Dugout Discussion

Arsenal without three key players as Pogba returns to wide role for Man United

Arsenal are short of key personnel as they host Manchester United in Gameweek 21.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.3m) misses a second Premier League match in a row as he deals with an ongoing personal issue but the premium midfielder is not the only absentee.

Kieran Tierney (£5.4m) was to be assessed for the calf injury that kept him sidelined for the Southampton game ahead of Gameweek 21 and he misses out third time in Arsenal’s last four league matches.

That means a third successive start at left-back for Cédric Soares (£4.6m) while Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£4.6m) remains a substitute amid rumours of a departure during the January transfer window.

Bukayo Saka (£5.4m) might have been viewed as an alternative on the left-hand side of defence but he is the third big name missing from Arsenal’s latest team-sheet, left out with a sore hip.

With Saka and Aubameyang missing, Mikel Arteta turns to Nicolas Pépé (£7.6m) and Gabriel Martinelli (£4.9m) to staff the flanks of attacking midfield either side of Emile Smith Rowe (£4.5m), whose recovery from a muscle injury is even more welcome than usual in light of Arsenal’s latest injury news.

Thomas Partey (£4.9m) has also shrugged off his yellow flag for a knock and features in defensive midfield alongside Granit Xhaka (£5.2m).

Following the shock defeat to Sheffield United, Paul Pogba (£7.7m) returns to a wider role for Manchester United.

The Frenchman features on the left-hand side of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s front-three with Bruno Fernandes (£11.4m) in the middle and Marcus Rashford (£9.6m) on the right.

They sit behind Edinson Cavani (£7.9m) who earns a deserved recall up-front at the expense of Anthony Martial (£8.8m)

With Pogba higher up the pitch, Scott McTominay (£4.9m) and Fred (£5.3m) anchor the midfield while Luke Shaw (£4.8m) returns at left-back.

Arsenal v Manchester United line-ups

Arsenal XI: Leno; Cédric, Holding, D Luiz, Bellerín; Xhaka, Partey; Martinelli, Smith Rowe, Pépé; Lacazette.

Manchester United XI: De Gea; Shaw, Maguire, Lindelof, Wan-Bissaka; McTominay, Fred; Pogba, B Fernandes, Rashford; Cavani.

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970 Comments Post a Comment
  1. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    11 from 2 included captain.

    1. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      6 from 5 including captain.

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        1 from 5 including ©
        Beat that

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          0 from 4

        2. aleksaa2
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          -3 from cancelo, stones, dcl, gundogan, mitchell and kane

  2. Joey Tribbiani
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cancelo, Sterling, Kane and Mitchell, will be fielding 10 players max, wow

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Similar but stones instead of cancelo

  3. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    **** OFF PEP

    1. JohnnyRev7
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He's got 3pts in reality so doesn't care about fantasy. Harsh but fair.

    2. Tango74
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Why you blaming pep

      We all know about pep
      Roulette

  4. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So Mitchell and Stones miss out on guaranteed clean sheets. FPL is so cruel.

    1. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      And Cancelo

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

    Christ.... cup opponent with Sterling TC, Bruno VC. Also has Wilson.

  6. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sterling C, Salah VC

    How should I feel?
    Will get Soucek from the bench for Sterling.

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Rough that the 11m asset didn’t start, glad he didn't come on.

    2. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lucky?

  7. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Up the Arse!

    1. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Wrong site?

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yup
      Nothing like beating a raised Arse 😆

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        😮

    3. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Pics?

  8. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    No Saka gets me Wilson points and puts me top of my ML, so so jammy!

  9. Joey Tribbiani
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sterling cappers whos your VC?
    Son here

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Same

    2. HonestBlatter
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cancelo

      1. Joey Tribbiani
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        omfg

      2. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        oh my

    3. DannyDrinkVodka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Salah, I’m pumped

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

        I wouldn’t be after so many blanks

    4. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Salah

    5. fedolefan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Grealish

    6. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bruno

    7. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Son

    8. Arlo2103
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tielemans

  10. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Adams and Holding auto subs for Cancelo and Mitchel, who you got?

    1. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Holding on for Cancelo

  11. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    If you captained a 5m player, you deserve the blank. Needs to cost at least 9m

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

      Not true, like, even at all

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        He knows that, he’s fishing

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      What about a 5.6m player?

    3. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      imagine C defensive midfielder, casuals deserved punishment

    4. MattysFantasyFooty
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Worst take I’ve ever seen on here

    5. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Problem wasn't captaining them today, it was not captaining them earlier over trash like Salah.

    6. fusen
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You joke, but what 5m player has historically always come through and performed? The 9m+ players are that cost because they have previous proof of constantly performing.

      1. Do I Not Like Orange
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah, but the most expensive player in the game has blanked 5 or 6 in a row now, and one of the other top players couldn't even get a CS point at home to Sheffield Utd. The premiums are as much of a gamble as anyone at this point.

  12. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Whos playing fantasy five?

    What’s your team?

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cavani Wood Soucek Raphinha Dier

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Decent! Good luck.

        Pogba Pope Soucek Harrison Bale

    2. JohnnyRev7
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A random choice of players who won't exceed their targets. I don't really put much thought into it as the odds of winning are so low.

      Pogba Havertz Raphinha
      Soucek Bergwijn

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Bet your fun to live with! Jesus Christ!

        1. JohnnyRev7
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks. I always try to look on the bright side of life.

    3. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Pogba mee Harrison soucek son.
      It's a bit of fun, but failed at the 1st or second player each week so far!

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Lol. My first week. Good luck

  13. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Save us Bruno(vc)

  14. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Fernandes blank needed now. All those Sterling(c) and Cancelo(c) who have Bruno(vc) pushes Bruno EO over 100%.

    1. Pedram
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Go away

  15. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    This start to the GW is so frustrating.

  16. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    At least Dias put a smile on my face.

  17. Bounce
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    GW ruined! Anyone worse than 18 from 4???

    1. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      That's a monster score today..

      11 - 8 from 4 here 😀

    2. MrBoombastic
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You know full well that's an ok score...why bother

    3. MattysFantasyFooty
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ban

    4. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      12(-8) from 2 including captain

    5. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Probably a few worse than that lol

  18. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cup opponent has Wilson! Bitter sweet 🙂

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Mine does too

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        And Dias

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Sounds like a good player 😉

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Rank more than 1m

            1. RAFA THE GAFFA
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Is that good this season? Haha!

    2. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He is a great set and forget striker. Goal involvement galore.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yep, will be my next investment

  19. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hope this is 0-0. Holding in for Cancelo, rival has Bruno Vc for Sterling no show.

  20. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What is your template rating?

    Mine is 21!

    1. MattysFantasyFooty
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      72 probably explains why I barely move up or down in rank

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

      41

    3. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      74

  21. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Ended up bringing DCL in for a hit for Kane, but at least I still played Wilson. 😀

  22. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I truly hope everyone who bigged up Gundogan is happy. Real happy.

    1. Treadstone
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm happy with my 17 pts from 2 gameweeks for 5.5 and happy for him to continue as my fifth mid.

  23. onceuponatyne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cancelo cap with DCL as vice... Not been a good weekend.

  24. Pukkipartyy
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Did Gundo play CDM today?

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      CM box to box

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No.

      1. Pukkipartyy
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Good to know. Thanks!

  25. fusen
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    - Top 10 captains choices from multiple leagues -

    FFS League

    Top 10 Captain Picks

    3 Sterling
    2 Gündogan
    1 Fernandes
    1 Cancelo
    1 Foden
    1 Son
    1 Salah
    1 Digne

    FPL Black box

    Top 10 Captain Picks

    5 Salah
    2 Calvert-Lewin
    1 Gündogan
    1 Son
    1 Sterling

    Overall in the World

    Top 10 Captain Picks

    6 Salah
    2 Sterling
    1 Fernandes
    1 Gündogan

    Clearly Gundo was not the choice for people who want to cement their place. Always captain a (historical) heavy hitter never a wiser choice?

    1. Gross Blank Point
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Comes down to the echo chamber of this place, you see it regularly, certain picks gaining momentum and they just aren't getting the same attention in the wider game

  26. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Really need to start listening to myself more and not think emotionally. Decided to bring in gundogan this morning for a hit when I decided not to last night.

    1. Tango74
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You right you need to make own decisions ang not use social media.

      As when it fails you blame social media

    2. fusen
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Depending on what rank you are and what your main rivals (however you qualify that) did, it made complete sense to use Gundo as cover in case he kept his unrealistic scoring rate going.

      This game is about percentage chances of things happening. Gundo with his sudden massive ownership could have really hurt if you didn't get him.

    3. JohnnyRev7
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Best to do the hit(s) at night when drunk. If they fail you'll be able to justify it to yourself due to the alcohol.

    4. Indpush
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Should have listened to yourself last night and ignored yourself this morning.

  27. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Another bullet header please Harry 🙂

  28. A. PRISE
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I have

    Cancelo
    Stones
    Sterling
    Saka

    How can this be possible?!?

    1. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      too many players with S

  29. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cancelo (C) next gw locked in...

  30. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Brought in DCL (c) and Cancelo for a hit... Ugh