Which Team Has The Best Early Fixtures From An FPL Perspective?

Fixture swings for clubs are important: if a club is about to have a great run of games, you might want to consider bringing one or two of their key FPL players in, or if the opposite is true it may be time for a parting of the ways.

I’m not really the most sentimental of fans when it comes to FPL though – I’m not the sort to have our players regardless. In fact, I often prefer to ignore our players to avoid the double whammy of disappointment when both my team and, through owning Arsenal players, my FPL team do badly.

Nonetheless, the Gunners begin the season with a really enticing run of games – they only face Manchester United of teams from last season’s top six in their opening eight fixtures.

This, coupled with a hugely promising preseason featuring liquid football and goals galore, means many managers are now sat with triple Arsenal in their teams. A scary prospect for a cynical fan like me – it’ll all end in tears I’m sure.

At the back, goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale (£5.0m) and defenders Alex Zinchenko (£5.0m), Gabriel (£5.0m) and Ben White (£4.5m) are catching many a manager’s eye. The defence performed moderately well last year (lower mid table in terms of expected goals conceded) but there’s optimism about these individuals mainly due to their price.

Keeper Ramsdale collected a decent number of bonus points (14) through his saves last season.

White at £4,5m is a “steady Eddie” who acts as an enabler for many teams. But for me it’s a straight shootout between ex-City man Zinchenko and Gabriel for the defender slot. Zinchenko has the advantage of covering both left back (Tierney is often injured) and being able to play in the 8 slot alongside Odegaard in midfield, meaning you could have an “out of position” player.

My choice however is the Brazilian centre back: he’s got goal threat (he was the top scoring centre back in the Premier League last season), is nailed on to play and faces two teams in Crystal Palace and Leicester who had big problems facing set pieces last season.

In midfield, Bukayo Saka (£8.0m) is enduringly brilliant, but is in a very congested price bracket at the moment.

Instead, it’s the very kind price point of Gabriel Martinelli (£6.0m) which has caught my eye. With an impressive 5.31 points per game, an eye for goal predicated on his driving runs into dangerous positions and a new pal (fellow Gabriel, Jesus, covered in a min) he looks a fantastic bargain to start the campaign – especially with fellow wide player Emile Smith Rowe (£6.0m) carrying a knock.

So there you have it. Arsenal triple ups abound – I’m going for Gabriel x3, or Gabriel Cubed – what about you?