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. SW6
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    No way is that a pen. The tackle didn't make him fall, he felt the tackle and fell over

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    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Irrelevant these days.

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      1. SW6
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Nonsense, why not try and correct what is wrong with the game.

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        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          Because its about keeping the players injury free.

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    2. Scottys Army
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Never a pen i agree

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  2. r0nh
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    School boys!!

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

      Pedo.

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

    That awkward moment where you call up paddy power having a pop about not being able to make a bet only to remember after you have finished the call that you meant to call bet365

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    1. Limbo
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Haha.

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

      :):

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

    Mikel got Lucky there . Geeeez

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

    just backed chelsea to win this one, looks a certainty at the min

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

      I'd say it could go either way

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

    dirty mikel

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

    Walcott should have had a booking for diving.

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

    So who else is brave enough to not captain Suarez in GW18? I'm going with Negredo.

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    1. Scottys Army
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Suarez for me

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

        Think he'll blank...

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        1. Limbo
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          There's really no logic to this whatsoever. Given his last 10 games you'd say he's probably the least likely to blank in every match in world club football.

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

            But they are away to City.

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

      going lukaku i think

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

    Mike Dean ... show some cards

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

    what are you on about, cracking game

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

      All of a sudden

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  11. Total Foot 5
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    OSCAR : red flag now. any other opinions..?

    Today again william starts in his place. In brasil, many are those who say William is better + are demanding william be included in the Brasilian squad. He only got called last match and came in very well w/ Robinho.
    Looks like William has embraced the start spot.
    i was slightly worried when last gw PL he was benched. yes bak from injry, but somehow had gut feling willian was slowly but surely getting the preference. mid week he also got benched.

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

      Red flag? He's on the bench isn't he?

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      1. Total Foot 5
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Red flag i meant as in for those who were thinking of picking him up or own him, he is a red flag now since starting spot under question it seems

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

    How did Chelsea get out of all that! Quite a match, this past 10 mins or so.

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

    4 chelsea corners and no JT goal...

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

      Law of averages says he'll score from the next one.

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

      90th minute bullet header FTW 😉

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  14. Podge
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    On the replay, certain peno.

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

    What passing ... hideous condition

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  16. Total Foot 5
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    ARS w/ 4-2-3-1
    any others who prefer Rambo along Ozil & Walcott?

    Ramsey playing alongside Arteta as Def mids.
    3 mids Rosicky, Ozil, Walcott.
    Giroud upfront alone.

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  17. malbekh
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Mourinho wins on management commitment. Out in the rain while Wenger lurks in his eider down blanket under a canopy. The French wuss..........

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

      bad manners, you

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

      What a hero hey.

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  18. mischty
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    There have been chances, but if I'd known the weather would be like this at the deadline, I would have considered playing Terry. These conditions are bad for Arsenal's game.

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    1. Holy See
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Great grav.

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

        cheers

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  19. jmcclory123
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Is Azpi a sure thing now?

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

      As long as he keeps playing like this .

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    2. bendernas
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Pregame commentary made it seem like mou is pretty peeved with Cole, so it's certainly possible.

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

    azpi dive

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

    I honestly think Mike Dean's left his cards in the changing room. He must have...

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

      He left them in the car

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    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Covering for it pretty well though

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

    Liking this 'Hunger Games' approach that Mike Dean is taking here

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  23. Evs
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    ' A Hint ' of a booking there for Rosicky I felt 😯

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

    Wow an Arsenal decision.

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  25. r0nh
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Arsenal never score from corners!!

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

      You never score with ladies

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      1. r0nh
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        You judge others by your own standards.

        Very insightful.

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

    The ref is intent on waiting for a legbreaking tackle before he takes control.

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  27. Bendy Busdriver
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    hazard looks like mr bean

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

    Am I the only one who thinks that Willian is hot?

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

      Doesn't float my boat

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

      Yes

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

    What's the prediction now ?

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

      4-3 Arsenal

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  30. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    I hate crap corners.

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