Dugout Discussion

Alexander-Arnold absent as Martínez starts in goal for Arsenal

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) remains absent for Liverpool as their preparations for the 2020/21 campaign continue with the Community Shield final.

The right-back has already missed two pre-season friendlies this summer and, even though Jurgen Klopp said there was a chance he could be involved at Wembley, Neco Williams (£4.0m) has been handed a third-successive start in his place.

It is difficult to be too downbeat regarding Alexander-Arnold’s fitness issues though, considering he is still set to report for England duty on Monday morning.

The rest of Liverpool’s Community Shield line-up is largely as expected with Andrew Robertson (£7.0m), Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) and Joe Gomez (£5.5m) completing the back-four.

And, of course, Mohamed Salah (£12.0m), Sadio Mané (£12.0m) and Roberto Firmino (£9.5m) comprise the front-three, although, based on Klopp’s pre-match press conference, we could see Rhian Brewster (£4.5m) feature from the bench.

Mikel Arteta may have potentially thrown Fantasy managers a bone with his team selection, handing a start to budget goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez (£4.5m).

The Spaniard has not featured in friendlies for the Gunners yet, Bernd Leno (£5.0m) starting the win at MK Dons, but, at the first chance of availability, he is back in the team following an excellent run of form during Project Restart.

If he were to hold onto the mantel of first-choice at Arsenal, that might ward off interest in William Saliba (£4.5m), who has been named among the substitutes today.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£12.0m) is stationed on the left-hand side of the Arsenal front-three, joined there by Bukayo Saka (£5.5m) and Eddie Nketiah (£6.0m).

Interestingly, after spending last season on loan in Turkey, Mohamed Elneny (yet to be priced) starts in central midfield alongside Granit Xhaka (£5.5m).

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Robertson, van Dijk, Gomez, N Williams; Wijnaldum, Milner, Fabinho; Mané, Firmino, Salah.

Arsenal XI (3-4-3): Martínez; Tierney, Holding, D Luiz; Maitland-Niles, Xhaka, Elneny, Bellerín; Aubameyang, Nketiah, Saka.

1,404 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Liber
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    So will TAA even start GW1?

    1. Kobayashi
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Most likely, it seems he'll have had enough time to recover. Klopp just doesn't want to risk him too early.

    2. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I don't know, but what I know is that with him being doubt, I can't afford to bench both him and United player in GW 1.

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

      Probably needs England minutes next week.

      Supposedly close but not in the squad is a worry.

    4. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Everyone ripping up drafts after presser day before GW1 deadline incoming.

  2. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    The GW1 squad will depend on the GW2-3 Strategy to bring in City and United players. With the high prices and predicted price rises, this is going to be a difficult task without playing an early wildcard. Is anyone satisfied they've solved the problem?

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

      Haven’t gave anything a serious though yet as it’s still to early with a lot to happen but Salah or Mane to Bruno in GW2 & Auba to KDB in GW3 were my early thoughts.

      A lot can change though, everything goes out the window if Messi arrives or international injuries occur.

    2. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Downgrade from 12.0 mids, or premium forward and budget mid for premium mid and budget fwd swap for free or even a hit.

    3. Lignja
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I have Salah, Mane, Auba and Greenwood on bench, will swap Mane or Salah to KDB, than if I i decide to have Bruno also Auba to Brun gw 3

    4. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I like my team for the next six or so GWs. Planning to get a Utd or City player in for Auba in GW3.

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I've got greenwood on the bench gw1.

        And cash itb to upgrade antonio / ings or whoever I fancy as gw1 punt for martial gw2

    5. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Holding Fernandes is my solution. I know that a lot don't agree with me.

  3. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Where is lacasette?

    Is nketiah an option??

    Thanks

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Off out of the club, and yes.

    2. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Nketiah is very tempting

  4. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Cabellero penalty save 😯

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

      He loves saving them. Did Maupay miss another?

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        yup. Not a bad pen tbh, it was in the corner but lacked a bit of power.

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

          Cheers.

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Willy needs more respect.

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Hard to ignore on this showing.

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

    Henderson or Keita as a one week punt vs Leeds?

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

      Henderson won’t start.

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

        How come?

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

          Injured.

          No minutes won’t help before GW1, hopefully he’s closer come then.

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

            Thought I saw his name in the lineup - must have read Milner as Henderson

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Sounds awful.

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Neither

    4. Greasy Grealish Gang
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Deffo Keita. Well rested and was looking good since the restart and during the friendlies.

  6. BobbyDoesNotLook
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Ziyech down, Werner limping.

    1. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Ziyech walked off.

    2. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Ziyech off

    3. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Welcome to England

    4. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Oh ffs

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

    Ziyech off with a knock

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

    That’s Chelsea assets off the table.

  9. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    @LynchStandard
    Trent Alexander-Arnold narrowly misses out for #LFC despite hopes he would feature. Still set to report for England duty on Monday.

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

      Just need him to make 60 on the 12th.

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Not selected?

  10. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    No TAA, no Saliba, Martinez starting and Zyech off injured.....carnage

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

      Luckily people haven’t wasted too much time building teams hoping on these assets so far out from the start.

  11. mgilbert86
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Hello,
    Any spurs fans here? What are chances these two are in the starting 11 (how close to nailed)?

    Alli and Dier

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Both nailed I would say.

    2. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Dier is nailed

      Alli is a tricky one, looks great in the friendlies but Spurs journalists have said that Mourinho sees Ndombele as a part of his plans this season and he would take Alli's place. Should start GW1 anyways as Ndombele lacks match fitness and is in quarantine

      Not a Spurs fan btw

      1. mgilbert86
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Alli is the one I'm hoping is nailed because he's his lowest price in years and still a quality player

    3. Steinburg FC
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Dier is more nailed at the moment, Alli lost place to LoCelso end of last season when back from injury but i expect Alli to be given a run at the start as Mou likes him. LoCelso will get minutes in Europa League.

  12. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    You can swap out Ziyech without consequence before GW1 remember......

    1. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I hope it’s true

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      it's a minus 4 for me

  13. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    I like the fact people are moaning about injuries and benchings before season has even started

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I'm starting to remember how much this game sucks once it starts.

      Pre-season is this wonderful lucid moment of pure hope, before a torrent of pain.

  14. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Eh. Ziyech looked fine. Just precautionary.

  15. Manani
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    so no Saliba then? ANyone still keeping him?

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

      Not staring in a 2 before Gabriel arrives is a killer.

      Needs Arteta to play a 3.

    2. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Never had him

    3. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Yes. Way too soon for knee-jerks

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Agreed. Haller in

    4. mgilbert86
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Arsenal fan and I'm not, until we sell a few more players, too many possible rotation players that could play there (could be luiz, saliba, gabriel, tierney, kolasinac, holding)

  16. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Shame Villa don't play GW1, a 4.0m playing second keeper (Nyland) would have made selecting Martínez less of a risk.

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Can't see Leno sitting on the bench for long

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

        Won’t in the league.

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Not sure why so many people have Nyland when Steer is far more likely to start over him. Seen pro pundits have him too when the FFS budget goalkeeper article says Steer is the better pick!

      1. JELLYFISH
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        ^this

      2. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Why's that? Only 7 minutes played last season

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

          He was the keeper subbed on for Heaton when he got injured. Steer then got injured himself and missed the rest of the season.

          Nyland was 3rd choice pre-Reina.

        2. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          "While Nyland played more Premier League minutes than any other currently priced £4.0m goalkeeper in 2019/20 (537), and is currently in 17.3% of teams, he did not exactly impress during Project Restart.

          Meanwhile, when Heaton was first injured, Steer was the man Smith turned to instead of Nyland after he helped Villa to an impressive run of wins and clean sheets en route to the Championship play-off final in 2018/19. The only reason Steer did not feature more often last season was because he himself got injured eight minutes into deputising for Heaton and missed the rest of the campaign. Mostly recovered from that knock now, Steer could be one to consider as bench fodder in the event he features in some pre-season outings."

          https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2020/08/22/the-best-budget-fpl-goalkeepers-for-2020-21/

          1. Pukki Blinders
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Must've missed that injury, cheers for that

        3. JELLYFISH
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Replaced Heaton when he was injured in the Burnley game, then picked up an injury 8 mins in to the Wolves game. Nyland was third choice

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

        This. Steer in my team

  17. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Lamptey displaying more offensive intent in a minute than Veltman did in 60

    1. Greasy Grealish Gang
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Had Lamptey in since the start. He bagged a couple of Motm for Brighton if I recall correctly. A pleasure to watch him play.

  18. Jotangs
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Loool if you guys think Holding will start the season ahead of Saliba you're not very smart. Arteta isnt stupid and will start Saliba against Fulham as he knows hes better.

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

      Holding to Newcastle supposedly.

      Gabriel likely LCB with Luiz RCB. Can’t see Arteta playing 3 CBs vs Fulham.

      1. Jotangs
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        He will never play Luiz in a back 4 again trust me.

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      TooYou're not very smart if you think Saliba is nailed and won't be rotated.

  19. Bartowski
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    I have a feeling Martinez is in goal today because he helped win the FA Cup that got them here.

    Wouldn't read too much into it, probably just going to be their keeper for the cups.

    1. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Agree. And there’s a good chance he leaves. Interest here and abroad.

  20. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    As an Arsenal fan I’m really not happy with that lineup.

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Not easy watching Elneny start...

  21. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    why soucek scores lots of all goals ?
    isn't he a DM ?

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      CM arriving late in the box and also a set piece threat.

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

      Set piece nuisance

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      He's a rich man's fellani

  22. Don Van Vliet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    'Community Shield final'...

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Takes a lot more to get here than most finals

      1. Don Van Vliet
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Redundant point.

        1. Nightcrawler
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Its a konock out game with winner taking the trophy its a final

          1. Don Van Vliet
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Wrong.

  23. Steinburg FC
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    What a terrible camera angle my stream has.... to flat to the pitch...

    1. comeonspurs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I’m looking for the stream

      1. Steinburg FC
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        you can't link streaming sites here just search google

  24. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Bellarin really needs to start performing. Been shyte for years pals...

  25. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Robertson is looking good.

  26. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    So Trent has not played a minutes pre season

  27. Rambo The XVIth
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    So holding going to be preferred by arteta now ? Or Saliba still has a chance ?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Holding could be leaving

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

      Gabriel more of an issue for Saliba.

    3. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Going to Newcastle on loan according to rumours

  28. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Vvd goal disallowed

  29. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Virgil G Robbo A getting closer.

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Robertson looks sharp.