Dugout Discussion

Aguero starts for De Bruyne-less Man City as Sterling shakes off minor injury

Sergio Aguero makes his long-awaited return from injury this evening as Manchester City play host to Arsenal.

Kick-off at the Etihad is at 17:30 BST.

Aguero hasn’t kicked a ball in a competitive match since June but returns to spearhead the City attack in Saturday’s penultimate Premier League match.

The Argentine’s inclusion sees Raheem Sterling, who has shaken off a minor hamstring problem to start, move to a more familiar wide-midfield role.

Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez keep their places but Ferran Torres drops to the bench, with Bernardo Silva replacing the Spaniard.

The other three of Pep Guardiola’s four changes were enforced, with Kevin De Bruyne‘s unavailability having been confirmed on Friday.

Aymeric Laporte or Benjamin Mendy also miss out through injury, with Nathan Ake and Joao Cancelo stepping up to replace their teammates.

As for Arsenal, Mikel Arteta has made two changes from the side that defeated Sheffield United.

Mohamed Elneny and Eddie Nketiah drop to the bench, with Granit Xhaka and Nicolas Pepe returning to the visitors’ starting XI.

Rob Holding had originally been named in the team but picked up an injury in the warm-up and has been replaced by David Luiz.

New signing Thomas Partey is only among the substitutes, along with Alexandre Lacazette.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looks set to lead the line for the Gunners at the Etihad, then.

A red flag for De Bruyne saw the Belgian transferred out by almost 1.4 million Fantasy managers ahead of the Gameweek 5 deadline, making him the most-sold asset of this round of games.

Aubameyang takes second place in the table of Gameweek 5 sales, with over 610,000 FPL bosses losing faith in the Gabon international.

Not one City or Arsenal player was in the top 30 for transfers in.

It’s not often we can say that not a single member of Guardiola’s starting XI is owned by more than 10% of Fantasy managers but that is the case today, with De Bruyne ruled out.

Aguero is a veritable differential as he sits in just 1.4% of squads.


Manchester City XI: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Ake, Cancelo, Rodrigo, Mahrez, Foden, Bernardo, Sterling, Aguero.

Arsenal XI: Leno, Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney, Saka, Xhaka, Ceballos, Willian, Aubameyang, Pepe.

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849 Comments Post a Comment
  1. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Yess foden assist given!!

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Wut?

  2. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Didn’t pull the KDB > Sterling trigger, feeling sad now

  3. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Was spooked out of Sterling/Mane for KDB so went Hamez/Kane for a -4 with Mitro also getting the boot.

    Going to take double figures from Kane to make things any better.

  4. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Son’s gonna blank now too isnt he?

    Compound it

    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      He hauls and blanks alternatively, so yes

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

      Nah one goal for Son and one for Harry tomorow. Don't think it will be huge points but can't see them not scoring..... (famous last words)

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        With son BAPs I’d take it for Son at this rate

  5. Random Name
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    LENO PARRIES ANOTHER SHOT STRAIGHT BACK TO THE SHOOTER

  6. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Can there be a single game where the most highly owned players blank?...

    Yea, they are coming tomorrow when my players play

  7. The Chosen One...
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Sterling in 6.2% of teams. Lovely

  8. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    come on Mahrez - score it!!

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

      Pen?

  9. as33
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Pulisic>Mahrez?

    1. ididnt
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I would

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No. Pulisic will come good, Mahrez will have bench time.

  10. Neevesy
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Just waiting for the 'I was so close to gettig Sterling in' comments.....

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Can comfortably say I wasn’t fussed by him as KDB replacement - didn’t think City would manage much without Kev pulling the strings

      1. Tinkermania
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        The season they set the the points record, kdb hardly featured.

        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          They had Sane who is better than anyone on the pitch now

  11. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Lateriser with a late haul!!!

    Love it

    1. Babelcopter
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      He's not gonna shag u mate

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      What is his team I'd?

  12. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    If Foden ends with 5 (optimistic), I need 12 points from Son(c) to just break even with my moves this week.

    Chance?

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No chance Son is a troll

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Can’t remember if he’s ever done well for me - don’t think I’ve actually owned him a whole lot...

    2. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      70% chance of that happening

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I pray that it does haha

        1. Vazza
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I hope so too. Would you mind responding to my post please

  13. ididnt
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What is Auba actually doing in this match? Totally anonymous so far

    1. Captain Vantastic™
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Has been like that since he signed the contract

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Maybe he shouldn't be out wide

    2. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah, I thought Arsenal would look better then this

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        ? Arteta always parks the bus against the top six.

      2. ididnt
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Just play him through the middle Arteta!

    3. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      He and the left touchline will be engaged by the 68th minute.

  14. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Mahrez is so selfish

  15. ivantys
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Foden's finishing is crap, does he only know how to score tap ins?

  16. Longlatini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Foden is like dilva but crap

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Haha

  17. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Did Foden & Ings > Maupay & Son last week...

    As you can see, going great so far haha!

    1. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      They haven't played yet.

      1. Kodap
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I know... but let’s be honest, it’s written in the stars they’re gonna blank!

  18. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Which is better —

    A. KDB => Sterling (free)
    B. KDB, Wilson => Mane, Watkins (4 point hit)

    Thanks

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

    2. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

    3. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Was this not supposed to be posted by 11am today?

      1. Vazza
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I had already made some moves and didn’t fancy bringing sterling in a for a hit

  19. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Damn it Foden!!

  20. Hulk Smash
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Foden looks ripe for points now I've sold him. You're welcome.

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

      This

    2. Kodap
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Couldn’t agree more..

      1. Baron Penguin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yep, sold Foden and Werner so hauls inevitable

  21. Peter Ouch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Agüero is old.
    Not an fpl option anymore

    1. Gobigorgohome
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      this

    2. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      He's how old Vardy was last season

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Doesnt work that way. Vardy reached his peak later.

      2. Peter Ouch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        That's different.
        Vardy is playing professionally for less than 10 years and Aguero for 15.

        Football age is different.
        Rooney started playing football when he was 16 and by the age of 32 was a veteran

        1. Cok3y5murf
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Yeah, but you just called him too old after watching him for 40 minutes

          1. Peter Ouch
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            I didn't make this assumption now mate.
            I believe that already from last year.
            I just mentioned it now cause he is playing!

            1. Nightcrawler
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Just admit u were wrong and move on

    3. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Injuries made him useless

    4. Mambino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nah

    5. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Aguero’s first touch is better than 99% of the Premier League players.

  22. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Does Podence + James to Havertz + KWP make sense? Or any other combination?

    1. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah
      Both James and Podence aren't nailed

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Havertz + KWP good options or someone else? Dont have any Chelsea attack. Have DCL for Eeverton.

        1. Peter Ouch
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Not kwp, I prefer konsa

          1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Have Martinez in goal. Do not want to double up.

  23. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    No Laca and Auba still playing as LWB

    Willian CF WTF IS THAT ARTETA

  24. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    City playing like City again.

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Maybe pogba...i mean kdb was the issue??

  25. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Aguero looks past it. This is his last season in england isn't it?

  26. ivantys
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Saka kept missing chances, so overrated.

    1. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Ok mate

    2. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      He's 12 years old tbf

  27. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Get more involved foden dang it.

    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      He's had 2 one on ones with Leno...

      1. Hulk Smash
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Lol this

  28. ivantys
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Kun touching the female linesman lol

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      horny sod

    2. Mambino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Not too clever that was it

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

      Red Card that

      1. Hulk Smash
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Only if you honk the boobies

    4. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      She shoved it off too 😀

      1. Mambino
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Too right as well

    5. Crouching Tiger
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      How many BPS for that?

      1. Hulk Smash
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Just 1 bap. He didn't try for the second.

  29. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Ban incoming for Kun 😉

  30. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Nobody made the obvious joke yet. Post will get removed anyway

    1. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Aguero trying to get a bit of Kun?