Dugout Discussion

Saka passed fit to feature as Aubameyang keeps his place in Arsenal starting XI

The two remaining Blank Gameweek 29 fixtures take place today, starting with West Ham United v Arsenal.

Kick-off at the London Stadium is at 15:00 GMT.

It’s mostly positive news on the teamsheet front concerning the most-owned Fantasy Premier League assets on show.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.5m) was omitted for disciplinary reasons in the north London derby last weekend but he returned to the Arsenal starting XI in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday and keeps his place this afternoon.

The Gabon international looks set to be deployed on the right flank in east London, with Alexandre Lacazette (£8.2m) still leading the line.

Aubameyang is one of three players who are recalled to Mikel Arteta’s line-up after missing out against Tottenham Hotspur, with Pablo Mari (£4.4m) and Callum Chambers (£4.5m) returning to the defence.

Emile Smith Rowe (£4.2m), Gabriel (£4.9m) and Cedric Soares (£4.6m) are all benched.

Willian (£7.5m) misses out through injury but Bukayo Saka (£5.3m) has made a swift return from the hamstring strain that forced him off at half-time of the win over Spurs.

There are two changes for the Hammers from the side that were beaten by Manchester United last week.

Club captain Mark Noble (£4.5m) and young defender Ben Johnson (£3.9m) are benched, as loanee Jesse Lingard (£6.1m) and Said Benrahma (£6.0m) return to David Moyes’ starting XI.

Pablo Fornals (£5.9m) is still sidelined.

Having operated in a more conservative wing-back system last weekend, West Ham look to be back in a 4-2-3-1 this afternoon.

Lingard and Aubameyang were both transferred in by over half a million Fantasy managers ahead of the Gameweek 29 deadline.


West Ham United XI: Fabianski, Coufal, Dawson, Diop, Cresswell, Rice, Soucek, Bowen, Lingard, Benrahma, Antonio.

Arsenal XI: Leno, Chambers, Mari, Luiz, Tierney, Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Aubameyang, Lacazette.

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2,005 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Isca Extremadura
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Cheer up Spurs fans.
    It’s Newcastle next up..

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      They already messed up Newcastle at home

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        Seriously though, Newcastle are so bad right now if Spurs can't beat them then they should give up all hope of getting a top 4 place this season...

        1. Revival
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 7 days ago

          Will see what the Spurs performance today looks like, perform poorly today and the pressure on Mourinho will mount

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 7 days ago

            Or a classic 442 performance vs a ball retaining 433 !

  2. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    That Spurs team looks awful

    And we all captained Harry Kane.

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      More out of fear than hope or expectation.

    2. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      No we didn't...

    3. Chrisitis
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Actually looks better than Sheffield who won against Villa

    4. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      I captained Kane because of fear and love a captain in the last game. Just happy I didn’t captain Grealish, Son or Bale.

  3. Jon Snow
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Nothing more annoying than owning players but having to hope they don't do anything because of their EO%.

    0-0 please

  4. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Next game Newcastle (away) for Jose and his record at St James not so good.

    1. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Newcastle's record home and away isn't exactly great either 😆

  5. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    That made Bale > Salah or KDB easy decision before next game

  6. JBG
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Lol Bale benched.

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Really?!?

    2. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      No way!!

    3. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Lolling at myself mostly and I haven't paid much attention to this boring and a wet fart of a Gameweek.

  7. Hy liverpool
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    If grealish starts this game will be amazing to watch

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Yeah, never seen guys start when they are not in the squad..

      1. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        Lol.. See below

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      He's not in the squad right ?

      1. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        I posted this 2 hours ago.. No idea why it's just posted now

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 7 days ago

          Ha ha

        2. Amey
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 7 days ago

          You might have closed internet instantly after posting it. So when you connected back and reloaded FFS that comment got posted

          1. Hy liverpool
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 7 days ago

            Yep i think this is the reason

          2. G-Whizz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 7 days ago

            I didn't even know that was possible!

            1. Amey
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 7 days ago

              I'm pretty much aware because I have a dodgy WiFi ... Goes AWOL at times 😀

    3. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      So, it seems this game is not going to be amazing to watch...

      1. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        I don't care i want watkins to do anything.. Even YC will be great. Lol

  8. TyroneGAA
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Yes Jose play the kids

  9. Amey
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Congratulations to Leicester fans here ..
    Great game from the team. Hopefully you win the Cup !

    1. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Nice one Amey!

    2. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Do one.

  10. Hey_Arnold
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    What is Mourinho's issue with Bale? He clearly has one and hides behind 'we must manage his minutes'. What a load of crap. Don't bring the guy in on loan if you aren't going to utilise him. Son and Lamela out and the fella still only manages the bench. Mourinho remaining a spoilt little ball bag until the end spitting his dummy out if any one challenges his whack approach to management. Roll on the villa I say. Hopefully smack them about and ensure they miss champs league.

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Bale is awful

      1. Hey_Arnold
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        Yea 4 goals in his last 260 minutes. Shocking the lad.

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 7 days ago

          And a season total of ....5. I’m talking about actual football, you know, passing, dribbling, tackling, making runs. Not standing on the edge of the box taking pot shots against championship quality defenders.

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      spoilt little ball bag 😆 😆 😆

  11. SomeoneKnows
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Can't believe myself that I've kept Grealish for so long... I think I need to see a doctor or even better a shrink

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      He'll be back after IB .... 😉

      1. SomeoneKnows
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        Probably true, but I can't be bothered with him any longer...

        So many players that I rather have instead such as Lingard, Mount, Salah

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 7 days ago

          Agreed

          1. Old Man
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 7 days ago

            Hello Amey. 😀

            1. Amey
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 7 days ago

              Ha ha
              You picked up great time to show up 😉
              Typical win for you guys .... Hopefully you win it !!

              1. Old Man
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 7 days ago

                You're right - I haven't been on much recently - lots of other things going on. I was really surprised that we were allowed to play so well ....we hadn't beaten you for ages. It would be wonderful to win it .... but I've seen us lose 3 finals already - and this is only the semis.

                1. Amey
                  • 5 Years
                  3 years, 7 days ago

                  Southampton is best draw you got. Hopefully a one off brilliance vs City in finals !
                  United were poor in closing down spaces IMO.

                  1. Old Man
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 12 Years
                    3 years, 7 days ago

                    It always amuses me that it's probably the draw Southampton wanted too! I hope that you'll go on to win the Europa league now - then we'd all be happy.

                    1. Amey
                      • 5 Years
                      3 years, 7 days ago

                      Aye !

  12. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Jose is so pissed, Bale might not actually get on if he wants to make a big statement.

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Respect
      Respect
      Respect

    2. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      What did bale do?

      1. SomeoneKnows
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        Went mini golfing 😀

  13. Isca Extremadura
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Probably an ego thing, Bales won more CL’s than him !

    1. Hey_Arnold
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Mourinho the world's biggest grudge holder.

  14. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Bale in my XI
    Lingard 1st sub
    😐

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Ouch

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

        Antonio and Lookman also on my bench but that's done and dusted now. Need 0 mins from Bale!

        1. Hy liverpool
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 7 days ago

          Could happen..mou is crazy f****

    2. SomeoneKnows
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Brace yourself for Mourinho calling him up at the 90th minute only for Bale to refuse getting in and tells him to shove it 😀

    3. fusen
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Ode over Lingard and Antonio was quite the gamble

  15. Isca Extremadura
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Dunno, been dropped & made scapegoat

  16. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Who scores more this evening, Watkins or Kane?

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      the wizard

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      I need 4 goals between them at least. 2 each would be awesome

    3. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Oleee oleeeee oleeeeee

    4. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Spurs should have too much quality going forward for Villa to cope with to keep them out imo, so Watkins hatty it is then going on my previous judgement calls so far this season...

  17. Yome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Pray for Bale to stay on the bench, please Mou!

  18. fusen
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Fingers crossed Kane blanks. If we all shut our eyes and believe then it might just happen ;P

    1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      I didnt need to shut my eyes last week when he was C

    2. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      I don't think you need to worry too much - where's his supply line?

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Are we supposed to keep the stream going ? 😉

  19. Isca Extremadura
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    He can come on at 70 and sit in the bus..

  20. tbos83
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    With Kane(c) and Bale with Trossard 1st on bench my hope is that Kane scores a first half hattie meaning Jose keeps Bale on the bench and give the young uns a run out. Too much to ask?

  21. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    I’m WCing Aubamayang and Bale out. Thankyou Gareth for your points. Time to jump.

  22. fusen
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Interviewer calling Dean Smith out

    "Grealish not in the squad, was there every realistically a chance?"

    Hahaha, Mr Real World -.-

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

    Wanting a 2-0 Watkins brace here.

    Imagine that outranks anything captain Kane is likely to return given Konsa Martinez.

    1. fusen
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Yeah, double villa Def over Kane is probably better

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      I'd have taken it but I played oversmart and started Areola over Martinez. Now I'm pretty worried 😆

  24. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Kane(C) casuals to get a lucky 9 pointer tonight.

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      La(c)a has that beat 😉 😀

  25. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    all eyes on L moura .

  26. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Hoping Bale does not move from the bench, as I have Raphinha's points on mine

  27. New Article
  28. Nanoelektronicar
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    With Lamela suspended, Son injured, Bergwijn forgotten, I thought, ok, Bale will play this, and then vs Newcastle, who knows, but at least I got him for this one game. Whish I went for Trossard instead. Now I will probably have to switch him to Son/Mount next gameweek.

  29. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Vini G
    Moura A