634x258 Dugout Discussion
23 December 2013 4978 comments
Paul Paul
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An all-London affair at the Emirates brings the curtain down on Gameweek 17 this evening. Plenty of Fantasy favourites are on show as the Gunners look for the win that would extend their lead to four points over the chasing pack:

For the hosts, Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil are the main protagonists for Fantasy managers, whilst Theo Walcott will be looking to maintain the form that saw him score twice at the Etihad last weekend.

Jose Mourinho’s side roll up on the back of a poor form of form on the road. The Blues have been beaten in three of their last four away games in all competitions but know that a victory will draw them level with the Gunners on 36 points. Eden Hazard will be desperate to have his say before Fantasy managers turn our attentions to the Gameweek 18 fixtures on Boxing Day.

The team news sees the hosts make four changes from the side that lost 6-3 at City last time around. Kieran Gibbs and Thomas Vermaelen are drafted in for Nacho Monreal and Laurent Koscielny at the back, with the Frenchman sidelined due to a knee wound. Mikel Arteta partners Aaron Ramsey in the double-pivot, with Mathieu Flamini dropping out, whilst Tomas Rosicky gets the nod on the left, replacing the suspended Jack Wilshere. Lukas Podolski warms the Gunners bench along with the likes of Santi Cazorla.

The Blues make three alterations from the XI that edged past Palace. Gary Cahill replaces David Luiz in defence, whilst John Obi Mikel and Frank Lampard are drafted into midfield – Michael Essien drops out through suspension while Juan Mata takes his place on the bench, allowing Ramires to move onto the right of the attacking midfield three. Oscar, Andre Schurrle and Samuel Eto’o are also amongst the subs, with Fernando Torres leading the line again.

Once again, we’ve opened the Dugout Discussion chatroom for those partial to some real-time reaction.

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  1. Willis.
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Oooooooh

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  2. rohan
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    I think the PL could do with these cagey, tactical affairs. Only helps in increasing the quality of football in the PL

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    1. Mr Smith
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Sod that, bring on the goooooaaalllsss!! 😀

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    2. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      With that logic, Stoke should be one of the best teams in the league by now! 😉

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      1. rohan
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        I said tactical 😉

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  3. jas5sk - Youtube channel
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Sagna doesn't get enough credit for his crosses

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      It took him 9 games to get one in 🙄

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      1. jas5sk - Youtube channel
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        😆 lies!

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    2. BONZ
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Or assists - as many are aimless 🙁

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      1. Debauchy
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        That's not at all true Bonz. He been on the mark of late. If you been watching ?

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    3. tm245
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I owned him for much of last season waiting for them to turn into assists -- always looks so threatening and their game gives him so many opportunities.

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  4. FACUPARSE
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    PTB Mourinho

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  5. BONZ
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Surely this is not a 0-0 not after the day i have endured?

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    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      It's what Jose wants, and what Jose wants....

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    2. Gloria Kanchelskis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Same tactics as when Chelsea went to old Trafford . No entertainment in this match by the look of it.

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  6. k.akshay92
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Cahill is a much better centre half than Luiz.

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    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I don't there is any argument there

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    2. GlasgowFF
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Luiz the better footballer though.

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  7. Henry Hill
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Arteta is quality. Woy should forget about Januzaj and look at getting him to declare for England if he wants go down that route

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    1. Obi Wan Elokobi
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      They found out he couldn't because he played for spain u18's or something

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      1. BantamPhil
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Only senior teams matter, you can switch nationalities at that level

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        1. Obi Wan Elokobi
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          He played for U21's which I think do count

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        2. tutankamun
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          According to Wiki:

          "The player is not eligible for England because FIFA Statutes stipulate that the player needs to have held a British passport at the time when he represented Spain at the U16 European Championships and in addition he would have required five years of education in Britain before turning 18"

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    2. GunsnRoses
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      What's his age

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      1. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        31

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  8. Stephen - Robot Daniels
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Will take an Oscar rest here if he plays the other games and Hazard gets a rest against Swansea.

    Looking grim for attacking points here.

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  9. tm245
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    That guy just sulks around the touchline, pissed at having to be there and deadset on letting his scorn take over the match so it can hog all the attention...

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    1. FACUPARSE
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Show Pony

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      1. tm245
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Guarantee he wears a Why Always Me? t-shirt under his Armaniwear.

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  10. joinho
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Worth doing Oscar (out) - Walcott (in) for a hit?

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  11. Declan
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    We need to bring Walcott on.

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  12. jas5sk - Youtube channel
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Gary Cahill: England's best CB

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    1. FACUPARSE
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Apart from when he plays for England

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      1. Bielsa's Bucket
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        😀

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  13. The Chosen One...
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Has 0-0 written all over it....but I have JT and Mert so no chance

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    1. Debauchy
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah great , finally get the JT cleanie, when you got 3 attacking mids !

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    2. Gloria Kanchelskis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Think it could be your lucky day

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  14. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Golden Wonder Salt n vinegar The Messi of crisps

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    1. MattysFantasyFooty
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      All about Walkers

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    2. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Cheese and Onion are the CR7.

      Everyone think they're second best, but they're not

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    3. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Walkers max Paprika

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    4. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      :):

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    5. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      It's all about the Pom Bears.

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  15. Legendary!
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    this is looking like a 0-0...Crap!

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  16. Bielsa's Bucket
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    shieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet

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  17. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    OH NOOOOOOOOOOO

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  18. Bridge
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Nearly Hazard assist. Erg.

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  19. FACUPARSE
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Sheeeeettt that was close

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  20. SuperOsçarBaby
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    be afraiddddd arsenal be very afraidddddd post!!!

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  21. BONZ
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Lamps so unlucky then after sublime pass by Hazard!

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  22. tm245
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Giroud running back to defend on his own counterattack!

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  23. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Hmmm got 50 quid on lampard FGS 🙁

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  24. MattysFantasyFooty
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Will throw a strop if it ends 0-0 after doing Terry -> Evans

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  25. Willis.
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Ooooh

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  26. Chucky
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Almost 1-0 UP

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  27. Waynoo
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    nooo so close for lamps (c)

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  28. Gaz Downright
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    hawkeye check please

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  29. BantamPhil
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Hazard would have deserved that assist for once as well, beautiful ball

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  30. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Chelsea bossing

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