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

    Good for me that. Really needed Martinez to concede. Chasing a ML leader who has him.

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

    Vardy you beauty. 9% EO

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

    Vardy just F off

  4. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Obviously waiting until end of the GW, but would Rashford > Greenwood and Jimmy > Vardy be a good move next week?

    Would have 2FT so no hit.

  5. Begbie.
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    No idea why they didn't draw the lines and see if Vardy was offside after Perez clearly touched it. The entire time they were checking the wrong offside call.

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

      He didn't touch it.

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

        You seen the ball spin afterwards.

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

          The rotation of the ball never deviates... Ayoze was miles away! 😉

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

      They checked both ffs and he didn't touch it. Either way, goal given so move on.

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

        "Either way, goal given so move on"

        Yes, let's not discuss a talking point because it's after the fact.

      2. Begbie.
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        https://gyazo.com/4f99edd7ef2f5537dc7ce3fcf9eca683

        did touch it 😉

    3. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Clearly not clearly.

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

    Who will score more points for the rest of the season -

    A. Vardy
    B. Sterling

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

      Hard call. A I would guess

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

    jammy Martinez owners

    1. sandman58
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Whats jammy.??
      He conceded

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

        Lol. Jammy one save point I guess

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

    Already have Pulisic, double up with Willian or pick Antonio?

    1. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Willian is in red hot form right now. No brainer for me

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

      Wouldn’t double up with rotation and bad fixtures at the end

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

        Got an escape route - have both for next two looks great

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

      I can't wait to get Antonio in for Norwich. Him

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

        Original plan yes nor then WAT

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

      Yeah Antonio or Willian is my next big decision.

    5. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Antonio

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

    well deserved 3 BAPs for Vardy

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Minimum touches maximum goals

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

    On wc
    Rash to Greenwood
    Yes or no

    1. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I did this move. Releases a lot of funds to use elsewhere

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

      Yes

  11. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Kane > Vardy yay or nay?

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

    Milan score 3 goals against Juve to make it 3-2 against Juve!

    Wild game!

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

    Bad decision from Arteta to take off Laca, he looked dangerous and Arsenal were playing well. Rookie!

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

      Very. And went so defensive in second half

  14. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Cheers Jamie & Sarr 14 from 2 & into the top 50k from earlier oblivion 🙂

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      5 days & then destroy Bournemouth 😉

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

        Joining

  15. Superflymonk
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is Vardy injured? Reading comments he was limping.

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

      Tired or ...

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

        Let's hope so, he's my minileague differentiall.

  16. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Vardy or Sterling for rest of the season?

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

      Don't want to touch Pep's squad bar KDB - just me

    2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling simply because more points for midfielder.
      Plus Man City better fixtures.

  17. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I am starting to think I should take way more points hits next season. Suits my style. Mini leagues are gone in effect. So in the last three weeks I have taken a -12, -8, and -8 to get the team 'right' for the remaining weeks. Surprisingly so far all those hits I have taken look to have left me better off than if I did nothing.

    Maybe I have just fluked it? But next season I will definitely be less hit adverse a well thought out -8 here or there is no harm. Even a minus 12!

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

      Did you sell Auba for a hit for this week?

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Well yeah! but I did get Pulisic in for Grealish.
        I figure Digne and Rashford will still manage to leave me up on the Aubameyang transfer. Maybe by gameweek completion, or over the next few gameweeks.

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

    Will the Giroud goal get overturned? Pulisic looks to have touched it

    1. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No

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

    Pick 1

    Pulisic
    Willian
    Antonio

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

      Pulisic though see how Antonio plays next game

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

    Martinez owners robbed. VAR is joke

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

      Of course they weren't.

  21. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What do people think to these moves after this GW?

    Rashford > Greenwood

    which then allows...

    Jimmy > Vardy

    2FT banked so would be free?

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

    Bad start with no players. Returns from Sarr, Dawson, Pulisic, Willian, Abraham, Saka, Auba and Vardy.

  23. JoeSoap
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    1. DCL>Vardy for free (need to do tonight)
    2. Foden>Pulisic
    3. Save

    Patricio
    TAA Saiss Lascelles
    KDB Fernandes Martial Salah Foden
    Green Jimenez
    Button DCL Taylor Holgate

    1. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      1

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

      You're gonna sell Foden before he's played? No way.

      DCL > Vardy seems good. I would probably do it.

    3. JoeSoap
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks. Not keen on early transfers

  24. Big Hands Barry
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A) Hayden to foden
    B) Jiminez to Vardy

    1. Ange Ball
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

    Pick 1

    Pulisic
    Willian
    Antonio.

    1. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B on form

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

        They all are!

    2. Ange Ball
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Antonio

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

        Why?

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

          OOP

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

            Other 2 not in better form?

  26. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Kane > Vardy 1FT yay or nay?

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

      Wait and see how Kane does first.

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

      Yes

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

      Nay. Wait and see on Kane and Bournemouth. If he hits a brace you're not gonna get rid.

      1. Danstoke82
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        It’s a tough one as I can’t see Kane doing much v Arsenal but will hold for now.

  27. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who to drop for Antonio

    A) Salah

    B) Pulisic

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

      Neither

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

      Why would you drop any of these for Antonio?

      1. Ange Ball
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Salah could be rested I'm think doing Salah Norwich leak goal and then West ham got lovely home game no brainer

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

      A easily

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

    Son to Willian now to save 0.2m price changes?

    1. Ange Ball
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I keep son he will do something

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

        Any bias in that statement?

        1. Ange Ball
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          no think he will come good. He should do something Bournemouth and then we will be pumped for North London Derby. We don't want Arsenal finishing ahead of us. Yes been crap season but Arsenal finishing ahead of us be to much

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

      In a heartbeat.

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

      Why not Antonio?

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

    I'm basically not going to move tomorrow with KDB(c) if he scores am I, with the 161% EO?

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

      Yed you are. Your eo is 200% versus avg of 161%

  30. CroatianHammer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    14 from that. Could not sell Nketiah fast enough following that red. -4 to rejig my back line and frontline. Happy enough.