Dugout Discussion

Saka starts for Arsenal as Aubameyang returns on the bench

Arsenal’s personnel crisis already appears to be easing following Mikel Arteta’s latest team-sheet.

Ahead of a trip to Wolves, Bukayo Saka (£5.4m) returns to the Gunners’ attacking-midfield trio following his Gameweek 21 absence.

The versatile budget option looks to be on the left-hand side of that though, with Nicolas Pépé (£7.6m) featuring on the right-hand side.

But Saka is not the only key returnee for Arsenal, who welcome Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.3m) back to the matchday squad on their bench.

The Gabonese international has been away dealing with personal issues recently but is finally available again.

If he is to feature at all tonight, it will be as a substitute, the same detail handed to Martin Ødegaard (£6.0m) and Gabriel Martinelli (£4.9m).

Wolves look to be in a back-three once again with yet another start for Max Kilman (£4.0m) alongside Conor Coady (£4.8m) and Willy Boly (£5.4m).

It is a 3-4-3 formation that features Pedro Neto (£5.8m) as a left wing-back allowing Nelson Semedo (£5.3m) to return to the right-hand side.

Willian José (£7.0m) earns his second successive Premier League start at the apex of Wolves’ front-three while Daniel Podence (£5.3m) and Adama Traoré (£6.0m) are set to provide the width.

Sam Allardyce hands a first start to his new forward Mbaye Diagne (£6.0m) alongside Callum Robinson (£5.4m) while Matheus Pereira (£5.6m) is on the flanks of midfield again.

And Sheffield United line-up exactly as expected with Billy Sharp (£5.5m) and David McGoldrick (£5.2m) chosen to lead the 3-5-2 line tonight.

Gameweek 22 Starting Line-ups

Sheffield Utd XI (3-5-2): Ramsdale; Ampadu, Egan, Basham; Bogle, Fleck, Norwood, Lundstram, Baldock; Sharp, McGoldrick.

West Bromwich Albion XI (4-4-1-1): Johnstone; C Townsend, Ajayi, Bartley, O’Shea; M Pereira, Snodgrass, Livermore, M Phillips; Diagne; C Robinson.

Wolves XI (3-4-3): Patrício; Kilman, Coady, Boly; Neto, Moutinho, Neves, Semedo; Podence, Willian, A Traoré.

Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Cedric, Holding, D Luiz, Bellerín; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Smith Rowe, Pépé; Lacazette.

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1,150 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Yome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Weird that Gabriel is not playing, Luiz is a liability

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

      He was flavour of the month

    2. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I don't know why Arteta insists on playing that stain

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

        Gabriel was immense before his injury but apparently there is something about him playing a number of games to avoid arsenal paying monies to his old club...

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

        He had a bad first game back and stubborn Arteta wants to prove something about Luiz. He should be heavily criticised for it, unless he can give a very good reason, imo

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

    What an awful use of VAR again. Pen yes. Red nope.

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

    Not watching the game.

    Saka looking good or bad?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Brilliant. Had a goal ruled out.

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

      Looking so good

    3. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Very good

    4. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Goal ruled out by VAR (Laca offiside) and a post in the 2nd minute.

  4. Make Arrows Green Again
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Never change, David Luiz. How do you even get in a professional last man situation when you're 1-0 up against a team who can't score?

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

      🙁

  5. mezza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Wonder who gets sacrificed at half time - Pepe you would think but could be Saka

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      ESR?

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

      pepe

    3. Party time
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Saka/ESR/ Partey

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

      Useless fecking Luiz.

    5. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      luiz is shite of course,but how in the hell has saka come away with nothing,jeez.

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

      That was harsh.No red card.

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

        Clean through, stopped goal being scored. . . guaranteed red card.

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

          100%

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

      Wait thats not even a pen lmfao

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

        Eh? Clipped him, took him out - penalty, red card. Clear as day.

        1. robredo10
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Not if double jeopardy was removed

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

            It was removed not banned. He didn't attempt to play the ball, red card

    8. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      This seems very unfair, Arsenal have been a much much better side, and got a double penalty from one situation.

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

        Football says hi

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

          Comedian

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

        Not unfair, utterly stupid by Luiz.

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

          He wasn't even making a challenge. Quite unlucky.

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

            What was he doing then . . .off to the pub?

          2. Utopsis
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Luiz knew EXACTLY what he was doing there

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

        Unfair on people like Partey, Saka, Pepe who are running this game and then that idiot ruins it. That’s what’s unfair imo.

    9. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Luiz being Luiz

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

      Perfect results just stay like this for another 45

    11. STEP rOVERS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No fist pump today!!!

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

        Only pump he will use is the one piping water to the showers

    12. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I thought they changed the rule so last man outside the box was a red but inside was only a yellow because they were to receive a penalty?

      Also, the Luiz hate is harsh, he doesn’t clip him intentionally the players foot hits his knee.

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

        The rule applies only if a player challenges for a ball while denying a goalscoring opportunity, then it's only a yellow. Shirt pulling, challenges from the back etc. are still reds.

        1. robredo10
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Ah, interesting. Thanks for clarifying!

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

            I oughta know this by now. Luiz managed to avoid getting only a yellow on three occasions after that rule was already in effect. A modern genius.

        2. Paqueta Rice
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah just heard the half time report, strange rule.

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

          Thank you sir

      2. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Because Luiz did not play the ball and clipped the player it’s a red. However, if he tried to play the ball and clipped the ball it would have been a yellow. What a stupid rule, wow.

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

        Ridiculous mate. Luiz should know he has to go forthe ball. Otherwise avoid the situation by defending. Sorry, but he's supposed to be earning a salary as a footballer

    13. Davros
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      That was awful from Luiz but not a red imo

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

        That was neccesery

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

          Why? The penalty was necessary but not the red- not intentional imo

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

            😆 He was late AF, he knew what he was doing

            1. Paqueta Rice
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              No he really was trying not to touch the player.

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

                Not a chance, he absolutely meant to touch him whilst making it look like he didn't meant to touch him

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

                Yawn

      2. Party time
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Never a red card

        • ivantys
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Clear red, last man, clear goal scoring opportunity lol.

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

            At least VAR hasn’t removed all the fun of disagreeing on forums

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

            Yup absolutely has to be red.

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

              Not sure why ppl are debating over this. It's a red even when outside the penalty box.

      3. Random Name
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        problem with Arsenal is that they don't have the player to give David Luiz the half time abuse he deserves

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

          I don’t really think he deserves abuse for that. I just can’t see how that’s a red tbh

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

            Tried learning the rules?

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

              Nah not really. It’s all become too confusing for me mate

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

                🙂 fair enough

          2. Random Name
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            It's his 3rd red for Arsenal and 6th pen conceded. Leads both categories in that time frame by a distance. Disgraceful player

      4. Ha.
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Such a liability

        Holding, time for a goal son

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

        Luiz is more frustrating because he actually looks decent most of the time

      6. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Good from Podence just held that pass long enough

      7. Free Hat
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Not much on the ball, but Jose Willian seems like a proper footballer.

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

          one to monitor

      8. OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Benched DDG for Johnstone last GW - DDG CS
        Benched Johnstone for DDG this GW - Obvious Johnstone CS

        1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I did the same with DDG and Areola last two game weeks mate!!! It sooooo annoying!!!!

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

            Really Really Annoying!!

        2. Ejaaz11
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          same here... hopefully sheffield united bust the clean sheet in the second half

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

            And What if Henderson starts ahead of DDG - I might need Johnstone CS in that case though 😀

      9. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        @JonathanShrager: I am told that Greenwood starts for #MUFC tonight

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

          Rashford chucked i reckon

          1. WE GO FOR IT
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Martial/Cavani I reckon

        2. @persecuted_by_mods
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Hopefully martial or rashford dropped. Being off form and not scoring is fine, the way they are playing is genuinely a disgrace, look like they've dragged in two fellas from the local park

            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Actually, those two fellas from the park would surely work harder

              • WE GO FOR IT
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Rashford still seems to offer something even when not playing well (most times). But Martial just doesn't seem bothered. Every time his position is under threat, he seems to slag off. Not a good sign. Happened with Ibram then Lukaku and now Cavani.

          • @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 1 month ago

              So it is a red card as per the rules

              Didn't attempt to play the ball

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

                No debate

                1. @persecuted_by_mods
                    3 years, 1 month ago

                    Tbf before it was clarified I would have thought no red because of double jeopardy but as they said that only applies if you try to play the ball, not if you clumsily run into someone and trip them

                2. Utopsis
                  • 4 Years
                  3 years, 1 month ago

                  Correct

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

                Hooooooold Johnstone...and one more save.

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

                Arsenal, the Chelsea retirement club, the Aston Villa talent factory, the Real Madrid midfielder comeback resort

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

                Johnstone owners rewarded for their patience

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

                  They deserved it for picking the keeper from the worst defence in the league.

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

                  Long way to go!

                3. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 6 Years
                  3 years, 1 month ago

                  Why wasn’t it the case when I had him mate?? Haha, 3 games I played him for(Palace, Newcastle were 2 of them) he scored 0,2,0!!!! Haha

                4. JustPark
                  • 8 Years
                  3 years, 1 month ago

                  Surely you meant Matt Philips.

              5. Deulofail
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Peter Walton spot on for the first time in his punditry career

              6. Whazza
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                It's not even a debate, clear red.

                1. Paqueta Rice
                  • 3 Years
                  3 years, 1 month ago

                  If Luiz had slid for the ball missed it and completely took the player out, it would only have been a yellow.

                  1. @persecuted_by_mods
                      3 years, 1 month ago

                      Yeah? But he didn't?

                      1. Paqueta Rice
                        • 3 Years
                        3 years, 1 month ago

                        I know, I was just clarifying the rule.

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

                    It's clearly a debate. See above and across international media right now

                    1. @persecuted_by_mods
                        3 years, 1 month ago

                        It's a debate, until you learn the rules. Then why continue arguing, it's literally been clarified now

                        So it's not an incorrect decisions, it's the rule itself people don't like

                    2. Party time
                        3 years, 1 month ago

                        Never a red card but because it is Luiz, the ref had no option

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

                      I know I’m biased as an arsenal fan, but I genuinely can’t comprehend hows that’s a red

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

                        Agreed and I am a LFC fan.

                      2. Random Name
                        • 8 Years
                        3 years, 1 month ago

                        David Luiz deserves to get sent off for giving away the 6th pen of his Arsenal career alone. fool

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

                        Letter of the law - no attempt to play the ball, professional foul, last man, red card (and double jeopardy).

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

                        It will only not be a red if there are defenders near the ball or the player. It's a red even when outside the box.

                    4. Davros
                      • 14 Years
                      3 years, 1 month ago

                      Almost a year ago today against Chelsea Luiz did the same thing (penalty and red card). However, this time it’s different as it was accidental
                      https://arsenal.news/2020/01/21/double-jeopardy-rule-explained-the-reason-david-luiz-was-sent-off-for-arsenal-against-chelsea/

                      1. @persecuted_by_mods
                          3 years, 1 month ago

                          Accidental doesn't matter, playing the ball or going for it matters

                        • Deulofail
                          • 8 Years
                          3 years, 1 month ago

                          He's supposed to be in charge of his own limbs. He put himself in that position intentionally, in theory

                        • Sid1891
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 6 Years
                          3 years, 1 month ago

                          Must have had a reminder in his cell