With the FPL 21/22 season GW1 deadline just around the corner, managers far and wide are adding their last finishing touches to their inch-perfect FPL drafts. Adding onto the series of Premier League Team reviews, we look to cover what to expect from Arsenal FC this season.
Arsenal’s disappointing 8th place finish with no international tournament qualification cast a bit of a downcast shadow on the club struggling to retain consistent form. Aside from being the centre of humorous memes and jokes (I’m an Arsenal fan), potential assets from the squad this season could be feasible picks for your FPL teams.
In this blog, we will take a look at the broad overview of Arsenal last season, as well as their fixtures, potential lineup, and assets to target for this season.
Before going further check out our FPL Individual Team Analysis series including 1) Norwich City FPL Options for the 2021/22 Fantasy Premier League Season,2) Man City FPL Preview | Fixture Analysis, Pep Rotation, and Key FPL Assets, 3) Team to Target for Initial Few GW’s – Everton | FPL 21/22 Season, 4) Crystal Palace FPL Preview – New Era, New Optimism, 5) Leicester City FPL Preview | Fixture Analysis | Key FPL Players, 6) Liverpool FPL Preview | Fixture Analysis And Key FPL Assets, 7) Best FPL Assets to Consider From Promoted Teams for 21/22 FPL Season
Arsenal FC Team Stats Review 20/21
Attack
Goals Scored: 55 (joint 5th with Aston Villa) xG: 46.9 (10th) Big Chances: 46.9 (11th)
Defense
Clean Sheets: 12 (joint 5th with Liverpool, Spurs, Everton, and Brighton) Goals Conceded: 39 (3rd) xGC: 44.1 (4th) Big Chances Conceded: 4th (57)
Top 5 Players by Most Appearances
- Leno (35)
- Saka (32)
- Xhaka, Lacazette (31)
- Holding (30)
Top 5 Scorers:
- Lacazette (13)
- Pepe, Aubameyang (10)
- Willock (8)
- Saka (5)
Top 5 Assisters:
- Willian (7)
- Saka, Smith-Rowe (5)
- Tierney, Ceballos (4)
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Arsenal FC Fixtures 21/22
The best run of fixtures Arsenal have, much like Wolves, starts from GW4 and runs until GW11. Technically, if you were to ignore the Liverpool fixture in GW12 and the United fixture in GW14, their decent run continues until GW20 before they face City and Spurs.
While this will depend on the form of the team, this goes to show that an Arsenal asset could be a decent long-term punt if you are willing to commit.
Formation and Tactics
The biggest case that Arsenal assets can make is their lack of rotation this season. Because they failed to qualify for any external cups, they only have the Premier League to focus on.
It would be in Arteta’s best interest to keep rotation to a minimum since it’s not necessary and allows the starting XI to build confidence and chemistry together.
There has been a lot of speculation over whether Arteta might deploy a 3-man defense given White’s arrival. However, I expect to revert to the typical 4-2-3-1 shape that Arteta favors.
The signing of White and defensive midfielder Lokonga should signal that Arteta wants to continue being a defensive-minded team, having been a team that statistically fared better defensively, being 3rd best for goals conceded (39), with a xGC of 44.1, 4th best of all teams.
They were also the 5th best team for clean sheets (12), and conceded 57 big chances, the 4th best team overall.
Best Arsenal FC FPL Picks
Ben White £4.5 DEF
Ben White made his debut for Arsenal in their preseason against Chelsea. He looked composed with the ball and seemed to improve the Arsenal defence. It will be difficult for Arteta to bench him, so he should be relatively secured for starts.
Additionally, at £4.5, he is an absolute bargain. Worst case scenario, he is a decent bench fodder.
With Arsenal looking to continue being more solid at the back, White would be the best pick from the Arsenal defence.
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Further Read: Making the Case to be an FPL Asset This Season ~ Kieran Tierney
Nicolas Pepe £7.5 MID
Pepe began showing glimpses of form towards the end of last season. He is Arsenal’s 2nd joint top goal scorer alongside Aubameyang, and he doesn’t take pens.
As there is a lot of competition between £7.5 priced midfielders, it is understandable that he isn’t first pick. However, he is definitely worth considering as a mighty differential.
Among all £7.5 priced mids, he has the highest goal involvement, at 32%. He is the 2nd top goal scorer, only after Gundogan, and he took the 2nd most shots inside of the box (39).
Statistically, he is quite decent. I expect him to be more involved in the attack this season.
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Check out more stats & heatmaps like this on FFFIX. Subscribe now with a 65% exclusive discount
Further Read: Check out our FPL Premium Midfielders (£10 Mil+) Analysis For 2021/22 Season, FPL Budget Midfielders (£5 – £6.5Mil) Analysis For 2021/22 Season Mid-Priced FPL Midfielders (£7 – £9.5 Mil) Analysis and Comparison Ahead Of 2021/22 Season in case you haven’t already.
Here is also a link to all our FPL Midfielders and FPL position-wise player analysis blogs.
Emile Smith Rowe £5.5 MID
Smith Rowe began proving his worthiness to make the starting XI in Arteta’s lineup toward the end of last season too. Lucky FPL managers who picked the Arsenal midfielder were rewarded with a stunning double gameweek haul, scoring two goals. The youngster is a flourishing talent who continues to impress and contribute to Arsenal’s attack.
He was also recently given the Number 10 squad number. We should hopefully see him play in that role on the pitch too. With little rotation, I expect him to start consistently.
ESR’s major appeal is his price – he is a budget option into the Arsenal attack, priced at £5.5. If you are looking for a cheaper midfielder who starts, Smith Rowe is a great pick.
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Arsenal FPL Players to Watch
- Bukayo Saka (£6.5) MID
- Another amazing youngster who pulled off an amazing performance last season, as well as during the Euros. While it will be difficult to see how Arteta fits Saka into the current lineup, I still expect him to play a bit. Among all £6.5 midfielders, he is 1st for touches in the box per 90 mins (5.38). He is 2nd best among all £6.5 midfielders for shots in the box per 90 minutes (1.62), second only after Raphinha. With 5 goals and 5 assists last season, he is definitely a midfielder to keep an eye on. A lot of potential from him for sure.
- Aubameyang (£10.0) vs Lacazette (£8.5)
- We’re going to have to see how Arteta utilizes two very attacking players in the form of Lacazette and Aubameyang. Both have played up top, while Aubameyang is capable of being deployed as a left winger. Lacazette, as Arsenal’s top scorer with 13 goals, could find a spot in Arsenal’s squad, but we cannot be certain yet. Among all Arsenal players, both of these players have the highest goal involvement %, with Lacazette 1st at 37% and Aubameyang 2nd at 33%. Aubameyang’s price is a bit offputting, but, if he plays consistently and remains on pens, he could justify his price a tiny bit. We will have to wait and see.
- Kieran Tierney (£5.0) DEF
- Provided he stays free of injuries, Tierney should be Arsenal’s first choice left back who, as we saw last season, enjoyed bolting down the flank to contribute to the attack, picking up 1 goal and 4 assists. A great attacking asset from the Arsenal defence.
Further Read: Making the Case to be an FPL Asset This Season ~ Kieran Tierney
Conclusion on Arsenal FPL assets:
If I were to rank Arsenal assets to pick from most favourable to least, here’s how I’d rank them:
- Ben White £4.5
- Emile Smith Rowe £5.5
- Nicole Pepe £7.5
- Bukayo Saka £6.5
- Kieran Tierney £5.0
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang £10.0
- Alexandre Lacazette £8.5
The choices above primarily reflect the assets that provide the best value. Ben White is a benchable asset, yet he can be a great asset to start during Arsenal’s fantastic run after GW4. He would be my best pick out of the bunch.
Thank you for reading through this analysis on Arsenal FC prior to the 2021/22 season. I hope this analysis has given more thought to which Arsenal players could potentially be decent picks for your squads.
Further Reads from ALLABOUTFPL Ahead of the 2021/22 Season:
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Nick Khor (FPL Nitro)
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