Dugout Discussion

Smith Rowe on bench as unchanged Arsenal face injury-hit Leeds

The only Premier League match of the day sees Leeds United face Arsenal, with kick-off at Elland Road at 17:30 GMT.

Five other top-flight fixtures scheduled for today, the last of which was Aston Villa v Burnley, fell by the wayside after Covid-19 ripped through the football calendar.

The evening match is still standing, however, despite the fact that Marcelo Bielsa’s squad has been ravaged by injury.

Ten senior Leeds players are unavailable for the clash with the Gunners, with Diego Llorente added to the nine we already knew about.

Bielsa’s four changes are all enforced, with Jamie Shackleton, Llorente, Daniel James and Junior Firpo all out.

Robin Koch returns from injury, while Joe Gelhardt, Cody Drameh and Mateusz Klich also come into the side.

The Whites’ very youthful bench contains 15-year-old Archie Gray, with the average age of the hosts’ substitutes being less than 19 years old.

Arsenal’s team news is a serene picture by comparison, as the visitors are unchanged for the fourth match in a row.

Emile Smith Rowe remains a substitute as a consequence, with the fit-again Bernd Leno joining him on the bench.

The Gunners do have a confirmed Covid-19 case, however: Albert Sambi Lokonga misses out after testing positive.

Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang also sits this one out following a recent disciplinary breach.

GAMEWEEK 18 LINE-UPS

Leeds United XI: Meslier, Drameh, Ayling, Koch, Dallas, Forshaw, Raphinha, Klich, Roberts, Harrison, Gelhardt.

Subs: Klaesson, Bate, Summerville, Greenwood, McCarron, Jenkins, Moore, Kenneh, Gray.

Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney, Saka, Partey, Xhaka, Martinelli, Odegaard, Lacazette.

Subs: Leno, Smith Rowe, Holding, Soares, Pepe, Nuno Tavares, Chambers, Elneny, Nketiah.

2,028 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Optimus.
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Bang Koch

    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Better than red koch

      1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        When mine is red things are going well

  2. JoeSoap
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    So like most, went Laca over the other Arsenal players.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Watkins needed to go.

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Another day, another result. Cost was 4 pts, gain 5 pts, one transfer booked unfortunately. At least he didn't blank, so no disaster.

      1. JoeSoap
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        True, though with 4 goals you would hope 4 better.

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

          Yea, disappointed also. But the "bright" side is that as long as disappointing results mean green arrow instead of red, it is still quite ok. I wasn't certain that Martinelli would start and I doubt he is owned by many. Livefpl down, but will check soon.

          1. JoeSoap
            • 10 Years
            2 years, 3 months ago

            Think Martinelli is great player but never would have done him.

  3. fantasist
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Yellow Koch
    Should I see a doctor?

    1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Does she like BANANAS?

  4. thegame983
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Yellow kock

  5. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Koch went in hard there

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

    Cmon ESR, grab a another son!

  7. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Took a hit to get Laca in and bench Semedo. Need a point at least

    1. FredUpAlready
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Bad decision

  8. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Laca & ESR hook up for a goal & we're on the pitch!

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      100%

    2. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      This

  9. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Any free guys used on here this week?

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      **Free hits

    2. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      If you mean fh then yes (and included Martinelli, Raph, Laca and Tomiyasu 🙂 )

    3. BIGREDDOG
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah I had to after a -16. Unfortunately no Martinelli!

  10. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Well at least Laca got an assist… better than the 0 Vardy was getting me

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Oh what could have been had he or Saka scored that chance in the third minute

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah shame tbf… or if he got the other dodgy assist lol

    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      And Norwich next

      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Well, maybe. Bloody covid!

  11. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Live FPL down?

  12. Londongeezaa
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    That ESR goal gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling 🙂

    1. Firmino
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Lucky

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        No it was a good goal. His previous goals have been sorta lucky

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

        *Quality

    2. xHaTr
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      So lucky once again

  13. George Sillett
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Kock is a loose cannon

  14. The Reptile
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Isn't it - 1 for pen conceded? Not showing for White

    1. beric
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Wrong game

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

      BPS?

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

      Another fantasy

  15. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Lacazette playing the Harry Kane role

    1. The Reptile
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Not that bad - he is creating space for others

  16. keefy59
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    ESR
    Last season
    1438 minutes 2g 5a
    This season
    117 mins 7g 2a

    1. beric
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Mad that he's only played 117 min, feels like a lot more

    2. keefy59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      1174 mins

    3. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Surely he’s played more than 117 minutes

    4. Grande Tubarão
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      117 mins is barely a game. He hasn’t got 7 goals and 2 assists in barely more than a game

  17. Dammit_182
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Lol at today. Tragic circumstances but ESR gets a goal. Again. As does Raphinia. Again.

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Raphinha owners luck is immense. 3 penalties in last 5 when he looked like getting nothing. I'm jealous

    2. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      And your point is ?
      Maybe the penny might drop ?

      1. Dammit_182
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Which of ESR, Foden, B Silva, Jota & Salah would I have lost for him for this particular run?? I get it’s pens but that’s what got Bruno through last year In some games. He will be coming in for B.silva in a few weeks all being well. But man he’s good!

  18. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    In the clearing stands a boxer
    And a fighter by his trade
    And he carries the reminders
    Of every glove that laid him down
    And cut him till he cried out
    In his anger and his shame
    "I am leaving, I am leaving"
    But the fighter still remains...

    1. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      When you're weary
      Feeling small
      When tears are in your eyes

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Like a bridge...

  19. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Full bps for Raph

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Lol more like 0 as always

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Lmao

  20. Amartey Partey
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    14000 managers have transferred ESR out this week already. Well done you.

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      37000 already brought in Martinelli
      What could go wrong with an early transfer?

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      He doesn't start tbf

  21. JJO
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Laca and Odegaard feels like shaite 🙁

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Better than blanks

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

      No CS & Ode matches Saka, beats ESR...

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

        I have Ramsdale too
        Oh didnt see Odegaard is on 2 baps...that feels much better 🙂

  22. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Laca seems to make his runs going backwards. Whenever Arsenal is attacking he's jogging upfield.

    1. Guru Mediation
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      He had some good chances to score. Poor finishing

  23. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    ESR is really annoying.

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Getting ridiculous now 😆

    2. gooberman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      yep, over-performing stats but keep's scoring. Frikkin annoying.

    3. xHaTr
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Hope he snaps his ACL

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Whoa dude that's a bit much

      2. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        😆

  24. BobbyDoesNotLook
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Absolute sh**. Took -4 Raph to Bowen before Raph's Chelsea game and he has scored 2 pens after that and Bowen does not even have a game. What a poor outcome in hindsight. Also transferred Rams in for this with White double. And obviously I dont own any Arsenal attacking player.

  25. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Lacazette hasn't looked remotely interested in scoring a goal the whole match. No movement, slow, nothing.

    1. df34
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Adopting the Firmino role

  26. @ocprodigy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone else just incredibly frustrated this season? Sitting around 500k and it feels like I just can’t get it right.

    1. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Roughly the same rank but it's only an online game and tbh I just play it very casually now making maverick hits and it's a lot more fun. With expectations lower the highs are better and the lies I just couldn't give a toss about.

      1. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        "lies - lows"

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

    Pleased as a Martinelli and Laca owner. Lacazette should have had more but happy to own for Norwich. Slightly worried ESR will start and Martinelli will go as #9 with Laca dropped

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Done well to find any negatives after your differential midfielder has just hauled

    2. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Thought laca was excellent.

      Not from an fpl angle - but his general game was v good

    3. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Same. I think Arteta likes to stick to a winning formula. Expect same team and ESR to score off the bench again

    4. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Will still get goals there. Martinelli is quality

    5. gooberman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      brought Lacazette in for a -4 but will be removing him straight away after tonight's performance. Absolutely awful.

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Hey u got a net 1 point gain

        1. gooberman
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          His assist doesn't mean he had a good game. He was crap so don't want him anymore.

          1. Zimo
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 3 months ago

            No it was more a hey at least u got a 1 point gain out of it so it wasn't a complete loss even for 1 week

            1. Zimo
              • 5 Years
              2 years, 3 months ago

              I'm removing for Ronaldo as well if United game goes ahead

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

                So am I. Yet, even though disappointed now, it's possible that MU game is off and he play vs Nor. At least getting him in meant one net point which won't backfire.

            2. gooberman
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              2 years, 3 months ago

              the point I'm making is that be looked crap so I don't want him anymore. Simple as that.

              1. Zimo
                • 5 Years
                2 years, 3 months ago

                And I agree with u cuz I'm removing too. Just trying to stay positive about it 🙂

              2. Baps hunter
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                2 years, 3 months ago

                Had he scored or had Saka scored from his first chance, we would be happy now. Especially if Martinelli hadn't braced. Very small margins.

  28. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Gallagher > Martinelli next GW will be an easy transfer

  29. drughi
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    First week owning ramsdale, not that amused

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      thank ben white owners

    2. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Me too mate, now lets see how many CS he gets. We gonna jink him.

    3. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Super Saints got him. It was bound to happen in the manner it did.

  30. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Operation target Leeds continues

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Might own 3 Liverpool next GW and captain Salah, if I'm feeling risky.

      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Time to load up. Lol

      2. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        What an original thought. Can I copy you?

      3. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Same. But only got 1 FT so will need a -8 minimum to load up.