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

    Ayew might be essential

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

      did he score?

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

        Twice

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

    Gonna start with Robertson and move back to TAA on WC I think

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

      Tsimikas a concern?

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

        Not really until Champs League kicks in

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

          Was considering the same

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

    Phew. Virgil ownership can't be going higher.

  4. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Not really got any answers about Arsenal or TAA from this Community Shield game.

    Saliba not playing. Holding and AMN playing despite being linked with moves away. Martinez starting, but not clear whether that is because he is the cup keeper or the first choice keeper. Auba still playing LW.

    TAA out of the squad so will he be fit for GW1?

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

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

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

      Farewell games for Holding and AMN.
      Martinez cup keeper, won't start GW1.
      Auba scores regardless of position.
      TAA a big unknown

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

    Quickly removes Son from draft team.

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

      This lol

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

      What happened?

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

        Spurs are rubbish

        1. The Pesci challenge
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Son’s already scored 3 goals in preseason, mainstay in my team for the first 8 gw’s

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

        It's a friendly

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

          Still rubbish

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

      What have I missed?

    4. ClassiX
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      ???

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

      ?

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

      Son didn't even start lol

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

        spurs just suck under Jose.

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

      Injury?

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

    OMG auba

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

    What a goal

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

    Auba!

  9. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Auba G

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

    Auba G
    Saka A

  11. rnrd
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    No Willian in the gunners group?
    Did arteta mention something about him?

  12. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Feck me

  13. Debauchy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Get in

  14. 3 A
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Im right. Auba scores first. But i'm guessing he scores in 20th minute.

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

    Auba essential, despite playing from left

  16. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Still not getting Auba

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

      Just jump on the wagon

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

      Same here lol

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

      Before the CS I intended to go Auba over Salah. Looks even more likely now.

  17. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Auba 30 goal season boiz

  18. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Saka has incredible vision

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

    Auba TC gw1 confirmed

  20. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Arsenal favourites to win the league yet?

  21. ArseneKnows
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    A U B A

  22. seewhyaxe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    auba (c) gw 1!

  23. circusmonkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    What a great midfielder!

  24. SHOOTER MCGINN
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Wow. Pep goal.

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

    What a player. Low xG on that shot...

  26. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    And that is why he’ll be in my team. Reclassified as a midfielder. Lovely stuff.

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

    Auba with a beauty

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

    Auba 100% ownership incoming

  29. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Why not much love for Greenwood if Sancho doesn't come? Looks cheaply priced

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Oh if Sancho doesn’t come he’s straight in. No brainer

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

      4.5 last season is probably a turnoff for some, but agreed he's in my team if United don't sign any wingers

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

    Poor from Williams, speed up Trent!

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

      Championship player within 12 months