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. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Why no injury update on Saka yesterday?

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

      Mind games why tell your opponents your best player is out..

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

      Key player, can’t just reveal that info.

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

      Saka away with a hip injury

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

      Hip pain, Arteta

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

    Another gameweek that constitutes me limping my way towards GW25 wildcard...

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Absolutely the same here. Soul destroying.

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

      Don't shoot me for asking a basic question but what's the reason for a gw25 WC?

      1. Mika-eel
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Possible double game week in 26.

  3. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So Dias is still a better pick than Cancelo... what’s new?

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

      Pierogi

      No sorry

      Pereira

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Hmm fancy some...

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

      Not when both start...

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

        Dias starting every week is out scoring him though, that’s the point

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

          Dias benched next game with Stones-Laporte starting.

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

            Dias is too good to bench. Especially away to Burnley who can give anyone a good go there.

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

              That tackle was goal saving one !
              He's awesome. Probably will win City the prem

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

          Not really, depends on your bench as well as long as he doesn't come on when he doesn't start. Also there is the ceiling and captaincy factor, I captained Cancelo and got 34 points last GW, don't think I'd ever captain Dias.

          Both are good assets in a good fixture run.

    3. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Captain Hindsight is here fellas

      1. Ibralicious
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        That’s a solid username for me to switch to

      2. The Ilfordian
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Watch for the Jesus transfers as he’s benched for Burnley

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

      Just get both

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

    I'm far more upset at missing out on Mitchell & Cancelo CS than captaining Gundo. Considering my next preferences were DCL and Cancelo, it almost feels like a win.

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

      Same

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

    Oh yes, just to cap off a good day my Cup opponent has Wilson!! 🙁

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

      How have they navigated the rounds so far?

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

        Beaten some players heavily including someone in top 100k by 40 points!

        Mane C, Pogba, Ziyech, Bruno, Antonio & more to go.

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

    Come on Rob Holding. Let's get a 15 pointer.

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

      This!

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

      Holding vs ManUts.I feel for you.

  7. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I have Robbo TAA Salah Cresswell Coufal Soucek.

    1-1 Fornals Firmino incoming.

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

    Expecting Harry to start and score a hattrick tomorrow how this gw is going.

  9. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    someone who has gone totally under the radar and performed wonders is perreira for west brom.

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

      He has, was considering for the easy games. On pens as well. Too late now...

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

      Eyeing him up as a BB enabler

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

      Brought him in this week. Guys a beast.
      Yeah I'm bragging. I'm in 1.6m position so one of the only good decisions I've made all year so let me have this one...

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        well done 🙂

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

        well done mate

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

      I started the season with him, was terrible

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

      Interestingly, one of my rivals on a -20 just brought him in this week. I suppose it mitigates half of the hits.

    6. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      It's because he scored 1 goal in the entire first half of the season

  10. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Arteta saying Saka out with injury

  11. SHOOTER MCGINN
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Maguire off the bench and now against Bruno captain in the cup. 0-0 please

  12. grooveymatt65
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    anyone here like me with with Sterling C, Son VC and Smith Rowe coming off the bench?

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

      Yep, except Soucek off the bench.

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

      Sterling(c) Son (vc)

      Wilson coming off the bench

      1. grooveymatt65
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        so i sold wilson for DCL 🙁

    3. DickFranDyke
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yup,same. Along with Coucal and AWB.

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

    be careful what you wish for, it just might come true 🙂 After Newcastle game, i wished no show from one of my players to get Wilson points, now i got 4, Sterling C, Cancelo VC, Stones, Saka

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Well at least you get Wilson

    2. DGW Sane TC Fail....
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      unlucky 🙁

  14. MoSalad
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Took out Rashford & ESR this week guaranteed points for them then.

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

      Always the way

  15. Ozzy smith
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Should probably play Soucek over Foden next week? Foden benching inbound?

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

      Think he will be benched probably along with others who played the 90. Never know with Pep though.

      1. Ozzy smith
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Tough to predict. All depends on if he wants to play an out-and-out striker against Burnley. I think if Jesus starts, Mahrez + Sterling start. Will try to see if any pattern has emerged in regard to type of opposition and Jesus / no Jesus.

  16. el polako
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So the exciting KDB-Kun hybrid didn't had a single shot in todays game.

  17. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Should have captained Son.

  18. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    6 points from Cancelo Stones and Gundo(C), KWP and Coufal are my defenders on the bench so won't even make 11 players this week, another huge red arrow incoming and absolutely nothing I could have done about it

    1. Sloane426
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lol

  19. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A very late 'professional' watch in case anyone is interested:

    Fabio Borges: -4 hit, Soucek + Coufal to Cancelo + Gundogan, Salah (c)
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/440328/event/21

    Magnus Carlsen: Bamford to DCL, Sterling (c), DCL (vc)
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/76862/event/21

    Ville Ronka: Taylor to Cancelo, Sterling (c), Salah (vc)
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/617620/event/21

    Jay Egersdorff: -8 hit, Taylor + ESR + Kane to Cancelo + Son + DCL, Gundogan (c)
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/259780/event/21

    Mark Sutherns: Rodrigo to DCL, Gundogan (c)
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/194/event/21

    Lateriser: -4 hit (-28 in hits over last 7 GWs), Rashford + Bamford to HBarnes + DCL, HBarnes (c)
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/55085/event/21

    Jan Sienkiewicz: -4 hit, Foden + Kane to Watkins + Sterling, Bruno (c)
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/3904/event/21

    Darren Wiles: Dallas to TAA, Salah (c)
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/1331101/event/20

    Ola Hovde (OR #1 for last 11 GWs): save FT, Salah (c)
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/4865323/event/20

    Salah going to go big then it looks like!

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

      Experts pros my @rrse.....

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

      Fudgy?

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

      A lot of Salah C’s intersting, I went Barnes this week fingers crossed.

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

      Ouch for Lateriser.

    5. Harper (No more Penandes)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Weird that Jan Sienkiewicz would take a hit to get Sterling then not captain him.

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

        The weird thing is he wrote up Sterling as his choice in the captain sensible article and didn't even mention Bruno.

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

        He said on twitter that he thought he had, had some screenshots where he was, but when it updated it was on Bruno....

    6. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Interesting. Made the Gundo trap as well. Oh well Captaincy this week was very difficult

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

      Petition to add Fudgy to pro watch

  20. tafrère
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I hate it when your gameweek is bad not because your players peform badly but just because they didn't play.

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

      Indeed two clean sheets lost.

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      no luck from the bench?

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

        Coufal and Cresswell in for Cancelo and Stones. No cover for Saka.

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

          Similar to me AWB, BamBam & Coufal in for Cancelo, Stones & Sterling

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

            At least you have hopes with AWB and Bamford.

  21. MoSalad
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Donkey Wan Bissaka off the bench, he’s due a goal!!

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

      For Arsenal.

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

        Probably!

  22. DMP
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bruno Fernandes (VC) Dallas and ESR for the rescue as part of the City fail with Sterling(C) and Stones on the bench.

    1. DMP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      On paper, not so bad as it appeared earlier.

  23. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone else at the point of not caring about FPL? So you end up taking more risks than usual because you don't care? But then you get annoyed because those risks don't work out?

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

      I’m in a monthly league so ignoring my overall position from now on and gonna try maximize a month where I start well

      1. Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Not a bad plan

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

      Seems you care.

      1. Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Therein lies the paradox

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

      It has for sure become a chore this year when previously it had been fun

      1. Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        It's my least favourite season after 10 years of playing

  24. Podge
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    After 2 disastrous transfers last week (Trent and raphina out) I was going to do rashford to Gundogan today but slept past the deadline.
    Surely a rashford hat trick incoming 🙂

  25. tafrère
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Wilson is the one who's gonna save my gameweek lol. So strange.

  26. JJO
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    All those lucky fakers with VC hauls i can feel it

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

      Salah 20 pointer coming

  27. Mpakalis
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What is this..
    Sterling (C) benched
    Mitchell benched
    Saiss out
    Saka out
    Cancelo benched..

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

      Unlucky is what that is

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

      How is the bench?

  28. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    3 clean sheets lost from benchings and a captain fail. Great start to the week...

  29. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Dear FPL gods,

    Whatever it is I have done to clearly mightily pee you off, I am genuinely sorry.

    I know not what I have done to so offend thee, but it is clear that whatever it is has angered thee greatly for thou hast smote my team weekly with your wrath and vengeance.

    If you could see your way to some sort of forgiveness for my pennance I would be eternally grateful.

    I’m not even asking for a great captain haul, such as you gave me in GW11 with KdB, but anything small, an assist, goal, or bonus point at this stage would be gratefully accepted. Just some form of a return, please, so I can remember what it’s like to get more than 3 points from my captain choice.

    Much obliged.

    Nomar.

    1. The VAR Team
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      We will consider giving him a penalty

    2. Lord.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You forgot to say Amen

  30. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Gundogan (c)

    Terrible outcome but still the correct decision.

    You might get lucky captaining someone else this week but if you captained Gundogan you can be content that you made a good choice.

    Make good choices all season you’ll get a good rank

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

      this

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      See above.

      I take no consolation from a tenth captain blank in a row.