Dugout Discussion

Injury latest as Tierney misses Arsenal’s Blank Gameweek 18 fixture

Kieran Tierney (£5.4m) has left his Fantasy Premier League owners with Blank Gameweek 18 frustration as he missed out on Arsenal’s Thursday-night meeting with Crystal Palace.

Fresh from an 18-point haul against West Bromwich Albion, the left-back was the most-selected defender by managers playing their Free Hit for this midweek round of fixtures (53.7%).

However, Mikel Arteta has taken the decision to leave Tierney out of his Arsenal squad to face the Eagles as a precaution due to “muscle tightness”.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£4.6m) comes in to the replace the Scottish international on the left-side of defence, allowing Hector Bellerín (£5.1m) to hold onto his right-back berth.

Tierney is not the only Arsenal defender to miss out due to muscle issues, as Pablo Mari (£4.4m) has also been rested for the same reason.

That means starts at centre-back for David Luiz (£5.4m) and Rob Holding (£4.5m), the latter now featuring from the beginning in 11 of the last 12 Premier League matches. Meanwhile, Gabriel (£5.0m) makes a return from self-isolation on Arsenal’s bench.

The Gunners line up in much more predictable fashion higher up the pitch, with Emile Smith Rowe (£4.5m) handed a fourth-straight start at number 10.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.3m) and Bukayo Saka (£5.3m) flank the budget midfielder behind Alexandre Lacazette (£8.3m) who has four goals in his last three Premier League appearances.

Tyrick Mitchell (£3.9m) is one of the main Fantasy interests in Crystal Palace’s team, owned by 16.1% of managers worldwide.

And Free Hitters were also a big fan of the Eagles’ left-back, Tierney and João Cancelo (£5.8m) the only defenders selected by more managers using that chip for Blank Gameweek 18.

Wilfried Zaha (£7.4m) has blanked in five of the last six Gameweeks but remains in 19.9% of Fantasy teams.

Arsenal v Crystal Palace – Starting Line-ups

Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Maitland-Niles, Holding, D Luiz, Bellerín; Xhaka, Ceballos; Aubameyang, Smith Rowe, Saka; Lacazette.

Crystal Palace (4-4-2): Guaita; Mitchell, Kouyaté, Tomkins, Ward; Eze, McArthur, Milivojevic, Townsend; Benteke, Zaha.

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1,247 Comments Post a Comment
  1. St Pauli Walnuts
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How do fellas. 1.5 ITB and 1FT. I'm considering DCL to Antonio or possibly DCL to Vardy and TAA to Stones for -4. Any thoughts?

    Martinez
    TAA / Cancelo / Coufal
    KDB / Salah / Bruno / Grealish / Soucek
    Bamford / DCL

    Forster / Dallas / Brewster / Mitch

    1. WenzelK
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I like the Antonio call

      1. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Ta mate, that's the one I'm leaning towards. Bit of a punt with his fitness concerns but there's a lot of potential upside.

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

    Sharteta deserves to lose 10-0

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

      oh I didnt see that one before, its a name that keeps on giving

  3. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    1405 managers qualified in LMS.
    4565 total entries.

    Cheers to all who entered.

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Juhuuuu. Going for the win

  4. All The Aces
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    It's ok Tierney missing out co I have Mari on the bench.

    Oh hang on......

    FFS!

    1. Gazwaz80
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      haha, same
      mari 1st on bench, Mitchell 2nd

    2. All The Aces
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I got Brewster 2nd. Also got KDB (c) and Son so what with the penalty debacle and Son hitting the post I am less than impressed.

      Almost everyone in my mini leagues forgot about the blank GW. I should have left them well behind but only on 53 points currently. Could have been so much more. My nearest rival forgot but still had Keane!

  5. RedJive79
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Am I GTG? Thanks.

    Martinez
    Coufal / Diaz / Holding
    KDB (c) / Son / Salah / Bruno / Soucek
    Bamford / Kane

    Steer / Struijk / Brewster / Mitchell

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

    Come on Mitchell, just 80 minutes to go

  7. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Why is Mitchell starting over PVA?
    I think Mitchell owners are jammy af...

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

      PVA is garbage defender

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        When did that happen?

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

      Better defender and rumours PVA leaving

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mitchell can actually defend

    4. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Because he has been playing well?

    5. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mitchell better in defence and PvA contract is up at the end of the season

    6. WenzelK
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      PvA out of contract this summer? Mitchel the future?

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

        Yep

    7. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He is better. With PVA they conceded 7 goals in 1 game

  8. FPL Doctor
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    R James fit for both DGW games?

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

      Fit yes, likely to start both no.

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This

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

        I think he'll start both unless the injury flares up.

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

      His unexpected availability is making me consider trying to force a BB through as currently have him and Bamford on the bench - seems a good chance

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

    Not watching the game

    Why hasn’t smith Rowe hauled yet

    1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      1 is a haul for him

  10. sergioaguero67
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Ederson safe to pick for both games?
    Help

    1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes of course

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Of course

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yup but waste of a City spot. Could go cheaper with a def and match his CS points and have a higher ceiling

  11. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    IMO Bruno is highly likely to get booked against pool and miss the second game

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Didn't the warnings reset?

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

        After 19 games by team

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

      Certainly likely enough to avoid the armband but still playing him

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

      I agree but are you really gonna go without or worse, bench him?

  12. Bram
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Eze you tart

  13. Werner Bremen
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Dallas to City defender for a hit?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      For DGW19 and long term, definitely yes

    2. DARE TO BISCAN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm considering same. Have Stones. Would you pick Diaz, or Cancelo?

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

    Arsenal look awful. Think they’ll lose

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

      They always look awful. It's "Arteta style"

  15. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    With Mitchell coming on as a sub, the best senario is for an assist and CS, taken off at 62 minutes and Laca, Saka double assist,goal combo

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

    I would be in total shock if Mitchell doesn’t outscore my Tierney, Saka and Lacca.

  17. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Maitland Niles is drunk

  18. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Maitland Niles is the weak-link

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

      Looks p1ssed

  19. LǝgleSs e|even
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Cmon Laca! Counting on you my man!

  20. xHaTr
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start one in 19:

    A: Dier (Sheff Utd away)

    B: Dallas (Brighton home)

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

      Dallas

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

      B

    3. Kellz86
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dallas

    4. xHaTr
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers lads

  21. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Lacazette is my mega differential. He's gonna kick @$$

    1. Kellz86
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Auba, Saka, Laca on FH cuz why not lol

  22. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Arsenal missing tierney’s attacking runs

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He is rested

  23. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Aubameyang is on some spectacular bad form
    Cue up a duce

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He looks good this game

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

    Did i miss something in the transfer windows, ASN go ro Palace?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Who?

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

    Sell AMN to Wolves already ffs

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      ?

  26. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Auba looking good tonight

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

      Yeah I though visits to hairdressers were out with Covid rules?!?!?!

  27. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Auba looking dangerous

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

      When it suits him

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

      Fone da police.

  28. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mitchell ahead of PVA?

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

      PVA will relegate palace

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

    Tierney would have had an assist already by this stage.

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

    Arsenal need another Saka for the left side. Hopefully Martinelli will be given a chance ahead of Auba in the next game.