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

    Firmly within the jaws of the laca trap

  2. jesus jesus
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Looks like Vardy might drop tonight - nobody get him in please till after 2am !!

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

      Just brought him sorry

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

      Fantastic, bringing him in on FH.

  3. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Better from arsenal. Laca close to getting on the end of a couple of auba crosses

  4. That Was Easy!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Can we please get RMT tool updated for the fixture changes?

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

    Anyone playing the triple captain chip for double gw19? If so on who?

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

      Considering it on KDB or Salah, as this week's events have shot BB plans to sh1te.

    2. jesus jesus
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Salah would be my gamble but still playing around with bb

      1. jesus jesus
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Don't know if ill get a better chance to bb

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

      My gut is saying to put in on Salah.

  6. RonnayBarkay
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Beginning to think playing the FinalHit chip this GW18 was a waste....considering others in my ML are only 10 pts behind having not played their FH chip and therefore with less players!

    1. RonnayBarkay
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      *FreeHit....lolz

    2. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Depends how far behind you'd be without.

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

      Feel you, mate. Mine only gained me 22pts, which is not great.

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

      With your grav and the FinalHit, I felt like I was reading a fascist manafesto from an alternative world in a fantasy/sci-fi children's series. Might just be me though...

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

        :nervous clinched teeth emoji:

  7. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    As I picked Saka and Laca, I don't even want to watch it.

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

      Luckily with little EO tonight, not much to lose out on at least.

  8. BremerHB
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which would you prioritise for DGW?

    A) KDB
    B) Dias/Stones/Cancelo

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

      Depends who you'd be selling

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

        A) Son & DCL to de Bruyne & Brewster (-4)
        B) KWP to Stones.

  9. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    feels like a game where Laca just needs half a chance to score.

    1. Here's Tom with the We…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I honestly haven’t seen him touch it yet

    2. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Smith-Rowe will be coming off for Willian/Pépé very soon

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

    -12 for BB with Areola/Johnstone, Bamford, Dallas, Holding on bench

    A) Take -12 and BB
    B) Save BB

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B if you have wildcard

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

        Yeah have it still

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      Who is the -12 on?

      Guessing not dallas bam or holding

  11. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    That Benteke pass!!

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

    1 laca goal would be massive do something

  13. Here's Tom with the We…
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    That pass from Tekkers lol

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

    It suddenly dawns on everyone that they have a triple up of relegation candidates

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

    Laca net

  16. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    1 Laca goal to get me above 60 please and thank you

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

    Getting closer and closer to nailing my DGWFHT

    Fabianski
    Dias - Stones - Coufal
    Salah - KDB - Bruno - Soucek
    Vardy - Werner - Watkins

    Thoughts? 🙂

    1. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Don't mind the inclusion of Werner. How about Pulisic? Feels he's more nailed, but could be wrong there. All looks great, though!

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

      Werner... I honestly hope he repays you for picking him

    3. jammie26
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not keen on werner or watkins

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

        Have a feeling about Werner

        Watkins in there as there’s no one else in that price bracket that I can get

    4. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Fairly template for those without the FH is all I’d say. Maybe Werner is main differential. Not sure you’re gaining that much ground but it’s a nice team, would want Cancelo in there

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

        Vardy, Werner and double West Ham defense are the template busters

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

        That's true basically every week tbf, defense is the main differential week to week at the moment.

  18. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mitchell getting treatment

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

      Get him off ASAP, PVA is nice and rested

    2. Here's Tom with the We…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Had a stitch laughing at that Benteke pass

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

    5 more minutes Mitchell

  20. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mitchell come in on for Tierney for me.

    Hang in there 5 more min then get out lad

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

      Already lost Tierney tonight, so Mitchell off before 60 mins would be the final insult. Only played 9 this week anyway but I am reasonably happy with 41 points. Seen many FH teams with worse scores. Really need laca blank.

  21. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What are people doing with C.Taylor? Unlikely to play both games?

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

    Will Mitchell lose his cleanie if Arsenal scores while he is on treatment off the field?

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

      Yes

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

    just make it to 60 Mitchell

  24. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Laca is the trap I swore never to fall for ever again. Glad I avoided. The other one is KDB captain, fell for this for the last time this Gameweek.

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

      Selling him for a hit.

  25. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    so glad none of these arsenal players will be in my team after today

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

      Amen

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

    AMN needs tugging

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Excuse me

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

      oo-err

  27. ABCDEFC
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How many of these are worth a -4 for BB? Effectively only -2 per move has they play an extra game. Would have to do Kane to Antonio to fund these moves.
    A) McCarthy to Martinez
    B) Balbuena to Stones
    C) Son to KDB
    D) Adams to Watkins

    1. Heisenberg W. W.
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I already own kdb and I'm considering Antonio, Martinez and Watkins for -8

  28. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kane + Son + Robbo + Adams > Vardy + KDB + Dias/Cancelo + Antonio too much for a -12?

    1. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Insanity...don't do it

      1. Danstoke82
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers mate. What moves would you do? I’ve already done Adams > Antonio 1FT. Anything else? Can’t afford KDB unless I downgrade Kane or Robertson

        1. Balls of Steel
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          What's your full team line up?

          1. Danstoke82
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Currently:

            Martinez
            Robertson Coufal Stones
            Salah Maddison Soucek Bruno
            Kane Bamford Antonio

            Subs; Steer Son Dier Mitchell

            0FT as already done Adams > Antonio

            £0.1ITB.

            Could downgrade Robbo to a 5.3 DEF and do Son > KDB but not sure losing Robbo is a good move and is there any decent 5.3 Defenders?

            1. Balls of Steel
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Team looks fairly good for gw19, unless you are really set on bringing in extra double gameweek players with two fixtures like KDB, but then again there is always chance of rest rotation especially with Pep.

              1. Danstoke82
                • 9 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Cheers. I’m concerned about not owning for the DGW but cannot justify a -12 although I’d possibly TC KDB if I brought him in

                1. Balls of Steel
                  • 8 Years
                  3 years, 2 months ago

                  I think the other thing to bear in mind is that aspire have a decent single fixture and José will want a big reaction from them after the performance against Fulham, whether Spurs can deliver is another thing!

                  1. Balls of Steel
                    • 8 Years
                    3 years, 2 months ago

                    *Spurs

  29. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mitchell off

    Saka assist for a Laca goal!

    Now that would just be living!

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

      We all need to get out more.

  30. Balls of Steel
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone else feel the longer this goes in without Arsenal scoring Palace will nick a late winner!?