Dugout Discussion

Mahrez and Sterling benched as Guardiola names unchanged City team

Manchester City v Arsenal gets the final Gameweek before the September international break underway.

Kick-off at the Etihad is at 12:30 BST and you can follow the fantasy action on our live Matchcast.

A manager naming an unchanged side after a 5-0 win wouldn’t come as a shock in most instances but where Pep Guardiola is involved, it’s almost more of a surprise than when he makes multiple alterations.

The City head coach has indeed stuck with the same starting XI that demolished Norwich City 5-0 last weekend, so that means substitute roles for Riyad Mahrez (£9.0m) and Raheem Sterling (£11.0m).

Jack Grealish (£8.0m) makes it three Premier League starts from three following his summer move from Aston Villa, with Ferran Torres (£7.0m) also keeping up his 100% record.

Torres may well be leading the line again this afternoon, with Gabriel Jesus (£8.5m) turning in an excellent performance down the right flank against the Canaries in Gameweek 2.

Kevin De Bruyne (£12.0m) misses out with an ankle injury, as previously disclosed by Guardiola.

The Arsenal team news is bamboozling in its own right.

Head coach Mikel Arteta makes four changes following the Gunners’ 2-0 defeat by Chelsea a week ago, with Martin Odegaard (£5.5m) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£9.9m) brought into the side after starring in the EFL Cup in midweek.

Calum Chambers (£4.4m) is also recalled but the biggest surprise is the involvement of Sead Kolasinac (£4.4m), in for his first Premier League start since Gameweek 2 of last season.

Bukayo Saka (£6.3m) and Kieran Tierney (£4.9m) have shrugged off minor injuries to feature.

Pablo Mari (£4.5m), Albert Sambi Lokonga (£5.0m) and Gabriel Martinelli (£5.4m) drop to the bench, while Nicolas Pepe (£7.3m) is absent because of illness.

Ben White (£4.4m) still isn’t involved following his own spell in self-isolation.

LINE-UPS

Man City XI: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Laporte, Joao Cancelo, Silva, Rodri, Gundogan, Jesus, Torres, Grealish.

Subs: Stones, Ake, Sterling, Zinchenko, Steffen, Fernandinho, Mahrez, Doyle, Palmer.

Arsenal XI: Leno, Cedric, Chambers, Holding, Kolasinac, Tierney, Odegaard, Smith-Rowe, Xhaka, Saka, Aubameyang.

Subs: Lacazette, Maitland-Niles, Tavares, Pablo Mari, Sambi Lokonga, Elneny, Ramsdale, Okonkwo, Martinelli

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1,532 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rainer
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mahrez inc

  2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mahrez coming on

    1. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dial-up?

      1. SAUCY SALAH
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Bemba has 10TB internet

  3. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Jesus is beginning to interest me for Citeh.

    1. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Forward spots too valuable when Torres is 7m?

    2. seewhyaxe
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Torres more favourable..

    3. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He's in the awkward position as not being good enough to rival Lukaku or CR7 tier but a bit too expensive for the DCL, Ings tier

    4. Tasty Jerk
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I have been lucky to have had him as (C) last two weeks but have to say seriously looking at taking him out on next weeks wild card.

      1. Get up ya bum
        • 15 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        That's not luck mate that's called being a diamond geezer that carries his balls in a wheelbarrow.

        Legendary call man

        1. Tasty Jerk
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Ha cheers for that 🙂 yeah was abit of a ballsy punt (to also keep him for this week as well) Just finding it hard keeping him in my WC team for GW4 :/

          1. Get up ya bum
            • 15 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah gotta get out before the wheels fall off. I'd take those two hauls and run I reckon

  4. Cruyff's Eleven
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Did Aubameyang even touch the ball?

    1. Glad He Ate Her
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He's playing?

    2. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Had plenty of kick-offs.

      1. SAUCY SALAH
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        LOL

    3. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Was about to post this. I recall a couple of headers but not an actual touch with the ball

  5. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    He’s got to go, blud

    1. Glad He Ate Her
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Fam

  6. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any chance of a Stones cameo?

  7. Arvin-ation
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mahrez coming on rip

  8. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    10 please.

    Get this imposter out.

    1. TAT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      This is actually the only way for the club to bother to act.

  9. Mr. O'Connell
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mahrez 1 pointer confirmed

    1. Andy_Social
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nah, plenty more blood to be spilled

    2. The Knights Template
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Woohoo!

  10. mezza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Will only be a 11 pointer for Torres - could have been more

    1. mezza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Scratch that thought he was coming off r

    2. dark91
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Jesus subbed out not Torres

    3. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Points dodged last week too. Great pick.

  11. Rainer
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    30 mins of Mahrez vs Arsenal is better than any sub you have...

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      *starting you have

    2. Rankbajin
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      here's hoping..

    3. Mr. O'Connell
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Scored in half as much time against twice as good a team last week. So should get a hattrick minimum.

  12. dark91
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Yeeeees Mahrez coming on. Now at least 2 assists or a goal please

  13. SADIO SANÉ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mahrez haul incoming

  14. Dynamic Duos
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Gilmour and Ings to Torres and Pukki -4?

  15. OPTA FPL
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    jesus 59??

    1. dark91
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Now well beyond 60'

    2. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      61 according to FlashScore

    3. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      60+

    4. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      61

  16. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Arteta sacked by the international break?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hope so. We need Big Sam back in the prem.

      1. I'm out of name ideas
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Tony Pullis is doing a decent job up at Middlesbrough.

      2. out for a goalkick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        lol

    2. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not this one, could be gone by the next though.

    3. TAT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The club have complete confidence in him. It must take much more for them to even consider replacements.

    4. Pep bites Kun
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nah, he'll get the run of nicer fixtures

    5. Don Rogers FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’m available

  17. Modest Bob
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Going forward is it worth bringing in Man City players for the upcoming fixtures?

    A) Yes

    B) No

    1. dark91
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nope. Maybe a defender but no forwards are guaranteed

      1. Modest Bob
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This is an A or B question. But I appreciate your reply.

        1. dark91
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          C) Other

        2. Pep bites Kun
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          His response was better than your question

        3. Ron_Swanson
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          The A and B is unnecessary really when it’s a Yes or No question

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

    3. Botman and Robben
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Maybe just Dias or Cancelo

    4. Dynamic Duos
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Torres excellent value, you can take a few benchings

      1. Jordan.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        easy to say after he has hauled ,he did jack shite first 2 weeks and bound to have been benched gw3 ,its roulette,its pointless and will be benched next week

    5. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      for Leicester and Southampton yes, against Chelsea and Liverpool nope

    6. Rankbajin
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      As a fan of Mahrez and gundo... I fear the frustration of Pep Roulette.
      If they had a nailed on scoring midfielder we'd all be in there.

    7. dabber7
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Jesus has only just managed to make it to 60 mins having scored, all attacking assets are highly vulnerable, regardless of form.

    8. SAUCY SALAH
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cancelo is the one, you get a pretty nailed 6.0m midfielder with clean sheets pretty much

      1. jia you
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        he's a set and forget option imo...I got rid of Torres on wildcard which was a mistake but at least I held Cancelo...I'll get Torres back in for Greenwood in a couple of GWs time (would happily hold those two though Pep Roulette I think...or perhaps it's the Arsenal effect!)

  18. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Considering Ings + Bruno > CR7 + Torres for free

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would

    2. dshv
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Or cr7 grealish ?

    3. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ronaldo will be 13m

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Doubt it

        1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          But I would still afford it

  19. el polako
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Come on Ferran give us one more!

  20. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Arsenal fans celebrated the fourth City goal 😮 😆

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      And they wonder why they get so much stick

  21. Bobby Digital
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bachmann or Sa?

  22. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Worried about Ings today. Sold him to Dcl on wc who is flagged.

    1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I looked at the price prediction stats DCL at 70+% for a drop. I had planned to get DCL for Ings might hold off now.

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah I got Dcl before his last rise though so won’t lose value by the drop

  23. SAUCY SALAH
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    7 mins til SCENES

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I already know the West Ham team

      1. SAUCY SALAH
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Go on…

        1. Revival
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Same team

  24. Chalobah's Witness
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Arsenal turn into a mid-table club. It's not even today's result, I said that before the season. It must be unbelievably awful to be a fan of this team. No banter, I really feel sorry for the fans.

    1. el polako
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Feck em.

    2. I'm out of name ideas
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      They should change their name to The Arsenal Arms.

    3. jia you
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      harsh on mid-table teams from those first three games!

    4. Zladan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Are they even mid table. I’d have them just above relegation zone on a good day.

    5. TAT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      We fans just laugh at how bad we've become (hence fans celebrating City's fourth goal). There's no hope of this club with the current ownership and players getting back to anything remotely decent.

    6. Ron_Swanson
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mid table generous

    7. The Knights Template
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      They are well below that

  25. TheTinman
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone got captain stats or can tell me where to find them. Curious how many put their money where their mouth is with Antonio

    1. Zladan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Antonio is capped by 1.2m compared to 1.7m Bruno cappers.

    2. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I did

  26. Rainer
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Rodri YC brings Torres back into the BAP race.

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Benny Hill must be winning that, surely?

  27. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sim, you ready with the team sheets?

  28. SAUCY SALAH
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Please start Mbuemo! My little differential!

    1. The Knights Template
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Pukki?

      1. SAUCY SALAH
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Gone for Kane

  29. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mahrez Assist, Sterling Goal Denied by Leno

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Team sheets?

    2. dark91
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Denied by Sterling's awful heading tbh

  30. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Demi time….