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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. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed

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

      Yes, good move

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

    henderson
    foster
    ryan
    ramsdale

    which one? cheers

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

      Not ramsdale.

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

        lol that’s who i have atm - swapped him in for ryan couple of weeks ago :/

  3. Mata of opinion
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Bench 1 from Grealish Martial Moura and DCL. Currently on DCL

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

      M or M.

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

      DCL

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

    Very bottom -_-

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

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

      B

      Or keep and switch to C in GW25

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

        Did contemplate that, but hate that man United blank haha

    2. FPL Joker
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Keepers aren’t that important in that price range, little difference between them. I wouldn’t take a non injured one out at all.

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

        Good point mate but don’t think I’ll use my FT otherwise and have 2

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

    Closing in on one of these changes:

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

    Gomez & Madds to TAA & Doucure
    Or
    Greenwood & Madds to Ings & Doucure

    Thoughts?

    Thanks all

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

      b

  6. fridge
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Hi all, had a bad one last week

    Ramsdale
    TAA. Soyuncu. Lundstram (Aurier, Kelly)
    Salah. KDB. Maddison. Martial. Traore
    Vardy. Ings (Greenwood)

    A) Aurier, Soyuncu, Martial > Cathcart, Williams, Mane (-4)
    B) Aurier, Ramsdale > Robbo, Ryan
    C) something else?

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

      B sounds sensible for long term

  7. FPL Joker
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Is it worth swapping Vardy for Aguero?

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

      Vardy playing Burnley might be nice.

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

        My captain

      2. FPL Joker
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        True. May be worth holding. Is Kun going up?

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

          not tonight

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

          About +60 atm.

          http://www.fplstatistics.co.uk/

          1. FPL Joker
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Cheers

  8. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    European Football Twitter is all Fernandes this and Valverde this.

    There I said it.

    1. FPL Joker
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Twitter is just a cesspit for gibberish

      1. Pras (FPL)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Wait, wasn’t that this place?

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

    Is Firmino worth it? If I go for b I might get Rashford in gw 24 and go with only two Liverpool players

    a. Jiménez -> Firmino
    b. Kelly -> Williams
    c. get Rashfort in for Jiménez now, he can score against Liverpool

    Martin
    TAA, Digne, Lundstram
    Salah, KDB, Maddison, Grealish
    Vardy, Ings, Jiménez

    Guaita, Aurier, Hayden, Kelly
    2 FT, 1,8 million

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

      Guaita to McCarthy, Aurier to Robertson

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

        Thanks. Can get enough money by selling Kelly.

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

          I'd keep Kelly for now. Might be useful down the line

          Except if he's dropped, of course. Palace fixtures clear up soon so he can be nice bench cover

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

      I'd prefer Robbo in your situation. Probably downgrade Jimenez and use the cash to upgrade Aurier or Kelly to Robbo.

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

        Has enough cash from shifting Guaita instead, actually. Then Lund/Jimenez/Grealish/Madders can rotate for the 11th man or just combine two of them into someone stronger later down the line

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

          Makes sense

      2. fc_skrald
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks

  10. blind faith
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Would you transfer Alli and either Vardy or Rashford to get Aguero in?

    1. blind faith
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Woops replied on wrong part. Alli to 7.8 for Aguero from either Rash or Vardy?

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

      I’m considering this as well, Rashford>Aguero(c) and Alli>Doucoure looks good

      1. blind faith
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah I could either do Vardy and have 8.5 to spend from Alli transfer or Rash with 7.8 to spend from Alli.

    3. FPL Joker
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I kinda have the same question. It looks to me like the Leicester wheels may be coming off. I’m thinking Vardy to Aguero. It’ll be a differential after all, but then you know Aguero will end up being benched next game.

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

        Vardy had a nice assist and then had a goal ruled out (from a Madders assist)

        Fine margins...

        1. FPL Joker
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          True.

  11. HD7
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    1 FT, 0.4 ITB

    Kasper
    TAA Lundstram Dunk
    KDB Maddy Salah Mane
    Ings Vardy DCL

    Subs: Button, Rico, Hayden, Kelly

    Save or maybe trade Rico/Maddy?

  12. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    is Pope too much £ as a back keeper for Henderson. I would go McCarthy but Pope covers Henderson better tbh. And not convinced Saints defence is going to be good for the rest of the season.
    They would cover 5/6 games for Henderson ultimately/potentially (possible Blades blank, bad fixtures and Henderson blank vs Man U)

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

      Saints defence has been good since GW11

      Ralph immediately drilled them after the mauling

      They've just been ignored because the clean sheets weren't coming... Like Liverpool

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        THANKS

  13. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Early thoughts on Liverpool DGW captain?

    A) Salah
    B) Mane

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Depending on my question below, I may be forced to go with Mane!
      Though currently have both and would lean towards Salah

    2. T.Henry14
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      headache

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

      Salah for now. I like his chances as a striker against a non-Fabianski keeper. He's been drifting into that role for almost every game now

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

        Yes, and also I'd feel stupid if they got a pen and I hadn't captained Salah.

    4. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Mane is much better away tho, and if Milner plays then Salah off pens.

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

        Not sure Mane better away

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

      Mane and I hope Salah misses a penalty!

  14. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Best value Liverpool trio to have going forward?

    I'm thinking TAA, Robbo and Mane.

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Definitely TAA, Salah and Mane

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        That's what I have at current

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

        That's definitely not the best value

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

      Can't say "value" without Gomez in there...

      If you mean most points, it's still Salah + Mane + TAA

      Value would be triple defence

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        What about the fact that a 5m saving with Robbo over Salah allows another premium mid (E.g Son over Cantwell or Rashford over Greenwood)

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

          Triple defence would allow all sorts of freedom with funds. TAA + Robbo + Gomez and cap/TC TAA then you can play around with Manchester assets et al

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            I think triple defense is a little too eggs in one basket. Also by value, I'm also trying to hedge with attacking threat, for which Gomez has little to none.

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

              Okay, I understand where you're coming from and it's not actually "value" you seek, because value means most points from fewest pounds... Which that combination will give you

              Best for your team? Depends entirely on your team structure, team value and style of play. Best not to overthink it, really

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

          With Salah and Mane I still can afford a forward line of Vardy, Ings and Jimenez. KDB and Maddison the other mids.

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

      TAA VVD Mane

      save 1/2 mil

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Hmm possibly, Robbo 6 assists not bad, fancy him to maybe claw some back over TAA too

    4. FPL Joker
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Of course TAA, Mane and Salah is better but it’s also a load more money. I think what you say is best due to the value and quality of the players.

      If it makes it easier, Robbo and TAA technically start with 6 points each. S&M start with 2.

      1. FPL Joker
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Not ‘technically’, theoretically

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I get you

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

        S&M would start with 3 in your scenario 🙂

  15. Kevtheotter
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Start 2

    A) Maddison
    B) Cantwell
    C) Alli

    Cheers

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

      AB

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

    Any ideas with this team?

    McCarthy
    TAA Soy Lundstram
    Salah KDB Cantwell Grealish
    Vardy Abraham Jimenez

    4m - Martial Aurier Rico

    1FT 2.2m ITB

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

      Ings or save.

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

        Cheers TM

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

    GTG?

    McCarthy - (Henderson)
    TAA - Sidibe - Maitland Niles - (Soy - Lund)
    Sterling(c) - KDB - Mane - Cantwell - (Mooy)
    Vardy - DCL - Maupay

    Punting on Sterling for 1 more week before he becomes Salah.
    Any other changes?

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

      Looks good

  18. Greglarrrr
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    GTG?

    Henderson

    TAA Soy Dunk
    KDB Mane Salah Maddison
    DCL Ings Vardy

    Ramsdale Kelly Lundy Dendo

    0.2m in bank.

    Any suggestions?

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

      GTG

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

      GTG, save.

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

    Vardy & Martial to Rashford & Richarlison...

    Yes or No?

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

      No

    2. T.Henry14
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      No.
      Vardy season keeper.

  20. JaydenLFC87
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which keeper to replace Fab??

    A) Foster

    B) Henderson

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

      I would have kept Fab if I own him

      1. JaydenLFC87
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        He’s injured?

  21. T.Henry14
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Has the Liverpool trio (TAA-SALAH-MANE) weakened my team too much for next period?
    Did I shorten the rotation too much?

    Ryan
    TAA, Soyuncu, Lundstram (Kelly, Rico)
    Salah, Mane, KDB, Cantwell (Fleck)
    Vardy, Rashford, DCL

    My team with 2 Liverpool assets:
    Ryan
    TAA, Soyuncu, Lundstram (Kelly, Rico)
    Salah, KDB, Richarlison, Martial (Cantwell)
    Vardy, Rashford, Tammy

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

      That trio is the way to go IMO

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

      Kelly and Rico are at end of life

      Your stuck playing cantwell or fleck every week and DCL who’s fixtures turn in 3/4 gws

      Have you made the move?

      1. T.Henry14
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I haven't yet, but I'm close mate. Normally, Mane in the team for GW24 not for 23. Now Tammy to DCL and next with 2FT Mane&Fleck in.

        After all I will have 0.3 itb for Rico --> Holgate maybe.

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

      Hold for now and then reassess after DGW24

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

    A) Maddison
    B) Calvert-Lewin
    C) Grealish
    D) Sarr
    C) other midfield or forward for 7,4 (I have Ings already)

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

      D

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

      D

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

      D

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

      I just got Sarr, so D with full bias

  23. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    G2G?
    Pope
    TAA Lundstarm Kelly
    Salah Mane KDB Martial Moura
    Ings Rashford

    Button Greenwood Gibson Simpson

  24. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Bench one.
    Jimmy
    Cantwell
    Grealish.
    Thanks

  25. I Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on Salah (c)?

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

      Think there are better options this week.

      1. I Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Like who? I don't see them.

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

      Vardy, KDB, Ings, Richarlison, Tammy...

      And Man U will park the bus then look to counter, so not the best game for a Klopp riot

      1. I Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        They can try to park the bus but they're just not that good defensively.

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

          Spurs weren't that good defensively either. Heck, Spurs are much worse than Man U when it comes to defence this season

          But see what they did to Klopp

          And Ole had already accomplished this the last time they met, so it's not a miracle

          Just my thoughts though. Wouldn't stop you. He's a good option if you ignore all the much more open fixtures for other template members

          1. I Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            What are these much more open fixtures? Palace will park the bus against City and KDB plays considerably deeper with David Silva in the team anyway. Had 0 shots against Villa. Leicester aren't in good form and Burnley will defend in two banks of four.

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

    Any point in keeping Fabianski?

    Also own Martin but will likely concede vs EVE then replaced by Randolph...

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

      No point in keeping. Replacing an injured GK for a hit should cut the hit to about -2 for most keepers... Except if you're unlucky and the new guy gets injured or an OG and all that

      If it's for free... Then yeah, no point in keeping him

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

        Would be for free but sets up a hit for next week with the funds

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

          I'm gonna guess the hit would be for the DGW and beyond, so should pay itself back

          Waiting for Fab's return isn't really worth it

  27. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Just can't decide between Mane and Robbo..which team looks better

    A: after i do Aurier >> Robbo
    Ryan - Button
    Taa Lundy ROBBO -- Rico Zabaleta
    Grealish Kdb Salah MARTIAL -- Stephens
    Vardy RASHFORD Ings

    B: After i do Martial/Rashford >> Mane/DCL
    Ryan - Button
    Taa Lundy AURIER -- Rico Zabaleta
    Grealish Kdb Salah MANE -- Stephens
    Vardy DCL Ings

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

      A. no zabaleta tho

  28. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    In my team, I've currently got an Everton triple-up: Pickford, Sidebe, DCL.

    After the next 3 weeks, I'm planning to sub out Pickford and Sidebe for McCarthy and Baldock as Everton's fixtures take a turn.

    I'll also have roughly 7m to spend on replacing DCL. Already have Ings and Vardy, who would you go for?

  29. Simon69
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    By far the most difficult season for me in about 10 years... Struggling to hit any kind of consistency sitting mid table in my ML. G2G for next week? Any reason to use my FT? 1M ITB

    Gazzaniga

    TAA, Soyuncu, Digne

    Salah, Mane, Grealish, Maddison, Adama

    Vardy(c), Rashford

    Subs: Button, Lundstram, Kelly, Wickham

    1. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Probably worth saving or getting Ings in?

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

      gazza to ryan maybe, but not exactly necessary this week

  30. Party time
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Valverde sacked. Heck!

      Aren't Barca top of the league?! I bet Messi & co. wanted him out. For whatever reason, that is just sht

      1. I Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Have you watched them at all? They've been terrible and Valverde was clueless. Messi and Suarez have been carrying that team.

        1. Party time
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Not lately,however, I don't think they've done so badly in general for him to get the axe.

            They are at the right place in the league at the moment.

            It's likely a squad unrest sort of thing. The players got him sacked imo. Which is just sht imo