Dugout Discussion
17 January 2026 600 comments
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Buoyed by Manchester City’s defeat in the early kick-off, Arsenal will be hoping to go nine points clear at the top of the Premier League this evening.

Their match at Nottingham Forest kicks off at 17:30 GMT.

TEAM NEWS

It became apparent in December that Mikel Arteta is averse to starting Bukayo Saka three times in a week. Now, even successive games seem to be beyond him.

Despite a rest against Portsmouth last weekend, and despite the upcoming UEFA Champions League game against Inter effectively being a dead rubber for the Gunners, Saka finds himself on the bench again this evening.

So too does Leandro Trossard, with Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli coming in.

The other change from Wednesday’s EFL Cup semi-final first leg is the return of David Raya at the expense of cup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

There’s still no Piero Hincapie in the Gunners’ squad. Cristhian Mosqueraruled out for “weeks” by Arteta only on Tuesday – does make the bench, however.

Gabriel Magalhaes starts for the fourth time in 10 days.

Having savaged his second string after their performance in the FA Cup against Wrexham, Sean Dyche unsurprisingly goes back to his regulars this evening.

There’s just one change from Gameweek 21, with Ibrahima Sangare coming in for Omari Hutchinson.

LINE-UPS

Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams, Sangare, Anderson, Gibbs-White, Dominguez, Hudson-Odoi, Igor Jesus.

Subs: Gunn, Morato, Awoniyi, Luiz, Ndoye, Hutchinson, Yates, McAtee, Savona.

Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Martinelli, Madueke, Gyokeres.

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Mosquera, Saka, Jesus, Eze, Trossard, Merino, Havertz, Lewis-Skelly.

LIVE GAMEWEEK PAGE!

New to Fantasy Football Scout this season is the Live Gameweek page, which you can see on the side menu.

Here you can follow the scores, watch the defensive contribution (DefCon) points roll in, see who the leading players are for xG and more as the games play out, as seen below:

Saka benched again

price change predictions
600 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Mr. O'Connell
    • 13 Years
    11 hours, 46 mins ago

    Rice playing up front

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 13 Years
      11 hours, 44 mins ago

      Considered captaining him. But I had Ekitike and Haaland, the sensible pick.

  2. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    11 hours, 44 mins ago

    Of course Saka will play 20 minutes and block Dorgu

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 13 Years
      11 hours, 43 mins ago

      Never in doubt

    2. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      11 hours, 43 mins ago

      You're only hope is for Arse to be comfortably up

      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        11 hours, 39 mins ago

        Yeah but with Arteta play style it’s 0% chance

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          11 hours, 37 mins ago

          At least I don't have to worry about this as dorgu second on Bench behind alderete.

  3. More Tragic
    • 10 Years
    11 hours, 43 mins ago

    Come on (R)ice. Let's make some ground on the (H)aalanders

  4. All Hail K
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 hours, 43 mins ago

    Madueke selfish even on a corner. Unbelievable that guy.

  5. Philosopher's Stones
    • 5 Years
    11 hours, 43 mins ago

    The way this GW is going, Arsenal will concede, Saka will come on for a one pointer and Rogers will get a RC.

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 13 Years
      11 hours, 41 mins ago

      And an OG and PK miss by Watkins

  6. F4L
    • 11 Years
    11 hours, 39 mins ago

    you think arsenal could do the treble this year?

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      11 hours, 39 mins ago

      *quadruple even lol thinking about it

    2. More Tragic
      • 10 Years
      11 hours, 38 mins ago

      may never have a better chance

      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        11 hours, 37 mins ago

        yeah teams on the continent dont seem that good this season, bar bayern but arsenal beat them pretty easy already

        1. SINGH
          • 7 Years
          11 hours, 2 mins ago

          Nonsense, it's not the teams aren't good, it this Arsenal team that has moved up a level compared to the other teams

    3. Ignasi M
      • 8 Years
      11 hours, 25 mins ago

      No. If they do, of course, it would be the greatest ever achievement in English football. or maybe even the world? I think they'll win the champions league but nothing else.

  7. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    11 hours, 39 mins ago

    So before I am priced out and for a hit

    Devenny Foden Ekitike to
    BrunoF Semenyo Kroupi

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      11 hours, 37 mins ago

      No

      1. Albrightondknight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        11 hours, 35 mins ago

        Apart from next weeks fixtures what’s wrong with the moves?
        Which would you not make or none at all?

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          11 hours, 33 mins ago

          I wouldnt do the moves today.

          1. Albrightondknight
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            11 hours, 32 mins ago

            K. I get it don’t mive early Kroupi hasn’t even played but the cash is so tight.

    2. Bleh
      • 9 Years
      11 hours, 36 mins ago

      No

    3. F4L
      • 11 Years
      11 hours, 36 mins ago

      i thought semenyo was just abit too sloppy in possession today to warrant getting in

      1. Albrightondknight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        11 hours, 34 mins ago

        Too early for me will watch the highlights thanks

    4. Hutchiniho
      • 7 Years
      11 hours, 36 mins ago

      Yes.

    5. Make FPL Casual Again
      • 7 Years
      11 hours, 28 mins ago

      If you're benching Kroupi, do it

      1. Make FPL Casual Again
        • 7 Years
        11 hours, 24 mins ago

        Bou signed new forward so not ecen sure if Kroupi nailed

        1. Albrightondknight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          11 hours, 21 mins ago

          Well if that’s the case I would probably just go 4.2 fodder and hold off on the moves for a week. Thanks

  8. FC Hakkebøf
    • 8 Years
    11 hours, 36 mins ago

    Palmer scored a goal and got defcon, but no bonus? I know he for a yellow card, but still…

    1. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      11 hours, 35 mins ago

      YC is over penalising for BPS

    2. Hutchiniho
      • 7 Years
      11 hours, 35 mins ago

      Pens don’t carry much weight with bonus

    3. F4L
      • 11 Years
      11 hours, 35 mins ago

      must have not had the best passing completion rate, and lost the ball a few times

  9. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    11 hours, 36 mins ago

    Rice probably uber defensive now I own him

    1. Hutchiniho
      • 7 Years
      11 hours, 35 mins ago

      Same 🙂

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        11 hours, 29 mins ago

        So annoying, bought Thiago as well and of course after looking like the new rendition of Pele, heavily turns into Gabaddiani the week I buy him

    2. Deer-in-headlights
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      11 hours, 30 mins ago

      He'll get his points one way or another.

  10. F4L
    • 11 Years
    11 hours, 32 mins ago

    pass to rice white ffs

  11. Dynamic Duos
    • 12 Years
    11 hours, 24 mins ago

    Hincapie to?

    A) Tarkowksi
    B) Gabriel

  12. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    11 hours, 23 mins ago

    Awful GW…
    Saka benched
    Foden off ht
    Dorgu last on bench
    My one transfer… brought in Szob…. Missed pen
    That’s why this site is called FFS

    1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      11 hours, 23 mins ago

      Martinellol

      1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
        • 5 Years
        11 hours, 22 mins ago

        reply fail

        1. Ignasi M
          • 8 Years
          11 hours, 17 mins ago

          I appreciated it lolorama

    2. Gizzachance
      • 11 Years
      11 hours, 11 mins ago

      Had foden for all his blanks!
      Donny for hardly any cs
      Haaland 1 goal in last 5

      Vvd couldn’t cs v Burnley, did away to ars when most benched

      Gordon waste of space regarding returns and minutes

      Vdv 2 pts in last two

      Fpl eh

    3. The Don Deal
      • 4 Years
      10 hours, 58 mins ago

      I feel your pain. Dorgu back of my bench too

  13. Dynamic Duos
    • 12 Years
    11 hours, 23 mins ago

    Sanchez and Chalobah cs and benched Thiago for Le Fee 🙂

    1. panda07
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 hours, 13 mins ago

      Noice!

    2. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      11 hours ago

      That’s elite levels of benching

  14. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    11 hours, 23 mins ago

    Wow Marty what a miss

  15. Feanor
    • 16 Years
    11 hours, 22 mins ago

    Would you do Saka to BrunoF tonight, or Wilson to BrunoF and keep Saka?

    Other mids are BrunoG, Rice and Rogers

    1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      11 hours, 21 mins ago

      Saka out (over Wilson currently)

    2. Ignasi M
      • 8 Years
      11 hours, 20 mins ago

      No. Bruno will be reserved vs. Arsenal away. I would save that transfer until the next game week.

      1. Feanor
        • 16 Years
        11 hours, 18 mins ago

        Price might go up twice this week, don’t wanna wait

        1. Ignasi M
          • 8 Years
          11 hours, 18 mins ago

          hmmmm good point

  16. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    11 hours, 22 mins ago

    Rice 3 DC already

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      11 hours, 20 mins ago

      What you mean already? That’s not enough.
      3 in 30 mins means he won’t get points

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        11 hours, 17 mins ago

        Most for Arsenal tbf

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      11 hours, 20 mins ago

      in the bag 😎

  17. Thanos
    • 4 Years
    11 hours, 21 mins ago

    What's happened to Odegaard?

    Massive drop off from last few seasons.

    1. Philosopher's Stones
      • 5 Years
      11 hours, 18 mins ago

      Went vegan

  18. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 hours, 19 mins ago

    Today could barely have gone better.

    Wirtz (c) and Sanchez 11pter. Who cares about the rest no one else has any points anyway!

    1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      11 hours, 17 mins ago

      same. Wirtz cap. Dorgu 2nd bench. Foden 1st Bench (so that's good). Rice, Gab, Timb, Rogers, Watkins to go

      1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
        • 5 Years
        11 hours, 17 mins ago

        and Sels!

    2. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      11 hours, 17 mins ago

      Dorgu does 😎

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        11 hours, 15 mins ago

        Picking Heaven over Dorgu a few weeks ago was a huge mistake otherwise I'd have Dorgu coming off my bench for Nunes too for extra spicy jam

    3. pundit of punts
      • 12 Years
      11 hours, 13 mins ago

      Bruno and Palmer for me 😎

      1. panda07
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 hours, 9 mins ago

        How is your sub 150k GW rank coming along?!

        1. pundit of punts
          • 12 Years
          10 hours, 57 mins ago

          Let the GW end

    4. Riverside Red
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      10 hours, 54 mins ago

      Great that you're not concerned about the rest of your team's contributions. Good captain pick though.

    5. Boxwoods
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      10 hours, 54 mins ago

      Well done on (W)irtz

  19. The Mandalorian
    • 13 Years
    11 hours, 18 mins ago

    That Sanchez 11 pointer hit like crack.

  20. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    11 hours, 14 mins ago

    Timber YC pen check

  21. Philosopher's Stones
    • 5 Years
    11 hours, 14 mins ago

    Martinelli with the miss of the season

    1. SINGH
      • 7 Years
      10 hours, 59 mins ago

      Even worse than missing an open goal with no keeper. Yet Madrid want to swap him for Vini Jr

  22. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    11 hours, 11 mins ago

    Murillo big block

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      11 hours, 10 mins ago

      Gyokeres looked like he was stuck in mud.

      1. g40steve
        • 7 Years
        10 hours, 59 mins ago

        Not the quickest

  23. F4L
    • 11 Years
    11 hours, 10 mins ago

    gyokeres never lost that 5-10 pounds of weight that he looked like he needed to in first appearance

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      11 hours, 9 mins ago

      Hard to believe that he actually looked pretty fast in the portuguese league

  24. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    11 hours, 7 mins ago

    Raya howler

  25. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    11 hours, 6 mins ago

    Forest g?

    1. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      11 hours, 4 mins ago

      No, just Raya doing daft careless things.

  26. mixology
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 hours, 5 mins ago

    There isn’t really a 3rd Arsenal FPL option. It’s just Rice and Gabriel.

    Have been saying all season it’s not Saka. But Timber has also been disappointing for me. And cheaper GKs keep pace with Raya

    1. People in Preston
      • 15 Years
      10 hours, 45 mins ago

      Totally agree.

      Gabriel and Rice. Sanchez and Palmer. Haaland and no one.

      There's no reason to treble up on any team.

      Keep the options open.

  27. Triple Free Bench Hit Boost
    • 3 Years
    11 hours, 5 mins ago

    Think Saka will be on at half time to score a 2nd half hattie

  28. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    11 hours, 3 mins ago

    Probably still giving Palmer a miss...

    https://x.com/i/status/2012581359110201397

    1. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      11 hours, 2 mins ago

      Could be just fitness he actually got DC’s & got kicked tonF throughout game

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        11 hours ago

        More likely still managing the groin issue IMO

        1. g40steve
          • 7 Years
          10 hours, 57 mins ago

          Will probably hold nice differential & those fixture 😮

    2. Ignasi M
      • 8 Years
      11 hours, 1 min ago

      If only Saka was a match winner (like Gabriel)

  29. Ignasi M
    • 8 Years
    11 hours, 3 mins ago

    Trash half.

  30. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    11 hours, 3 mins ago

    HT