Dugout Discussion
25 January 2026 1158 comments
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The penultimate match of Gameweek 23 sees Arsenal take on Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.

Kick-off is at 16:30 GMT.

TEAM NEWS

Mikel Arteta makes four changes to the Arsenal side that beat Inter Milan in midweek.

Gabriel Magalhaes, Piero Hincapie, Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice all return.

Cristhian Mosquera, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Mikel Merino and Eberechi Eze drop to the bench.

The front three consequently remains unchanged, with Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard flanking Gabriel Jesus, who scored two goals at the San Siro on Tuesday.

Michael Carrick sticks with the same team that beat Manchester City in the derby, with Bryan Mbeumo once again leading the line.

LINE-UPS

Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Odegaard, Rice, Saka, Trossard, Jesus

Subs: Kepa, Mosquera, White, Eze, Martinelli, Gyokeres, Madueke, Merino, Lewis-Skelly

Manchester United XI: Lammens, Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Amad, Fernandes, Dorgu, Mbeumo

Subs: Bayindir, Heaven, Malacia, Mazraoui, Yoro, Ugarte, Mount, Cunha, Sesko

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:


  1. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    2 days, 1 hour ago

    Someone needs to remind Neville that said Carrick is definitely not the man for long term..

    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      *that he said

    2. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Always the way with caretaker managers, sometimes I think teams would perform better with no manager whatsoever 😆

    3. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Did he say that? He just lost any credibility that he had.

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        Yes he did. He came up with a 4 man list of Tuchel, Ancelotti, Nagelsmann and Enrique I think it was, and specifically ruled out Carrick.

        1. All Hail K
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          I'd take Burt Reynolds over Tuchel.

  2. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    2 days, 1 hour ago

    Hate that missing Haaland news made Dorgu stay on bench again…

    1. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Tis why we need mine rule change!

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        Give it a rest. It won’t happen.

        1. Scapegoat Salah
          • 9 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          That’s what they said when I mentioned DMs should have more avenues to points last season…

        2. Scapegoat Salah
          • 9 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          Not to mention when I said about the chips being pointless because everyone uses them at the same time.

          So they introduced 2 lots of the chips this season, they do listen to feedback if you contact them.

      2. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        Honestly I would welcome Fantasy CL deadline

        1. Atimis
          • 9 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          They already took DC concept from them

          1. Scapegoat Salah
            • 9 Years
            2 days, 1 hour ago

            Yup it’s the future

  3. F4L
    • 11 Years
    2 days, 1 hour ago

    cunha max bonus for now

  4. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    2 days, 1 hour ago

    Cunha and Szob get a well deserved reprieve in my squad.

  5. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 1 hour ago

    Bottlers bottle it.

  6. F4L
    • 11 Years
    2 days, 1 hour ago

    last 2 GWs so frustrating for rice. just short of dc twice, close to bonus both times, robbed of assists by poor finishing/top saves. oh well

    1. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      I'm withstanding the temptation to swap for Enzo or Semenyo.

      Imma lose Rogers instead.

  7. Thanos
    • 4 Years
    2 days, 1 hour ago

    Take that Amorim.

    1. JBG
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Crazy how playing to players strength can only lead to good things

      1. Thanos
        • 4 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        Suddenly United don't look pedestrian.

        So much pace now. Intent. Threat. Not praying for survival but literally going for the kill.

        Had this been 2-2 with Amorim at the wheel, he would have tried to settle for a draw.

  8. Bolivian Seaman
    • 15 Years
    2 days, 1 hour ago

    4 competitions, we got to win something surely 🙂

    1. Ignasi M
      • 8 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Nope.

      1. Bolivian Seaman
        • 15 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        well, set up for years if we don't

        1. Ignasi M
          • 8 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          Arsenal continue to break me down, year upon year upon year.

  9. Jebiga
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 1 hour ago

    How on earth that is not goal by Timber?
    Or it's own goal?

    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      OG

    2. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      I don’t understand it or I need to go to spec savers but looks like that ain’t changing from an own goal

      1. FFS ManU
        • 3 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        I don't have Timber in my FPL team, but I am sure that should be his goal from all of the replays that I have seen.

    3. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Still have til the end of the gameweek to see what happens.

  10. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 days, 1 hour ago

    What a week. O’Reilly in for Palmer and a Tark haul and red goes greyish green.

  11. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 days, 1 hour ago

    Beat Man City then Arsenal away

    Imagine what Amorin would have done

    Opened up the title race

    It's all on

  12. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    2 days, 1 hour ago

    I seem to remember Arsenal always bottled it in the spring during the latter Wenger seasons. Used to be around March if I recall correctly

    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      There on the bottle early.

  13. thegaffer82
    • 14 Years
    2 days, 1 hour ago

    This is the Ole situation unfolding again right in front of our eyes. Carrick just needs another 8 wins and he’ll be sat in front of the cameras with Wilcox and Berada all smiles signing his 5 year contract.
    We all know where it goes from there…

    1. The Mandalorian
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Yes as a United fan its awful.

      Club can't progress with PE Teachers in charge.

    2. _Greg
      • 15 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      The difference this time is Steve Holland is a world class assistant manager. do not be fooled this is real.

  14. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    2 days, 1 hour ago

    Is JPedro an option now?

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Or he starts in CL and then gets benched in league?

    2. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Always best to wait. Ask the new Dorgu owners.

    3. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 days, 1 hour ago

      Delap still a possible issue but maybe not as much as I thought. But also remember Pedro at the start of the season do you really want him even with the fixtures?

    4. JohnnyB10
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        Just not nailed, that midweek coming up, maybe Evanilson as a punt ( for Ekitike )? Well rested, on pens, nothing special but a bit under the radar, nice fixtures too.

      • Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        I am getting pedro on wc

        1. JohnnyB10
            2 days, 1 hour ago

            Pedro cool very nice run I might get him too but will think about Evanilson

      • F4L
        • 11 Years
        2 days, 1 hour ago

        fulham to bring united back down to earth next gw 😉

        1. Thanos
          • 4 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          Doubt it. After ages, this team looks like a solid unit.

          1. Scapegoat Salah
            • 9 Years
            2 days, 1 hour ago

            Bruno being utilised in his best position is key, that’s the biggest change finally made, been moaning about it for months

            1. JohnnyB10
                2 days, 1 hour ago

                Yep finally amf

          2. thegaffer82
            • 14 Years
            2 days, 1 hour ago

            Defo a big possibility.
            United’s cryptonite is teams who sit back and let United attack them

          3. Brosstan
            • 11 Years
            2 days, 1 hour ago

            Dont think so right now. The players have a lot more quality than Fulham and peak confidence as well right now. Healthy amount of competition in the squad.

          4. _Greg
            • 15 Years
            2 days, 1 hour ago

            Mbeumo, Bruno, Cunha and Amad have too much quality if the defence stays strong.

        2. Kaneyonero
          • 9 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          Saka to Bruno F?

          1. Udogie-style
            • 2 Years
            2 days, 1 hour ago

            Yes

          2. F4L
            • 11 Years
            2 days, 1 hour ago

            yeah

        3. Brosstan
          • 11 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          Might bet on Arsenal bottling it... sell Rice for Cunha.

          1. Albrightondknight
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            2 days, 1 hour ago

            Don’t sell Rice

        4. Thanos
          • 4 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          Michael Carrick has had five games in charge of Manchester United.

          He has beaten Arsenal twice, Manchester City and a Villarreal team coached by Unai Emery, plus drawn with Chelsea when Thomas Tuchel was in charge.

          He has got twice as many points against City and Arsenal as United got in their three previous games against Wolves, Leeds and Burnley.

        5. Udogie-style
          • 2 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          Best moves to make?

          A) Guimaraes to Mbeumo and DCL to J. Pedro?
          Play 3-4-3 benching Cherki

          B) Guimaraes to Mbeumo and Cherki to Palmer (or Estevao). Already have Enzo.
          Play 3-5-2 benching DCL.

          Cheers.

          1. terranullius
            • 1 Year
            2 days, 1 hour ago

            A for me

        6. terranullius
          • 1 Year
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          Going without Haaland... Is this madness?

          1. Udogie-style
            • 2 Years
            2 days, 1 hour ago

            Yes

            1. terranullius
              • 1 Year
              2 days, 1 hour ago

              I know it's risky, but I'm really fancying selling him.

              1. Udogie-style
                • 2 Years
                2 days, 1 hour ago

                He's had a bit of a rest now. I'd give it another week.

        7. Bigbars
          • 15 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          Great example of how, confidence, coaching, systems etc can affect players... these are the same players that couldnt string results under amorin and look at them now... crazyness !!

        8. Koflok
          • 13 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          Foden to
          A) Mbuemo
          B) Enzo

          1. terranullius
            • 1 Year
            2 days, 1 hour ago

            A

          2. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 11 Years
            2 days, 1 hour ago

            a

        9. FPL Blow-In
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          Viera and Keane sitting alongside each other discussing the game is great to see

          1. Count of Monte Hristo
            • 12 Years
            2 days, 1 hour ago

            If it keeps Gary Neville out of the studio I’m all for it.

            1. JBG
              • 7 Years
              2 days, 1 hour ago

              What a massive knobhead he has been lately.

              1. FPL Blow-In
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                2 days, 1 hour ago

                Lately?

        10. Count of Monte Hristo
          • 12 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          Nico O’Reilly my first sub has twice as many points as my Arsenal defensive triple up 😆

        11. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          rogers in 352 or watkins in 343? cheers. on wc

          1. Koflok
            • 13 Years
            2 days, 1 hour ago

            Rog

            1. Ajax Hamsterdam
              • 11 Years
              2 days, 1 hour ago

              cheers

          2. FPL Blow-In
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 days, 1 hour ago

            Can’t not play with 5mids considering the plethora of options over the forward slots imo

          3. C0YS
            • 10 Years
            2 days, 1 hour ago

            Rogers if you want a Villa asset. Watkins will probably be a more frustrating asset (similar to most of the other strikers rn)

            1. C0YS
              • 10 Years
              2 days, 1 hour ago

              3-5-2 or 4-5-1 are the only viable formations atm

        12. The Mandalorian
          • 13 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          The legendary Man United new manager bounce.

          Ole had a similar victory against PSG in Paris, playing the same counterattack football.

          Carrick is winning games on vibes and playing very basic football.

          Mbeumo looking like an option. Might play 70 mins but United are full of energy.

          1. Count of Monte Hristo
            • 12 Years
            2 days, 1 hour ago

            Tactics are overrated and over complicated. Football is a simple game and 442 under Fergie with a desire and necessity to win every game is what led to their dominance. Not what pretty little systems they played that look nice on a tactics board.

        13. _Greg
          • 15 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          Just need INEOS to say nothing n let the man cook.

          1. Count of Monte Hristo
            • 12 Years
            2 days, 1 hour ago

            Chef Carrick to the pass please.

        14. WVA
          • 9 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          Rices defcons increased but his baps reduced, makes sense….

        15. fedolefan
          • 11 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          Christ man, I was finally happy that may be I found a cheap replacement for O'Reilly in Dorgu to afford Bruno and now I'm back to square one.

          1. FPL Blow-In
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 days, 1 hour ago

            Hill

            1. fedolefan
              • 11 Years
              1 day, 15 hours ago

              Yeah, probably forced to get him. Just read some quotes where the manager was happy with him.

        16. Bobby Digital
          • 8 Years
          2 days, 1 hour ago

          Play Thiago(avl) or Cunha(FUL) next GW?

          1. JohnnyB10
              2 days, 1 hour ago

              Cunha definitely

            • JBG
              • 7 Years
              2 days, 1 hour ago

              Both?

              1. Bobby Digital
                • 8 Years
                2 days, 1 hour ago

                Could work, yeah.