Are you falling behind in FPL because you're not maximizing Arsenal's potential? It's a bold statement, but hear me out. With Gameweek 9 upon us, the question on every manager's mind is: how do we leverage Arsenal's dominance? Eight-time top 10k finisher Zophar tackles this and more in his weekly Q&A, offering insights on Tijjani Reijnders (£5.7m), the optimal Arsenal triple-up, and whether Marc Guiu (£4.3m) deserves a starting spot. But here's where it gets controversial: is tripling up on Arsenal's defense a genius move or overkill? Let's dive in.
Q: Is tripling up on Arsenal's defense a smart differential or a risky overcommitment? (via Riders of Yohan)
Arsenal boasts the league's stingiest defense, with stats to back it up: an average of 0.6 expected goals conceded (xGC) per game and just three goals conceded against top teams like Manchester United, Newcastle, Liverpool, and Manchester City. These numbers are unprecedented since Opta began tracking xG. And this is the part most people miss: owning just one Arsenal defender means you're losing ground every time they keep a clean sheet. Two defenders? You're barely keeping pace. So, the allure of a triple-up is undeniable.
Gabriel Magalhaes (£6.4m) and Jurrien Timber (£6.0m) are the obvious stars, but who’s the third? Options include David Raya (£5.7m), William Saliba (£6.0m), Riccardo Calafiori (£5.8m), Eberechi Eze (£7.6m), Declan Rice (£6.6m), Viktor Gyokeres (£9.0m), and Bukayo Saka (£10.0m). Here’s the kicker: while Gyokeres and Saka are tempting, forwards like Jean-Philippe Mateta (£7.6m) and Nick Woltemade (£7.4m) might offer better value. Saka, however, stands out with his penalty-taking, set-piece prowess, and defensive contributions.
Among the defensive options, Saliba feels limited, leaving Calafiori and Raya as contenders. Raya’s clean sheet potential is high, but Nick Pope (£5.5m) at Newcastle offers more saves and bonus points, potentially balancing out Raya’s advantage. Calafiori, with his attacking threat and Arteta’s tactical setup, emerges as the top choice, despite slight rotation risk.
If you already own Raya and Gabriel, adding Timber might be smoother than Saka, freeing up funds for a premium midfielder like Bruno Fernandes (£8.9m). Controversial take: Timber and Gabriel still edge out Saka as FPL picks this season. What’s your take?
Q: Should Marc Guiu start over Tijjani Reijnders this week? (via FPL Virgin)
Guiu’s Champions League goal against Ajax is promising, but his starting spot isn’t guaranteed. Chelsea’s suspension of Malo Gusto (£4.9m) complicates matters, with Enzo Fernandez (£6.7m) potentially shifting to midfield. While Guiu starting is plausible, it’s far from certain. Here’s the twist: Reijnders, despite being benched against Villarreal, remains a safer bet. His competition is growing with Manchester City’s returning players, but he’s likely to start against Villa.
Q: Who’s the priority sell: Iliman Ndiaye or Tijjani Reijnders? (via @Hobbes3103 and @SaifRah16063319)
Reijnders’ minutes are under threat, especially with Bernardo Silva (£6.3m) impressing. Ndiaye, despite tougher fixtures, remains a solid pick. Bold question: Is taking a -4 hit for Enzo Fernandez worth it? My answer: no. Sunderland won’t roll over, and Reijnders could still deliver against Villa. Start Reijnders over Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (£5.0m) this week.
Final thought: Arsenal’s defense is a goldmine, but how you triple-up could define your season. Guiu’s potential is exciting, but Reijnders is the safer play. Agree? Disagree? Let’s debate in the comments!
