Dugout Discussion

Ryan starts in goal for Arsenal as Aubameyang remains on bench

On-loan Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan (£4.2m) makes his Arsenal debut in Gameweek 23.

A hip problem ruled the stopper out for Gameweek 22 but Ryan returned to full training on Friday.

Bernd Leno (£5.0m) is serving a one-match suspension after being sent off as Arsenal lost 2-1 at Wolves on Tuesday. David Luiz (£5.4m) is in the same boat after his red card at Molineux.

Having only returned to the Arsenal matchday squad in GW22 following a personal issue, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.3m) remains on the bench as Pepe (£7.6m) starts again. On that selection call, Mikel Arteta said:

It’s been a really difficult decision, as you can imagine. I felt that the players that played against Wolves, the way they played – they deserve another chance today and that’s why I stick with them.

Pepe joins Bukayo Saka (£5.4m), Emile Smith Rowe (£4.4m), and Alexandre Lacazette (£8.4m) in Arteta’s four-pronged attack.

With Kieran Tierney (£5.3m) still sidelined, Cedric (£4.6m) continues at left-back while Gabriel (£5.0m) slots in for David Luiz. On the Scottish full-back, Arteta said on Friday:

“We are trying to manage him in the best possible way and find every possibility to give him the best chance to be fit as soon as possible. Kieran is a player that really pushes himself and he has to be able to perform physically at his best because he cannot help himself. Even in training he can’t help himself.”

Asked whether the left-back’s injury has to be managed carefully:

“No, it’s a different injury in this case.”

For Aston Villa, Douglas Luiz (£4.9m) drops to the bench as Marvelous Nakamba (£4.3m) is drafted into midfield.

Bertrand Traoré (£5.9m) also returns to Dean Smith’s starting XI, after Anwar El Ghazi (£5.5m) earned a rare start on Wednesday as the Villans were turned over by West Ham.

Speaking to BT Sport ahead of kick off, Smith explained:

Just freshening it up. I rested Betrand on Wednesday. It’s been a lot of games; I think it’s our sixth game in 18 days.

Likewise with Douglas Luiz. He’s done OK but he’s played pretty much every minute so it was time to put Nakamba in.

Emi Martinez (£5.2m) banked four points in that midweek defeat, despite conceding three goals. He lines up behind the usual back four of Matt Targett (£4.8m), Tyrone Mings (£5.4m), Ezri Konsa (£4.6m) and Matty Cash (£5.0m).

Traoré rejoins Ross Barkley (£5.9m) and Jack Grealish (£7.8m) in attacking midfield, with Ollie Watkins (£6.3m) leading the Villa line.

On that West Ham loss, Smith said in his pre-Arsenal press conference on Friday:

The message was they’ve dropped below their standards. We’ve had some very high standards this season already and we keep speaking to the players, if we want to be a top team then we have to keep playing to those standards.

For me, there were too many six out of 10s on Wednesday night and if you drop to that level then you’re going to get beat. We found that out. The lads understand that as well and they know what they have to do to put it right.

On defensive mistakes against the Hammers, Smith added:

After the Burnley game, I only showed (the players) the set-piece goal, which I thought was really poor defending from ourselves. After the West Ham game, our debrief was all three goals, as they were really poor defensively.

I haven’t had cause to do that because we’ve set really high standards this season and I thought we dropped off it. It was the first time I thought we looked mentally tired more than anything, certainly there’s nothing in the numbers to suggest fatigue in any way, but it was the fifth game in 14 days, we’ve got our sixth game on Saturday in 18 days.

The lads have to make sure they’re ready for each game because it’s a tough league and can be punishing if you’re not right.

Aston Villa XI (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Targett, Mings, Konsa, Cash; McGinn, Luiz; Grealish, Barkley, B Traoré; Watkins.

Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Ryan; Cedric, Gabriel, Holding, Bellerin; Xhaka, Partey; Pepe, Smith Rowe, Saka; Lacazette.

1,118 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Kellz86
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Ditching Martinez after a string of poor performances was definitely one of my big mistakes this season

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

      Villa will be lucky to keep a cs in this game.

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

      We've all made worse!

    3. SM001
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If that's your biggest mistake this season then you must be doing well.

    4. Londongeezaa
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Benching Soucek, chasing Salah hauls and some rank destroying captaincy choices for me.

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

    Serial offender Grealish lucky to escape a yellow card.

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

      If he didn't get a YC against City, he won't get another one in his whole career

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

    If that challenge was made on Grealish by some no name player they might have been yellow carded.

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

      Agreed

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

    Pépé usless headless chicken

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

    Hopefully Arteta takes off Pepe for Auba at HT.

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

      Arteta should play his WC at HT...

  6. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Arsenal are so bad

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

      Losing 1-0 away to villa, it’s not that bad (spurs fan)

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

    Is there no punishment for ignoring the 10 yard spray foam?

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

      Should be made to wear a foam beard for the rest of the game....

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

        And pump silly string down their y fronts

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

          And play in clown shoes.....

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

            And they have to scream like a goat every 20 seconds

  8. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Should not have benched Martinez

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

      I benched him too. Played Pope. Still think it's the right decision.

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

      45 to go

    3. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      LOL see below

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

        Bringing in pope and benching martinez was a sensible thing to do....can't beat yourself up on that...

  9. Jersey Boy
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    As a season-long non-Martínez owner, I’ll take a 6-pointer right now. No doubt he’ll somehow get 2 or 3 bonus though. Serious rank killer

  10. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Played Martinez since gw3. Got Pope this morning for the double, and then decided Pope has a better fixture this week. FML

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

      Sold watkins for Antonio and benched martinez for pope.

      Could still work out but I'm worried right now.

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

      Lol did the same again?

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

        Sorry myself not again!

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

    Grealish is built like a rugby player. Yet he can’t withstand any sort of touch from opposition players.

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

      From the waist down

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

      He doesn't look anything like Les Boyd!

      1. Danno - Emre Canada
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Or Bill Beaumont

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

    Benched Martinez for Forster.

  13. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Grealish being warned by the ref

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

      On 3 fouls and dives constantly.

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

        Should be booked for consistent diving.

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

          Are refs afraid to book England internationals or something?

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

            Correct.

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

    Grealish still no YC. What a surprise.....

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

      Think it has reset now

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

      He hasn't done anything to warrant one

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

        Dissent and 2 bookable fouls.

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

    Awful from saka

  16. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Why does grealish get auch favourable treatment from refs?

    Shd have been booked un each if his last 5 games

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

      Like it or not, there is still a certain level of favouritism towards English players by the refs.

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

        Grealish is english?

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

          Yes but the trash type of it

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

            He's ba very good player

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

        Actually you can’t like it and it’s racist.

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

          LoL

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

      He's © !
      Thus refs talks to him

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

    FPL rule no.1 : Always play Martinez

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

      🙁
      I forgot it

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

      FPL rule no.2 : Never eat yellow snow

    3. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      But not next week

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

        Considering bench boost

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

      They had a clean sheet at half time against West Ham also you know...

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

      45 minutes still to come.

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

      Rule 3 :Never pick captain poll winners

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

    Saka subbed of at half time?

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

      Maby after that performance, both Auba and Øde waiting on the bench

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Not unless injured

      • Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Zero chance.Played really well

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

          Did we watch the same game? aweful performance

    3. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Arsenal are rubbish. Watkins an obvious selection this week for the better managers

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

        Bringing in Alonso now was a casual move. He’ll be rested for Chilwell

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          So he plays next week? With a strong bench it’s irrelevant peanut

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

        Shitkins up front for the Knights.

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

          might have to be sir shitkins

    4. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Mee captain? Son and Bamford on the bench or someone else?

      Martinez
      Cancelo Stones Mee Coufal
      Salah Bruno Son Gundo Soucek
      Antonio DCL

      Steere Son Bamford Holding

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

      How was that Konsa tackle not honestly a red card ffs, last mannn

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

        Obvious red. This is madness.

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

          Yeah, if that’s Luiz it’s a red. Getting boring and frustrating, yes we’re crap but that’s a red card 100%

      2. Lev Yashin
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Nah.

        They were level, Saka still had a long way to go and AVL had cover on the inside.

        1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          If that’s David Luiz or Granit Xhaka, they’re getting sent off

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

            This is the truth. How does Arsenal have 5 reds despite being one of the less aggressive teams in the league.

            1. mwa1t
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Because you have David Luiz, who is a donkey, and Granit Xhaka who is an aggressive tackler

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

          There was cover because the foul allowed the other defender to come closer, but nowhere near level and Saka was getting towards the goal first. Denial of goalscoring opportunity, res card.

          1. Lev Yashin
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Nope, sorry.

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

      Went Wilson with instead of Watkins. Hoping for a Wilson hattrick

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

        I'm having scrambled eggs and toast tomorrow. With a black coffee.

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

          I'm jealous.

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

            I'm going to read the paper too.

    7. LewanGOALski
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Pope (C) next GW..? 😉

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

        Yeah I'm probably doing it!

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

      FAO Martinez benchers. There are 45 minutes left. Even if he keeps a CS, your GK you did pick is still yet to play. Villa defensive numbers have dropped off. Have faith in your decision making process.

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Desperation

        1. Baron Penguin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          OK, I’ll bite. Just trying to make people feel better And spread some cheer rather than be an enormous troll.

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

          Yawn.

      2. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        It was a common sense decision to bring in pope this week. Better fixture and dgw etc.

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

          I think Mee was a better option if you owned Martinez

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

        Kept a CS last game vs. Arsenal though

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

        Agree. You have to trust the data led decision making process. Arsenal have strong attacking stats and Villa's defence has been regressing.

    9. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Need that Villa CS wiped out, have Targett on the bench

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

        Auba will come on and score

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

        So what he's on the bench??? I don't get it. Better to have a 6 pointer on the bench than a 1 pointer right?

    10. LT10
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Would you bench boost this?

      McCarthy (WOLVES)
      Coufal (SHU)
      Robbo (leic)
      Anguissa (eve; bur)

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

        I would

    11. afcblegend
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      It doesn't matter if Martinez starts taking penalties - I'm NOT getting him in

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

      GW24 Bench Boost anyone?

      - Defensive fixtures are amazing
      - Due to KDB/ Kane being out we uniquely have lots of spare money to get a good bench without damaging starting 11
      - I can get a bench of double Burnley, Rodriguez & Bamford for a -4
      - Makes it much easier to then navigate 26 and 29 (plus wildcard) without worrying about spreading the cash round for bench boost. Getting a team you want to bench boost 26 but can also field a team in 29 is hard

      Thoughts?

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

        Considering it. Martinez, Bamford, Dallas and Coufal doesn't look to inspiring though.

      2. LT10
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I'm certainly considering it.
        But... will we know the GW 26/29 doubles/blanks before the GW 24 deadline?

      3. Chandler Bing
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Not if you have your WC. Upside of having 15 DGW players outweighs any point you'll bring in favour of BB24

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

          Your bench is only 4 players - so if they are DGWers in 24 or 26 why does it matter?

          The fact I have my WC is the reason I want to get it used pre 26

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

        Team dependent

        2nd point makes BB26 more viable

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

          Kane will be back for 26

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

            No issues there

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

        Maybe as with Dias Cancelo Digne Lowton Dawson the fixtures could hardly be better. Just need a keeper.

      6. sunzip14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Burnley defenders aren't exactly bench players next week. You are trying to make your argument appealing, but surely you are not going to bench Burnley defense next week without BB.

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

          Cancelo, Dias, Mee, AWB, Coufal would be my 5 defenders - all too good to bench

        2. sunzip14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I am getting 2 Burnley defenders as well. After I get them, I think my bench will be DDG, Son, Coufal, Justin. Contemplating BB24 myself but Son's and Justin's fixtures aren't appealing. I have all chips left so maybe after knowing DGW26 fixtures, we can plan more clearly.

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

        I am pondering but I guess have to see what the DGW26 fixtures are first....

        I can potentially have De Gea, Coufal, Dallas, Bamford as bench boost, but not sure with Leeds playing Arsenal... high risk high reward maybe

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

      That Xhaka FK miss will keep him in good favour for the rest of the season

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

      Mendy
      Cancelo* Stones* Coufal
      Bruno(c) Salah Son Gundo
      Bamford Antonio Watkins

      Forster | Neto Dallas Justin
      2 FTs 5.3ITB

      A) Forster + Justin > Pope* + Mee*
      B) Forster + Watkins > Pope* + DCL*
      C) Forster + Neto > Pope* + Rodriguez/Siggy*

      Any other suggestions welcome!