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. Forever In Our Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Big Gw for me. Been very template all seasons and the slowest progress. This gw I have a “Very differential”squad. Playing BB. I’m moving somewhere, hopefully upwards! GL all.

    1. Del Griffith
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Same here. Gotta break free from the template at some point if your chasing

      1. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Let’s hope the FPL gods are in our side! GL.

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

      Yeh same I’m BB with triple soton

      1. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Wow. That’s ballsy.

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

          I should caveat, I wouldn’t recommend it 😀

    3. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Went the same way this week it seems, although unintentionally and not part of an overall strategy.

      Started off well with Auba scoring so far, although he could have had more.

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

    Well that is hilarious. Come on lads. They are there for the taking!

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

    Xhaka must have Wood

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

      exciting time...

  4. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    i put the armband on cancelo and never changed it lol

  5. Dynamic
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I've currently got Wood

    1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Your Gravatar, surely that’s edited lol

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

      Think of your gran

  6. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Dodged that Tierney bullet so

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

      It was close... Happy now 🙂

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I almost went Mee to tierney but backed out last minute..

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

    Arsenal cleanie gone too.

  8. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Patience in holding Wood has paid off massively!!!

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

      I'm just hoping that play on words was meant 🙂

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        You lot are just rude 😉

    2. JJO
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Holding not playing

  9. thepancakeman123
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to replace Barnes with??

    A) Mount
    B) Neto
    C) Jota

    1. Jimmy Boy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Like the Jota idea if he looks any good tomorrow, wait and see with Liverpool though.

  10. Doug McCasual
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    burnley grown another leg

  11. Art Vandelay
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Wood (G), Xhaka (A)

  12. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Does Xhaka get 3pts assist points for that?

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

    Afternoon Wood

  14. Hy liverpool
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any link to that goal please?

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

      Www biilysmartscircus.com

      1. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Lol

    2. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      reddit /soccer

      go to the new tab

      1. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers mate

    3. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Fotmob app always have videos of the goals as well, recommend it!

      1. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        FotMob is great!!

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

    I am convinced Bemba's keyboard has every button mapped as a shortcut to "OMG", and is hooked up to a launchpad where every button is a Premier League footballer.

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

      OMG HAZZ

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

      He's defo sat closer to the internet than everyone else

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

        He's a lucky guy, I'm jealous.

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

      He lives in the BT hub on his street 🙂

    4. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He should do the lineups

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

    Xhaka assist

  17. Says
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I brought in Tierney this week, I'm furious with Xhaka, was looking like a great chance at a clean sheet.

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

    Yes, arsenal PUNISHED for not starting my player and their best defender Robert holding

    Arteta give ya head a wobble!

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Reckon he’s dropped now?

      (Fellow owner!)

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

        Yes, I might hold until 29 though and start him just incase he flukes a start and I can get an extra player out. If no pressing issues I’ll ship tho

        1. thegaffer82
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Shame cos he’s done fantastic for me from GW17 onwards really

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

    There are actually some of our fans who see this liability as an essential part of our squad. He makes a stupid mistake like this every, single, game. Absolutely wack...

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

      My thoughts on Arsenal's best team:

      Leno
      Bellerin Holding Gabriel Tierney
      Elneny Partey
      Saka Smith-Rowe Martinelli
      Aubameyang

      Best midfield performance I have seen from Arsenal this season was vs Man Utd when they won 1-0 with Elneny and Partey bossing it. People may say the Chelsea game, but I thought Xhaka wasn't great in that game, but it was glossed over by a quality free-kick goal. I haven't seen enough from Willian, Odegaard, or Pepe to justify them being in the first eleven and don't see why they are picked just because they have a larger price tag than others.

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

        Pepe has been playing quite well recently tbf.

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

        For those not reflecting on Liverpool scoring 1 goal at Anfield in the last few 10 hours.

        Here's a perspective..

        https://twitter.com/SwearingSport/status/1368196462195138569?s=19

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

          Not sure why that went in there. My thumbs!

    2. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Couldn't agree more. He epitomises everything wrong with the team/club in recent years. Get rid.

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

    Can see a lot benching their three Leeds players (Dallas, Raphinha, Bamford) next GW.

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

      Big game before Atletico, Chelsea may rest some players. Risky to do that.

  21. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    wow live fpl really leveled up

    great stuff Raga

    if you're obsessed with fpl and use that tool a lot then consider donating!

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

    Just noticed only got Martinez today, going to be a red day isn’t it?

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      lol same

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        actually lie - got watkins

    2. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Only if Ings does things

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

    Absolutely Nowhere To Hide For Xhaka

  24. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Just realised I only have 1 player today....

  25. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Wood moves onto 3BAP’s for having his hip on the right place at the right time. Great stuff! Worthy of rewards!

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

      Forgot Aubameyang is a midfielder now. Was confused why his BAPs were so low!

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

    No pressing issues in my team and I annoyingly still have triple West Ham but no Antonio

    Would flappy > Patrício be mad? They have this run coming

    Ful (a)
    Shu (h)
    Bur (h)
    Wba (a)

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

      Not a bad plan at all. They badly miss Jimenez, Jota and Doherty though. I think their defence has been put under more pressure this season by not having the goals from those three to give them greater control in games.

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

        For sure, they need boly back as well hopefully he is back soon

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

      Fixtures are great!
      They seem to concede one goal in the first half all the time though.

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

      Buy Mendy.

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

        This was the alternative

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

          He's straight up better. Chelsea are elite defense now under Tuchel and Mendy is cheaper than Patricio.

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

        I just checked, I’m getting Mende, beautiful rotation with areola and the fixtures are even better, cheers!

    4. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      decent move if you have no other issues

    5. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Good point - might keep Kilman after all!

    6. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm moving Ederson to him eventually too, Patricio is good for baps too and Boly is due back soon

  27. AscotUnited
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who else is still having a wildcard? What GW is this best to be used? I also have TC left and used both other chips.

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

      GW31

  28. casual69
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Xhaka is at fault, as is Leno, Leno should recognise the pressure he is under and play in Luiz—or even clear the ball. Burnley are on top of us, just a silly mistake.

    You know Xhaka is poor, he's made more mistakes leading to goal then anyone else, so why give him a ball when he's under pressure?

    1. Riverside Red
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Saka has missed two good opportunities ...not good for such a highly rated player.

  29. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Auba could have had a haul by now. Hopefully more points to come second half

  30. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    My team looks crap. Hoping for a grey arrow

    Mendy

    Cancelo - Dias - Pereira

    Son - Fernandes - Foden (C) - Raphinha

    DCL - Kane - Bamford

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

      Brace cap choice - I have Foden too so am hoping he hauls

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

        Brave (Freudian slip- wishful thinking)