Dugout Discussion

Aubameyang and Lacazette start together as Arsenal travel to West Brom

Mikel Arteta has named both his main strikers in the starting XI as Arsenal travel to face West Bromwich Albion.

It is just the second time since Gameweek 13 that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.4m) and Alexandre Lacazette (£8.2m) have featured from the beginning together as the Gunners look to make it three wins on the bounce.

Bukayo Saka (£5.2m) has been a catalyst in Arteta’s recent mini-revival and he keeps his place in midfield, overcoming the knock he sustained last time out.

The defensive set-up has fluctuated between a back-four and back-three of late and it is the former of those two Arteta has settled with tonight.

The one constant among those chopping and changing of systems is Rob Holding (£4.5m), who starts for the 10th time in 11 Premier League matches.

At the third time of asking, Pablo Marí (£4.4m) joins the Englishman at centre-back with David Luiz (£5.4m) named on the bench.

West Bromwich Albion assets are predictably unpopular these days, not a single outfield player sitting in more than 1%. of Fantasy squads.

2.4% own Sam Johnstone (£4.5m), who has 66 saves this season, the second-highest at the time of writing.

But, as ever, the most fashionable Baggies player is non-playing goalkeeper David Button (£4.0m), owned by 4.4% worldwide.

West Bromwich Albion XI: Johnstone; Furlong, Ajayi, Ivanovic, O’Shea; Sawyers; Diangana, Gallagher, M Phillips, M Pereira; C Robinson.

Arsenal XI: Leno; Tierney, Mari, Holding, Bellerín; Saka, Xhaka, Ceballos; Aubameyang, Lacazette, Smith Rowe.

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1,321 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Meinhoff
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    This Smith Row kid is pretty good. Completely changed this Arsenal side in three games

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

      Amazing what getting rid of Willian, Luiz and Pepe (and perhaps Auba?) out of the team can do for you.

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Huddersfield fans really liked having him I hear. So happy to finally see him starting for Arsenal

  2. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    KDB or Sterling on FH?

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      kdb

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

      Both?

  3. Bounce
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I can't remember who it was but I think someone last season used an algorithm to calculate how many active managers there are.

    I think if a manager hadn't made any transfers for 5 consecutive weeks they were excluded and counted as a dead team.

    Does anyone know if this information is still available anywhere for this season?

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Checked pts in each tier and about 3 million "decentish" active I'd say.

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Livefpl.net

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

    Chances of both Dias and Stones being rested? Mitchell and Cresswell 1st and 2nd off the bench 🙂

    1. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      City just has a game postponed

      Slim to none I’d say

      1. Bleh
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I think you’re right.

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

    Any other arsenal fans about watching the game?? This is beautiful to watch. We’ve got our old arsenal back with the cheeky one twos. Smith Rowe and saka making a huge difference. Loving it

    1. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Steady.

    2. Bounce
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm an Arsenal fan but it's West Brom ffs.

    3. Dannyb
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Reign it in fella, it's West Brom

    4. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It's good to see what a little confidence can do.

      Arteta should have had the likes of Sama and Smith Rowe involved a lot sooner. The addition of some youth to the side has completely revitalised the team.

      Hopefully no way back into the side for the likes of Willian and Pepe unless they're willing to put in the work.

    5. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm with you. Beating shite teams with flair is what I live for

  6. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Johnstone makes his 3rd save. But sadly for us owners, this isn't going to be his night. Have to hope for a penalty save.

    1. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'll take 6 saves and a 3 pointer... at best

    2. dshv
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Penalty save will be like a magic thing

  7. djman102
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Starting to think a nonplaying keeper will outscore Johnstone in the DGW. Work your magic, Big Sam!

  8. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Why so many people cheering and have double Arsenal? You're in special leagues where you cant have good players or players from top sides or something?

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cheap as chips and playing WBA, you just missed an opportunity and now you're mad 🙂

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        lol im not mad, I dont want 1 let alone 2 Arsenal

    2. Ruth_NZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Maybe not everyone plans to use the FH next week?

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This

  9. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If i do taylor to holding now..

    And when hit the free hit button for gw19 would be in my team ?

  10. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Arsenal in form, free hitters in dreamland

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      And owners

  11. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Saka straight in my FH18 team - maybe even worthy of consideration beyond that, for those without Big 4 mids and Soucek

  12. Kingtekkerz
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What Happens if the game gets called of?

    1. Feanor
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Your FPL account gets deleted.

  13. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    All is salah to KDB worth it for GW18?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      See how he plays against Chelsea first

    2. Feanor
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’m doing it. Or Salah to Sterling.

      Then Bissouma to Saka as my 2nd FT.

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers both / as an alternative I could do salah & dunne to sterling & Cancelo/Dias for -4?

  14. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    This is snow joke for big Sam

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

    Guys what do you think about Antonio as a DGW19 option?

    1. dshv
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Maybe i will go for him

      And will be

      Vardy bamford antonio

  16. Booked4Dissent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I’m thinking of doing Salah to Rashford GW18, then reverse for GW19 losing 0.1m on Salah.
    Would then have 10 playing GW18 (own Bruno).
    Stupid move?

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      makes sense

      1. Booked4Dissent
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers. If I have 0m ITB does that mean I couldn’t buy Salah back though? Just realised...

        1. Whazza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Oh.. You have Son? I think him to Salah then, while Rash has the DGW. Not sure if that helps though if you have a lot of value in Son

          1. Booked4Dissent
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            I have Son but no value in him. Was swapping Salah to have another BGW player.

  17. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    This game isnt safe for players and staff. Abandon it now!

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah really worried about the ground staff getting frost bite

  18. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I know it’s WBA but... could Arsenal be back in business? Good fixtures coming up too.

    Maybe time to start considering their cheaper options like Saka, Holding etc

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      For sure, great enablers

    2. Parsnips
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’m 100% getting saka in my fh team

  19. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Surely holding nailed now and moving forward ?

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Holding his position?

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not sure. Mari and Gabriel are at least as good, although Holding is likely preferred on the right. But Luiz is liked for his leadership and passing change. I'd say Holding is first choice on the right, but 'nailed' is a step too far still.

    3. Bounce
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Holding is first choice CB with Gabriel (from an Arsenal fan)

  20. Tasty Jerk
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Put Saka and Holding in this week, well jammy.

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Eze too?

      1. Tasty Jerk
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Unfortunately not 🙁

  21. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Holding and Saka a week too early 🙁

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

    Tierney & Saka owner !!!!!!

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Gabriel and Saka here :/
      Also owned Bellerin until GW15

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

        I forgot how much you love Arsenal 😆 IWOBI!!

  23. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Cant believe city and pool couldnt beat wba. Theyre so bad

  24. dylano21
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who will is more nailed

    A)Shaw
    B) Bailly

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Shaw. Bailly might be nailed for now with Lindelof out injured.

    2. Booked4Dissent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Neither will keep starting position.

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

    What actually happens if it gets called off because of snow? (genuinely not sure)

    1. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Will be continued from the min it stopped at later.

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Match is rearranged

    3. Meinhoff
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      They continue playing tomorrow

  26. JBG
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Great work Chelsea, got this Arsenal team playing good again.. Great work Fat Frank.

  27. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So everyone can batter WBA apart from Liverpool...

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

      Liverpool used up their shooting boots vs Crystal Palace.

      They'll get their shooting boots back soon.

  28. ivantys
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Auba is looking like a 5.5

    1. Meinhoff
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Would rather have Saka at 5.2 tbh

  29. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Are points lost if game abandoned with subs coming in?

    1. Booked4Dissent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You get minus points

  30. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Cant believe people actually have arsenal players

    Maybe those looking at differential to climb up the ranks

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

      Bought Holding to replace Lamptey this weekend. Felt boring but necessary.

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It’s called good selective picking

    3. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Holding and Saka look like decent options for their price. If they didnt play for Arsenal and played for say, Palace or Wolves nobody would say anything about having them in your team.