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. Dreaming of glory
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    McCarthy

    Taa - Egan - vinagre

    KDB - Messi (14m) - Greenwood - Pulisic - Soucek

    Werner - Mitrovic

    Steer, Johnson, Mitchel/Ferguson, Brewster

    Lionel Messi come on down!!!!

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

      Kinky

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

    Thoughts?

    McCarthy Nyland
    TAA Tierney Vinagre Justin Taylor*
    Salah Auba Rashford* JWP ASM
    Werner Mitrovic Davis*

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

      Not bad, looks a little weak up front, maybe downgrade rashford and get ings/jimi in and Salah>Brune GW2?

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

        Bruno*

        1. Camino Aleatorio
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I’m getting Bruno. I am concerned that 4 of 8 goals were pens.

          Martial is good diver, should help out

          Pogba not sold is bad. That kid is a walking cancer. Probably costed Bruno and Rash 3 goals and 4 assists with bad discipline

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

        Yeah, definitely sacrificing my forwards. I do want a MUN/MCI on my GW1 bench to avoid a transfer and think this could be Rashford's breakout year. Current plan is Tierney and Auba to KDB and Shaw GW3. Cheers!

    2. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Looks stout - do the dollars add up?

      Is Nyland going to play?

      Justin Taylor is not playing. He stunk. Foxes will spend to upgrade. Or they will be #16th place.

      ASM is a player.

      JWP but not Ings?

      Vinagre, he won’t do what Doherty or Jonny does but gets C/S

      I have Tierney, not sure 5.5 is not too expensive. He’s not on Pens or Free Kicks. He’s not a tank like Dunk or Tarkowski for headed goals. What is he? The Arsenal azpilicueta or Laporte?

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

    Martinez Nyland
    TAA VVD Vinagre Taylor Douglas
    Salah Auba Traore Saka Oriol
    Mitro Jimenez Werner

    Defense too weak? Mid too?

  4. Shoplifters United
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    A) Ziyech (assuming health), Mitrovic
    B) Saka, Ings

    I have Werner up front for Chelsea cover.

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

      I have A and have Werner too.

      1. Shoplifters United
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        A is where I’m at, too.

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

    Son+4.5 or Ziyech+Bamford (maybe squeeze to Mitro)

    1. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      B if you can get Mitro.