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. Lukakwho
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Has a player ever got 3 BAPS and been sent off? Some fantasy trivia for you...

    1. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nketiah?

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

        no

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yep, Norwich striker, Holt?

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

      Charlie Adam maybe.

    4. Reg83
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      somebody who got a brace or hattrick but then sent off for a 2nd yellow for taking of his shirt?

    5. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ronaldo

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

    Auba done

  3. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Vardy next week looks good!

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yup - in for DCL pending the remaining games this GW

    2. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      probably in for Nketiah for me if I lose Salah next week!

    3. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Don't get too exited. Can imagine many will be making this same move

  4. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    1 game or 3 game ban for Eddie?

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

      3

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      3

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

      2 in the league

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

      Should be 3, would include FAC game.

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

      Straight red violence conduct? Three right?

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

        Not all straight reds are 3 games but it was violent.

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

          Are you talking prof foul red?

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

      3ddie

  5. balint84
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    start one of these next week. who?

    A) ayew (avl) A
    B) boly (eve) H
    C) söyüncü (bou) A
    D) Bench boost ?

    1. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

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

      BB

    3. Reg83
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      bb time

  6. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Arteta makes some bizarre substitutions. Imagine taking off the only goal threat with 5 minutes to go

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

      10 men.

  7. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Aubas spray on hair nearly washed off.

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Heh.

    2. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Lol. Noticed.

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

      He should just shave his head

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

    Why was that a goal if Perez was offside and touched it?

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

      One of your assumptions must be incorrect.

    2. Lucy2019
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He didn't touch it

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

        But he did? You can actually clearly see the ball change direction?

  9. moment
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Will give Jimi until tomorrow but swapping him for Vardy seems pretty inarguable...

    1. FPL_Gyarados
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I have 0.1m spare to do that

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

    0 from 0 this gameweek so far. Couldn't have gone any worse.

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

      Couldn't have gone any better either.

      #glasshalffull

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

        🙂

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

      33 from 5 for me on my FH. Captain KDB tomorrow.

  11. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Zlatan scores for Milan

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

      In other news, rain is wet.

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

    Schmeichel saved Leicester big time

  13. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Im not an Arsenal fan but why on earth would you take your best striker off with 8 mins injury time and you are drawing 1-1 at home ??

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

      Small club mentality.

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      In a must win game

    3. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Material for AFTV.

    4. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Midget mentality

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

      Saka was already off

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

      10 men.

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

      Bib theory.

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

    Who also thought that Auba was about to get a hattrick in this game and is really glad that he "only" got 8 points? Sold him this GW

  15. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Willian or Pullisic?.

    Pick one

    1. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Must be Willian since he consistently outscores Pulisic.

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

        Willian on pens as well, no brainer for me

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

      I would pick two

    3. Lucy2019
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Puli

    4. Predator
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      You will choose Pulisic

      1. Reg83
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        my main rival played puli but benched willian!

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

      Both

      But to answer your question correctly I guess will

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

      Willian massively outperfoms Pulisic stats wise (Puli owner here)

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

      Willian ftw

  16. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Was targeting Vardy before tonight but do you think it’s worth bringing him in for bou and SHU fixtures using 2FT?
    Potentially Salah and Nketiah for Vardy and Antonio/Foden
    Main reason to lose Salah is that I probably won’t captain anymore

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      for sure

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

      Yea sounds good

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Good move

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

      Yup - needs goals in those games to lock in the golden boot with a couple of trickier games to finish

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

        I’m sure incoming Salah double will complicate things

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

          Yep - Salah certainly not done for the season

  17. Tcheco
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Nearly the same ball in to Vardy

  18. SAY MY NAME
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    could be golden boot for a golden oldie

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

      He'll give you a golden shower

      1. SAY MY NAME
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        hope not lol

  19. DandyDon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    KDB effective ownership 161%! Has it been higher for a player before?

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

      Salah 180s

    2. Fitzy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah

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

      Salah dgw must have been close to 180%

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

        Salahs only DGW was this season with Mane being higher owned at the time.

        He had sky high EO towards the end of his first Liverpool season.

      2. Cok3y5murf
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Not this season

    4. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      oh easily, I think Salah had 230% or something in the DGW ?

      1. the snazzy viking
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        maybe not that one specifically but I remember a 230% EO before in a DGW

  20. DAVESAVES
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Jimenez >> Vardy on the table!

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

    Go Chelsea

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

    Show that VAR equaliser again.

  23. the snazzy viking
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    full time

  24. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Vardy (c) for Bournemouth this weekend

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

    Omg people saying he didn't touch it? You can literally see the ball change direction and spin!?

    1. Lucy2019
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes, when it hits the wet ground. He didn't touch it. I wish it was offside but it wasn't.

  26. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Have Rashford, Martial & Nketiah. Would you prioritise Pulisic > Bruno or Nketiah > Greenwood?

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

      If you needed Nketiah to start then swap him out!? I’m going Bruno less....there’s not many of us

  27. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Vardy limping

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      lol

      1. George Agdgdgwngo
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        He was limping off

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

    3-5-2 isn't too bad for Leicester. Just don't play Nacho. Surprised he doesn't give Perez a go up front with Vardy and put Fuchs-Tielemans-Ndidi-Praet-Justin as the midfield 5.

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

    Wheres BapChap. Vardy or Auba?