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Has Arsenal’s defence improved enough for FPL investment?

Recent performances and a favourable schedule could put Arsenal’s defensive assets on the Fantasy Premier League radar.

While even considering these sorts of players might be considered high-treason by many, it is undeniable that the Gunners have made progress since Mikel Arteta took over last month.

With matches against Sheffield United, Burnley and Newcastle between now and Gameweek 26, there could be a window of opportunity for Fantasy managers looking for differential options.

In this article, we are going to provide an update on Arsenal’s defence to see if Gameweek 22 provided enough evidence of improvement ahead of those appealing fixtures.

As this uses data from the Fantasy Football Scout Members Area, only those who have signed up for the full 2019/20 season, a monthly pass or a discounted package can access it in full.

What progress did Arteta make in Gameweek 22?

It seems fair to say that Arsenal were a little unfortunate not to come out of their Gameweek 22 trip to Crystal Palace with a clean sheet and all three points.

For the first time in roughly a year, the Gunners came into the match with an unchanged starting XI, which appeared to help them established control over proceedings in the first half.

After dominating possession for large spells, the loss of Lucas Torreira (£4.7m) at interval saw them pegged back by a heavily deflected Jordan Ayew (£5.0m) shot and it’s worth remembering they had to play the final 24 minutes with only ten men.

Despite conceding, Arsenal are still showing improvement against the first 18 matches of the campaign, when Unai Emery and Freddie Ljungberg were at the helm.

During that period they conceded 1.5 goals per game but this has reduced to just 1.0 per game between Gameweeks 19 and 22 – Arteta’s first four matches.

However, the question on Fantasy managers’ lips is whether the Gunners are showing enough of an improvement to warrant investment.

In order to do that, we will have to dig deep than the goals conceded during Arteta’s brief time in charge and look instead at the underlying statistics.

What does the underlying data say?

1,173 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Kryptonite666
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Tough decision ahead of the LIV double

    Aguero + Maddison + Gomez or

    Abraham + Salah + Soyuncu or

    Rashford + Maddison + Soyuncu

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Having a similar problem

      Aguero looked so good and Crystal Palace aren’t really going to stop city

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

      A

  2. UpAndAway
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Tempted to play Cantwell ahead of Grealish this GW. Anyone else?

    1. Kryptonite666
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Grealish more consistent for me.

    2. Gommy
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Waste of a Liverpool asset for me, too many other options have higher points ceilings.

      1. Gommy
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Reply fail to the post below

    3. bennyp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'm either playing Cantwell or Mooy..

      Bournemouth are woeful at the moment so this is the type of game Norwich needs to capitalise on.
      Chances are Cantwell is involved in goals if they win. Good shout IMO.

      1. UpAndAway
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I have double Brighton defence (Ryan and Dunk) so hoping for a Grealish blank (wishful thinking). Hence thinking of playing Cantwell.

        1. bennyp
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I mean if there's a gameweek to play double brighton defence, this is probably one of the best to do so.

    4. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'm 100% playing Cantwell. Just whether to bench Grealish, DCL or Rashford. Currently on Rash.

  3. mcginnntonic
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Is no one else considering gomez for 3rd liverpool asset? any reason why not? cheers

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Seen lots of people looking at it.
      For me, he’s a rotation risk.
      And less explosive than the other four

      1. mcginnntonic
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        do u think he is worth the cash saved over robbo if it lets me have maddison over cantwell?

    2. Gommy
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Waste of a Liverpool asset for me, too many other options have higher points ceilings.

  4. Kryptonite666
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    * Sorry, here are the correct options - A,B or C ?

    Aguero + Maddison + Gomez or

    Abraham + Salah + Soyuncu or

    Rashford + Maddison + Robertson

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B or c for liverpool

    2. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      C, unless you want to go for Firmino instead of Rashford.

    3. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      C

  5. tucaoneo
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    So the clown DCL picked yellow cards in three consecutive matches. His FPL scores were 12, 1, 1. Of course I didn't get the 12. I got the 1 and 1.

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      That’s what happens when you chase last week’s points

      1. bench boost for every gamew…
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        a bit harsh but nonetheless spot on, decent fixtures though so understandable to go for him

      2. Maddi Son
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Great underlying stats, great fixtures and cheap.

        But yeah, definitely not unlucky, just chasing points.

      3. Manamongst
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thats chasing a player coming into form as well tbf...

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

      All 3 YCs coming in the 78th minute or later too, just to be extra annoying.

      1. tucaoneo
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        That's also true for the other guy, Grealish.

        1. Syd.
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          He needs to pull his socks up

          1. Manamongst
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Lol

  6. itommy
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Fabianski
    Söy Lund Aurier
    Zaha Salah Mané KDB
    Vardy Ings Abraham

    McCovern Kelly Rico Saka

    0.2 inb 2FT

    Fabi, Aurier & Zaha -> McCarthy, TAA & Cantwell (-4)

    Do you think this is this reasonable? ..Considering WC.

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

    2. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'd WC that.
      Fabianski, McGovern neither one plays. -> Foster, McCarthy rotation.

      Rico, Kelly, Aurier none very solid. Team missing Pool defence. Soyuncu not giving good returns with Ndidi out. -> Holgate, Dunk, SOU defender, Pool defender, Lund

      Saka, Zaha pretty useless -> Fleck/Mooy, Richarlison if you can afford him with Martial/Maddison as plan B

      Abraham -> Deeney if you need to fund upgrades elsewhere

    3. Manamongst
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Zaha = waste of space...

      Queue the Zaha brace now...

    4. itommy
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah you're right, team is not working atm.
      Gonna activate the WC. Cheers all!

  7. Concrete
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Too early to chase 65 points in ML with something different?

    Rashford to Aguero
    KdB to Silva -4

    Y or N

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      KDB is a season keeper

      1. Concrete
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers

    2. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I wud take punt with Son rather than Kun

      1. Concrete
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks

    3. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      65 points is not possible without KDB, and not much anyway, just make good cap calls and see that you do good transfers you can claw that back in no time. Doing that move will not get you closer.

      1. Concrete
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers pal

    4. Rosicky
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      No. Keep KdB for at least next 4GWs.

  8. arndff_
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    2 FTs & 0.0 ITB

    GW23: Rico(4.2) to Williams(4.0) & Roll 2nd FT [0.2 ITB]
    GW24: Kelly(4.2) to Stephens(4.3)

    PS: Can swallow a Kelly drop without losing 0.1 sell value.

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Uninspiring but maybe needed

      1. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Agree. But rest of the team looks ok:

        Ryan (Button)
        TAA Soy Lundstram (Rico Kelly)
        Salah Mane KDB Grealish (Dendo)
        Vardy Jimenez Ings

        Soy needs to go but could be kept for a few more GWs.
        Giving Jimenez a few more as well. Own him for 2 GWs now.

  9. Marty McFly
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Pope 4.0
    TAA Chilwell Lundy Webster Rico
    Salah KdB Maddison Martial Dendo
    Vardy Rashford Ings

    2FTs

    Maddison + Rashford > Moura + Bobby Firmino?

    Or do I lose KdB and aim for a Salah/Mane double up?

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Firmino good differential. I think those moves are sound

  10. Daniel Exeter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone considering Allison as a 3rd? He’s my plan as it stands

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Waste of a spot imo

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      May as well get Gomez cheaper

    3. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Plenty are but apart from clean sheet points he doesn’t offer much

    4. Maddi Son
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Basically paying 6.1m for a ceiling of 6 points. I'll be surprised if he gets many more bonus points for the rest of the season.

      Pay 0.3 more for VVD and you get goal threat / more baps.

    5. Daniel Exeter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I should have said, I have bloody Gazaniga in goal (don’t ask)

      1. Karhumies
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I don't understand why so many people who did not go for Krul went for Gazzaniga. Equally terrible teams at defending. At least Krul has made a few pen saves and is a regular keeper. Even Leno beats both of them easily.

    6. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      You need a better plan.

  11. Alexis Nonsense
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which one to play:

    A) Soyü

    B) Sarr

    Sarr been great for me so should play him, but with my luck Leicester get a celan sheet and Sarr get nothing

    1. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Sarr

  12. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Maddison to Richarlison?

    1. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      sure, why not?

    2. Rosicky
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      In case you have Vardy.

  13. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Alli to Sarr or Doucoure this gw?

    Gives me 2.8m itb and the man u game to decide between Robo and Salah for the triple up

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      thats what im doing. Was indecisive and missed the price drop though - going to hold until the midweek games

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yh thinking same mate. How you set up?

        1. Scholes Out For Summer
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          bus team is 352 currently. planning to double defenders for DGW with Soy to Robbo

          Hendo
          Soy - Sidibe - TAA
          Alli - Mane - KDB - Grealish - Maddison
          Vardy - Rash

          Button - Lord - Rico - Greenwood

          Hbu??

          1. Tsparkes10
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Currently.

            Hendo
            TAA Perreira Lund
            Alli Mane KDB Cantwell
            Vardy Maupay ings
            (Martin, Martial, Aurier, Rico)

            Thinking double D also... Aurier to Robo easy next week and then downgrade Perreira and upgrade maupay or Cantwell... Maybe rid of martial aswell after his Burnley fixture

    2. FOMFF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Sarr

    3. Alexis Nonsense
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Get Sarr, will make the match entertaining as well !

  14. davies
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Best midfielder for 4.4?

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Dendo

  15. Monkey Hanger
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone with a few hours to kill. and want to know what a full on FPL meltdown looks like.

    Try Elite FPL's MOTD Challenge, on YouTube.

    Extremely funny.

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I've done this before Hahaha, I did it when Fraser got a brace one week and I was absolutely buzzing. Harder to do it now my team is in the prem now, will try it once atleast.

      Id recommend it but damn it's torture, time goes soooo slow Hahaha. Could do with doing an allnighter tbh and sleeping til motd

      1. Monkey Hanger
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        This one is very funny, but also made me squirm, bit like watching an episode of The Office.

  16. JAYPEE
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts?
    Traore, Jiminez -> Richarlison, Ayew (-4)
    Considering also doing Pope to McCarthy and Kiko to Williams in a few weeks

    1. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      why sell jimi?

  17. Threat Level Midnight
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Loving the scenes Kun caused on here. People actually thinking about still getting in the Egyptian fraud over him( DGW or not). HaAaAa

    1. Alexis Nonsense
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Well, people seem to forget they were playing Villa...

  18. merin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ramsdale -> McCarthy a good switch?
    Doing Richarlison Jimenez -> Salah Ings next week

    Ramsdale McGovern
    TAA Soyuncu Lundstram Rico Kelly
    Mané KDB Richarlison Maddison Dendoncker
    Vardy DCL Jimenez

    1 FT, 4.1 ITB

  19. AC Yew
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Risky relying on McCarthy if you have a second non playing 4.0 keeper?

    1. Threat Level Midnight
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      How so?

      1. AC Yew
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        With regards to starting

    2. fgdu
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      i think we are in a part of the season where you need loads of money, so no

    3. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      No as he is 1st choice

      1. AC Yew
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Great thanks!

  20. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Those of us getting Salah to double up with Mane (+ a defender)..

    1)How ya getting him

    2)how long ya keeping him/the mid double up for??

    I'm doing

    Rash ➡️Deeney
    Traore ➡️Salah..

    1. FPLGeezer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Already on them both plus TAA. Downgraded Abraham to Greenwood and upgraded Alli.

      Now contemplating who I should lose and if I done the right thing originally. Fixtures are great and with KDB too doesn't leave much space for decent 5th mid (have Cantwell) or Ings as 3rd striker as I want really.

      1. camarozz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah id love to do Rash ➡️Ings but I'm 0.4m short and Fabianski injury means a waste of a ft so kinda complicated..

        1. FPLGeezer
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Had originally planned to do Rash to Ings this gameweek but now want Rash for Burnley home too. Will see if he plays midweek and if he's definitely available for Liverpool before deciding.

    2. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Rash + Alli -> Salah + Greenwood (rotate with Cantwell and 4th defender depending on fixtures)

      Keeping at least until 2nd wildcard (around GW32) unless it really doesn't seem to be working.

  21. Pdrpro
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Would you move Fabianski to Ryan or McCarthy?

    1. Pinturicchio10
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Made the Ryan switch myself

        1. Pdrpro
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Going mcCarthy would allow TAA instead of robbo going forwards you see, is he nailed? He's played since that 9-0

      • Alexis Nonsense
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I got Henderson

      • The Frenchie
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        McCarthy, actually I just take switch Schmeichel for him

      • Lazaretti
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I made Fabianski to Ryan as my backup is Button. Should be safe if Ryan gets inured

      • Pdrpro
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        So basically it's Ryan + Robbo or McCarthy + TAA,

        Does that change things?

    2. Geordie19
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      What are your initial thoughts to Vardy and Dilva to Mane and Maupay for double...

      Would give me
      Pope
      Robbo Sidibe Soy
      KDB Salah Mane Grealish Martial
      DCL/Maupay Ings

      Thank you.

      1. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        All depends if you think Vardy's hot streak is well and truly over. If you do and you're right, it could pay off.

    3. The Frenchie
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A) Gomez / Rashford
      B) Alexander-Arnold / Calvert-Lewin

      1. zon
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        B

    4. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Is everyone confident Robbo & TAA play both the DGW games?

      1. FPL_Crisis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Almost a week between wolves and hammers game so looking likely. I’d be more worried with saints game after which is quick turnaround

      2. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Easy cup to rest players on the weekend.

      3. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Not totally. But if TAA gets benched, most people will own him so most will get hurt equally. You won't lose rank unless your auto-sub is worse than other people's.

        Robbo could be more of a risk in that sense.

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

          Autosub won't work if a player gets at least one minute in either of the games in their DGW

          So if TAA misses one, he'll still be in your XI if he plays the other one

          1. FPL Theorist
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Yes, I forgot about that.

            But still, everyone will get the 0 or 1 pointer for the game TAA misses or plays only part of the game. Relative to others, you won't lose out.

    5. Kuzser
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Who do you expect to get more in gw 24?

      1) Firmino (wh,wolves) and Alli (NOR)
      2) Salah (wh, wolves) and Maupay (bou)
      3) Robbo (wh, wolves) and Martial (BUR)

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        3

      2. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        If Fab remains out, then Pool should score 4-5 goals against WHU. So I would say narrowly 2 over 3.

      3. JabbaWookiee
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        2

    6. The Frenchie
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Best defender for max 5,4? (I have Lundstram already)

    7. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      evening all,
      do we think ramsdale has a good chance of playing or should i use my transfer on him?

    8. davies
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Will Rashford fall in price?

    9. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I can't be the only one planning to BUY Rashford in GW24...

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I want him but I also want Aguero

        can't decide

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

          Spread my squad across different teams (except triple Pool) on my GW22 WC. Sticking to that as it would make manipulating blanks easier

          KDB is enough City for me, still. Talisman theory is actually working out well in FPL this season. Just gotta nail the right talisman at the right time...

          Sure you want to add Kun to your troubles with the fixtures and blanks coming up?

          1. Eat my goal!
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Annoyed with myself for not taking a hit to bring him in last game - so close but decided to do Alli > Silva in a straight swap and cap.

            Sort of thinking I've missed the boat now but Palace is also a good fixture - thereafter I'd want to switch to Rash tho

            Really tempted to WC

      2. The Legend Squad
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I am. My only issue is who to sell to bring him in. Front 3 of Jimenez, Ings, Vardy and I like all 3

    10. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Which one to replace Guaita with (or just keep):
      A) Ryan
      B) McCarthy
      C) Henderson
      D) keep