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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. Dannyb
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Tammy and Maddison to Mahrez and Ings? Tammy has awful fixtures now

    1. L S P
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      i wouldn't make those moves this week.

    2. Don Corleone
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Tammy to Ings - probably for free. Play Maddison one more week, it's Burnley after all.

  2. Don Corleone
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    What do you think will Martin play twice in GW24?

    I have him by accident...

    1. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Probably, but I think most other keepers must be a better shout anyway..

  3. Pep Pig
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Cracking article! Kola is definitely on the watchlist

  4. Park the bus
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Best Fabianski replacement? Thinking Ryan ahead of Foster

    1. L S P
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      wise thinking methinks

    2. Stimps
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Mccarthy 4.3

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

        This

      2. Park the bus
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        good call mate cheers

  5. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Can I get some advice on the next moves to make. I need to sort my defence out and get another Liverpool defender or mid.

    Ramsdale*
    Lundstrum, Rico, TAA
    Richarlson, Traore, Salah, KDB
    Vardy, Rashford*, Abraham

    Button, Kelly, Tomori, Dendoncker

    1FT and 1.5 itb

    A. Tomori —> Holgate/Sidibie/
    B. Ramsdale --> A KEEPER THAT ACTUALLY GETS CLEAN SHEETS
    C. Tomori + Abraham —> VVD + Ings
    D. Free up space to get Mane?

    1. Don Corleone
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Save, then next week B+C 🙂

      1. Klip Klopp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks. And swap Ramsdale for who?

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

      Kelly, Tomori, Rico is the largest fire you have. Does Rico even get into starting XI anymore?

  6. Jonny HOW SON?
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Martial to Mane this or next gameweek?

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      This GW

  7. Dammed Utd
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Williams, Man U
    Stephens Southampton
    James Chelsea
    Holgate Everton

    Take your pick

    1. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      W

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Stephens

    3. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Holgate

    4. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Stephens

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

      Holgate

    6. The Albatross
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      James

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I'm a big fan of James, but those fixtures are rough

        1. The Albatross
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          He'll be on the bench for most of them probably

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

    Thinking ahead for GW24. Pick one.

    A. Maddison + Abraham > Salah + Greenwood
    B. Maddison + Abraham + Soyuncu > Doucoure + Rashford + VVD and -4

    Current squad:
    Ryan
    TAA - Soyuncu - Lundstram
    KDB - Maddison - Richarlison - Manne
    Ings - Vardy - Abraham

    Button, Cantwell, Rico, Kelly

  9. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Feeling a Son(c) this week

    1. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Another red coming.

    2. Don Corleone
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Thought the same when they played Chelsea. I cried...

  10. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Rashford -> Ings & Rico -> Robertson
    For a hit!

    Yes or No?

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

      no wait til next week

      1. Slitherene
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Hope Rico plays then?

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

          yeh better 0 points than a -4, plus if anyone is gonna score v liv this weekend it will be rash lol

    2. Stimps
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I wouldn't ditch Rashford

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

    No cash in bank- Aguero brought in as 2 week punt ( worked well so far!) before getting Ings in week 24 to fund Richarlison to Mané

    Look good to go this week or start Cantwell over DCL?

    Ryan
    TAA Söyüncü Lundstram
    Salah KDB Richarlison Grealish
    Aguero (c) DCL Vardy

    Button Cantwell Rico Kelly

    1. The Albatross
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Throw a coin

      1. The Albatross
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        2nd thought, bench Grealish

  12. popcoin
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    How long will Doucoure continue playing no. 10? Will Hughes return to that position when fit, with Chalobah dropping to the bench?

    1. The Albatross
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I can't see them changing a winning formula

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

      I think Hughes replaces/rotates with Chalobah in the pivot

  13. The Albatross
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    For week 24
    A) Van Dijk + Maddison
    Or
    B) Robertson + Grealish/Sarr/Doucoure (who?)
    Your thoughts appreciated

  14. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    martial to richarlison/mahrez and save other FT? or downgrade for robbo later on?

    hendo button
    taa rico dunk lunds cathcart
    mane kdb martial grealish cantwell
    rash vardy ings

  15. joeyc_33
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Jiminez > Ings this week?
    Abraham > Firmino next week?

    1. The Albatross
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'm going for 2 defenders but Firmino could be a great call

      1. ZakyJ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Are you? I have Gomez, TAA and Mane. You think stick with that?

        1. The Albatross
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Not too sure about Gomez. Matip back soon

          1. ZakyJ
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            All the Liverpool cleansheats recently are with Gomez....

            1. The Albatross
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Good point

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

    Generally speaking, which option?

    A) Rashford McCarthy
    B) Henderson Martial + 0.8 + 4 points

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

  17. sovietrockettes
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Looking at Alli>Doucoure, Rashford>Aguero(c) long and hard....

    1. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Don't get wet!

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

        Aguero could easily bang in another hat trick, best captain option by a mile

        1. Stimps
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          He could also easily be benched knowing pep roulette

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

            Benched at home after scoring a hat trick? Surely not this time 🙂

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

    No

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

      Why not?

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

        Feel free to fill your boots if you disagree

    2. The Albatross
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Are you sure?

    3. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Think he just answered the article guys

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

        I think people would rather be planning on how to get another Liverpool defender in than wasting time / a transfer on a team where there is no value and whose defence is ravaged by injury.

    4. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      rman

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

        wisdom

        1. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          You win

  19. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    What are the most likely gameweeks to be doubles? Liverpool playing Villa in 33 could it be a double for them?

  20. ZakyJ
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Gazza, Button
    TAA, Lund, Rico, Gomez, Kelly
    Mane, Traore, KDB, Martial , Cantwell
    Abraham, Vardy, DCL

    5.1ITB 1FT
    What to do, have loads of funds?
    could arrange to get Salah but means dropping a Liverpool player (Gomez)

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

      Traore -> Mahrez

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

      Lloris back in training.
      Rico seemingly dropped.
      Kelly might also be out soon.
      So think about those three as a priority I’d say.

  21. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Would it be crazy to shift KDB and get in Kun?

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Nothing is crazy on internet

    2. G Banger
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      KDB most nailed, depends if you can deal with Kun occasional benching

    3. firstade
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Considering it. I Could do KDB & Rashford to Martial & Kun, but maybe that is too much

  22. G Banger
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Looking to move in Stephens / Holgate... who first to go?

    a) Rico
    b) Kelly

    And who in

    1) Stephens
    2) Holgate (worried about CA comments about benching)

  23. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Hahahaha the last time Liverpool played Utd at home in the league it was 3-1, Lingard scored for Utd lmfao.

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

      What a player

      Glad he has Mino Raiola as an agent to get him a well deserved new deal.

  24. Fit_to_drop
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed.

    Current Squad:

    Guaita/Hendo
    Kelly, (Soy), Gomez, (Lund), Stephens
    Madds, Salah, Mane, KDB, (Cantwell)
    Vards, Rash, (Greenwood)

    Does this move add up?

    I have 2 FT's so was going to do 3:

    Salah+Soy+Greenwood

    for

    TAA+Doucure+Ings (leaves me with 2.2 ITB) or Williams+Doucure+Aguero and play 3-4-3 mainly

    Thoughts please?

  25. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    A) Ryan
    B) McCarthy

    First to 50

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

      Same dilemma, leaning McCarthy

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

        I'm leaning towards Ryan!

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

          I’d say that whoever we choose, if keeping for a while, it probably won’t matter that much...but I thought that about Fabianski

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

            Theres 11 points between top keeper and 10th. So probably not worth too much procrastination!

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

              Exactly this.
              But even so, I’ll probably spend another few hours thinking about it

      2. Catastrophe
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Both decent fixtures over next 5

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ryan

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

      50

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

      Ryan

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

        Probably best replacement for Fabianski. Annoying that he got injured again.

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

          Tell me about especially when your other keeper is non playing

    5. firstade
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Mc

    6. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks all. Going for Ryan!

  26. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Your thoughts on Traore Tammy to Mahrez Ings?
    Or worth keeping Tammy?

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I’d do it if it’s FT

  27. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who to get rid of Chilwell or soyuncu?

    Who to replace with Gomez?

  28. Netters2018
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    What are peoples view on the liverpool dgw and use of tc?

    I know games are 6 days apart and the majority will be rested for the cup game in between. But should we be worried that the saints game is 48 hours later? I can see the potential for either mo or mane alternating between the west ham game and saints game?

    Should i tc salah or wait and hope leicester or city have something more appealing?

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

      I'm TCing. Best team in the league with 2 games? Sign me up.

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

        Salah or Mane ?

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

      Full team will play considering both away and against tricky opponents

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

      Think the front three and both full backs will start both games.
      I’ll be TC’ing one of the mids.

    4. Netters2018
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      So we all think the league game against saints on saturday will be when the rotation occurs?

      I am 75% sure i will tc salah... only other one that appeals could be vardy if they reach final... norwich and villa is appealing buy the other issue os bench boost and free hit may be needed then...

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

        Saints game looks perfect for rotation but too far to look ahead
        Fabinho matip etc likely back too

    5. nevins84
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      This is perfect for TC imo, Peps rotation puts me off using it on a city player...

      Open goal

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

      it´s 72 hours so check timetable again-) wednesday 20.45 and saturday 16.00

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

    Which attacker wud u be scared of not having in your team for rest of the season?

    (Other than Mo Mane KDB Vardy, Ings and under 9.5)

    1. FortunesAlwaysHiding
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Possibly Son

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

        Under 9.5 🙂

        1. FortunesAlwaysHiding
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Hmm, nobody springs to mind. Not now that Abraham is off the boil.

  30. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Henderson
    TAA Soyuncu Lundstram Rico
    KDB Mane Salah Grealish
    Vardy Ings

    McGovern Greenwood Dendoncker Kelly

    1FT 2.1ITB

    Is this a good move for GW23:

    Kelly >> Dunk

    It then allows me to do either of the below for GW24:

    Greenwood >> DCL
    Dendoncker >> Doucoure
    Grealish >> Martial

    Thanks all

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

      Dunk is good. Hopefully he does not sign up for Chelsea, with their upcoming fixtures..

      1. FCSB
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        what are the chances of him moving there this window?