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. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    The worse starting striker in PL - Torres!!! Fact

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

      Graham says hi.

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

        So does Maiga.

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

          😛

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

      Give if a rest. 🙄

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      1. FPL Daniel
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Caroll is starting for WHam

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        1. FPL Daniel
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          Who Graham plays for?

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

            Hull

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

    You say it's negative, but Luiz is far more likely to score a goal than Torres

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

      🙂

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

    Why would a blocked shot not count as a shot on target? Using that logic it's only a shot on target if it's a goal 😕

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

      Guess it depends how close the block was.

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

    Walcott 0BPS

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

    Paid a guy 1000 quid on 2-1 Everton this morning, he put 100 of it back on on 0-0. I smiled.

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

      Hardcore.

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

    Arsenal are clueless & pathetic.

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

      gutless

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

      MOYES OUT!

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

        To be fair, United's position is now well within the realms of which Wenger has pulled us out of in seasons past

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

      Ronh, the guy who's so confused he trolls his own team.

      Sad Act

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    4. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      puuuuussaaaaaaayy!

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

    arteta worst player on pitch

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

      Giroud is still out there you know 🙂

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

      Flamini could be better than arteta

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

    This has been the most disapointing game of the season. I was really excited about this today. I'm so p*ssed off.

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

    Well I kinda shoulda seen this coming.

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

    Would be funny if Arsenal score the winner now, Jose would really look like a mug

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

      Not likely though really. I feel like i've seen this match a dozen times or more. Why i didn't see this i don't know.

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

    wtf arteta

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

    Terry owners thrown a lifeline! (me included)

    next gw ag SWA home. could repeat another CS. Gives more time to downgrade to sub 5.4 Def for those wanting funds to improve Mids.

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

      Haha. Same thinking as me.

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

        Gecko u seem to have either the same team or rationale as me, haha not the 1st time.
        Ben for like 5 gw trying to downgrade Terry, and cant seem to ghave a clean FT to do it as have had other prioritis and cannot bring myself to taking a hit -4 for a def, even if its superb Coleman.
        --atmn, a 4 pt hit brings one down approx 20,000 places in ORank,

        Who are you thinking of dwongrading Terry for?

        This gw i had to do Remy > Lukaka (4 straight 2 pters from him, wanted remy to b a differential, not happening)
        Next gw planning Ravel > Walcott
        so prob gw 19 Terry out for either Coleman,BTurner,Williamson

        Migs - Boruc
        Terry - Williams - Ward - Clyne - Baker
        Haz - Ramsey - Silva - Ravel - Colbak
        Suarez - Rooney - **lukaku
        3.9 ITB

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

    If you walked in on that Giroud slo-mo you would think he had scored 😀

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

    Arsenal goal coming

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

      Deserve it

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

    Ozil please 1 time

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

    3 mins AT

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

    Why can't players ignore their manager? Are they that dense. Why can't they all huddle together before the manager and one says ahh sod it, lets all just attack eh. This game is making me hate having eyes.

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

    Ooh

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  19. Colonel Shoe è‚æ± 
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    worst possible result for me, everyone has mert in my league.... i had kosc

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

    Mert on for 3 baps if they don't concede. Nice

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

      SSSHHH

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

      ðŸ™

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

    Oh ffs. Don't score!!!

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

    YES FREEKICK Lampard time

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

      Luiz time

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  23. I-Taught-Danny-Welbeck-How-…
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Bonus points: 3 Mike Dean, 2 Tim Sherwood and 1 Sagna's wife

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  24. Mighty
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    What was I thinking taking an 8 point to put in Walcott and Flanagan! Shambles!

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

    Luiz 800 yards over the bar

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

      Well that's embarrassing.

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

    JT rewarding his loyal owners

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

    LUIZ BULLET FK GO TAKE IT

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

    almost want goons to win it just to see a jose meltdown

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

    Luiz to score

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