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. super zlatan
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Terry due a bap

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

      Wrong.

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      1. super zlatan
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Says he has got 9bps.

        Due 1 bap

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

          nope. vermaelen and mertesacker have 3 gibbs 1

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

          11-11-10 in front of him

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

          Wrong again.

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    2. Messi & fabregas
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      unfortunately just missed again!

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

      no

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

      no he's not.

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

      Verm sneaking to 11 has cost JT

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

    Mert on for 3baps then, taking him the 9pts. Level with Bardsley, and only 1.7m more expensive!

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

      Have both 😎

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

        Nice!

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

      Worth mentioning that Mert has 40+ more points.

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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

        And that Bardsley has only played half the season 😉

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

          True. Hey, I was One of them who adviced you to play Phil B

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

            Cheers mate 🙂

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

              Haha, I aint trying to take The cred, don't misunderstand 🙂

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

    So....I am none the wiser on whether to do Silva or Wally after that. Help me people, please !! 🙂

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

      Silva

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  4. David Brains - OH NO!
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Keep Lampard another week or ship for Walcott?

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

      Id get rid, looks nailed on to rest vs Arsenal to be used vs LIV

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

      Sell

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  5. super zlatan
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Was planning on shipping terry to get in Walcott.

    Now I'm not so sure.....

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

      Same boat as you SZ

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

      +1 Arsenal were terrible.

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

        chelsea's bus parked again.

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

          We had 7 times as many shots on target.

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          1. The Finnisher
            • 14 Years
            12 years, 1 month ago

            Because Chelsea parked the bus...how many of those shots on target were actually threatening?

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

      I am still dropping him after Swansea. Getting Baines for him 😎

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    4. Messi & fabregas
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      terry is a season keeper, period

      chelsea WILL be getting more clean sheets, i was pretty sure today as i played both mert and terry and benched ramsey!

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    5. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Me too. Think I'll give it a game or two to decide. Worth pointing out though that baines is back gwk 18. Now he is tempting

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

        Is he a sure starter for GW18?

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        1. J0E
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          Looking that way. Martinez says he's ready to go.

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

      Do it. Don't knee jerk. It was a windy night playing against a negatively organised Chelsea team.

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    7. DÏLKS
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      My exact moves as well SZ.

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    8. mental
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I played him today and transferred him out yesterday,chelsea play so tight in big matches only.

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  6. Saint Domingo
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Took some balls to go with Mert/Terry in my defence tonight,that worked out like a charm.Thank fook 🙂

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

      Your flying.

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      1. Saint Domingo
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers Hibbo mate,fingers crossed it continues.See your doing brill too,happy days

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    2. Messi & fabregas
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      same here but i was hoping for terry bps

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

      Nice one

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      1. Saint Domingo
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers Scotty mate

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

      Well done 🙂

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  7. Smarty Pants
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Terry on the bench 🙁
    I think I should just quit, everything I touch in my team turns to dust.

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

      Average this GW SP?

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      1. Smarty Pants
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        56 I think if BPS don't change, I'll post results in a few minutes

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

    Poorest week since gw5 for me defeat in the AT50Q Final but progress in the Paddy Power.

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

    Benched Ozil this week 😎
    Played M.Turner 😎

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

      link?

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

        yeh check my profile

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

    Unfortute.nately I can not nominate a man of the match as nobody stepped up to the plate.

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

      Possibly Ramires or Lamps

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    2. Crouch Potato!
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      The fella on the pie stall had a blinder I'm told!

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  11. PGR
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Having second thoughts now on doing Nasri to Walcott. Do you guys reckon Wally will start on Boxing Day?

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  12. BT31 - WE ARE ALL TINKERMEN…
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    7.0 to spend on defender if I get rid of Johnson.

    Who to get?

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    1. An Púca
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Merts or Coleman

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

    I probably would have accepted a draw before the game started.

    But considering how Chelsea were set up & how Arsenal had absolutely no idea how to break them down is extremely disappointing.

    I didnt see one Arsenal player that showed real hunger, passion or leadership.

    So bloody frustrating.

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

      Who do you think will start on Boxing Day RonH? You think Wally will keep his place?

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

      I think you got to give credit to mou, disrupted Arsenal from getting any momentum or passing flow. Great defensive coaching and they were unlucky not to win it on the counter

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

        Not an unreasonable assessment.

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    3. Heydudes13
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Finally, an Arsenal fan not whining about Chelsea's tactics like girls and gives criticism on his own team's performance. Well played Ron.

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    4. Tomlette Greggs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      oh lookie. An Arsenal fan on this site that says it as it is!

      Think Chelsea bossed the midfield, did well to nullify Ozil, Ramsey. Azpilicueta did a good job for the best part on Walcott. If only both sides didn't have donkeys playing up top..

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

    Played gabbidon over terry.

    Fml

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

      Why would you do that?

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

    Walcott on 94%, enough to rise tonight?

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

      Not now.

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

    Someone in my ML had Mertesacker, Ivanovic and Dave

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  17. Kno
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Sooo, oscar owners.

    Getting rid or hoping he starts vs swansea?

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

      Keeping him for Swansea, may be gone after that.

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

      getting rid... i can't wait any more

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    3. Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      getting rid
      most probably Walcott in... but not so sure

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  18. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    right important stuff here..... clearly oscar was a bad punt and is no longer in favour....... do i accept my fate and just join the hazard masses ?

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

      Wouldn't get either.

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

    Terry 6 - 0 Haters

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

      Haha

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

      A player that costs that much needs to keep a CS every 8 or 9 GW's. 😉

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

        cleanies and goal threat as well.....

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    3. Saint Domingo
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Haha

      #believe

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  20. FBA
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    How comes Adebayor has no % progress on total fpl? Can we be confident he won't rise tonight? He's had 8000 transfers in today

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

      Flag removed maybe ?

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    2. Breadbin
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Grav related question.

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

    If you have Terry, you play Terry simple

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    1. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Agree. Keep.

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

      Agreed

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

      Apart from all the other weeks when he concedes...

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  22. isacki: full casual
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Well, this week has been an epic fail for me and I'll simply take my lessons from it and move on, it's better to learn than sulk: don't sell an in form player based on rumours and don't bet against mourinho in big games, he treats them completely differently.

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    1. President John F. Keninnsie
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Score Isacki? Bet you got more than me.

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      1. isacki: full casual
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        61

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        1. President John F. Keninnsie
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          Unlucky mate, Coutinho needs to go.

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    2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      i need to sulk, last week was bad luck with aguero over suarez .... but this week all rivals bounced back with 80+ gws while i barely clear 50 ..... grump grump grump 😕

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  23. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Arsenal go to bits with a bit of decent opposition. For me, they do not have the steel to win the league.

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

      *striker

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

    How the hell does a team concede to teams like Sunderland and Palace but keep Arsenal out?!
    Lack of focus? Care factor dips when playing lower ranked clubs? Frustrating.

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

      Defensive tactics vs trying to attack with a very slow backline and Lamps in the middle.

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    2. DRIZ ✅
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      parked the bus. played defensive.

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

      They attacked against those teams and left gaps

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  25. pundit of punts
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Why no substitutions from Arsenal? Bizzare.

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    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      A bit of fear there I reckon. Too scared to lose the game rather than a desire to win it.

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

    SuperOscar have you ever been to a match??

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

      currently sitting beside beckham at emirates

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

    Chelsea playing anti football? Mourinho average manager? LOL

    I think people need to realize that Jose set out for a 0-0, and achieved it. How many managers can do that?
    Arsenal had 1 shot on target the whole game. Cech had no saves to make. I think most Arsenal fans, would realize that they had no plan B

    Amazed at the lack of understanding of the game for some 🙂

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

      How patronising.

      Mourinho got a 0-0 at Old Trafford whilst lesser team went home with the points. Was that a good result?

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  28. DRIZ ✅
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    lol at benching terry. your most expensive defender on the bench doesnt work well.

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

    Was set to do Terry & Ramsey > M.Olsson & Walcott... Now I'm not so sure!

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

    Triple up on Chelsea's defense for next week, already have ivan and terry? 🙂

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

      I wouldn't get carried away. They've been wobbly.

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