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. 1984 TC
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Arsenal goal may or may not happen

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

      Same as a villa clean sheet.

    2. 1984 TC
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Darn it!!! Should have said something about Pompey

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

    Arsenal missing a player who can dribble with the ball and take-on players. Grealish, Salah, Son, Pulisic type player.

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

      They’ve got Xhaka....

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

      Pepe does that to a certain extent

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

        Pepe isn't good enough for the PL. £70m for Pepe! LOL

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

          What does the transfer fee have to do with it?

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

            The more money they pay for the you the better you are meant to be.

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

              money can be exchanged for goods and services

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

              You're taking about how good he (and arsenal players/team) is, not how his he's meant to be

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

              Transfer fee can inflate at some point.
              Just look at kepa. At that time even butland worth 50m. Why? Because GK are at demand & pool just bought alisson for £60m something.

              When arsenal bought pepe, the choice was him or inflated zaha. Seems logic to me for his reputation at that time.

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

      Ozil

    4. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Son is not exactly a top dribbler. Just good use of space and pace.

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

      So are Chelsea

    6. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Like Williian?

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

        Willian is old and can't dribble any more.

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

    Please please hold.

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

    Ramsey blind to Watkins

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

    Had Martinez since gw2 🙁

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

    5 minutes lmao, behave referee.

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

      that will only increase Martinez saves 🙁

  7. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I'll say it again, don't you dare wish everyone good luck and then start laughing at their bad luck. You hypocrites. You know who you are.

    I've got Martinez by the way.

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

    Hooooooold Martinez, let's wait until the very last minute of extra time to concede that goal to inflict maximum pain on owners. 😀

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

      Sadist :-p

    2. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Will not be maximum pain as I have Konsa third on the bench.

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

    15 points on bench now, off to a great start

  10. Party time
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Come on Martínez! Feel free to make more saves

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

        just let one go past you

    • Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Super Emi wins a free. +BPS

    • Says
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cash and Targett combine for a financial goal

    • Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      5 minutes feels like eternity.

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

      You don't know stress until you've got a GK hauling with a CS in injury time.

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

      Martinez does a double over Arsenal!

    • g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ex Forest player Cash is awesome

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

      Oh ffs. Ofc Watkins is gonna score now that I’ve benched him for Soucek 🙁

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

        The Czech McAuley will probably fluke another goal anyway.

      2. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        These things do happen. Better to have good bench than not.

    • Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      1bps from 3baps now Emi

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

      Arsenal are really bad, aren't they?

    • DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No sign of Charlie Taylor. Not looking good for DGW 🙁

    • sandman58
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Wtf?? Martinez should be on 5 saves...not 3

    • Ted Bovis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Wow 5min ET...how?

    • Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      All hail Jackie Weaver.

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

        haha

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

        You have no authority here.

        1. Supersonic Marv'
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Ban.

      3. Boss Hogg
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        YOU HAVE NO AUTHORITY HERE.

        1. Supersonic Marv'
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          And you.

          1. Boss Hogg
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Haha!

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

      This game should be over. Should have been the standard 3 minutes added on 🙁

    • Flynny
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Pressure on pope now

      1. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        2 pts locked in.

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

      1st time since gw 3 iv benched Martinez lol.

      For Pope whom I just brought in and figured he had a better fixture.

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

        Me too. Hopefully pope will deliver

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

        Same

      3. Yes Ndidi
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Have faith in the Pope.

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

      I banched Martinez 🙁

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

        Same 🙁

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

        Dayum

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

        0/ should have waited one more week to bring Pope in

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

      Need a cheeky goal and CS from Ben Mee here

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

        Nice if true

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

        Really hope for this too as he is my FT this GW

    • JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Odegaard looks quality

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

        Solid signing

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

      Anyone else with Watkins first sub because you decided to actually play Soucek this week? :/

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

        I played Kane. Watkins first sub.

      2. All Hail K
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        O/

      3. tbos83
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Another week I really should've BB