Dugout Discussion

Saka, Aubameyang return to Arsenal starting XI but Smith Rowe absent from squad

Having been handed breathers in Gameweek 26, both Bukayo Saka (£5.2m) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.3m) return to Mikel Arteta’s starting line-up in Gameweek 27.

Martin Odegaard (£5.9m) is set to take up the No 10 role for the Gunners, with Emile Smith Rowe (£4.3m) absent from the matchday squad after picking up a hip problem during the 3-1 win at Leicester in GW26.

“Emile had some discomfort still in the week, he wasn’t ready. Hopefully it’s not too much. But I think Martin is adapting really well to the team.” – Mikel Arteta speaking ahead of kick off

Hector Bellerin (£5.1m) remains on the bench as Calum Chambers (£4.5m) replaces another absentee in Cedric (£4.6m) at right-back.

Pepe (£7.6m), Alexandre Lacazette (£8.1m) and Mohamed Elneny (£4.2m) also drop out of the Arsenal XI. The latter is replaced in midfield by Thomas Partey (£4.9m).

“We have to rotate. I want to maintain everybody in top form.” – Arteta

Kieran Tierney (£5.2m) continues his injury return by keeping his left-back spot, with both Pablo Mari (£4.4m) and David Luiz (£5.4m) also remaining in defence.

Blank Gameweek 18 and Double Gameweek 19: The key player and team stats

For Burnley, Chris Wood (£6.2m) and Matej Vydra (£4.8m) continue up front in the absence of the injured Ashley Barnes (£6.0m).

Sean Dyche’s steady backline of Charlie Taylor (£4.4m) Ben Mee (£5.1m) James Tarkowski (£5.3m) and Matt Lowton (£4.5m) will once again guard goalkeeper Nick Pope (£5.6m).

Johann Berg Gudmundsson (£5.4m) is back from the treatment table to start at right midfield, while Robbie Brady (£5.0m) is also available from the bench. Jack Cork (£5.0m) misses out with a hamstring injury.

Burnley XI (4-4-2): Pope; Taylor, Mee, Tarkowski, Lowton; McNeil, Westwood, Brownhill, Gudmundsson; Wood, Vydra.

Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tierney, Mari, David Luiz, Chambers; Xhaka, Partey; Willian, Odegaard, Saka; Aubameyang.

635 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Mika-eel
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Its a nice change to have all your players minus your captain below 100% EO.

    Its a horrible feeling hoping one of your players blank.

  2. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    A little late but GW27 'professional' watch:

    Fabio Borges: save FT, Gundo (c)
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/440328/event/27

    Magnus Carlsen: Bruno to Son, Gundo (c)
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/76862/event/27

    Ville Ronka: Bruno to KDB, TC KDB
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/617620/event/27

    Jay Egersdorff: Barnes to Lingard, Gundo (c)
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/259780/event/27

    Mark Sutherns: Soucek to Lingard, Gundo (c)
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/194/event/27

    Lateriser: -4, DCL + Bruno to Antonio + Sterling, Sterling (c)
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/55085/event/27

    Jan Sienkiewicz: -4, Rashford + DCL to Trossard + Kane, Gundogan (c)
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/3904/event/27

    Darren Wiles: save FT, Gundo (c)
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/1331101/event/27

    Stephen Harrap: Sterling + DCL to KDB + Antonio, KDB (c)
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/1191/event/27

    Tom Stephenson: Barnes to Raphinha, Gundo (c)
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/129818/event/27

    Ola Hovde (OR #1): Bilva to Gundo, Gundo (c)
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/4865323/event/27

    Fudgy 😉 : save FT, Gundo (c)
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/32812/event/27

    Gundogan 154% EO, next highest Salah and Son at 80%

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      They never learn. Captain defenders

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      Kaptain Kane: DCL to Ings, Kane (C)

      1. kennethrhcp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 23 days ago

        The update we all want and need... thanks KK

    3. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      Lateriser should not be hailed as a genius when one of his sterling picks eventually comes off, a broken clock is right twice a day

    4. 3 A
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      They should replace Gundo for KDB imo

    5. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      Is Magnus the highest rank?

      Or who has a top rank in this list?

      1. MrZ
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 23 days ago

        Ola Havde (OR #1)

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 23 days ago

          Cool.

          Fabio knocking on 4,000 OR.

          Magnus around 100k but most chips left to play.

        2. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 23 days ago

          Oh, he's this seasons professional at rank 1.!!

    6. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      I did the same as fudgy... game week over im giving up 🙂

      Ps. Love ya fudgy

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 23 days ago

        Fudgy is ranking 72k,way above some of those above and on this message board.

        He's scored over 100 twice this season. Give the guy his credit...

        1. kennethrhcp
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 23 days ago

          I really like fudgy and was joking... was mocking his usual early week over posts

          1. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 23 days ago

            I understand.

            Perhaps i didn't pay attention when he was most prolific but he's had a hard time in the last month and been pushed out of the forum it seems to me?

            Not by you i hesitate to say.

            1. kennethrhcp
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 23 days ago

              Actually ya I haven't seen him in ages

              I feared that many were getting on his case but he seemed to love the mini troll role

    7. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      Lot of benching of Digne and DCL this GW. I have done the same. Digne and DCL non-blanks incoming?

    8. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      Kiss of death having sane Caltrain as Lateriser. He’s had horrible luck this season

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 23 days ago

        He's only managed 2 top. 500k game week ranks out of 26 selections.

        And then they were closer to half a million than top 10k for instance.

    9. A.J.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      OR#1 first signs of getting a blocking move in. Last DGW without Gundo when he hauled must have spooked him.

  3. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Gundogan’s EO :O

  4. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    AUBBBBA

  5. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    OMG Auba

  6. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Pope doing a pickford

  7. thepancakeman123
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Who's the best replacement for Barnes? I'm currently looking at Mount and Neto, neither of them scream consistent points though...

  8. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Gundogan C getting a differential star on LIVE FPL :O

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      Really? His EO is 154% so Captain is +46%.

      But by the same notion my KdB is 28% EO but no star despite mine being +72%

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 23 days ago

        yeah, was surprised to see that

  9. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    WHHYYYYYY I DONT HAVE AUBAAAAAAA??????? WHYYYYY?????

  10. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Nick Pope seems to have turned into Pickford

  11. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    AUBAAAAAAAAAA

  12. F_Ivanovic
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    AUbbbaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

  13. nolard
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Bit soft from Pope.

  14. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Good, hopefully he gets benched in GW29 😉

  15. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Bale last week.
    Auba This. Get in there.

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      Let’s goo

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      Very ballsy just hope Salah & Bruno don’t smash it?

  16. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Which move is better

    A. Struijk to Dallas
    B. Smith-Rowe to Raphina

  17. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    AUBA!

    What a lovely start

    1. 2999 - Lady of Legend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      Yesssss!

  18. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Aubameyang goal, Willian assist

    Is it GW1?!

    1. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      Yeah I know, stay patient, they’ll score in a week or 25!!

  19. 3 A
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Bruno to Auba.. Yay or yeayyyyyyy?

    1. Neevesy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      I did. Based on my performance so far, it will likely get disallowed, and Auba will pull a hamstring.

      1. 3 A
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 23 days ago

        Congrats mate..

    2. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      Will hold one more GW before doing so

  20. Neevesy
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Get in Auba!

  21. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Glad I benched Lowton!

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      You don’t own Lowton for the clean sheets 😉

  22. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Need a Lowton assist

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      nice assist for the arsenal goal, giving auba all the time in the world to shoot

      1. Differentiator
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 23 days ago

        1 more pl0x

  23. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Willian doing bits one more time. Might turn out to be a decent transfer before summer.

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      yep, almost done as much as pepe has

  24. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Missed the begining.

    Great news as a Saka owner.

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      He's just missed a sitter.

  25. JBG
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Lol.. Long time since I've seen people "yell" Auba here.

  26. Nate(U)dog(ie)
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    First time in ages taking a hit has worked out! Auba always dependable

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      This!

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      The player you’ve sold surely haven’t even played yet?

      1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 23 days ago

        True enough but Salah is out of form in an out of form team and I don't expect Liverpool to get much from Fulham

        1. TheDragon
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 23 days ago

          I’ll bookmark this - could definitely end badly

          1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 23 days ago

            I'll have to hope it won't!

  27. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    So many managers all of a sudden with Auba in their team.

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      Prime fixture in 30 is the one to have him for 🙂

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      He is 1.5% owned in top 10k

      So basically anyone posting about owning Auba is outing themselves as an absolute casual

      1. Shaw must go on
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 23 days ago

        So casuals is everyone outside top 10k?

        1. TheDragon
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 23 days ago

          I was joking - of course he is a great shout given this week, and fixtures in 29 and 30

      2. Scots Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 23 days ago

        A casual with giant balls

    3. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      It's just an act. It's BS

  28. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Well done all those on Auba

  29. MikeS
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Bruno to auba seems s good move..

  30. Bilbao Baggins
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    No one in top ten in the world brought in Auba.. I know ten mins in and hindsight etc, but I would of thought that he'd be a target and great differential there.

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      It’s so easy after he has scored isn’t it 🙂

      1. Bilbao Baggins
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 23 days ago

        I brought him in as it made sense before he scored I thought. Best player for 29 and nice fixtures. Brought for Bruno, so could still get punished but a good start.

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      Captain hindsight, was probably due to Europa league and the fact he’s not a guaranteed starter in the prem due to it

      1. Bilbao Baggins
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 23 days ago

        I was surprised no one brought him in even before he scored, just seemed a decent move.

    3. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      I think main worry is Arteta will go into Laca love at any time at the expense of Auba adoration

      1. Bilbao Baggins
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 23 days ago

        Yeah I guess. It can help to not know so much sometimes as you talk youself out of picks all the time ha