FPL
12 May 2026 104 comments
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With Burnley and Crystal Palace to come, an Arsenal triple-up feels like a no-brainer for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers.

Indeed, relegated Burnley are bottom for expected goals (xG) and expected goals conceded (xGC) in 2025/26, while Palace have the distraction of a UEFA Conference League final a few days later.

In contrast, Arsenal’s late win over West Ham United on Sunday has put them on the brink of the Premier League title.

The question now is: should FPL managers load up on the Arsenal defence, or is it perhaps preferable to include an attacker or two?

In this article, we pick out the names to consider.


DEFENCE

FPL notes: Gabriel hauls, why Saliba was a sub + Livramento injury 3

The best team in the division for clean sheets (18), goals conceded (26) and xGC (27.13), there is a very solid case for doubling, or even tripling-up, on the Arsenal defence.

Stacking defenders from the same club is typically a high-risk/high-reward play, but if you’re going to pursue this approach in Gameweeks 37 and 38, the Gunners are undoubtedly the top choice.

Here are the best options to consider at the back.

GABRIEL MAGALHAES (7.3m)

Gabriel is the obvious place to start, having smashed the 200-point barrier in Gameweek 36.

Set plays, and corners in particular, are a key route to goals for this Arsenal team, which is why the Brazilian has racked up eight attacking returns in 2025/26, the fourth-most of any Fantasy defender.

Gabriel is first among all Arsenal players for headed goal attempts from set plays:

Furthermore, Burnley and Palace are both in the bottom three for set play xG conceded per 90 minutes since the turn of the year.

Then you have defensive contributions (DefCon), with Gabriel’s 36.7% success rate the highest of any Arsenal defender.

Gabriel is averaging more points per start (6.9) than any other player this season, so this really isn’t a position to experiment with in your team; just get him in if you don’t own him already!

DAVID RAYA (6.1m)

It’s often said that Raya has a ceiling of six points each week, with Arsenal’s ability to limit shots resulting in just nine save points all season.

However, the Golden Glove winner has bucked the trend in the last three Gameweeks, amassing 25 points.

He’s now joint-second among goalkeepers for bonus, just one behind Robin Roefs’ (£4.8m) 12.

That said, for the run-in, it’s probably fair to say he offers few routes to points outside of clean sheets. Indeed, in the reverse fixtures against Burnley and Palace earlier this season, Raya banked six points on each occasion.

He is, however, a nailed-on starter in the best defence in the division, so naturally carries appeal.

OTHERS

FPL notes: Saliba + Gibbs-White latest, Salah benched, why Calafiori was subbed 2

There are pros and cons to the rest of Arsenal’s defensive unit, as well as plenty of uncertainty in both full-back positions.

William Saliba (£6.2m) is a secure starter at centre-back but doesn’t generate much excitement.

The Frenchman offers an occasional threat from set plays, but with just one goal from five shots all season, it can’t be regarded as a strength. His DefCon success rate is just 13.3%, too.

Elsewhere, a left-back option could emerge later this week, depending on the severity of Riccardo Calafiori’s (£5.6m) injury, which you can read more about here.

Calafiori, if fit, has major upside: his rate of 50.0 minutes per shot and 72.7 minutes per shot in the box is the best of any defender in FPL this season.

That said, the presence of positional rival Piero Hincapie (£5.1m) means there’s much more risk to a Calafiori pick than there is with Raya, Gabriel and Saliba.

At right-back, we might not see Jurrien Timber (£6.0m) again in 2025/26 due to injury. Ben White (£5.1m) could be out for the season, too.

Cristhian Mosquera (£5.3m) would likely fill in, which is exactly what happened in the second half on Sunday, i.e. after the failed Declan Rice (£7.2m) experiment.

Meanwhile, an ‘out of position’ Myles Lewis-Skelly (£5.0m) has started three matches in a row in all competitions, but there is always a potential minute’s risk with Martin Zubimendi (£5.0m) lurking.

He’s probably not worth the risk, given his limited attacking upside (zero shots and one chance created in the last two Gameweeks), plus his lack of DefCons.


ATTACK

 

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104 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Koflok
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    Pedro > Thiago?

  2. Monklane
    • 17 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    A very good article. Thank you.

  3. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    Burnley have conceded 157 chances this season on the right flank, the worst in the league by far.

    Does that mean the right back who'll be facing Arsenal's left winger?

    Or does that mean Saka playing on Arsenal's right?

    1. Ron_Swanson
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      Means Arsenals right wing

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 1 day ago

        Think it means the left actually if you read the article above.

  4. Il Capitano
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    1FT 2.9m ITB

    Raya
    O'Reilly Gabriel Van Hecke
    Cherki Eze Bruno Hinshelwood
    Haaland Welbeck DCL

    Henderson- Munoz Rogers Lacroix

    Eze to Saka the play here?

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 1 day ago

      A good shout. DCL -> Thiago worth a look? Your suggested transfer is totally fine though

      1. Il Capitano
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 1 day ago

        Yeah could certainly look at DCL to Thiago, will see how I feel about Eze's minutes closer to deadline

  5. Stranger Mings
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    Calafiori worth getting?

    1. Ron_Swanson
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      Not if injured

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 1 day ago

        Will wait for news

  6. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    kdb or hinchelwood? i have gross already. cheers.

    1. Hazardous1221
      • 3 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      I’d say Kevin de bruyne personally

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 1 day ago

        d'oh ! kdh of course

        1. Hazardous1221
          • 3 Years
          3 months, 1 day ago

          Haha

          Difficult tbf cos Everton have the better game this week, Brighton have the better game next week. Hinshelwood has better underlying goal threat per 90 so I’d just about go with him

    2. Bavarian
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 18 hours ago

      KDH

  7. Hazardous1221
    • 3 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    Senesi, Tavernier, Haaland > Gabriel, Saka, Gyokores for free. Yay or nay?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      if nothing to lose 100% yes

      1. Hazardous1221
        • 3 Years
        3 months, 1 day ago

        Cheers, I’m 3rd in my 3 person league lol so I think I’ll go for it

  8. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    Earlt thoughts... MGW to BrunoG and GTG like this?

    Roefs
    Gabriel NOR Dalot
    Saka BrunoF BrunoG Doku KDH
    Haaland Gyökeres

    Dubravka Watkins VVD Hill

  9. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    Player being replaced comes into which Arsenal to go for as well. Which do you prefer ?

    A) Vert to Raya (bench Darlow)
    B) Struijk to Saliba
    C) Joao Pedro to Gyökeres,

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 1 day ago

      B. Struijk injured, Pedro still good and Gyokeres minutes risk, Verb -> Raya too small an upgrade

  10. Stranger Mings
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    Torn between a) munoz to gabriel or b) strujik to califiori ? Gives me m
    Munoz oreilly califori or
    Gab oreilly van hecke

    1. NZREDS
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      B

    2. NZREDS
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      Sorry A

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 1 day ago

        Cheers

    3. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 1 day ago

      A

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 15 hours ago

        Thanka T

  11. One Man
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    Welbeck to Gyokeres? For free.

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      of course!

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      Y

  12. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    I need to sell one of these players to fund elsewhere
    a rogers to hinchelwood
    b semenyo to hinchelwood
    c munoz to a fulham defender (have castagne already)

    cheers

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 1 day ago

      Probably A

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 1 day ago

        cheers

  13. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    With 1FT do you prefer Ampadu > Saka or Welbeck > Gyokeres?

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      First

    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 1 day ago

      First

  14. THE Wild Rover
    • 15 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    This playoff semi is the best advert for VAR ever. Inside 50 minutes and already two clear penalties not given, and a goal that should’ve been disallowed. Awful refereeing.

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 1 day ago

      Agreed. There’s too much VAR hate out there. Waiting a minute is worth it for decisions which are objectively better on average (even if not perfect), especially with so much at stake for teams. Seems a much fairer system than hoping the ref spots everything

  15. Pilgrim62
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    Cap Saka or Gyoker?

    1. thetommy14
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      Gyokeres

    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 1 day ago

      Saka

    3. Bavarian
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 18 hours ago

      Saka

  16. thetommy14
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    Start Cherki or Szobo?

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 1 day ago

      Cherki

  17. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    A Trossard and castagne
    b hinchelwood and tarkowski

    thanks

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 1 day ago

      A probably, mostly for Trossard

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 1 day ago

        thanks again!

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      Trossard Keane possible?

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 1 day ago

        Is Keane definitely nailed? Cheers

    1. Nomar
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      To be fair all that shows is Arsenal players standing in front of the keeper. None of them are impeding him as he jumps by having an arm around his throat and restricting his hand.

      I want Spurs to go down as much as the next man, but this is just reaching now…

  18. Mata of opinion
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    Do I do eze>saka to defend lead in ML or play my own game with something like tav>KDH or dcl/jp> thiago?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      Would go KDH or Thiago

  19. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    Pick one to buy this week, chasing 5pts behind 10K rank:
    A. Keane/Tarkowski
    B. Trossard
    C. KDH
    D. Cunha
    E. Thiago
    F. Gyokeres

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      You don't want to ask me lol...they're all at different price brackets though and positions. Who would you sell for these players. F the best option by far.

    2. Viper
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      F

  20. FDMS All Starz
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    Chasing a hopeless 209pt league leader with 2gws to go, what would you do here?
    - Pedro/Mitoma —> Gyokeres(c)/Schade ?

    2FTs & 2.7 itb, Current team:
    Verbruggen (Darlow)
    Gabriel Vanheck Orielly (Hill Strujk)
    Bruno Cherki Saka Tavernier (Mitoma*)
    Haaland Pedro DCL

    Leaders team with 1FT:
    Raya (Darlow)
    Gabriel Orielly Justin (Truffert Vanheck)
    Bruno Semenyo Saka Gross (Tavernier)
    Haaland Welbeck DCL

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      You won't catch that lead. Have fun and sell haaland for gyo!

    2. Viper
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      If you could captain every player in your starting 11 you wouldn't make up that difference so just do what feels most 'fun'

  21. grooveymatt65
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    Hi guys, this is my current team:

    Raya
    Gabriel O Reilly Justin
    Bruno Eze GroB Cherki
    Thiago DCL Haaland
    Henderson Rogers Munoz Lacroix

    2ft 0.0itb

    Thinking of doing one of these moves:

    1. Rogers to Bruno G
    2. Eze and Rogers to Saka and fodder for free
    3. Rogers to Trossard
    4. Eze and Rogers to Trossard and Dewsbury Hall/Bruno G for free

    Just wondering who would you TC out of the below?

    A) Saka (after I get him in for Eze) - Home to Burnley
    B) Bruno - Home to Forrest
    C )Thiago - Home to Palace
    D) Haaland - Away to Bournemouth

    Thanks guys!!

  22. Viper
    • 16 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    Already own Gabriel & Eze. Which move looks best?

    A. Lacroix -> Calafiori. Roll 2Fts

    B. Rogers -> Saka. Roll 2Fts

    C. Rogers & DCL -> N'Diaye & Gyokeres. Roll 1 FT.

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      Why Ndiaye? You have KDH?

      1. Viper
        • 16 Years
        3 months, 1 day ago

        No. Penalties the only thing really

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 1 day ago

          I would probably go C with KDH

        2. Dynamic Duos
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 1 day ago

          Everton have won 2 pens all season

  23. Riverside Red
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    Conducting a straw pole:
    Should Southampton be thrown out of the Championship play off final because of their breach of the EFL rules with regard to spying on opponents prior to matches?
    A - Yes
    B - No

    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      is that a thing

    2. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 1 day ago

      Would it put Wrexham in

      1. THE Wild Rover
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 22 hours ago

        Middlesbrough

  24. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    3 months, 1 day ago

    Welbz to Tiago FT
    and admit my mistake

  25. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 23 hours ago

    Best option for this team folks? 1ft, 0.7m itb.

    a. senesi > lewis kelly
    b. pedro senesi > gyokores diouf -4
    c. tavernier senesi > rice diouf -4

    verbruggen
    gabriel oreily senesi
    saka bruno semenyo gros
    haaland pedro welbeck

    darlow tavernier hill struijk

  26. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 23 hours ago

    Bring in one of Gyokeres, Thiago or KDH?

  27. martynteresa
    • 1 Year
    3 months, 22 hours ago

    Champion
    Last 4 seasons around 2800 points
    Previous 4 seasons around 2500 points

    What happened. Was it players just being more fortunate in the last 4 years or was there a major points shift in the game

    This year Ibsen looks like 2500 pushing 26 despite the addition of decon

    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 18 hours ago

      Salah and Haaland perma-cap