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. malbekh
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    I smell red cards

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

      Fo sho

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

    JT > Ward
    Barkley > Nasri
    -8 was an epic fail to his week ðŸ™

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

    Heating up nicely, I like it.

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

    Lol ivanovic

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  5. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Mike dean is such a drama quen.

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

      Queen even.

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

          🙂

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

      Tbf he's let the game roll on before now, and had kept his cards in his pocket. Seems the opposite.

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

    Too late, Mike Dean! There's no turning back now!

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  7. epj448
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Mike Dean loves to give the impression he's in charge through his facial gestures

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  8. Bolt-on
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Turning into a barca Madrid diveathon

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

    Mike Dean is a horrific ref

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

      He's done nothing wrong, yet.

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    2. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I think not - he's OK.

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

    Rosicky deserves a YC

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

      He got one

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  11. Kuqi Monster
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Who to get for this gw, wally or silva? Will get the other one next week...

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

      Wally

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

      Wally

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

      Wally first, he's due to rise and has the better fixture.

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    4. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Too early to say ...

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

    Ivanovich diving, kicking someone in the face.

    Standard CFC

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

      If only someone would sort him out by bitng he arm....

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    2. Bolt-on
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Standard newarse post

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

    Sherwood until the end of the 2014/15 season? Really? I may be made to eat humble pie but WTF?! I guess the plan is that if we don't get top-4 etc. then they will move Sherwood out and appoint a val Gaal or De Boer. Still, completely inexperienced coach taking charge is an unnecessary gamble.

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

    terry up to 9 bps

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

    Cabaye or Fer between now and the end of the WC period in Jan?

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

      Cabaye

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

    Terry I hate you but please score.

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

    JT 😯

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

      Ffs!

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

    Rule no 27 of FPL

    Never bench a defender who you paid over 6 million for ðŸ™

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

      Should have told me that before this week. I paid 6 for JT btw so he might be exempt.

      What are the other rules?

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

    Biggest narcissist on the pitch? Dean is a contender.

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

    Set up for Arsenal to win 1-0 with their only shot on target 😎

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

    Commentator just said "This game needs a strong ref and we've got one"

    😆

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

    Fook it. Game is sh1te. LETS HAVE A TEAR UP!

    YYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

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

    Fooking idiot Dean. Mikel does not get a card for that foul and others are getting.

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Agree.

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  24. Rödallegabomb á´¿á´®
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Score check:

    84 as it stands with BAPS

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

      Seriously

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    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Piss off.

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

        🙂

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          😉

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    3. Chrissy Waddle - 2025/26
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Let the game finish before you brag please.

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    4. Lanley Staurel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      95

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

    gotta laugh at ozil service

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

    Schurrle coming on

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

      Good! Not Oscar 🙂

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

    Good to see Arsenal standing up to Chelsea physically - they have been bullied out of so many games especially when Drogba was around

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  28. Mojo Rojo
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Schurrle on for Hazard apparently... Take off Willian ffs!

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

      Willian is the one actually carrying Chelsea into attacking positions

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

    FFS!!!

    Pressing is erratic, Ivan needs to get his head out of his arse and CALM DOWN!

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

    Was worried before the game that my ml rival had Ozil and I didn't....

    ...not as worried now.

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