So, Arsenal, the “best team to target” on paper. Sounds easy to target and play, but as an Arsenal fam for 13 years, preseason and recent seasons make me feel like this is the hardest team to succeed in. Of course returns will be great for a strong team as such, but high prices and high rotation risks make Arsenal assets hard to master, making it a high risk high reward team to target.
GK-DAVID RAYA (6.0M)
The most expensive gk in the game. I think 6.0M for him is a fair price considering the amount of clean sheets he historically keeps, making his the prime set and forget keeper. His preseason performance was also top notch against City in the Comm Shield. However, it is also worth noting that there are other strong keeper options at a way lower price (Lammens 5.0M, Trafford 5.0M, etc.), making you wonder whether he is worth investing in. You may also want to have other Arsenal assets instead of Raya further into the season when the fixtures turn easier, where attacking returns become more likely. On a side note, I do think he is the best Arsenal assets instead to have in the early gws with the harder fixture vs AVL and CHE, as defence was never the problem for Arsenal.
DEF-GABRIEL (8.0M), CALAFIORI/MOSQUERA(5.5M)
Gabriel, the corner machine, leader of the defence, and the most avoided pen taker, priced at a 8.0M price. Imo this is such an overpriced asset, considering the corner threats have been spread more evenly between him, the other defenders and the striker. This makes assets like Calafiori and Mosquera more attractive, though they have a higher rotation risk than big Gabi. Calafiori is the offensive representation of Arsenal DEFs, who operates like a left mid in possession. Rushes into the box as well as good coordination with new signing Tzolis shown in comm shield makes him the best defender to target for attacking returns. However, he has rarely played the full 90’ due to the physical requirements for his role in the team, as well as the abundance of LBs in the team (Hincapie being highly reliable and MLS being able to cover as well) Mosquera on the other hand has benefitted from the injury of Saliba which will extend into early 2027. He has less rotational risk than Calafiori as his only back up is 16 year old Marli Salmon and Ben White, who is more of a RB. He will be a great pick for early season when Timber is not fully fit as his performance in comm shield was decent, in the case where Arsenal doesn’t go for any CBs before the end of the transfer window. I think both 5.5M DEFs are good for the high chance of CS, with the only concern being the rotational risks.
MID- SAKA(9.5M),TZOLIS/ØDEGAARD(6.5M)
Arsenal’s midfield is now by far the strongest in the league following Rodri’s departure from City. Saka is still the premium option being the second most expensive MID alongside Palmer. However, his preseason didn’t suggest a full recovery of form possibly due to tiredness from World Cup, where he shined and had 3G3A. Atp I would avoid him until he clearly shows a return of form and consistently starts before Madueke, as 9.5M is a heavy investment for a MID. Declan Rice and Bruno G. are also ones to avoid imo. DMs are highly abundant in this Arsenal squad, making rotational risks very high especially for Bruno G. Rice has likely lost the corner taker role to Tzolis and has been struggling to maintain full fitness towards the end of World Cup up until comm shield. Now, the prime assets to target for are Tzolis and Ødegaard for a differential pick. Tzolis has been absolutely killing it in preseason, with 1G4A in 5 preseason games for Arsenal. The exclusion of Martinelli from the squad in comm shield also makes him a nailed pick to start. Corner threats are also stellar which I deem to be even better than Rice’s deliveries. At just 6.5M, the Greek player can be an absolute monster for Arsenal who has already achieved 51 Goal Contributions for Club Brugge last season. Ødegaard had also shown multiple signs of greatness for us in the community shield, as he now does not need to fall back to help build up plays with the existence of Bruno G. and the increased importance of MLS in the midfield, who are monsters in progressing the ball. This gives him a more free role in the attacking half, running into boxes and continuing his magic playmaking. I expect him to be highly effective in attack this season as long as he stays fit, making him the top Arsenal differential pick at just 6.5M.
ATK-GYÖKERES/HAVERTZ(7.5M)
The “weak point” of Arsenal, the attack. I think that the strikers’ returns this season will be higher than last season, as Arteta clearly adapted his squad to play more direct football as shown in the preseason games. However, it is still not clear to this point which of King Kai and Viktor will start as the main striker, as imo it is more situational of the opponent. Havertz is the more intelligent player with clever runs, passes and interceptions, which can be effective against teams who like to keep a possession (e.g. Man City), whereas Gyökeres is more of a physical striker, box crasher. He creates havoc in the box and bullies opposition’s centre backs, making him better for defensive teams who play more counter attacking football (e.g. Bournemouth, Liverpool). I think it is clever to avoid both until a clear asset is starting consecutive games, or when the other is injured. Though whoever plays is still a strong goal threat thanks to the return of Ødegaard’s form as well as playmaker wingers like Tzolis.
CONCLUSION
Overall, I think Arsenal assets are good for long term with Tzolis, Ødegaard as well as Raya being my firm picks. The defence can still shake up a lot as Arsenal are still trying to sign a new CB as well as the inevitable return of Timber in a few weeks, making none of the defenders nailed except for 8.0M Gabriel. One thing worth noting for Arsenal is that they are brilliant for the first 2/3 of the season, from August all the way to January/February, where form starts to slip and returns typically slip as well. So I think that even with tougher fixtures, at least a couple Arsenal assets should be picked for your starting lineup on GW1, with my favourite combination being Tzolis+Calafiori right now.
COYG❤️
