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. BobbyV
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez and Targett....oh yeah

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

    You cannot bench, drop, ignore Martinez.

    Just keep and leave him alone.

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

      Absolutely - can keep a CS against anyone

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

    Went 3 Villa with Martinez, Grealish and Watkins.

    Nice start to the week 🙂

  4. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez + Watkins

    SIIIIIUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUIU

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

      We move!

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

      Targett + Watkins here

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

    I knew not to get Grealish, could easily go Maddison or Rashford, now just hope that AV will get that DGW soon

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

      could have had a goal and couple of assists...still a fantastic pick

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

        This

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

    20 from 3. Cheers Villa, what a team.

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

      Average

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

        Don't call yourself that. Even if it's true 😆

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

    Watkins & Martinez owner off to a good start.
    Not making any changes pays off 🙂

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

      My rival stuck both on the bench 🙂

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

        Ouch, for Burnley?
        Just watch Brighton score 🙂

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

          Haha you called it!

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

    Only 9 Emi points feels like a fail.

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

      How ? 9 is huge for a gk

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

    I'll take that, Martinez and Watkins, Grealish unlucky not to get on the scorecard

  10. Coaly
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who are the best options to target for next week?

    Jesus? Sterling? Mee?

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

    Martinez winning save baps still to be added?

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

    Did people actually bring in Pope knowing they’d be benching Martinez? Ludicrous stuff

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

      Why not for DGW?

    2. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Oh shut up with the hindsight

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

        I decided to wait until next week to bring in Pope because of benching Martinez. That’s not hindsight

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

          You're not benching Martinez next week then?

          That's what your post implies.

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

            Considering bench boost because of him

    3. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Re considering bringing Pope in this coming week because I’d have to bench Emi! Maybe just Tarkowski will do

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

      I'll be looking forward to you not benching Martinez next week.

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

        Playing BB 😎

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

            Still might bench boost next week and get it out of the way

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

              Eagerly looking forward to your moves.

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

      Yeah leader in my mini league did it for a hit. I'm in second so happy out.

  13. janowsc
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Just play Martinez, it’s that easy

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

    Arsenal sold Martinez.

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

      For Ryan -4

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

        Haha

  15. CrouchDown
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Has there ever been a better FPL GK than Martinez?

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

      Can't think of any better starting at 4.5

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

        You have a short memory

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

        Yeah, not at his starting price. Pope had a great run a few years back but wasn't 4.5.

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

          Pope was 4.5 last year

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

            I do have a short memory

      3. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Pope, Heaton, Mannone

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

      Pope last year is close

  16. Firmino
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Why did I get Pope?

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

      Because he has a DGW and good fixtures

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

      For next week

  17. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Watkins owner and i want him to lose 1 Bap so that Emi can get 3.

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

      Think all is EMI owners do haha

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

      Most likely you will

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

    Got to be plenty of Martinez, Targett and Watkins owners out there, pleasant start to the weekend. I benched Targett though.

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

      Benched Watkins in favour of Kane.

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

        Kane won't play

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

          Hope not now.

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

          He might. He has apparently trained today

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

        You'll likely get the points then

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

          Hope so.

    2. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Benched Targett too but I won’t complain

  19. nerd_is_the_werd
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Was going to start Fabianski, but no..... Sir Martinez, time and again delivers the goods. You Sir, are a legend!

  20. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Emi on 2 or 3 bonus? 9 points is amazing I ain’t complaining but 10 would be sweet

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

      2

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

      Saving 10 for next week.

  21. jia you
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Had the FT but glad I held off until now to do Marty to Pope 🙂

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

      Same

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

      Never sell. Never bench. He's (c) material.

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

    I have Martinez and Konsa last on bench. Should i be happy or sad?

  23. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    ffs where did that YC for Grealish come from?

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

      Dissent

  24. mgilbert86
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What an absolute dumb punt bringing in Auba

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

      Dumb as a brick mate.

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

      Wonder what kind of stats were you looking. Members privileged.

  25. Ibra
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez and Targett on the bench. Great start for the gw.

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

    Which teams still have rearranged matches to play after GW 24+25?

    Thanks in advance!

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

    Are my eyes deceiving me - Watkins on 3bps with only one goal scored?! Must have kept his offsides and big chances missed to single digits this week..!

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

      Had a few chances to add another, Matt Ryan just decided that today was his day to become a competent keeper. Sigh

  28. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What was the incident where Emi grabbed Laca's jersey?

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

    Almost did Sterling ➡ Grealish... Glad I didn't.

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

    Benched Martinez and played Meslier at 10.59. Watch Leeds crumble in defence now