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. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    6 hours, 4 mins ago

    Wheres the guy who was spamming how bad United are before the deadline? Lol

  2. tucaoneo
    • 7 Years
    6 hours, 3 mins ago

    Sels has more points in this match than what he got me in 6 GWs combined. Not a joke.

    1. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      6 hours, 1 min ago

      A lesson in picking players for the right fixtures

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 hours ago

        *for not the right fixtures

      2. fedolefan
        • 11 Years
        5 hours, 52 mins ago

        The real pro pundits are in the comments.

    2. fedolefan
      • 11 Years
      5 hours, 57 mins ago

      Got him in GW13 but GW15-GW21 has been a disaster with the Dubravka 11 pointer saving the day.

  3. Pomodoro
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 hours, 58 mins ago

    WC 22 has been a good play so far..
    If you went early on Palmer + 2 Chelsea, Bruno and Mbeumo well played.

    1. Pomodoro
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 hours, 56 mins ago

      Even better if you were epically ballsy and captained one of them over Haaland!

  4. Nightf0x
    • 10 Years
    5 hours, 57 mins ago

    Alison (dub)
    Clyne* mukiele gabriel (richards keane)
    Saka rice foden gordon (king)
    Tiago haland watkins

    3 fts, which ?

    A) alison clyne saka foden -4 to sanchez reinildo palmer bruno
    B) Clyne saka foden to timber enzo bruno
    C) alison clyne saka foden to sanchez/roefs/henderson timber enzo bruno

  5. diabydoesgallas
    • 12 Years
    5 hours, 56 mins ago

    Don’t get all the early transfers. Team value feels less important this year. I’d wait til the last minute given there’s a full schedule of midweek euro fixtures personally.

    1. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      5 hours, 54 mins ago

      Imagine if Haaland in midweek breaks his leg

      1. Yes Ndidi
        • 6 Years
        5 hours, 50 mins ago

        He'd still lead the captain poll next GW

  6. Qaiss
    • 10 Years
    5 hours, 53 mins ago

    I was annoyed that I didn’t buy Sanchez but having seen the highlights for the Chelsea game, Brentford should have scored 1 or 2 goals easily

    1. Captain Mal
      • 1 Year
      5 hours, 45 mins ago

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2025/12/13/burnley-v-fulham-team-news-robinson-returns?hc_page=3&hc_sort_by=comment_date#hc_comment_27453786

      Still stand by this, the amount of clean sheets they've got (2nd best after Arsenal) is wild.

      1. Qaiss
        • 10 Years
        5 hours, 37 mins ago

        Yep I agree

        Never watch them and think they look secure

  7. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    5 hours, 53 mins ago

    I think it's becoming more clear every week that Gabriel, Timber & Rice are the best Arsenal trio

    1. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      5 hours, 50 mins ago

      Gabriel and Rice only. Timber is not worth it. Im an owner and obviously not spending a transfer to remove but hes not worth bringing in.

      1. Yes Ndidi
        • 6 Years
        5 hours, 48 mins ago

        2 is/are enough. Maybe if they double in 26 I'll get another one in, maybe a punt on Tross or someone, but for now leaving the spot open just in case

  8. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 hours, 53 mins ago

    Could Bruno triple rise this week?

    1. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      5 hours, 50 mins ago

      Hopefully not. The less the merrier.

    2. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 hours, 17 mins ago

      Surely not before Arsenal away?!

  9. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 hours, 50 mins ago

    Good evening all!!

    Exact money!! Watkins Bruno G Alderete to
    Bruno F Thiago and Gudmundsson got a hit

    Bruno F and Thiago going up tonight

    A- Yes
    Or
    B- No

    Cheers all!!

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 hours, 50 mins ago

      *for a hit

    2. diabydoesgallas
      • 12 Years
      5 hours, 49 mins ago

      Wouldn’t do that, Bruno and Watkins haven’t even played yet.

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 hours, 48 mins ago

        Cheers mate can Easily roll again too

    3. Punned It
        5 hours, 24 mins ago

        I quite fancy keeping Gruno for the rest of the season.

    4. R Whites
      • 10 Years
      5 hours, 49 mins ago

      2 FTs, I’m thinking Foden, Cunha to Bruno F, Enzo?

      Mid is currently- rice, wilson, foden, cunha, rogers

      Not 100% sure on enzo, but with 7.7m there doesn’t seem many other options. Feel missed the boat on Bruno G.

      Pull trigger, or any other mids?

      1. diabydoesgallas
        • 12 Years
        5 hours, 47 mins ago

        Chelsea fan here, I would wait to see how enzo is used by Rosenior before bringing him in. He’s a big fan of andrey santos so that could complicate things.

        1. R Whites
          • 10 Years
          4 hours, 34 mins ago

          Yes had similar thoughts. Do you think palmer is worth the price tag?

    5. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      5 hours, 47 mins ago

      This Saka guy is really annoying.

      1. PartyTime
        • 4 Years
        5 hours, 30 mins ago

        Hahahahahaha

      2. PartyTime
        • 4 Years
        5 hours, 17 mins ago

        Easy sell

    6. Pep Roulette
      • 8 Years
      5 hours, 43 mins ago

      Saka to Bruno this week or next?

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        5 hours, 40 mins ago

        Next

      2. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        5 hours, 38 mins ago

        Just do it. I got him before the deadline for his 8 points. The games are so unpredictable atm.

    7. Nightf0x
      • 10 Years
      5 hours, 41 mins ago

      Alison (dub)
      Clyne* mukiele gabriel (richards keane)
      Saka rice foden gordon (king)
      Tiago haland watkins

      3 fts, which ?

      A) alison clyne saka foden -4 to sanchez reinildo palmer bruno, exact 0.0
      B) alison clyne saka foden -4 to sanchez/roefs/henderson timber enzo bruno

    8. Koflok
      • 13 Years
      5 hours, 39 mins ago

      How's this move? 2 FTs 0m ITB

      This GW : Saka Cunha to Rice BrunoF
      Next GW : Foden > Enzo / Wirtz

      1. FC Hakkebøf
        • 8 Years
        5 hours, 38 mins ago

        Just Cunha to Rice if possible. Otherwise wait.

        1. Koflok
          • 13 Years
          5 hours, 30 mins ago

          Yeah would do that but already have 3 Arsenal.

      2. FC Hakkebøf
        • 8 Years
        5 hours, 37 mins ago

        I prefer Wirtz over Enzo if money is no issue.

      3. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        5 hours, 36 mins ago

        Yep good long term holds.

    9. Ady87
      • 12 Years
      5 hours, 36 mins ago

      Keane/Saka > Chalobah/Palmer were my transfers this week, nice to see it paid off.

      In the US and missed the Manchester derby - I benched Foden and started Cunha - who are people selling Foden for? Anyone doubling on United mids?

      Only watched the highlights but looked like Cunha could have hauled in his cameo if not for VAR.

    10. Flynny
      • 10 Years
      5 hours, 33 mins ago

      If foden has a broken hand would that rule him out of games?

      Surely just strap it up?

      1. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        5 hours, 28 mins ago

        I thought he always has a broken hand, always bandaged. Bit like Saka's limp...

      2. Yes Ndidi
        • 6 Years
        5 hours, 10 mins ago

        It's Wolves at home, & they're not exactly short in that department. I'd say that's a perfect excuse to rest him for a week.

    11. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      5 hours, 32 mins ago

      keep or sell foden ? so annoying they play wolves next...

      1. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        5 hours, 31 mins ago

        I plan on keeping for Wolves and then get rid.

    12. PartyTime
      • 4 Years
      5 hours, 31 mins ago

      Hahahahaa bum pick Saka getting sold by so many managers. This game was the final nail on the coffin for many 🙂

    13. Jafooli
      • 13 Years
      5 hours, 30 mins ago

      There really are no better points than jammy double digit bench points. Period...

      1. The Knights Template
        • 12 Years
        5 hours, 22 mins ago

        O’Reilly owners got vegemite!

      2. Yes Ndidi
        • 6 Years
        5 hours, 8 mins ago

        The guy that's just overtaken me in ML started Nunes & Guehi, and has Dorgu 2nd bench. If you don't laugh, you'd cry.

    14. el polako
      • 8 Years
      5 hours, 29 mins ago

      Will Dorgu keep his place in the starting XI?

    15. Gazzpfc
      • 9 Years
      5 hours, 27 mins ago

      Wirtz the most inform midfielder in the game but always overlooked

      1. PartyTime
        • 4 Years
        5 hours, 18 mins ago

        Top player unlike Szoboszlai

    16. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      5 hours, 24 mins ago

      Nico O’Reilly with a -1pt performance, begs the question.

      How are O’Reilly owners feeling?

      1. fedolefan
        • 11 Years
        5 hours, 19 mins ago

        Waiting for the 15 pointer that was promised.

    17. JT11fc
      • 7 Years
      5 hours, 24 mins ago

      How to fund Foden to Bruno?

      1. Bowen to cheap forward but not sure who

      2. Nunes to 5.1 def

      1. The Knights Template
        • 12 Years
        5 hours, 21 mins ago

        Bowen > Mane

        1. JT11fc
          • 7 Years
          4 hours, 58 mins ago

          Thanks

    18. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 12 Years
      5 hours, 21 mins ago

      Eze was sold a dream, a shame his football is suffering,

      1. PartyTime
        • 4 Years
        5 hours, 19 mins ago

        If only he chose Bayern like Olise

      2. The Knights Template
        • 12 Years
        5 hours, 15 mins ago

        I had a dream last night I was friends with former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinta Adern, and we were in the same aerobics class! Afterwards, as I was sitting reading the daily broadsheet, she asked me for her water bottle, which was sequestered down the side of mine light-tanned vinyl upholstered single chair! Even though we were friends, the toothsome politician then asked for a selfie with yours truly, and I was happy to oblige!

    19. PartyTime
      • 4 Years
      5 hours, 20 mins ago

      Salah should be available next GW. Afcon journey ended today.

    20. Jafooli
      • 13 Years
      5 hours, 17 mins ago

      Exact money to do Foden > Burno F (no European football). Do it?

      1. el polako
        • 8 Years
        5 hours, 16 mins ago

        Yes

      2. The Knights Template
        • 12 Years
        5 hours, 13 mins ago

        We’ve already done it!

    21. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 hours, 14 mins ago

      Triggered my wildcard. Pretty excited about it.

      Roefs - Dubravka
      Gabriel - Saliba - Chalobah - Guehi - Dorgu
      Fernandes - Rice - Enzo - Mbeumo - Rogers
      Haaland - Watkins - João Pedro

      Thoughts? Probably going to leave it then come back to it prior to the deadline.

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 hours, 11 mins ago

        Nice one, I've got 8 out of those, so will probably will survive without WC-ing now 😛

      2. FDMS All Starz
        • 10 Years
        5 hours, 11 mins ago

        No palmer?

        1. FPL Brains
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          5 hours, 11 mins ago

          Ooh good shout

    22. Stimps
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 hours, 14 mins ago

      Easy save?

      Dubravka
      Nunes Gabriel Tarkowski
      Saka Bruno G Rogers Rice
      Haaland Bowen DCL

      Martinez Enzo Alderate Thiaw

    23. pundit of punts
      • 12 Years
      5 hours, 14 mins ago

      Easy save right?

      Verbruggen
      Gabriel - VdV - Reinildo
      Saka - Palmer - Bruno Fernandes - Rogers - Gordon
      Haaland - Watkins

      John - Richards - Barnes - Gudmundsson

      Nothing in the bank.

      Look to get 2 more Chelsea with 2 FTs in 24. Sound?

      1. The Knights Template
        • 12 Years
        5 hours, 12 mins ago

        Yep

        1. pundit of punts
          • 12 Years
          5 hours, 9 mins ago

          Ta

    24. FDMS All Starz
      • 10 Years
      5 hours, 12 mins ago

      Which one would you do?
      A) Foden —> Bruno
      B) Foden —> Palmer
      C) Saka —> Bruno
      D) Saka —> Palmer
      E) Saka & Foden —> Palmer & Bruno

      Team:
      Verbruggen
      Timber Gabriel Andersen
      Saka Foden Tavernier LeFee
      Haaland Ekitike Thiago

      Areola Devenny VanDenBerg Keane
      (4FTs & 2.6itb)

      1. R Whites
        • 10 Years
        4 hours, 17 mins ago

        E