28. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    3 most owned: Martinez 11% EO and Vardy 9.5%EO. Guess a Vardy goal is good for us.

    1. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      And Auba 11%.

  29. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Another Saka 8 pointer to be stuck on the bench yet again.

    1. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Get Cantwell instead and you will feel less bad for his 1-2 pointers on the bench?

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Gotta love these 5th mids and 3rd strikers.

  30. Nas
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who has two thumbs and sold auba for a hit?

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      a monkey?

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Incorrect

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

          A gibbon?

        2. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          If you regustered 1000 monkeys for FPL and you gave them long enough, one of them would transfer Aubameyang out for a hit.

          1. Qubit
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Theres an infinite number of monkeys outside who'd like to talk to you about this transfer plan they've worked out.....

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

      Guess you sold him for the great in form player Kane?