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
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Pedro > Thiago?

  2. Monklane
    • 16 Years
    1 month, 15 days ago

    A very good article. Thank you.

  3. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 month, 15 days 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
      • 15 Years
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Means Arsenals right wing

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 15 days ago

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

  4. Il Capitano
    • 5 Years
    1 month, 15 days 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 month, 15 days ago

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

        1. Il Capitano
          • 5 Years
          1 month, 15 days ago

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

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Calafiori worth getting?

      1. Ron_Swanson
        • 15 Years
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Not if injured

        1. Stranger Mings
          • 5 Years
          1 month, 15 days ago

          Will wait for news

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      1 month, 15 days ago

      kdb or hinchelwood? i have gross already. cheers.

      1. Hazardous1221
        • 3 Years
        1 month, 15 days ago

        I’d say Kevin de bruyne personally

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          1 month, 15 days ago

          d'oh ! kdh of course

          1. Hazardous1221
            • 3 Years
            1 month, 15 days 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
        1 month, 15 days ago

        KDH

    4. Hazardous1221
      • 3 Years
      1 month, 15 days ago

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

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        1 month, 15 days ago

        if nothing to lose 100% yes

        1. Hazardous1221
          • 3 Years
          1 month, 15 days ago

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

    5. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 15 days 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

    6. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 month, 15 days 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 month, 15 days ago

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

      2. Stranger Mings
        • 5 Years
        1 month, 15 days 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
          • 12 Years
          1 month, 15 days ago

          B

        2. NZREDS
          • 12 Years
          1 month, 15 days ago

          Sorry A

          1. Stranger Mings
            • 5 Years
            1 month, 15 days ago

            Cheers

        3. Mr Turnip 1
            1 month, 15 days ago

            A

            1. Stranger Mings
              • 5 Years
              1 month, 15 days ago

              Thanka T

        4. One Man
          • 9 Years
          1 month, 15 days ago

          Welbeck to Gyokeres? For free.

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 11 Years
            1 month, 15 days ago

            of course!

          2. Stranger Mings
            • 5 Years
            1 month, 15 days ago

            Y

        5. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          1 month, 15 days 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 month, 15 days ago

              Probably A

              1. Ajax Hamsterdam
                • 11 Years
                1 month, 15 days ago

                cheers

          2. Count of Monte Hristo
            • 13 Years
            1 month, 15 days ago

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

            1. Stranger Mings
              • 5 Years
              1 month, 15 days ago

              First

            2. Mr Turnip 1
                1 month, 15 days ago

                First

            3. The Bandit
              • 15 Years
              1 month, 15 days 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 month, 15 days 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

              2. Pilgrim62
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                1 month, 15 days ago

                Cap Saka or Gyoker?

                1. thetommy14
                  • 5 Years
                  1 month, 15 days ago

                  Gyokeres

                2. Mr Turnip 1
                    1 month, 15 days ago

                    Saka

                  • Bavarian
                    • 8 Years
                    1 month, 15 days ago

                    Saka

                3. thetommy14
                  • 5 Years
                  1 month, 15 days ago

                  Start Cherki or Szobo?

                  1. Mr Turnip 1
                      1 month, 15 days ago

                      Cherki

                  2. Ajax Hamsterdam
                    • 11 Years
                    1 month, 15 days ago

                    A Trossard and castagne
                    b hinchelwood and tarkowski

                    thanks

                    1. Mr Turnip 1
                        1 month, 15 days ago

                        A probably, mostly for Trossard

                        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
                          • 11 Years
                          1 month, 15 days ago

                          thanks again!

                      • Magic Zico
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 7 Years
                        1 month, 15 days ago

                        Trossard Keane possible?

                        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
                          • 11 Years
                          1 month, 15 days ago

                          Is Keane definitely nailed? Cheers

                      1. Nomar
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 16 Years
                        1 month, 15 days 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…

                    2. Scapegoat Salah
                      • 9 Years
                      1 month, 15 days ago

                      #justiceforWilson
                      #justiceforWestHamLads

                      https://x.com/GeronimoMorgans/status/2053895856810586119/video/1?s=46

                    3. Mata of opinion
                      • 6 Years
                      1 month, 15 days 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
                        1 month, 15 days ago

                        Would go KDH or Thiago

                    4. Magic Zico
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 7 Years
                      1 month, 15 days 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
                        • 11 Years
                        1 month, 15 days 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
                        1 month, 15 days ago

                        F

                    5. FDMS All Starz
                      • 10 Years
                      1 month, 15 days 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
                        • 11 Years
                        1 month, 15 days ago

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

                      2. Viper
                        • 16 Years
                        1 month, 15 days 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'

                    6. grooveymatt65
                      • 12 Years
                      1 month, 15 days 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!!

                    7. Viper
                      • 16 Years
                      1 month, 15 days 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
                        • 12 Years
                        1 month, 15 days ago

                        Why Ndiaye? You have KDH?

                        1. Viper
                          • 16 Years
                          1 month, 15 days ago

                          No. Penalties the only thing really

                          1. Dynamic Duos
                            • 12 Years
                            1 month, 15 days ago

                            I would probably go C with KDH

                          2. Dynamic Duos
                            • 12 Years
                            1 month, 15 days ago

                            Everton have won 2 pens all season

                    8. Riverside Red
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 7 Years
                      1 month, 15 days 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
                        • 15 Years
                        1 month, 15 days ago

                        is that a thing

                      2. Freshy
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 15 Years
                        1 month, 15 days ago

                        Would it put Wrexham in

                        1. The Bandit
                          • 15 Years
                          1 month, 15 days ago

                          Middlesbrough

                    9. Freshy
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 15 Years
                      1 month, 15 days ago

                      Welbz to Tiago FT
                      and admit my mistake

                    10. SpaceCadet
                      • 12 Years
                      1 month, 15 days 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

                    11. bso
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 11 Years
                      1 month, 15 days ago

                      Bring in one of Gyokeres, Thiago or KDH?

                    12. martynteresa
                        1 month, 15 days 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
                          1 month, 15 days ago

                          Salah and Haaland perma-cap