Members

The best Arsenal players to consider for a Blank Gameweek 18 Free Hit squad

There is a host of Arsenal options to consider for Blank Gameweek 18 over the coming days.

Considering the Gunners’ offer impressive form, an appealing fixture but only one match in Double Gameweek 19, they are prime candidates for Fantasy Premier League managers playing their Free Hit chip.

We have run the numbers on Mikel Arteta’s men ahead of their meeting with Crystal Palace to find the best options, looking at individual form as well as how the Eagles have fared defensively of late.

As this article uses extensive data from the Fantasy Football Scout Premium Members Area, only those with a valid subscription can access it in full.

HOW APPEALING IS THE FIXTURE?

742 Comments Post a Comment
  1. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Circuit breakers incoming?

    https://twitter.com/BenCrellin/status/1348343774221578242

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      How exactly would it help?

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This. Might aswell cancel whole season

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          How would that help?

          1. S.Kuqi
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Wouldn't have to worry fpl for a while

    2. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd prefer stronger sources than Ben Crellin

    3. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Didn't he say earlier it may just be horse racing or has that changed?

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

      Christmas has been an unmitigated disaster and it's reflected in wastewater monitoring, testing, hospital admissions and deaths. I can't believe it wasn't suspended in new years round, let alone the FA Cup going ahead. Expect more high positive returns in the next couple of rounds of testing and draw your own conclusions about where this is going. That said, I drew mine shortly after Christmas and here we are, cha-ching

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

      I've heard a rumour from Ben Crellin that he's heard rumours, pass it on. (So many people are saying the election was probably rigged, so it must be true :-D)

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

    If the villa game is ON...would u FH this?

    -4

    No keeper

    Stones Maguire Mitchell Lewis(?)

    Sterling KDB Son Bruno

    Kane Brewster..

    1. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No.

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

        No to which of his 2 questions?

    2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Touch and go, Mitchell, Lewis and Brewster are not going to get you many points.........

  3. Black Knights
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So you’d have to imagine that if we’re getting word from Villa tomorrow, that definitely doesn’t leave long enough to organise spurs v Fulham into the slot should villa fail us.

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Teams should step in I think to get the season played, my rugby league side hull Fc agreed to step into a fixture at around 14 hours notice

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

    Jose Mourinho says he expects the club's next game to be on Wednesday against Aston Villa.

    https://mobile.twitter.com/jonathandveal83/status/1348347917799718914

    1. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It’s the hope that kills you.

    2. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Of course he would like to play decimated team.

      1. Camino Aleatorio
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Gotta play or the stoppages will destroy the entire season, for all teams

        If you have 14 professional athletes- you must play

        They were too soft on Newcastle

        Every team should have an alternate training ground, like a local park with a pavilion

  5. bitars
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    With all these postponed games would it be better if you instead just get the points for the games thats been rescheduled gradually? So that means you will never have any players that blanks (as long as they starts) and no dubble game weeks.

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What?

      1. Black Knights
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        So like if you had Grealish, Son and then villa spurs doesn’t go ahead, you just get the points when they rearrange it (even if you don’t own them at that later stage). So people who missed out in the first place don’t jump on the bandwagon when it becomes a DGW.

        Would be my interpretation.

        1. bitars
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Exactly. Sorry for my English 🙂

          1. Black Knights
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Your English is fine. There isn’t a very clear way to explain your suggestion but we understand!

    2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      ????

    3. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      So your players are locked per fixture not gameweek?

      1. Camino Aleatorio
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This is bloody fair and proper

        This lets us play FPL not Coronavirus Ball

        We can’t let the evil, soulless Maoist Ghouls wreck our economy and game.

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

      Proper riddle that

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

      Simple answer is no.

    6. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      And what happens when the january transfer window changes the fortunes of players

    7. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A million times yes. But the programming would be nuts (maybe)

      Fulham vs Spurs two weeks ago

      Everybody with Spurs on that match week gets those points. Whenever it happens. The game is no longer on the market for new holders.

      They just gotta drag drop the fixture to the week it happened.

      People will lose bench points but gain the Spurs points.

      Same for Spurs and Villa. You get the points whenever this ball game happens. Whenever. Even in May.

  6. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you do Curtis Jones to Saka for a 4 point hit?

    I’m intending to save my FH but play BB in GW19...

    1. Sarri-ball
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Depends if need saka for this week?

      Personally i would saka will easy make 4 points on jones longterm

  7. balint84
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Adams, KWP TO Antonio, Coufal
    B) Justin, Zouma TO Dias, Coufal

    1. balint84
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      in dgw

  8. Sarri-ball
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    After that comments are people more positive that villa v spurs might be on?

    Iv 3 spurs and watkins/targett. -4 will get me 12 players incase 1 of villa misses out

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think we can be more optimistic but no point worrying until we get what looks like an official decision tomorrow.

      1. Sarri-ball
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        100% iv worked out my swaps depending if on or not. But 100% rather be on

        1. Flynny
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Unlikely to know which villa players will feature rho

          Guess it makes son and kane a shoe in on free hit??

  9. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I am pretty certain the Villa game is going to go ahead by the sound of it. It is less about volume of cases than time before the next game, and they have had plenty of time to prepare.

    However I don’t think you will know which Villa players are out.

    1. Sarri-ball
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Im ok with that. Its my 3 spurs i need lol

    2. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      All depends on the number of positive results tomorrow

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Would mean kane and son for free hit as villa could be depleted ?

    3. STEP rOVERS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Prepare. The training ground is shut!

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

      I cant see it going ahead the training ground is still shut with less than 72hrs to the game.

    5. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The training ground will have to open if the game is played. There will surely be photos from the training session that shows which players are ok?

  10. boroie
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on this FH squad...

    DDG
    Cancelo Tierney Shaw
    KDB(C) Bruno(VC) Son Foden Saka
    Kane Lacazette

    BPF; Brewster Ampadu Clark

    1. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Will foden play?

      Smith Rowe perhaps?

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Also think shaw may be injury doubt

    2. PAs lag
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I like it

  11. boroie
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A - Foden & Kane
    B - Sterling & Wilson

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

      I would go B

    2. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B, unless you’re pretty confident Foden is nailed

  12. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Smith Rowe as a genuine playing 4.4 option opens a lot of avenues

    1. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Indeed. Especially if we need kanw and son in our free hit squads

      1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        In my WC squad with Kane Son KDB Bruno and 2 City defs as the spine

  13. CroatianHammer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Not only millionaire kickball players at it... word that the snooker Worlds is going to see a few withdrawals tomorrow.

    1. CroatianHammer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Masters I should say

  14. balint84
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you do it in DGW?
    A) Adams, KWP TO Antonio, Coufal (losing Southampon players, to WH players)
    B) Justin, Zouma TO Dias, Coufal (minor improving)

    1. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

  15. Croaker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Gundogan or Cancelo for a Man City triple up? Have Dias and KDB already

    1. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cancelo

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cancelo gundo kdb

        Dias has ceiling of 6.

        Mote upside with gundo

  16. King Carlos
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Will Ederson be back for gw18. He was a sub today after all... so no more covid?

    1. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah must be no longer isolating and negative.

    2. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You'd expect so. Doubt Steffen will keep him out the team.

  17. FPL.team
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If Spurs do play half a Villa team does that make Kane and Son better captain choices than KDB and Bruno?

    1. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You’d think so.

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

      Yeah

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Would want both spurs for free hit I suppose

  18. Frucke
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling or kane? (FH)

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

      Kane atm.

      1. Frucke
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Ty

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kane

      1. Frucke
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks!:)

        1. Flynny
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Totally depends.

          Sterling may be injured

          Villa may be depleted

  19. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Foden certainly looks more like a good option compared to a few weeks ago. Could we go as far as saying he s enough to cover city attack ? Bruno and kane are nailed in my team and can't afford both kdb and Salah. On wc

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He's only started about twice in the last 10 or so.

      1. John Nerdelbaum
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Don't piss on Hamsterdam's chips

    2. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sterling Torres Gundo KDB Foden Bilva Marhez into 4 spots. I dont like it

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks guys. Will probably go for kdb and 2 defence

    4. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He's certainly good enough when he plays but that's the problem. He draws you in and then doesn't play for 6 weeks.

  20. AC Me Rollin’
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on my FH team, would appreciate any recommendations for changes...

    Leno
    Holding, Cancelo, Stones
    Saka, Son, De Bruyne (C), Fernandes (VC)
    Kane, Wilson, Martial

    Ramsdale / Yedlin / Ndombele/ Mitchell

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

      Would be a little worried about Cancelo playing

      1. FPL.team
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Withdrawn at half time today surely a good sign?

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

          In that case more promising.

      2. AC Me Rollin’
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        That and he has played 90min the last 6 PL games, not too worried about that.

      3. AC Me Rollin’
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        That add 4 x bench fodder for possible cancelled games and that, so all good ; )

  21. andres
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    assuming villa tot is off... surely selling tot players is a priority?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thinking long term and keeping kane

    2. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Update tomorrow but looks more optimistic for villa spurs.

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        It is looking more positive which is good 🙂

    3. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’m pretty sure it’s off but I’m not selling my Spurs players. I’ll probably FH 18 and then play it by ear

  22. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I still haven’t activated my FH and quite frankly I dunno what I’m waiting for? Is it time to play it or should I field this 8 + a hit

    This is my 8. I have 0FT and 0.8 itb.

    Martinez
    Cancelo / Dier
    Son / Fernandes / KDB
    Kane / DCL

    Bench: Foster, Raphina, Bamford, Coufal, Chillwell, Bissouma

    A. Worth doing Chilwell to Stones?
    B. Bissouma to Smith Rowe for -4
    C. Any other suggestions?

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

      I'm waiting

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

        What are you waiting for? Tomorrow's update on the Spurs Villa game?

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

          Yep and possibly new announcements of any more positive test results affecting BGW players.

  23. KAALI_DAAL
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Will Mccarthy make it to DGW?

  24. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Heads up in case the villa game goes ahead.

    Doesn’t look like Martinez is self isolating from the Instagram stories of him and his wife’s.

    They have been cooking pasta together.

    Nothing of significance on Grealish‘a profile though.

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nothing like a good ‘stalker’ 🙂

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Haha big brother is watching

    3. Salarrivederci
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Martínez is really THE guy to keep/get/have from Villa.
      I might keep now even if I decide to press the WC 🙂
      If I just knew that Spurs would play either Fulham or Villa, then my double up in goal would be Martínez - Areola 😀

    4. mikess
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He could be isolating together with his wife

  25. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do Grealish or Martinez have covid19?

    1. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not sure. But if anyone at Villa has it you’d think Grealish would be favourite

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Why

        1. Ron_Swanson
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          He’s a rogue

      2. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I’d say Grealish would be the least likely. Anyone gets within 2 metres of him he dives

    2. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not sure why people are even thinking about keeping Villa players for a few weeks, value or not

      1. Salarrivederci
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Tbf Martínez would be great to keep with the amount of games in hand, value tied up in him and also good enough to BB next week should you consider that.

  26. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hoping the Villa game is on even if my players are out think I might get away without using a chip?

    Martínez
    Stones, Cancelo
    Grealish, Bruno, Son, KDB
    Kane, Watkins

    1. ThisTimeNxtYrRodney
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wow !!! It will really hit you if it is off. Same as me. 3 villa and two spurs as well but I will have 6 players. So I think that I will run with it.

    2. SomeoneKnows
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Exact situation like me only I've got DCL instead of Watkins...

      My current plan is to FH in case of postponment, and if game isn't postponed but Martinez & Grealish in isolation then to take a -4 hit in order to bring De Gea instead of my 4.0 keeper

  27. SomeoneKnows
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Assuming AVL-TOT isn't cancelled but Martinez still needs isolation... Who is the best keeper to own for BGW18 & DGW19?

    De Gea? Someone else?

    1. ThisTimeNxtYrRodney
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would say Ederson. 3 home games against 3 lower teams. Too good to miss.

      1. SomeoneKnows
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I agree, but already maxed out on city players

        1. Flynny
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Is martinez one of the cases?

          1. SomeoneKnows
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            No idea, I'm just making a contingency plan

            Plan is to BB in GW19 so if I take a -4 hit in order to field a keeper for both GWs it might pay off

  28. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Scout tweet updates non existing, have been several manager announcements and news related to FPL worth tweeting.

    1. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Give them a Sunday off.

  29. balint84
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Stones+ money
    Or
    Dias

    1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Im going Diaz Cancelo. If one has an issue you can go down to Stones

    2. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Stones

  30. Werner Bremen
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A Ederson and Wan Bissaka

    B DDG and Dias