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. Limbo
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Jumpers for goalposts.

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

      Ishn't it

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

        Mmmnnn mnnnn.

        Marvellous.

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

    Wtf is Ozil doing

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

      Nothing

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  3. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Mmm..not so "casual" my main rival..He brought Ramires in a couple of weeks ago and watching this I can see why...Not done anything but getting in that box a lot more than he used to...

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  4. sinik
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Ozil has had a baby!

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

      😯

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

    Three players, three stinkers 😆

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

      Thats the usual result when me & my 2 mates go on the pull.

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

        😀

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

        😆

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

        😀

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      4. copps
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        😆

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

    As soon as it hits 60 minutes I'm going to refresh FPL as I'm confident the Terry CS points will not disappear.

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

      THIS

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  7. Blue Lion
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Old west side.Lampsnwas quicker to draw the gun.

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

    All this and Willian will probably score the first goal of the Game 😉

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  9. OPTA FPL
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Willian is the new Bebe

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

    Arsenal just scored.... in my FM14 game.

    Giroud, Lars Bender assist vs Derby.

    1-0

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

      No Freddy Adu?

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

        I haven't signed Freddy since FM12

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

        All about Éder Álvarez Balanta

        BEAST

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

    Just leave Theo on

    Caz on for Giroud.

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

    So Spurs are confirming Louis Van Gaal as manager then if we read between the lines. The Dutch coach has implied he would relish the opportunity but only AFTER the World Cup.

    Unlucky Tim, despite stating you didnt want to be a "stop gap" you are in fact a Stop Gap.

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

      i dont think someone with that little experience can expect to manage a club like Spurs though

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

        ^^This

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

      Van Gaal could work. Not many I'd rather have.

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

      If Hodd changed his hairstyle from the 80's he may be taken seriously.

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

      Well somehow the news is Confirmed - permanent appointment on 18mth contract!

      How tho I dont know - a number of reasons ie inexperience, etc but I believe Sherwood has only got a UEFA B Licence which is not sufficient to manage at that level so the FA may have to confirm this appointment?

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

    Ramsey back to his old self tonight

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

      Not experienced enough to compensate for the wind. Quality player though.

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  14. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Spurs website reports Sherwood just been given a 18 month contract

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

      True! 😯

      "Following the departure of Andre Villas-Boas, the Club can announce that Tim Sherwood has been appointed Head Coach with a contract to the end of the 2014/15 season.''

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    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Sorry Bonz ....bad timing for the Van Gaal post 😉

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

        They will sack him 😉

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  15. Ryan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    I cant watch the game but was wondering if someone could give me a quick summary of whats been happening, who's dominating etc. Cheers

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    1. Defcons are for Kinnear
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      .

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

      Literally nothing. One of the worst games of the season. 50/50 borefest.

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      1. Ryan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Both teams parking the bus seemingly playing for a 0-0 draw?

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

          Pretty much. Doesn't look like there will be a goal.

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    3. theloveburglar
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      both teams look too afraid to lose.. il be amazed if it doesnt finish scoreless

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

      Think Bolton v Blackburn.

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

      Arsenal pass it to one another, Chelsea get it, Repeat, Whoa! Lampard shoots and hits the bar, back to Arsenal passing it to one another, Chelsea get it, repeat

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      1. Ryan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        😆 thanks, nice summary

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

      *tumbleweed*

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

    Just can't see a goal, gutted Kosh didn't make it

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    1. Andy1
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Please be the jinx we need

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

    ozil to yaya done

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

      cue ozil brace though, thanks!

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    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Why, given Arsenal's fixtures? Will he be rested?

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

      Knee jerk. Let the game play out.

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

    Arsenal have enough mids, but Wenger doesn't rotate enough

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    1. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      He's hardly had the chance with the injury list they have carried..

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

    Think the golden rule for high price defenders this year is to play them in the game you least expect a clean sheet out of. Everton, Chelsea etc seem to attest to this.

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

    Why havent been Chelsea been this good defensively in the last 10 GWs?

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

      they haven't played anybody decent.

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

      Because I own Terry.

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    3. Ross Geller
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Because they were sure that they will win even if they concede 😉 But not today...

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

      Own Terry as well and just pissed they have thrown quite a few CS away in the last few weeks!

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  21. Defcons are for Kinnear
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    This game will end 0-0. Come on guys Let's all Jinx it together

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  22. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Has Ramsey suddenly stopped making runs into the box?

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

    The atmosphere in the stadium is immense...

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

      😆

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

    arsenal wont make top 4 imo

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

      IYO

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  25. DaveZubie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Do you think Gazzaniga will be main keeper at Sou till until Winter WC kicks in?
    (Looking at a cheapie to help Mannone 🙂

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

      Rumours of Boruc being back earlier. And Davis who is perpetually carrying a knock is also second choice behind Boruc.

      So no point bringing in Gazza as:
      A. Waste of a free
      B. Might get replaced soon.
      C. Southampton can't keep a cleanie and have half their defense out.

      So, no.

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      1. DaveZubie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Good points - Thanks Gecko

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

          Thanks. A Gazza owner here. So, I know the pain too well.

          Krul first choice though.

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

    cmonnn mourinho bring in oscarr

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    1. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      no, leave him on bench

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  27. Andy1
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Why are the big games always so dull and goalless?

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    1. The Gambler.
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Jose Bore-inho

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

    Boring Boring Chelsea

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

    Reports now suggest Sherwood has been given an 18 month contract? If its not on Sky Sports i am not believing it!

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    1. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      And he like Adebayor..

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    2. The Gambler.
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Been on sky already

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

    Ramirez yellow

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