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
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  1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 9 Years
    7 hours, 41 mins ago

    Sick of Foden. Welcome back Bruno!

    1. bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 hours, 39 mins ago

      Before ARS away?

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 9 Years
        7 hours, 38 mins ago

        Yes

    2. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 hours, 35 mins ago

      Arsenal away or Wolves at home - think I’ll wait a week

  2. Old Wulfrunian
    • 9 Years
    7 hours, 41 mins ago

    And now everyone will sell Saka and he will score against Man Utd.

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      7 hours, 39 mins ago

      Not selling him before he faces United for sure.

  3. terranullius
    • 1 Year
    7 hours, 41 mins ago

    How are Nunes and Cherki owners feeling?

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      7 hours, 40 mins ago

      Where was Nunes?

      Pretty good tbh. Hopeful of starts against Wolves.

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      7 hours, 39 mins ago

      Nunes has been really good for me. I had benched him this week. So does not matter

    3. terranullius
      • 1 Year
      7 hours, 36 mins ago

      So we hold Nunes. But what about Cherki, should we sell?

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        7 hours, 31 mins ago

        Both on my chopping block tbh after Wolves. City defence a mess and I don't want to be sweating over teamsheets every week with Cherki.

        1. terranullius
          • 1 Year
          7 hours, 24 mins ago

          Sounds reasonable. Let's hold for one more week.

  4. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    7 hours, 41 mins ago

    2 FT and 0.8 ITB.

    A - Szob & Foden > BrunoF & Wilson
    B - Szob > Wilson and roll 1

    Pickford
    Gabriel - Timber - Andersen
    Foden - Szob - BrunoG - Rice
    Haaland - Ekitike - DCL

    Dubravka - Cunha - Guddy - Dorgu

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      7 hours, 40 mins ago

      Maybe punt on someone else over Wilson?

      1. Jet5605
        • 11 Years
        7 hours, 39 mins ago

        He blanked today but I still think he's a good pick. Tav is another one but has a tough game

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      7 hours, 40 mins ago

      A

  5. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    7 hours, 41 mins ago

    Is there much between these? Any stands out?

    1)
    23: Foden to Bruno
    24: Saka Potts Ekitike to Palmer Rice Mane -4

    2)
    23: Ekitike Potts to Bruno Mane
    24: Saka Foden to Palmer Rice -4

    3)
    23: Saka to Palmer
    24: Foden Potts Ekitike to Bruno Rice Mane -4

    4)
    23: Saka Potts Ekitike to Palmer Bruno Mane -4
    24: Foden to Rice

    1. JT11fc
      • 7 Years
      7 hours, 38 mins ago

      If Foden is out then option 1, youl lose a load of value otherwise

      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        7 hours, 37 mins ago

        I'm kinda tempted to go Foden to Bruno anyway so maybe just stick with that one

        1. JT11fc
          • 7 Years
          7 hours, 35 mins ago

          Ill likely do the same

  6. JT11fc
    • 7 Years
    7 hours, 40 mins ago

    Bowen and Palmer defcons taste nice

  7. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    7 hours, 40 mins ago

    Is Foden injured?

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      7 hours, 40 mins ago

      Pep said no? But can never be sure

  8. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 hours, 39 mins ago

    Who to bench?

    A) Enzo (palace away)
    B) DCL (Everton away)

    1. JT11fc
      • 7 Years
      7 hours, 38 mins ago

      Hmm assess Everton tomorrow

    2. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      7 hours, 27 mins ago

      B no Guehi

  9. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 9 Years
    7 hours, 38 mins ago

    Right call go bench both Watkins and DCL?

    Roefs
    Gabriel Chalobah Tarkowski Mukiele
    Palmer Bruno Rice Rogers Enzo
    Haaland

    Dubravka Watkins DCL Alderete

    Or play BB?

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      7 hours, 28 mins ago

      BB could be interesting caall

      Dubravka (Tottenham home)
      Watkins (Newcastle away)
      DCL (Everton away)
      Alderete (West Ham United away)

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 9 Years
        7 hours, 25 mins ago

        Yeah, it's not too bad, but not great either, to be fair
        I'd like to be done with it though. Think i'll make a last minute decision on this!

  10. dansmusen
    • 8 Years
    7 hours, 37 mins ago

    Funny old game this. Sels and Dorgu on bench against Arsenal and City and have almost more points the rest of my team

  11. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 hours, 37 mins ago

    Who to get for Foden?
    How did Semenyo look?
    Bruno F has ARS away next. Not the best time to get him.

    1. Feanor
      • 16 Years
      7 hours, 36 mins ago

      Going up in price tonight, and probably again later this week

  12. Feanor
    • 16 Years
    7 hours, 36 mins ago

    Saka out, BrunoF in.

    1. Ignasi M
      • 8 Years
      7 hours, 30 mins ago

      yep. done

    2. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      7 hours, 30 mins ago

      nice call

      Arsenal Defence possible + Rice

      1. Ignasi M
        • 8 Years
        6 hours, 52 mins ago

        Yeah I'm thinking of having triple Arsenal defence tbh. Most of their points come from defenders.

  13. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    7 hours, 36 mins ago

    Another horrible low energy Arteta match

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      7 hours, 33 mins ago

      Suppose - true but managing squad with League Cup Semi & lots of games in short period
      of time - point gain over Man City now clear by 7 pts - agree Villa could cut to 4 pts
      but Artetas to lose now

  14. Bluetiger1
    • 3 Years
    7 hours, 35 mins ago

    What is the highest points this GW

    34pts (if results stay at present) 2 play

    1. Kingy109
      • 4 Years
      7 hours, 33 mins ago

      I think it will be much of a muchness this week unless Rogers bangs - I imagine many are around 30

      1. Bluetiger1
        • 3 Years
        7 hours, 31 mins ago

        thanks

    2. bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 hours, 32 mins ago

      34 pts with Rogers BrunoG and Verbruggen to play

      1. Bluetiger1
        • 3 Years
        7 hours, 30 mins ago

        cheers

    3. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      7 hours, 28 mins ago

      37 with Watkins, Bruno G and Kadioglu to play

      1. Bluetiger1
        • 3 Years
        7 hours, 23 mins ago

        nice

    4. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      7 hours, 22 mins ago

      50 with Rogers and Watkins

    5. Vazza
      • 5 Years
      7 hours, 19 mins ago

      50 all out here mate. Thinking about playing wildcard. See my message below.

    6. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 hours, 15 mins ago

      38pts
      Watkins Rogers and Cash

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

      43 Rogers to play upto 15k

    8. CoracAld2831
      • 4 Years
      6 hours, 1 min ago

      27 with Rogers & Tavernier to play.

  15. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 hours, 30 mins ago

    Is it worth holding Bowen vs SUN? He’s lost his scoring boots.

    1. Ignasi M
      • 8 Years
      7 hours, 27 mins ago

      no. like Foden, he's also trying for a new baby.

    2. Eightball
      • 5 Years
      7 hours, 26 mins ago

      Depends what the rest of your team is looking like and if you have other more important moves. He is def a sell some point soon though.

    3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      7 hours, 21 mins ago

      No

  16. Ignasi M
    • 8 Years
    7 hours, 30 mins ago

    Arteta needs to be buy a matchwinner in the summer.

    1. JT11fc
      • 7 Years
      7 hours, 14 mins ago

      Not sure they know how to play with a match winner

    2. Ghost Ship
      • 15 Years
      7 hours, 8 mins ago

      A top class striker is the answer.

  17. Wild Card this!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    7 hours, 23 mins ago

    Just saw Oliver Glasner post match interview.
    WOW.
    Don’t think I’ll be getting any Palace players…

    1. Ghost Ship
      • 15 Years
      7 hours, 6 mins ago

      That was a Nuno style “fire me now please” interview. Be surprised if he’s there next game. Real shame how palace have gone off the rails.

  18. Vazza
    • 5 Years
    7 hours, 20 mins ago

    Worth playing wildcard, which would involve these moves:

    O’Reilly, Saka, Foden, Ekitike
    =>
    Saliba, Palmer, Mbeumo, Wirtz

    Two other moves would be remove a midfield fodder to forward fodder to reconfigure formation and cheap defender to even cheaper defender.

    Thoughts pls?

    1. Punned It
        7 hours, 18 mins ago

        A bit punty. Gabriel over Saliba, and don't quite like the double arsedef. The next three look good - but due to pens, playing leaky City and playing Burnley. The four you're shipping out need to go, though.

      • diabydoesgallas
        • 12 Years
        6 hours, 43 mins ago

        Prefer Bruno and rice to mbeumo and wirtz

    2. Punned It
        7 hours, 19 mins ago

        Ok, so I and everyone else'll be doing Foden > Fruno, cause I'd be benching Foden anyway and I'd like to catch the price rises. But I also quite fancy Palmer or Enzo. Do I move on Rogers or Wilson? Or not worth it? Also have Rice and Gruno, but I'm keeping them for the season bar sudden terrible form.

        1. Vazza
          • 5 Years
          7 hours, 15 mins ago

          Love the creativity with Fruno and Gruno.

          Fruno and palmer are essential with the upcoming form and fixtures.

          Rogers and Wilson are sellable to make way for the above.

          1. Punned It
              7 hours, 13 mins ago

              Yeah, but as I wrote above, I worry that Palmer only looks good cause of pens. Can't have a pen every match, can he?

          2. JT11fc
            • 7 Years
            7 hours, 11 mins ago

            Like enzo because of mins really

        2. JT11fc
          • 7 Years
          7 hours, 19 mins ago

          How did Bowen look attackingwise?

        3. Brosstan
          • 11 Years
          7 hours, 17 mins ago

          Need Bruno G to blank tomorrow to save my season...

          1. Punned It
              7 hours, 16 mins ago

              Score a hattie, you say? Couldn't agree more. DC, cleanie and max bonus doesn't feel too much to ask either.

              1. Brosstan
                • 11 Years
                7 hours, 10 mins ago

                I said nothing of the sort

            • FC Hakkebøf
              • 8 Years
              7 hours, 3 mins ago

              This… so much this. Him and Rice have killed me this season.

          2. Gazzpfc
            • 9 Years
            7 hours, 10 mins ago

            Next Gw

            1 Wilson
            2 Bruno F
            3 Semenyo

            ???

            1. tbos83
              • 5 Years
              7 hours, 5 mins ago

              3

            2. FC Hakkebøf
              • 8 Years
              7 hours, 4 mins ago

              One week punt? Or?

              1. Gazzpfc
                • 9 Years
                7 hours, 1 min ago

                Moving forward

          3. Il Capitano
            • 5 Years
            7 hours, 6 mins ago

            1FT 0.3m ITB

            Raya
            Gabriel Chalobah Alderete
            Saka Foden Rogers Bruno G Enzo
            Haaland (C) Ekitike

            Dub - Andersen Senesi Guiu

            Can't go straight from Foden to Bruno F, worth selling Saka or just roll this week?

            1. FC Hakkebøf
              • 8 Years
              7 hours, 4 mins ago

              Roll for sure.

          4. FC Hakkebøf
            • 8 Years
            7 hours, 5 mins ago

            I did Foden, Cunha and Ramsdale to Palmer, Gakpo and Sanchez for a hit. My Only hit this season. I thought I might as due the goalkeeper transfer for a hit as I have other transfers planned out down the line. Safe to say it paid off. 45(-4) with Rogers and Gordon. Lovely stuff.

            1. FC Hakkebøf
              • 8 Years
              7 hours, 5 mins ago

              Might as well do the*

          5. One for All
            • 7 Years
            7 hours, 5 mins ago

            Roefs
            Gabriel, Hall, Alderete
            Bruno G, Rogers, Saka, Cherki
            Haaland, Bowen, Ekitike

            Dubravka, Tarkowski, Garner. Gudmundsson

            3FT 0.3 ITB

            A) Bowen> Thiago
            B) Saka> Palmer, Bowen> Thiago

            A or B Guys, worth holing Saka vs Man Utd?

            1. FC Hakkebøf
              • 8 Years
              7 hours, 2 mins ago

              Saka is a safe starter next week. Not sure the same can be said for Palmer. But I prefer Palmer over Saka my self.

          6. Mother Farke
            • 1 Year
            7 hours, 4 mins ago

            Watkins (C) was the play me feels. He'll get the chances, depends what Olly turns up.

            1. FC Hakkebøf
              • 8 Years
              7 hours, 1 min ago

              Ekitike (C) was the play. He should have scored. I captained Haaland. Too afraid not to even though he has been poor of late.

          7. Halftime
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            7 hours, 2 mins ago

            Stach to Reijnders and play him, Cherki and Haaland against Wolves?

            1. FC Hakkebøf
              • 8 Years
              7 hours ago

              Not sure I would want Reijnders in my team. Better options at that price imo. Go for Tavernier or Wilson Maybe?

            2. Four Letter Wirtz
              • 10 Years
              6 hours, 56 mins ago

              No. Reijnders had a nice run of games around Christmas, but now Semenyo has arrived, Doku is fit again, etc... Yes, he'll almost play second striker when he's on the pitch, but the 1 point ten minute cameos are killing me

          8. Flynny
            • 10 Years
            7 hours ago

            Is it worth keeping saka for next weekend where he will defo start?

            Or switch to bruno? Thanks

          9. Wolfman180
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            6 hours, 59 mins ago

            Raya, Keane, Cunha to Verbruggen/Sanchez, Chalobah, Bruno F for a -4?

          10. bso
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            6 hours, 55 mins ago

            Who are the best front three for upcoming fixtures?

            1. Brosstan
              • 11 Years
              6 hours, 54 mins ago

              Having a front 2