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

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1,532 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Needs Ings haul to beat Torres to a rise lol

  2. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    If City don’t sign striker Bruno to Torres and Ings to Ronaldo going to be popular move I think

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      It’s what I’m considering with my 2 FTs

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Not next gw though

      1. Davros
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Why not? Ings fixtures turn next gw

    3. teneighty
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      That's probably my moves.

    4. yousunkmybattleship
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Same, though can guarantee Pep then benches Torres next week

  3. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Happy Torres and Mahrez owner 🙂

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Spare a thought for Mark.

      1. The Wanton Trader
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        I’ve just lit a candle…

  4. AutoFill 2021
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Will Ronaldo be a fwd and what price 10.5/11?

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Around 12 I think

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        And yes, forward

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      12.5

    3. TheBiffas
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Try 12.5

    4. Halftime
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Fwd and about 11-12M imo.

    5. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      At least 12m.

    6. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Sweeper. 6m

    7. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      £11.5 forward seems about right.

    8. TKC07
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Should be 12.5 or max 13

    9. DF
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      ...and when will he be added?

      1. TKC07
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Only after transfer is officially registered (personal terms, visa, medical, etc.)

        1. DF
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Any idea when?

  5. Get up ya bum
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Positive change for Brentford bringing in ghoddos for onyeka and good to see their playmaker Jensen make the bench and Baptiste is a baller too.

  6. Red Red Robins
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Bottomed, and spellchecked haha

    Tempted to use WC, Ronaldo, Mount and Torres in - and tidy up defence
    Worth it or wait until GW 7?

    Id be doing a -4 to get Ronnie in and Fernandes out anyway

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I’m just going for Bruno out & Ronnie in for a -4

      And honestly, my DF is a mess (White & Tsimi stinking the place out)

      1. Red Red Robins
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Was my original thoughts, but with the change in Villas fixtures - have Ings and Buendia, thought might be a great time to use it and clear 4 - 6 players out that

        1. Red Red Robins
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Plus, saves the hit too

  7. seewhyaxe
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Gonna be a long ib my fellow gooners...

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Did you say goners?

  8. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Is Leicester the only televised 3pm game?

    1. Bennerman
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Depends what territory you are in. None televised in UK

  9. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Oooh….. just noticed I have exact money to do Barnes and Ings to Torres and DCL……. Could be an easy decision!!!

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Looks it

  10. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Leno vs Martinez is more unforgivable by the day

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Signing ramsdale is worse than selling martinez.

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        I almost forgot that. Shambles

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

      a semi-decent amount of Arsenal fans agreed with that decision, which annoys me a lot - a clear mistake imo - but even he would struggle with a Chambers-Holding-Kola defence, which is actually ridiculously bad; wouldn't be out of place in the Fulham squad

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        He fulham defence that got relegated was genuinely better than this

        1. Marvin Moon
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          A minute ago you were saying Arsenal will finish 8th or above?

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

            that isn't anything like their first choice defence tbf

            1. Marvin Moon
              • 7 Years
              2 years, 8 months ago

              Fair enough.

  11. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Toney to get off the mark today against Tuanzebe

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      There won’t be much room in Axel’s pocket for goal scoring I’m afraid

  12. jia you
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Damn, actually feel for Mark big time just from the comments on here!
    I'm totally sickened that I took out Torres on WC but nobody watches what I do...can't be easy on him being in the spotlight for his moves, I hope the Twitter community (something I'm not a part of) goes easy on him!

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      jia you (The No BS League - g104b9) knows just doesn't have the same ring to it.

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        haha

    2. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Can I join the league even though I started with Bruno and Salah 😛

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        lol could have a couple of million in my league if I allowed that from next week onwards 😉

        1. Zimo
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          😆

  13. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Any Brighton fans about? How confident are you that Veltman starts when fully fit?

    1. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I'm just a weirdo that does a lot of research, but I am confident. He will play RB/RWB until lamptey is fit which seems to be never. If lamptey is starting he'll play in the back 3

      1. Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks man. That gives me some confidence to keep him.

        1. Get up ya bum
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          No worries. He's top quality and suits potters tactics perfectly

  14. Granville
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Gundogen cups his ears to the FPL community. "Short memories"

    1. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I could bet he retires in Turkey as a striker.

    2. Rankbajin
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      He helped me win my friends mini-league last year.
      Great player. just wish he was nailed on.

  15. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    What’s your Ronaldo approach?

    A) Wait and see how he adapts to the team and PL
    B) Getting ASAP

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      United fans will get him en masse, ensuring his price leaps rapidly.

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        It's gonna be locked. By then most everyone will already have him. His price won't go up

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      B) but has already cost me 19 points lol

    3. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Back Salah and Kane/Lukaku

    4. ritzyd
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Depends on price and position

    5. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Undecided as yet. I'm more A than B though. I'd like it confirmed he's on pens before I go selling Bruno for him.

  16. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    No way CR7 is 11m?

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Eh?

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      No

    3. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      15M + 8M add-ons bro

    4. WhilePaquetàGentlyWe…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      more likely to be 13 than 11 bud

    5. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      At Man City: 13 (like Messi)
      At Man U: 12.5

      So, 12.5

      13m will be if FPL Towers want to make things difficult. But they have to learn from their Mane mistake, I think

  17. Warbling Wendy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    If you see this Mark, my condolences

  18. Zimo
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    I love the way Farke speaks. Its so pleasing to the ears

  19. SharkyJon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Trent and Ings to Semedo and Ronaldo?
    Means Bruno and Ronaldo for NEW?

  20. Totalfootball
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Arsenal is not a fixture tht should be 3, kinda put me off city assets..

  21. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    So, we all doing Bruno + Ings to Torres + Ronaldo? 🙂

    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      No way

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        certain?

        1. Cok3y5murf
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Certain I won't get Torres. Will sell Ings. Bruno to Ronaldo is a maybe. Will require a hit

          1. Twisted Saltergater
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Yeah, Raphinha might be more sensible.

    2. Silecro
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Torres is a trap in which i've fallen at the end of last season. I would advise not to go there

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Torres’ next 10 scores will be:

        1-2-2-7-1-2-13-2-1-7

        You’re welcome

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          You should win every year if you can do this

    3. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Looks perfect to me

    4. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I could do Bruno + Toney to Torres + Ronaldo (if he's 12.5 or less)

    5. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling will probably start over him next match. Pep the troll

  22. Romani
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Who got motm for City in Sky game?

  23. Salan
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Arsenal is a joke, big joke.

    Surprised if Arteta not being sacked before next PL match.

  24. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Very early thoughts but Ings + Barnes to DCL + Torres looks appealing

  25. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    How long will Ronaldos price be locked after he's introduced?

  26. Sharkytect
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    A fairweather assist from mahrez to my team. That will have to do.

    1. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      *fairwell

      1. Sharkytect
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Farewell

  27. jia you
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Damn I know I said I feel sorry for Mark above (still do to an extent) but I've just seen his moves! WTF!!
    A Brentford and Watford mid in a 5 man mid just to get Lukaku in for a hit v Liverpool...I'm seriously shocked by that, drunk jia you moves those at best! Sry Mark, hugs n kisses!

  28. Sandy Ravage
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Lukaku incoming

  29. PascalCygan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Already tempted by the wildcard but I’m hoping I could get through the international break with a -4?

    Mine is a pretty template team but feels like that template will start breaking up during the IB.

    Torres haul making me dread the rest of this weekend!

    1FT 0.3ITB
    Sanchez
    TAA Shaw Reguilon
    Salah Bruno Greenwood Benrahma
    Ings Antonio Toney

    Steele Tsimikas Brownhill Ayling