Make sure you have the right Arsenal in FPL
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***GAMEWEEK 23 DEADLINE: SATURDAY - 11:00 GMT***
So having made FPL simple for us, obviously Arsenal lost to Everton. But given Pep is busy either benching or deporting his best players, it didn’t matter much for the league. It’s made things interesting for FPL, though, as both teams have a Double Gameweek this week - so they’re our focus.
This week: Another Double Gameweek announced, unpicking the Man City nightmare, getting the right Arsenal three, all-time top scorers, Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal, Predicted Points, another Triple Captain option, and Undav doing good misses. Please share/subscribe to this if you think it’s worth reading. It’s lonely otherwise.
Stressed by Pep? Scared by Dyche? Email me: fplislife@substack.com
A new Double Gameweek just announced
Before we get started on the week ahead, we bring news of another Double Gameweek in Gameweek 25. The lucky teams are Liverpool, Arsenal, Wolves and Everton. Here’s the fixture runs for those teams… there’s an obvious one to target.
It’s important to plan ahead for this week, because four other teams - Man Utd, Newcastle, Brentford and Brighton - DON’T PLAY. It’s a week that’ll catch some people out, so don’t be one of those.
Arsenal & Man City double this week…
As far as this week goes, your job is simple - the two top teams have a Double Gameweek, so think about how you want to use your free transfers and maybe a hit to target them.
Man City: Aston Villa (H), Arsenal (a)
Arsenal: Brentford (H), Man City (H)
Man City first. Basically, they’re a nightmare for FPL and get worse. We all have Haaland, but beyond him, even Kevin De Bruyne didn’t start at the weekend. For those who brought Bruno Fernandes in last week, switching to King Kev probably is still a good shout - he’ll likely start both games. Beyond him, it’s a struggle. The third player in terms of underlying data (non-penalty expect goals + expected assists) is Mahrez, if you want to sweat on the teamsheet. They do play Forest and Bournemouth after. The defence is a rotation nightmare, but Ake and Akanji look the most nailed options.
This good tweeter makes the case for Lewis at £3.9m…
Here’s why Arsenal are the priority
They now have a Double this week *and* a Double in Gameweek 25 - obviously, you need triple Arsenal. As we said last week, they’re a dream FPL team (despite losing to Everton). This is a priority, and worth a -4 hit to sort.
It is even worth looking at ensuring you have the *right* Arsenal three. If you have Martinelli, it’s worth thinking about whether you want to move him to Odegaard or Saka. He was brought off early again at the weekend for Trossard. Saka is the most nailed and has penalties, but Odegaard will always start.
Jesus has been spotted out running, so Nketiah gets more risky by the week, but is fine for now. In defence, Gabriel and Saliba are probably worth the extra cash now as White has been subbed early - though a defender coming off after 60 minutes is often a bonus (they bank the clean sheet points after coming off).
Bueno didn’t play for Wolves
I mention this because he’s in a lot of teams as the fifth defender. The problem is, he didn’t play and Wolves beat Liverpool 3-0. Not ideal, but don’t panic yet. There’s always Lewis if you need a £3.9m replacement should he remain out of the team.
Each Prem team’s all-time/current top scorers
Kane’s scuffed effort at the weekend made him the all-time Spurs top scorer, causing Spurs fans to celebrate and immediately fear it means he’ll leave in the summer. For completeness, see all the Prem teams’ all-time and current top scorers. Conclusion - Everton could do with Dixie Dean right now.
What to do with Liverpool
The FPL gods want us to think about Liverpool again, despite the fact that they have replaced losing to Brighton with losing to Wolves. They’re bad, but how bad? Well, they’re 12th for expect goals conceded, but they’re still 3rd for expected goals over the season. You can’t dismiss their Double Gameweek soon.
We have time to think about it - it is a good Double to target (Palace and Wolves). We don’t need to worry about tripling up. The main thing is to leave a door open to getting one or two - Salah is an easy move from KDB - the other obvious target is Trent, despite his poor form. The comically unfortunate/profligate Nuñez is the other option, but again, an easy switch from Kane if he shows any danger of actually scoring.
Gameweek 25 becomes a Triple Captain option
Congrats to those who used it on Rashford this week - 12 points with a game to go. That’s a win. Anyone who hasn’t Triple Captained anyone yet was basically going to use it this week on Haaland, who plays Villa and Arsenal. If Man City’s form puts you off, you could now wait until Gameweek 25, and place it on Saka or Odegaard.
There’s also a gamble option out there now. Anyone brave enough to Triple Captain Salah for his Double? If you’re struggling in your league and fancy rolling the dice, it’s an interesting one. It may seem mad now, but one good game before then, and it’ll get people thinking. Jota and van Dijk could be back soon too, to improve Liverpool.
Ungoal from Undav
Yes, Brighton are great, but this from Undav is special. Just on Brighton, Mitoma continues to look amazing. He does Blank in Gameweek 25, but he has 0.54 goals per 90 minutes.
Please get in touch with any FPL dilemmas or general football internet gold. Remember the DEADLINES and see you next week! I’m on Twitter here. Please help me grow FPL Is Life by sharing… thanks!