Dugout Discussion

Aubameyang set for more central role as Lacazette and Nketiah are benched

The penultimate Premier League match of the day sees Leeds United play host to Arsenal at Elland Road.

Kick-off is at 16:30 GMT.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.7m) – who hasn’t found the back of the net from open play in over two months – will be aiming to add to his paltry 2020/21 goal tally against a Leeds side that had the joint-worst defensive record in the division heading into this weekend.

And Mikel Arteta’s team selection may give him an additional boost, with the Gabon international set to lead the line given that Alexandre Lacazette (£8.4m) and Eddie Nketiah (£5.6m) are both among the substitutes.

Arteta has hoodwinked us before with his teamsheets, of course, notably when deploying Willian (£7.7m) as a false nine against Manchester City, but his pre-match comments to Sky Sports suggest there is no such deception this time:

I mentioned that it is one of the options we have. We think we have a squad who score goals, a lot with Auba in his natural position on the left, so we will modify that depending on the opponent and the games.

Lacazette’s benching is one of four changes that the Arsenal boss has made from Gameweek 8.

Two of the alterations are enforced, with Thomas Partey (£5.0m) absent with a thigh injury and Mohamed Elneny (£4.4m) self-isolating after a positive coronavirus test.

Dani Ceballos (£4.9m), Nicolas Pepe (£7.6m), Joe Willock (£4.8m) and Granit Xhaka (£5.3m) are the players recalled, with Bukayo Saka (£5.3m) only a substitute after his exertions for England over the international break.

Marcelo Bielsa makes two changes to the Leeds starting line-up following their thrashing at Crystal Palace.

Brazilian Raphinha (£5.4m) makes his first Premier League start, with Helder Costa (£5.6m) omitted.

Kalvin Phillips (£4.9m) is back from a shoulder injury, meanwhile, with Pascal Struijk (£4.0m) the makeweight to accommodate his return.

Rodrigo (£5.7m) is available after his recent stint in self-isolation but is only among the substitutes.

Patrick Bamford (£6.1m) is by some distance the most-owned player in this fixture, sitting in more than one in three FPL squads.

That figure rises to 41.5% in the top 10k.

Bamford has actually blanked in his last three home fixtures although did rack up a 14-point haul at Elland Road in Gameweek 2.


Leeds United XI: Meslier, Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Dallas, Phillips, Klich, Alioski, Raphinha, Harrison, Bamford.

Arsenal XI: Leno, Bellerín, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney, Xhaka, Ceballos, Pepe, Willock, Willian, Aubameyang.

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1,131 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Do we see DCL as a season keeper?
    Finally got him at 7.8 on WC and was thinking of selling him after 3 weeks when fixtures turn but today's performance might make reconsider that plan...

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Don't let a Fulham game make your mind up.

      1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Haha true that, luckily still have time to evaluate, but looks like with RIch and Hamez he'll keep doing well

    2. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Similar here. Plan was to downgrade him to Antonio or Bamford when his fixtures turn to enable me to get Salah back in. Not so sure now.

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

      It was Fulham ... but yeah no real need to pull him

    4. keefy59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Welcome to the party (a bit late though)
      At his price & form a season keeper
      Makes for a good front 3 with Bamford plus Kane or Vardy

    5. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      One of Bamford or DCL for the season looks good

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

      Season keeper, absolutely. Even before Rodriguez, Allan, and Doucoure arrived, he was posting really impressive underlying xG numbers - elite level. As soon as those three players arrived and I saw his price, I marked him down as a season keeper in my plans. Nice to be right about something!

      Barring injury, he's going no where.

      1. keefy59
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Sensible comment I always thought that this would be his breakout season but it's got a lot to do with the creativity within our team

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

          Agreed, and even without the creativity, he was great for most of last season. Post lockdown his performances plummeted, but when you guys had something to play for he was posting awesome stats. Had him during his great run last season, and quickly off loaded post lockdown, so I have only good feelings for DCL.

          Higher xG/min than Ings, Jimenez and Kane last season!

    7. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Time will tell but for now he goes nowhere.

  2. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Dallas YC

  3. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Not sure if this is reliable or not

    @ArabsFpl
    20m
    Mohamed Salah's brother announces his brother's recovery from Corona virus via Instagram, the player will join Liverpool training this week!
    #FPL

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

      Really hope this is true

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Don’t post then?

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

      Great news for Salah keepers!!

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

        What about people that sold him for Bruno C and are bringing him back in all for free?

        1. Who are all Lukakus
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Hmmm I want to bring Salah back, but also want to keep Bruno. Looking at Son, Grealish, Zaha - I don't want to lose anyone neither.
          In fact it was not free, I use 2 FTs which would have been useful to improve elsewhere.

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

            Still free points wise and I don't know about you but I had nowhere else to use the transfers? I've got enough to bring Salah back without losing Bruno but like you want to keep Son Zaha and Grealish

            1. Who are all Lukakus
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              That is good for you. I reckon lots of folks appreciate 2 FTs during this period though, like me.

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

          You're down 2 free transfers compared

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

            But I wouldn't have used them elsewhere?

            Martinez
            Justin KWP Coufal
            Bruno Son Zaha Grealish
            Kane Vardy DCL

        3. mrtapio
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Wouldn't make a difference for those people

        4. Chucky
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          good then but there are plenty who will be taking hits to bring in Salah...

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

            Most seem to want City players

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

      good news

    5. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I dont think it works like that... recovery is 2 weeks including additional quarantining

      1. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Is it? Mane came back pretty quickly after his negative test from memory (may be wrong though)

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

        What additional quarantining? I'm not convinced the news is true, but if Salah were to test negative now, he can begin training on Tuesday. Thats the isolation period acounted for

      3. WVA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I'm not sure but I hear there are slightly different rules for professional athletes?

    6. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      This week?

      As in today? But they have a game

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

    Dallas YC
    nice he is last on bench 😉

  5. seewhyaxe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Not sure if this is accurate, does Leeds have the most number of whites in their starting 11 in EPL?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Lillywhites?

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

      i guess so just by the look of it

    3. Hattrick Harry
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nope, not Leeds but try Burnley

  6. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Dallas booked

  7. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    How crazy is Kane + Jimmy + Ziyech out for -8?

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

      Ziyech out? Don't do that

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Too much for me. Ziyech I think is not worth an extra -4.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Would be Salah or City mid in.

    3. seewhyaxe
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Why take Ziyech out when you just got him in for a hit?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        That's last GW, no impact on this one.

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

          From what I see, you're intending to do:
          Kane -> Vardy
          Ziyech -> KDB

          correct?

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Kane out would be Vardy most likely, the others could be many combos.

            1. RamaJama
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Would keep Ziyech, seems good despite blanding today. Most likely only doing Kane to Vardy myself

    4. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Is this a parody of someone?

    5. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Depends who you can bring in

    6. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      keep ziyech

    7. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Two -4s to bring Ziyech in and then transfer straight out?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        The Son plan has changed for now.

        1. Sun Jihai
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Yeah, fair. I had mentally lined up a Son move but he looks like a season keeper

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

      What on earth!?

    9. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers all, I'll try find a better -12.

    10. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I considered Saiss, Rashford, Brewster to Kilman, Soucek, Vardy, but most advised against. Guess we’re just dissapointed after another week where our players didn’t deliver and agree that -8 is maby too much. Possible to only downgrade Jimmy to fodder and get Salah or kdb?

    11. KAALI_DAAL
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      You don't take out players for hits when they are reliable points scorers. Referring to Kane and Hakim.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        4 & 3 not great. See lots of goals in the derby?

  8. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Dallas booking. At risked at being hooked off early?

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

      yes may be with cs ponit at 61

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

    Leeds going to concede 2 and still be the worst defence in the league?

  10. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Arsenal good fixtures from GW12. Let's see how Auba does between GW12 and GW19.

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

    If Bamford scores my rake will go down a lot
    But my main rival has Bellerin who is league leader

    do I want Bamford scores or Bellerin CS?

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Leeds to score, but not Bamford?

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

        wait.. why i did not think about that haha

    2. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Bellerin OG and Bamford RC

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

        spot on haha

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Haha what are you on? Leeds to score but not Bamford of course

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

        this

  12. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Early planning for next week, what would you do? 6.8ITB:

    A) Soucek to KdB/Sterling
    B) Brewster to Vardy
    C) Soucek & Rodriguez to Salah & Zaha (-4)

    C is assuming Salah is back ofc.

    Thanks

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

      B

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

      B

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers both

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

      Easy B for me

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks, can’t wait to watch Vardy later, will possibly cement this decision

    4. Carefree Crew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Personally I'm most fearful of not owning Vardy for the next few presently.

      Selling James when playing at home "could" backfire for a hit. Double digit hauls in 2 of 3 from memory.

      Not sure if team structure ie money in MF / FW comes into your planning & what the implications are in terms of future targets.

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

    Which move should I do:

    A) Kane ➡ Vardy?
    B) Hamez ➡ KDB?
    C) Son ➡ KDB?

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

      A

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

      None
      but if it is a must

      A

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

        sorry actually B looks ok

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B is the only one I'd consider

    4. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

    5. Carefree Crew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      See my post above on A & B

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

    How the hell has he not booked Philips for that?!?!

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

      yes potentially red wven

      1. Goodricke
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        He clearly slipped

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

          still looks dangerous

          1. Goodricke
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Red needs intent or recklessness, a slip has neither.

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

              ok 😉

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

          Slip or not YC

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

    Pepe hits the crossbar!

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

      5 mins ago though 😉

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

        😆

  16. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Can you say that these days?

    A chink in the wall.

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      "a narrow opening, typically one that admits light."

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Cavity wall. Clever hiding spot.

    3. teneighty
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Unless you are describing a chinese person inside a wall, I don't see why not.

  17. asdf_1
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Salah tested negative

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

      wow

    2. WWW.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Source?

    3. Boomerang V
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Does it means he plays against BHA if true?

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah

    4. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      The king is back!

    5. Carefree Crew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      When other players have had covid, did they come straight back into the team? If so is he likely to play full 90 minutes?

      Klopp talked about after a negative test the process starts, or something like that. A bit cryptic I thought. I'd wait to bring him back in until the picture is clearer. Assuming Klopp actually says what's happening in his next presser.

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

        If true, he does have a mid week champs league fixture to play 30mins or 60, and by the weekend he would likely be able to play 70-80mins. More than good enough really, if you want him that is

    6. Carefree Crew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I seem to recall something about having to have 2 negative tests before reintegrating, anyone know if this is correct?

      If so how far apart? 24 hours?

      I'd be surprised if he plays mid week. I'd expect a player post covid to return to light training not thrown straight back into a match within a few days of testing negative.
      100% speculation on my part, just suggesting he "may" not be returning to match fitness immediately.

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

    Lee better team so far

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

      Very even

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

    FPL Elite have Auba TC, let's see how elite they truly are!

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

      Makes sense v the worst defence in the league before gwk9 kicked off

    2. WWW.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Team link?

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

      Is this some person with a respectable rank history or just one of the many twitter frauds?

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        What's your best rank?

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

        Latter 😆

  20. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Raphinia very wasteful, get Costa on

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

    Podence, Kane to KDB (C), Richarlison for -4?

  22. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Absolutely gorgeous counter.

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      marble top?

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

        😆

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

    Arsenal to disappoint again today.

  24. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Have 2FTs and 3.1ITB - I could do Kane Reguilon to Vardy (c) Cancelo.
    Would you also add Hamez to Sterling for a hit?

    Martinez
    Robo/Kilman/Chilwell
    Bruno/Son/Hamez/Grealish
    Kane/DCL/Bamford

    Martin/Reguilon/Mitchell/Stephens

  25. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any chance Salah starts tonight for pool now that he has tested negative? He's in my starting 11 😀

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Depends on your 1st sub.

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        😛

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

      yes i heard now he is on his way to Amfield 😉

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      haha, would mean Lamptey stays 1st sub.

  26. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Salah mania!

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

      Does he start tonight?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Have some patience.

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Busted flush

  27. teneighty
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is Bellerin nailed?

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Probably, wouldn't surprise me if he had a nail piercing somewhere.

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

        Seems like the "Prince Albert" type, doesn't he?

  28. CheesyZoot
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Poor effort from Bamford

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

    Wow Bamford is so good
    may be I will buy him first before buying Vardy

  30. 1zverGGadeM
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Sterling>Salah is the easiest transfer ever for me

    1. Babit1967
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Doing it right away with Sterling home to Burnley and Fulham?