Dugout Discussion

Mahrez and Sterling benched as Guardiola names unchanged City team

Manchester City v Arsenal gets the final Gameweek before the September international break underway.

Kick-off at the Etihad is at 12:30 BST and you can follow the fantasy action on our live Matchcast.

A manager naming an unchanged side after a 5-0 win wouldn’t come as a shock in most instances but where Pep Guardiola is involved, it’s almost more of a surprise than when he makes multiple alterations.

The City head coach has indeed stuck with the same starting XI that demolished Norwich City 5-0 last weekend, so that means substitute roles for Riyad Mahrez (£9.0m) and Raheem Sterling (£11.0m).

Jack Grealish (£8.0m) makes it three Premier League starts from three following his summer move from Aston Villa, with Ferran Torres (£7.0m) also keeping up his 100% record.

Torres may well be leading the line again this afternoon, with Gabriel Jesus (£8.5m) turning in an excellent performance down the right flank against the Canaries in Gameweek 2.

Kevin De Bruyne (£12.0m) misses out with an ankle injury, as previously disclosed by Guardiola.

The Arsenal team news is bamboozling in its own right.

Head coach Mikel Arteta makes four changes following the Gunners’ 2-0 defeat by Chelsea a week ago, with Martin Odegaard (£5.5m) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£9.9m) brought into the side after starring in the EFL Cup in midweek.

Calum Chambers (£4.4m) is also recalled but the biggest surprise is the involvement of Sead Kolasinac (£4.4m), in for his first Premier League start since Gameweek 2 of last season.

Bukayo Saka (£6.3m) and Kieran Tierney (£4.9m) have shrugged off minor injuries to feature.

Pablo Mari (£4.5m), Albert Sambi Lokonga (£5.0m) and Gabriel Martinelli (£5.4m) drop to the bench, while Nicolas Pepe (£7.3m) is absent because of illness.

Ben White (£4.4m) still isn’t involved following his own spell in self-isolation.

LINE-UPS

Man City XI: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Laporte, Joao Cancelo, Silva, Rodri, Gundogan, Jesus, Torres, Grealish.

Subs: Stones, Ake, Sterling, Zinchenko, Steffen, Fernandinho, Mahrez, Doyle, Palmer.

Arsenal XI: Leno, Cedric, Chambers, Holding, Kolasinac, Tierney, Odegaard, Smith-Rowe, Xhaka, Saka, Aubameyang.

Subs: Lacazette, Maitland-Niles, Tavares, Pablo Mari, Sambi Lokonga, Elneny, Ramsdale, Okonkwo, Martinelli

FFSCOUT MATCHDAY LIVE

GET IN-GAME DATA AT LIVE FPL

Check your own rank and in-play FPL stats on LiveFPL.net every Gameweek

1,532 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Get sideshow Bob and sideshow Bob jr back

    Guendoozi and Luiz

    1. Big Bad Barry
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      elmeny is close!

  2. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Who do you ditch if needed to fit other big hitters in?

    a) Salah

    b) Trent

    1. MikeS
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Taa

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Madness

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Mahrez

    3. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Neither

  3. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Battle of the jumbos next GW. Oh how the mighty have fallen. But I guess it’s Norwich’s own fault for selling Buendia.

  4. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Chambers is a terrible RCB

    1. SkyByBo
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      *footballer

    2. MikeS
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Arsenal are just a terrible team all round

  5. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Big Sam to come and rescue Arsenal?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Are his powers that strong?

  6. SkyByBo
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    This is a good laugh, wish someone would pay me £5m a year to do something I was completely inept at....

    1. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      This wouldn’t be any different under most managers.

      1. SkyByBo
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        I think it would, this is the most spineless team you will ever see. That comes from the top.

      2. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        If Nuno came when Arteta did I don’t believe we’d be this bad defensively - and we don’t even play nice football anymore either

  7. Von Lipwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    OK, In the long term I'll need another 7-8m Mid. The transfer won't happen yet as I think Ings > Jimi/DCL is more pressing, but which one do you think will do better, in the long term?

    A) Mount
    B) Torres

    1. Shaw must go on
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Mount

  8. Cruyff's Eleven
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Ian Wright is absolutely losing the plot....

    Disaster class..... Embarrassing....

    Ouch

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      "When will it end, Robbie" needs to be the clubs new moto.

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        I’m guessing League 1

  9. Big_Bear
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Imagine have Xhaka in your squad...#facepalm
    Silver lining is he's my first sub so hope to god the rest play!

    I also have ESR and White, lol at me.

    1. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Highfive, I have Leno and White, lol at us

    2. Glad He Ate Her
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Are you playing anti-fpl?

      1. Big_Bear
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        I wasn't trying but I seem to be. Bit of a shambles.

        Gone (K)ane so maybe he'll score 4...

    3. Joey Tribbiani
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Going for lowest score possible instead of highest?

      1. Big_Bear
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Allergy to FPL points, Dr says they bring me out in a rash.

    4. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Funny thing is they could have sold him but gave him a new contract instead lmao

    5. o0Ash
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      ESR is still looking promising and I'm considering him after the international break to make Kane or Lukaku or Ronaldo possible.

  10. Don Rogers FC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Arteta has great teeth.

    1. WHUFCSmith23
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      He will need them with the s### he will eat in the press this week

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Maybe he can become teeth model when he gets sacked tomorrow?

    3. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      He's worked with Pep, of course he does...

    4. Don Rogers FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      He’d make a great Donny Osmond

  11. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Xhaka > benrahma or hold?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Hold for what?
      G'on, you don't have Xhaka, do you?

    2. BIGREDDOG
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Hahahah

    3. MOZIL
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      hold till end of season

    4. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Xhaka captain next gw, he will get more points than this week

  12. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Salah on -100 on fplstats?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Is that a question or...?

      1. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        It's a statement

    2. WHUFCSmith23
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Its ok, he is 12.6.

      I guess people shipped him for Lukaku

    3. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Woah, he is too. Wildcards - including mine. Should be able to buy him back in 2 GWs according to plan, and at a discount.

      Bottom of the pile is Mahrez - imagine the rage transfers then he gets a brace in time added.

    4. Big Bad Barry
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Mad wont be leaving my team

  13. The Mighty Hippo
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Hi everyone, just returned home to catch the second half....sounds as though it's been a steamrollering in the first. How's Cancelo looking - I'm hoping he puts in a really steady performance to lock down that left wing back place.

    1. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Has had nothing to do

      1. Cruyff's Eleven
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        I could have held down the left FB spot

        1. The Mighty Hippo
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          I'm sure you would have been a bargain 4.5M as well.

      2. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        He's almost had an assist and had a good run into the box but messed up final ball and he got xhaka his red card

  14. BENOIT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Ferran Torres anyone?

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Got him since GW1 and will keep until they buy CF or KDB comes back from injury.

    2. bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Do you really want the Pep headache? Rotations coming soon.

  15. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Mikel Arteta has the lowest win percentage (League only) of any Arsenal manager in history. Many problems at my club, but this rookie needs to be binned asap!

  16. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Zinch on Walk Off

  17. THL33
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    walker off, Saka off

  18. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    If Saka isn’t injured that is a ridiculous substitution

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Although I guess there isn’t much point in trying now

    2. Glad He Ate Her
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      They want to lose 9-0 instead of 15-0?

    3. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Arteta resting him for England duty?

  19. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Walker and Saka hooked.

  20. jia you
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Checks fixture ticker, scraps CR7 plan, Kane to Pukki(C) it is!

  21. Zalk
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Just so I understand correctly. Atkinson missed the foul on Chambers at the 2nd goal, and VAR can't overturn it because it's not a clear mistake? Because Kolasinac got a yellow for the same challenge.

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Kolasinic one was softer even. I do think neither were fouls though

    2. WHUFCSmith23
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      I suppose one was tussling off the ball and one was going for the ball.

    3. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Yes you are understanding correctly

    4. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Get on troopz TV lol, funny stuff

      1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        He’s everything wrong with Arsenal, takes pleasure profiting of our failings, can’t stand him!

    5. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Saka off and Walker off

    6. dark91
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Zinchenko on for Walker
      El Neny on for Saka

    7. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Cancelo playing RB. Expecting a goal now.

    8. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Cancelo RB, could be a haul incoming

      • Weak Become Heros
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        What is Antonios EO?

        1. Podge
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          Or 153%

          1. Weak Become Heros
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 7 months ago

            Blimey! Thanks.

        2. WHUFCSmith23
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          168 isn't it?

          1. ClassiX
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 7 months ago

            169% in Top 10k. 61% Overall

        3. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          Not that high. Captained by about 1.7M

      • L'Aeroplanino
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Elneny ahead of Lokonga...

        1. Revival
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 7 months ago

          think you mean Sambi

      • Lingard’s Shin Guards
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Saka off for El Neny is so negative

      • _Gunner
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        Do we think Barnes will start today?