Dugout Discussion

Wednesday team news: Darwin starts + Nketiah, Gakpo, Robertson benched

We have two Double Gameweek 25 matches taking place on Wednesday evening, split over GMT kick-off times of 19:45 and 20:00.

It’s a great opportunity for Arsenal to take advantage of their game in hand and go five points clear of Manchester City, while Everton need a win to escape the relegation zone.

Meanwhile, recent results have put Wolverhampton Wanderers three points above the Toffees, as they prepare to face Liverpool for the fourth time in under two months.

The big news revolves around two popular FPL forwards right now – Darwin Nunez (£8.8m) and Eddie Nketiah (£6.8m). Whilst the Uruguayan starts for Liverpool, an unchanged Arsenal line-up means Nketiah remains on their bench.

It means that Gabriel Martinelli (£6.5m) starts again, alongside the usual Bukayo Saka (£8.5m), Martin Odegaard (£7.0m) and established first-choice defence.

Nunez for Cody Gakpo (£7.8m) is one of six changes made by Jurgen Klopp, with a completely different midfield trio plus the introduction of Kostas Tsimikas (£4.4m) and Ibrahima Konate (£4.8m) for Andrew Robertson (£6.8m) and Joel Matip (£5.9m).

Key players Mohamed Salah (£12.7m) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.3m) survive the mass rotation.

As for Everton and Wolves, both have made one alteration to their weekend line-ups. Michael Keane (£4.2m) replaces Conor Coady (£4.9m) for the Toffees, whilst Julen Lopetegui brings Joao Moutinho (£4.7m) in for Matheus Cunha (£5.5m).

Hugo Bueno (£3.9m) starts but Nathan Patterson (£3.9m) will not participate at all.


GAMEWEEK 25 LINE-UPS

Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Jorginho, Xhaka; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli

Subs: Turner, Tierney, Tomiyasu, Holding, Kiwior, Partey, Vieira, Smith Rowe, Nketiah

Everton XI: Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Iwobi, Doucoure, Gana, Onana, McNeil; Maupay

Subs: Begovic, Coady, Holgate, Mina, Godfrey, Vinagre, Davies, Gray, Simms


Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Tsimikas; Elliott, Fabinho, Bajcetic; Salah, Jota, Nunez

Subs: Kelleher, Robertson, Matip, Milner, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Carvalho, Gakpo, Firmino

Wolverhampton Wanderers XI: Sa; Semedo, Dawson, Kilman, Bueno; Nunes, Ruben Neves, Lemina; Sarabia, Jimenez, Moutinho

Subs: Bentley, Ait-Nouri, Jonny, Collins, Neto, Podence, Joao Gomes, Traore, Diego Costa


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FPLMarc Newcastle fan that spends far too much time thinking about FPL.

1,363 Comments Post a Comment
  1. mojoindojo
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    Play up

    1. Big Mike
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 4 months ago

      Don't want to.....

  2. JollyGoodYellows
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    Is this lot worth a WC? With a plan to BB 29 & FH 32/34.

    Pickford Ward
    Trippier Tarkowski White Bueno Neco
    Salah Odegaard Mahrez Rashford Andreas
    Haaland Kane Nketiah

    1. Big Mike
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 4 months ago

      It's probably better to FH in 28 when more PL teams are playing in the FA Cup. There will be less games.

      1. JollyGoodYellows
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 4 months ago

        Cheers. But WC'ing now allows to prepare for DGW 27, DGW 29 whilst also getting 9 or 10 for BGW 28.

        1. Ze_Austin
          • 5 Years
          1 year, 4 months ago

          Could stretch to XI, even. Depends on how much you want to trust Brentford, Chelsea and Maddison

        2. jacob1989
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 4 months ago

          i have WC active now

  3. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    Arsenal's attack in FPL went from steady Eddie to a minefield in a hot minute, with only Saka and Ode surviving

    Ah, the winter window... I'm not even sure Jesus will be fully nailed when he returns

    1. MrBoombastic
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      Historically jesus is nailed around Easter

      1. Radulfo28773
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 4 months ago

  4. Robe Wan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    How is everyone watching this game in the UK?

    1. Robe Wan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      These PL games

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 4 months ago

        i'm not, watching fa cup instead

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      Going to the theatre. Phone on silent.

      1. Robe Wan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 4 months ago

        Hairspray again?

        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 4 months ago

          I wish

    3. Big Mike
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 4 months ago

      With my eyes

      1. Robe Wan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 4 months ago

        BANTER ALERT

    4. jammie26
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      The multiple streaming sites which are freely available

      1. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 4 months ago

        Which ones?

        1. The Mentaculus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 4 months ago

          soccerstreamlinks

  5. ‘Tis the Season
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    Lol Gakpo owners

    1. Robe Wan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      My rival

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      Could be worse. Could own Salah.

    3. Big Mike
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 4 months ago

      Reckon he may come on as a sub.

  6. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    Got an ugly choice this week in FanTeam.

    Bench 1 from this front 8:

    Salah Rashford Saka Odegaard Mitoma
    Haaland Kane Felix

    It's gotta be Felix right? Leeds at home...

    1. Robe Wan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      Felix

      I support Chelsea and we look as likely to score as an inbetweener

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      Felix

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      I would say Mitoma but everyone else will say Felix

    4. Mr. O'Connell
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      Salah

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 4 months ago

        Depending on tonight I might do it.

        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 4 months ago

          You'll be doing it

          1. Camzy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            1 year, 4 months ago

            I kind of hope so. Captained Saka not Salah 😀

    5. WVA
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      Im benching salah in fpl

  7. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    In other news Ben White's been on the sunbed again

    1. Scalper
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      +3 bonus incoming

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      Getting ready for TOWIE when he retires

  8. boombaba
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    What is the census with Toney?

    Close to suspension with yellows but worth risking for the DGWs ahead?

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      If you have him hold. If bringing in wait till last minute before the DGW27 to have as much info as possible (ie YC status and any dates around the ban).

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      I have him, so I'll try to keep a FT available to switch him to Watkins. I'm more worried about the 8 YCs, tbh

  9. brixtonBob
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    Just realised none of them on TV tonight. I assume no tv rights for them or something like that.

    1. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      both on in the usa. I'm watching liverpool

      1. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 4 months ago

        What Channel?

        1. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          1 year, 4 months ago

          arsenal is on USA, liverpool is on Peacock

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      UK based Liverpool fans counting themselves extremely lucky tonight

    3. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      Cancelled games don’t go on TV apparently.

      1. brixtonBob
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 4 months ago

        They were originally supposed to be on Saturday afternoon so weren’t provisioned in the tv deals.

        1. jacob1989
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 4 months ago

          in India they show everything in tv.. surprised in uk they dont

    4. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      ESPN+ Has all the cup games too
      God Bless the USA

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 4 months ago

        Yup, seems we have better access to these matches than the UK does.

  10. Sandy Ravage
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    Robertson + Gakpo + Salah > Mee + Mitoma + Maddison (-8)?

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      rage transfers?

      1. Sandy Ravage
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 4 months ago

        Look logical to me

    2. bombonera
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      How many hits did you use to bring them in this GW?

      1. Sandy Ravage
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 4 months ago

        Wildcarded them in.

    3. Sandy Ravage
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 3 months ago

      Thank goodness I wasn't that angry

  11. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    So good to see Sir Alex healthy and smiling.

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      he was helped down the slope tho

      he did bounce back well from his medical condition

  12. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    Salah and Darwin auditions tonight for me to determine whether to hold off on WC26

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      May as well pull the trigger now

    2. Scalper
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      What about the previous 24 weeks?

    3. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      for me its TAA & Darwin

  13. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    Oh I see, Ings is cup tied.

    Might bring him in for Nketiah.

  14. JabbaWookiee
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    Martinelli haul incoming!

  15. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    Not so keen on Saka as a spy in my team but Salah a differential is worth a go.

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      Don't own Saka. Hoping Nketiah can match him, though.

  16. Zimo
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    Nipples makes a good save from Sabitzer shot.

  17. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    Maguire bringing his England form so far. Playing really well.

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      He plays well until he gets burnt for pace or is poorly positioned for a through ball.

    2. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      Just got a soft YC to knock his confidence

  18. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    Just score an early goal today Arsenal. Make our lives easier

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      I don't belive it's going to happen

  19. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    Chelsea Jorginho is back.

    1. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      Yes , he's been terrible so far. Dreadful signing by Arsenal

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 4 months ago

        Nah he's fine for the price they paid. Not really first choice either. I'm sure they know what they were getting with him.

        1. George Sillett
          • 8 Years
          1 year, 4 months ago

          I don't think that he adds anything

      2. Arteta
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 4 months ago

        *yawn*

        1. George Sillett
          • 8 Years
          1 year, 4 months ago

          Is this not a forum where opinions can be voiced ? I have referred to the Jorginho signing on less thana handful of occasions.

      3. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 4 months ago

        12m. Can't expect much from him

        1. Zimo
          • 5 Years
          1 year, 4 months ago

          Tbf he was the reason Arsenal didn't end up drawing against Villa 2 games ago.

    2. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      Chelsea Salah and Chelsea KDB too 🙂

      1. Bluetiger1
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 4 months ago

        Yes very true - always do better when away from Chelsea

  20. Zimo
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    Liverpool conceded yet?

    1. GC123
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      Lol. VVD says hi. Give it 5 mins

  21. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    Grimsby GOAL

  22. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    Is that a Grimsby goal?!

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      yeah

      FH32 is dead

  23. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    Maddison IN

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      Southampton that bad?

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 4 months ago

        Grim...

        1. Zimo
          • 5 Years
          1 year, 4 months ago

          Was a penalty though

  24. GC123
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    Time to sell Nketieh?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      he could score tonight given the chance

      but yeah

      Switch it around

    2. Alan The Llama
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      Unless he comes on and scores a hattrick, yeah.

      1. GC123
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 4 months ago

        I thought it was just a rest but it’s looking ominous now, especially with Jesus back in training. Watkins or Toney it is then

        1. Alan The Llama
          • 14 Years
          1 year, 4 months ago

          Looks that way. Getting Toney looks like a minefield and I'm not sold on Watkins. But I suspect I'll do one of them.

          1. Yank Revolution
            • 12 Years
            1 year, 4 months ago

            Watkins is on fire and is a decent striker.

            1. GC123
              • 2 Years
              1 year, 4 months ago

              Agreed. Toney on 8 yellows too and no idea how the imminent ban will affect him

            2. Alan The Llama
              • 14 Years
              1 year, 4 months ago

              I've got nothing against him but I have seen him enough that I wouldn't rate him as "decent", personally. I've seen his upturn in form and Villa look like scoring, so it'll probably be him.

    3. Gizzachance
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      Looks like

    4. ClassiX
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      Looks that way

    5. Sandy Ravage
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      3-5-2 FTW!

  25. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    Half watching a couple of games but Wolves have started on the front foot so far

  26. El Presidente
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    Hum... looks like another underwhelming performance from Arsenal...

    1. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      70 minutes to go. Let's not panic.

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 4 months ago

        Sure but it's been this way ever since the first Everton game. Lucky own goal from a jorginho long shot was the only reason Arsenal didn't draw that match. Then they didn't create much against Leicester either. Lucky that Maddison wasn't playing.

        1. Zimo
          • 5 Years
          1 year, 4 months ago

          Draw the Villa match*

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      Starting to see why the 'Elite' sample heavily favoured Salah over Saka for captaincy now

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 4 months ago

        Honestly, I think it's FPL loyalty/bias.

        There was not much in it. A 50/50 imo.

      2. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 4 months ago

        Liverpool aren't playing any better

      3. bombonera
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 4 months ago

        Liverpool and Salah are even worse

  27. brianutd-why always we? 20
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    Maguire really?

    1. GC123
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      Awful isn’t he? Wouldn’t be surprised if he saw red

      1. brianutd-why always we? 20
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 4 months ago

        Antonio giving him a headache

        1. GC123
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 4 months ago

          Maguire making Antonio look like prime time Mbappe

  28. Tcheco
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    Come on Sheffield allow GW28 (K)ane to happen

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      just as long as he's fit for gw26 in the first place...

      can't get to ahead of yourself in this game

      1. Tcheco
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 4 months ago

        He’s injured?

  29. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    DDG is probably the best keeper in the world right now.

    Pulls off match winning saves week in week out.

    1. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      He is playing for a contract after all..

    2. TheBiffas
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      Horrific shout

    3. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      Lol. He drops so many clangers.

    4. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      One of the best shot stoppers in the world.

      Best GK in the world is a stretch

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 4 months ago

        Isn't that a goalkeepers main job? Who would you rather have. I do rate Alisson but not Ederson. Raya is massively underrated just because of who he plays for.

  30. Alan Watts
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 4 months ago

    Time to offload an Arse attacker ?

    Odegaard a couple if assists in last 7 or 7 games, reversion to mean?

    Martinelli at risk from Trossard when Jesus returns

    Saka ticking along nicely though,

    keep Saka only, when spots needed for Bri, Maddison, Rashford etc ?

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      Ya Odegaard is who I am selling for dgw players

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      yes

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      Yep, hopefully selling Odegaard for Maddison and keeping Saka and Gabriel.

    4. Alan Watts
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 4 months ago

      Hmm might have to rethink, can't sell any with BOU next