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Dugout Discussion – Stoke vs Arsenal

The day’s events draw to a close at the bet365 stadium as Stoke City host Arsenal and, from a Fantasy perspective, the interest rests almost entirely with the Gunners.

Alexandre Lacazette will bid to follow up his debut strike to reward his 18.5% ownership, while the 372,000+ who have moved for Granit Xhaka this week will be hoping for instant dividends. The Swiss midfielder has been the most popular signing following his brace of assists in Gameweek 1, with 71,000+ arriving at him as a replacement for the injured Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace.

Aaron Ramsey has proved another popular solution for that particular problem, with 34,000+ making the direct swap to the Welshman from the Eagles winger. Like Lacazette, he will look to add to his Gameweek 1 goal as he returns to the scene of his horrific double leg break back in February 2010.

Interest in Mark Hughes’ men is largely limited to Joe Allen in midfield. A key budget target for a spell last season, he is owned by 4.1% heading into this encounter, as the Potters look to kick-start their campaign following last weekend’s tepid 1-0 defeat at Everton.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

3,470 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    So.. when I had it stickied that Zaha to Arnautovic might be a smooth move..

    1. Foozeball
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Condolences XD

  2. AlCapwnUK
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    went to the shops after the disappointment of my Soton players, heard the cheers in town, MY BOY AUSTIN CAME GOOD.

  3. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    1-0 Stoke please.
    44th minute goal.

    1. French Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      p*ss off

      1. The Royal Robin
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        BAN

  4. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Laca save my GW please 🙁

  5. Lawrø
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Arsenal vs Stoke?!?

    I thought this was Spurs vs Chelsea... f**k this 😀

    1. Syd.
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Dat is damarra Mr Lawro

    2. bojack
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      😆

  6. stachman
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Can someone who watched soton game tell me anything good about Bertrand? I'm really close to kick him off...

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      9 points in 2 isn't bad value at his price

      1. stachman
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        For 5.5 def? After 2 really tasty fixtures? Nah... I'm not impressed

    2. COYS.
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Me too wondering what to do?
      Can upgrade to manu defence

    3. 1justlookin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Why? 1 CS out of 2 isn't so bad and Hud (a) followed by Wat (h) isnt that bad either.

    4. Fanta sea
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      His crosses were woeful at times but the same can be said about Cedric. Soton do find him and Cedric in wide positions so there's no problem with him getting crosses in.

      Now for the saving grace, when JWP was off the pitch, he took corners. I think he'll get bonus points throughout the season provided Soton keep clean sheets. Their fixtures are good right now so I'm sure they can keep a couple more.

      Overall keep him for another few gameweeks.

  7. johnnybeefcake
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Which Man Utd defenders are nailed for next week?

    1. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Jones?

    2. Andy_Social
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      All of them.

  8. money face bandwagon
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    44 points from 7.

  9. Rainer
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    C'mon Stoke!

  10. KneejerkJoe
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Pogba or Mkhi?

  11. F4L
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    No Arsenal players, couch time

  12. Bushido
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Please advise me
    What should I do to this team. And what should I keep an eye on?

    Forster - Elliot
    Valencia - Kolasinac - Mee - Cedric - Rosenir
    KDB - Ramsey - Ince - Brady - Caroll
    Kane - Lukaku - Gabidianni

    1. Bushido
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Help 🙁

    2. bojack
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      What's the problem? Perfectly fine squad.

      1. Bushido
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Just wanted some advise but you said it's fine. So I'll accept that.

  13. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Pogba or Myki for KDB id he blanks?

  14. Syd.
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    I ain't got any Arsenal nor Stokers

    1-1 with 2 OG's would be nice

  15. Foozeball
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Jones go up in price this week, or unlikely since most people will be using their transfers on the likes of Pogba/Mkhi or Hegazi?

  16. Arteta
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    COYG!

  17. COYS.
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Is fpl app still down?

    1. Elfman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      website working on my mobile 🙂

    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Yes. 🙁

  18. d1sable
    • Has Moderation Rights
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Come on Rambo!!!!

    1. French Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      this luke !

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      This is his season. A brace please!

  19. johnnybeefcake
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Is Phil jones nialed for next week??

  20. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Jese playing as a striker

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      one to monitor

    2. Bushido
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      He's on my watchlist. Hope he does nothing. Arsenal to win 5-0

    3. VS10_
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Moting

  21. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    I don't have any players in this game, but for some reason really want Arsenal to win. Hech even Kola go get points.

    Maybe I should stop watching Arsenal Fan TV, I'm beginning to feel empathy for them!

    1. SAY MY NAME
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73_O1KgNdiM&t=3s

      this is a funny one from end of last season

  22. We Will Klopp you
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Couple of questions guys if you don't mind.

    1. Do you think it's worth benching Kolasinac (Liverpool away) for Sutter (Watford away?

    2. Is it worth spending a FT to get Trippier in for Bertrand?

    1. *sigh*
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      No
      Yes

      1. We Will Klopp you
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers pal

    2. Foozeball
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      No, since Kolasinac still has good set-piece threat, and he might finally play wing back when Kosc is back, so decent chance of him nabbing a goal

  23. The Royal Robin
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone ever had a successful season without taking any hits? I really don't want to do it this year. For me it just makes me woe the GW rather than look forward to it. Giving away hard earnt points!

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Never stop taking hits son.

    2. Jamie_GAWA
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      There's a time and place, wouldn't stand by one rule

      1. We Will Klopp you
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        The only rule in fpl is that there are no rules, just general guidelines, I wouldn't force yourself not to take a necessary or potentially lucrative hit just because 'no hits!'

    3. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      There is a time for hits though and sometimes, a more aggressive game can really improve your rank.

  24. Indalo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    As long as Ritchie doesn't outscore Atsu tomorrow I'll be delighted with my -4 of Zaha and Ritchie to Mkhi and Atsu 🙂

    1. GuillermoDickero
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Me too!

  25. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Iwobi benched :'(

    Who could've predicted it?

  26. Jamie_GAWA
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Mhki a must have then?

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Of course not

    2. The Royal Robin
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Pogba!

  27. johnnybeefcake
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    which man united defenders are nailed for next week???

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Ones with 180 minutes for 2 games probably.

    2. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I'd say same defence as today. Maybe Darmian over Blind.

  28. mcrayeps
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Salah to pogba seems a good move?
    Liverpool have 2 bad fixtures ahead

    1. Oven Glover
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      They did alright against the top teams last season. Always good for goals.

      1. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season Le…
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        They EASILY won the TOP6/7 H2H League last season !

  29. Mkhitaryan or Pogba?
    eoan
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Can we have a Mkhi vs Pogba hot topic?

    Here's some combined stats over the last two games:
    Pogba: xG = 1.03 and xA = 0.43
    Mkhitaryan: xG = 0.2 and xA = 2.10
    Note: xG = expected goals, xA = expected assists

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      So that's expected points of

      Pogba: 6.4
      Mkhi: 7.3

      Plus bonus and everything else

      1. eoan
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Is it possible Pogba only really benefits when the team is 1-0 or 2-0 up? Felliani came on and then Pogba was more free to roam further up leading to the goal and assist. Mkhi might be better in tight games.

        1. Whats the Mata?
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Yes kinda.

        2. Geoff
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          In some ways I don't really see that as all bad.

          But also he is on (some) free kicks, still does get forward.

          We also haven't seen them play with Herrera in the side

    2. Whats the Mata?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Mkhitaryan edges it.

    3. Sleep Talk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Why not both?

    4. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I'm not getting either in unless I can convince myself that the sacrifice is worth it. I would rather have KDB than a United mid, but the switch could be worth it if, for example, I decide that Chicarito or Ramsey are good options to spend the spare cash on.

      1. Geoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        At that price I think it's hard to say they aren't worth it.

        Obviously things could change with Eriksen/Alli/KDB but one or the other look pretty good right now

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Hmmm. I didn't say not worth the price. I said not worth the sacrifice. I have to lose KDB, Jesus or Laca to make Pogba or Mkhi happen, and I happen to think they are good FPL options playing against Bournemouth and Liverpool defences this week.

          That's why it's important to factor in the OTHER transfer, to see if it's worth it. I can't simply upgrade Iwobi to Mkhi because Mkhi is worth it. I have to make a sacrifice 🙂

    5. the Penman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I suspect Pogba's points will regress faster than Mhki's.

      1. Matamatics
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Pogba surely more nailed on though. Mkhi could be rotated with Martial/Lingard as fixture congestion increases

    6. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Having watched both games, I think Pogba passes the eye test more than Mkhi does.

      Pogba is also undoubtedly more nailed on.

      I say all that as someone who went with Mkhi at the start of the season.

      As for doubling up on United mids along with Lukaku, I think people would be better off looking at someone like Jones instead of one of them. United aren't going to win every game four nil and their defence currently looks like a good alternative route to points.

      1. Geoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I agree with this

        I think people Pogba will play the full 90 and therefore pick up goals at the end when United are up and opponents are pushing for equalizers, while Mkhit might be off.

        Mkhit is also slightly more rotation prone (we assume).

        But for me the real point is that Pogba really looks like he wants to prove himself. Pogba for me

        1. Squeazy
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Feels like this could be this season's equivalent of the Eriksen vs. Alli debate.

      2. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        'Passes the eye test' ?

        1. sully29
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          As in he simply looks better and more promising when you actually watch the game imo. Thought Mkhi was quite average before those two assists (and wasn't amazing in the prior game either) whereas Pogba is the team's talisman and central to their play.

          1. Hotdogs for Tea
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Silly jargon to say the same as Pogba 'looks better' than Mkh then ? Who dreamed that one up ?

            1. sully29
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Our beloved Scoutcast overlords did, I believe.

              1. Deulofail
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 2 months ago

                This is a rare occasion that I think the common community 'jargon' isn't a load of mythical bull. Haha

                (Still think Mkhi is better)

    7. HNI
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Well I have Mikhi+Lukaku and planning to get Pogba for KDB...Yes Manutd not going to win every match 4-0 but good for and LEI stk EVE CPL in next 5 aint bad for a decent punt...Can then enjoy price rises and reasses after gW 7 when most WC

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Like name like nature

    8. HALFSPACE
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      neither

    9. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Keep in mind they have played two very poor teams. I watched the first half and I thought Pogba caught the eye more Miki who seemed more on the periphery.
      Pogba looks more of a goal threat and could easily have scored - rather than assisted - the first goal when he hit the bar.
      Still, I'd rather have Eriksen than either of those two.

      1. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        No problem having a midfield of Eriksen + Pogba/Mkhi + Salah/Mané . But KDB needs to go then, so waiting till Monday before any decisions

        1. Jafalad
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Look at the touches in box between the pair. Miki has only had 3.

    10. Econ Man
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Personally I'm going with Mkhitaryan. Average expected goals and assists per 90 minutes since 14/15 for selected midfield players (understat.com):

        Mkhitaryan: 0.30 xG, 0.42 xA
        Pogba: 0.23 xG, 0.19 xA
        De Bruyne: 0.22 xG, 0.42 xA
        Eriksen: 0.21 xG, 0.27 xA
        Mane: 0.40 xG, 0.18 xA
        Sanchez: 0.46 xG, 0.27 xA

        If he plays Mkhitaryan could be special... Pogba can really only justify investment if we think he will do significantly better.

      • melvinmbabazi
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        BOTH

      • shirtless
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I added Mkhi this week for Zaha! Worked out quite well with Pogba and Bailly!

    11. Ode
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Why does Wenger keep playing Chambo at LWB...

      1. bitterandstout
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Chamberlain is at RWB mate.