Arsenal has exhibited a remarkable defensive start this season, boasting one of the strongest backlines in the Premier League, with two of its defenders among the top five players in the Premier League Fantasy game, according to The Athletic. With the injury of their new Swedish striker Victor Gyokeres (valued at £9 million), fantasy managers are debating whether it's time to reshuffle their squad options and prioritize defensive players.
Arsenal has kept clean sheets in seven out of ten league matches so far, conceding only three goals—the lowest among all teams—alongside an expected goals against (xGA) of just 5.68, reflecting the solidity of their defensive setup.
They have faced only six serious chances and four set-piece shots on target during this period, confirming the discipline and organization of their defense down to the smallest details.
Early clean sheets against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest helped change perceptions about Arsenal’s defense, which some fantasy managers initially overlooked due to difficult opening fixtures.
The team then boosted its confidence by keeping four consecutive clean sheets against West Ham, Fulham, Crystal Palace, and Burnley.
Although the fixture list becomes tougher starting from the 12th round with consecutive matches against London rivals Tottenham and Chelsea, numerical indicators suggest Arsenal can achieve clean sheets against nearly any opponent, making it logical to rely on two or three defenders from their squad.
The top three most-owned Arsenal players in fantasy currently are: Gabriel (£6.6 million), David Raya (£5.8 million), and Jurrien Timber (£6.1 million), all present in over a third of the participating teams.
Brazilian defender Gabriel is the second highest-scoring player in the game, outscoring Erling Haaland in the last five rounds with an average of 11 points per match.
During this time, Gabriel contributed to three goals, earned 12 additional bonus points, and saved three clear chances.
The introduction of "defensive contribution" points this season has notably increased Gabriel's value, with an average defensive contribution of 9.5 points per game and surpassing the crucial threshold of 10 points four times, earning him extra points.
Consequently, some fantasy managers have begun considering naming him captain in some rounds, which is unusual for a defender.
Timber leads defenders in attacking contributions (four) and holds the highest xGA among Premier League defenders (1.86), creating 13 big chances.
He is also one of the most consistent starters, having been substituted only twice in nine matches he started.
In goal, David Raya stands out as a reliable option, expected to earn at least six points per match despite rare bonus points for saves this season.
Victor Gyokeres’ injury, as the team's top scorer with four goals before the international break, has reinstated Bukayo Saka (valued at £10.1 million) as the penalty taker, but he has scored only twice in eight matches, raising concerns about his fantasy value.
Declan Rice (£6.8 million) has been a significant attacking asset, scoring two goals, providing four assists, taking free kicks, and sharing corner duties with Saka.
Since the 2023-2024 season, Arsenal has been the highest-scoring team in Europe from set-pieces, further boosting the value of their defenders, especially Gabriel, who is a constant aerial threat, making him both an attacking and defensive asset.
Although relying on three defenders from the same team carries significant risk—since conceding a goal can cost most points—the diversity of Arsenal defenders’ point sources makes this strategy viable.
Combining a goalkeeper and two defenders from the same team is a more balanced approach, especially given the instability in goalkeeper positions at other clubs.
Raya remains a guaranteed option for managers holding a wildcard card during the upcoming international break before the 12th round, as he continues his pursuit of winning the Golden Glove award for a third consecutive season.
