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. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Been away a week or so with moving back to uni.

    See Doherty signing for Spurs - that’s a big loss for Wolves... think I’ll keep him in my team though

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

      Yep good fixtures for him

  2. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Can anyone see any reasoning why E.Martinez is priced less than Newcastle's second keeper Darlow.

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

      The Darlow price was crazy - did they know Dubravka was gonna get injured?

      1. Lucky Z
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Does not matter. With this logic there should no keeper less than 5 except third choices. Also Newcastle is not a top team.

    2. UnluckyXI
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      No idea you'd think Leno and Martinez would be the same price given their performances and appearances

      1. Lucky Z
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Romero is 5.0. He is third keeper definetily after DDG and Henderson.

        Emi is a starting XI contender at least and is 4.5

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

      I don't believe you

      1. Lucky Z
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        OK

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

    Arsenal really making Liverpool look like a school team.

    Big Tingz for Arsenal this season. Martinez, Tierney and Auba in my team

    1. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Not taking a punt on Pointless?

    2. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      This aged well.

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

    Liverpool getting outclassed massively here. Huge regression imminent.

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Really since Watford beat them they never looked super solid.

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

        Definitely. People are forgetting how Atletico Madrid dismantled them.

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

      Arsenal defending maturely

      1. Pras (FPL)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Mate you need you change that grav/username. It is racist.

        1. Rotation's Alter Ego
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Hi all - conversation has gone well off track here so I'm locking and cleaning it up. We'll be sorting this behind the scenes as this is clearly a sensitive topic to deal with.

          Thanks for understanding, and thank you to those that have helped us with context - quite evidently I don't speak Hindi so it's not an easy one to judge.

          1. Pras (FPL)
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Thanks RAE

  5. Herman Toothrot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Liverpool still set for Alcantara?

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

    One thing that would be interesting, for a FPL article, would be to look at when the promoted teams score most of their points (actual points).

    I have a hunch that most promoted teams get a disproportionate amount of their final total points in the first 8-10 GWs and then there is a decline, with a much lower rate of accumulation. There are some exceptions, when a squad / teams is exceptional (such as Wolves, Newcastle with Benitez etc.).

    But it would be interesting to see, because it would be useful for things like CS analysis.

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Not sure about this. Villa improved after the restart and stayed up despite a tough run of fixtures late. Cardiff in 18-19 would have probably stayed up if not for a poor start.

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

        Yes, that is why it would be interesting to see. Maybe just anecdotal, but if someone ran the numbers then we would get a view.

        1. FPL Theorist
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Yeah, would be good to see!

    2. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I would be surprised if there was any pattern at all. But, could be something. Sometimes in data we only see what fits our narrative.

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

      Why don't you do it and submit a community articlem Would be easy enough to run the data.

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

    Allan and Rodriguez close to Everton, time for some Calvert-Lewandowski

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

      Pickford
      Coleman Mina Keane Digne
      Allan Gbamin Gomes
      Richarlison Rodriguez
      DCL

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

        Gbmin still out. Not sure Ancellotti sold on Mina.

      2. Third Eye Vision
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        There’s no width in a set up like that. We need to sign a right winger.

    2. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Allan is a done deal.

  8. Turbo Timo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Hey guys! Started earning from this year so now I'm an FFS member! Just a hi, that's it. Keep scrolling and have a nice day! 🙂

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

      Congrats on the job and enjoy using the stats this season.

      1. Turbo Timo
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Thank you! Looking forward to all the data 😀

    2. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      got any more jobs going at your place? 🙂

  9. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Auba is so Henry. So classy on the wing. No need to kill his qualities in CF role IMO.

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

      No one is Henry. Auba is at best 20% Henry

      1. Lucky Z
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I meant style of play

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

          Still nope

    2. Party time
        3 years, 7 months ago

        You probably haven’t seen Titi play. Agüero isn’t even more of a complete forward as Thierry

    3. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Liverpool missing Trent's quality deliveries on the right side

      1. SAY MY NAME
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        spoke too soon lol

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

      Robertson the only Liverpool positive today.

    5. Adambailey7
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Thoughts on saka’s game time this season? Thinking of upgrading soucek to him.

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

        Enter Willian and Pepe...

      2. Third Eye Vision
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I think I’d rather have Soucek.

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

      OMG minamino

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

      Crazy to think Robbo is 5million less than Salah!

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

      Clear handball. Shouldn't be a goal.

      1. gribude
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        So?

    9. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Salah handball

      1. SAY MY NAME
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        gets the assist?

      2. TheBrazilianRonaldo
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Salah assist then lol

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

          Salah left ni99le

      3. Robson-Canoe
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Clearly touched his arm, apparently the rules have changed

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

      LiVARpool are back!

    11. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      1-1

      game on!!

    12. TheBrazilianRonaldo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Salah assist surely 😉

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

      Was it a handball or not?

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

        HAndball only from Arsenal players

    14. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Arteta subbed Bellerin to put Cedric in because he wanted to highlight his managerial masterclass and he concedes right after...

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

        Salty

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

      Liverpool starting to outclass Arsenal here.

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

        Are you having a laugh?

    16. RAMZES666
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Bench who for GW1

      a) Saka (Ful away)
      b) Mitrovic (Ars home)

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

        B - Arsenal look more solid defensively

      2. Z
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Wilian and Pepe say HELLO to Saka

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

      Salah looks far from essential. Hasn't had shots, hasn't been super involved. Mane seems to be doing more.

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

        Yeah, something not right here. If he still doesn’t look good against Leeds it’s an easy switch to Bruno

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

        Hold on, I recall hearing the exact opposite a while ago 😛

        Agree though, Henderson not starting GW1 vs Leeds makes Auba look rather more appealing

      3. SAY MY NAME
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        have to agree, Salah has been almost anonymous, that being said i'd probably still pick Salah to start for some unknown reason, historical bias i guess

    18. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Will casuals select Minamino now?

    19. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      McCarthy or Martinez?

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

        Both

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

          Why would you get both

        2. Tony Moon
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          No.

      2. Siva Mohan
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Mc

    20. davies
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Does this go straight to pens?

      1. Siva Mohan
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        no ET in CS

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

          As in no, there is extra time or there is no extra time?

          1. Siva Mohan
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            no extra time and direct penos..

            1. Herman Toothrot
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              May have been easier to answer 'yes'

      2. sunzip14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Straight to pens

      3. Robson-Canoe
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        it's straight to pens yes

    21. Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      So what we gonna do with TAA and who is 1st GK in Arsenal!?!?!?

    22. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Salah in decline confirmed?

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

        Salah in pre-season friendly confirms nothing.

      2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        You going to come up for air?

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

      Arsenal should swap the gun for the trenches, pillboxes and barbed wire in the crest.