A palpable buzz around the Premier League’s official fantasy game continues to grow as the league’s official Fantasy Premier League account announced the highly-anticipated price reveals of numerous players early Friday. With fans looking forward to their respective teams’ pre-season fixtures whilst anticipating the arrivals of several talents alongside watching the new additions before the start of the campaign, FPL managers, too, are likely to begin creating their first drafts with more clubs expected to reveal their players’ FPL prices this month.
Arsenal, Manchester City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Leeds United, and Brentford emerge amongst the first to have revealed the prices ahead of the campaign, with other clubs expected to follow suit over the coming weeks. Whilst the attention vastly remained on the prices of Manchester City’s assets earlier today, the Gunners are said to have reasonably priced their players this summer.
Bukayo Saka (£8.0m) emerges as the most expensive of Arsenal’s assets, with Eddie Nketiah (£7.0m) and Martin Odegaard (£6.5m) following suit. However, while Arsenal are likely to provide tempting options across the forward and midfield position, it is their defence that draws the attention of FPL managers ahead of an exciting campaign.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (DEF, £4.5M)
Amongst Arsenal’s most promising players last season, a campaign cut short due to injury saw Tomiyasu fail to make an adequate number of appearances. However, despite his misfortune, the Japanese international registered commendable numbers in his 21 league appearances last season.
A boisterous full-back boasting exceptional work rate and technical ability, Tomiyasu stood sixth amongst Arsenal’s assets for passes into the final third (74) of the pitch during the 21/22 league campaign. Moreover, the 23-year-old also emerged amongst Mikel Arteta’s most reliable players during the initial period of last season before a long-term injury saw the full-back compelled to the sidelines for three months.
However, having made a full recovery before the end of last season – featuring in the club’s last five fixtures – Tomiyasu is expected to retain his place in the starting line-up for the upcoming campaign. With Ben White (£4.5m) and Kieran Tierney (£5.0m) emerging as the only other stand-out options amongst Arsenal’s defensive options, hitherto, the Japanese international is likely to spark the interest of several managers, provided the Gunners secure noticeable results early on in the season.
Aaron Ramsdale (GK, £5.0M)
Having established himself as a noteworthy asset last season, Ramsdale is likely to improve on his output provided Arsenal bolster their defensive options ahead of the 22/23 campaign. An incredible season saw the 24-year-old finish just a point shy of fifth-placed Jose Sa in the FPL standings amongst goal-keepers, with the Englishman now expected to emerge as a compelling asset ahead of the upcoming campaign.
One of only eight Premier League keepers to have registered double-digits in clean sheets last season, Ramsdale ranked fifth for the same (12) whilst accounting for a healthy save percentage (72.1%). Moreover, the Arsenal shot-stopper remained a first-team regular throughout the season under Arteta, despite doubts over his ability to cope with the standards of the Premier League ahead of his move to the Emirates last summer.
Now, with Arsenal expected to significantly bolster their squad this transfer window, Ramsdale is likely to improve his tally of clean sheets in the upcoming campaign. Having shown commendable consistency for large parts of last season, the 24-year-old is likely to garner the interest of numerous FPL managers moving into the initial phase of the 22/23 campaign.
Bukayo Saka (MID, £8.0M)
Expected to garner the most interest in Arsenal’s asset, 20-year-old Bukayo Saka remains amongst the top priorities for FPL managers ahead of the new season. Having registered nine goals alongside 13 assists – ranking first amongst Arsenal’s FPL assets – last season, the youngster is likely to continue improving his tally, having established himself as a pivotal part of the club’s starting line-up in recent years.
Having ranked first for shot-creating actions (142) and third for expected assists (0.21xA) per game amongst his teammates last season, Saka is likely to remain a focal point in Arsenal’s starting XI moving forward. Additionally, with the 20-year-old having topped the list for carries into the final third (66) and 18-yard-box (61) at the club, ahead of the imminent arrival of Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City, Saka is likely to improve his tally of goal contributions next season.
Having delivered consistent returns at crucial points in the season, Saka continues to cement himself as a formidable FPL asset. With Arsenal likely to, once again, rely on his services, the youngster will be keen on performing to his best moving into the 22/23 campaign.
Gabriel Martinelli (MID, £6.0M)
The Brazilian is yet to live up to the hype, but those who have seen him understand that he can break through soon. Coming in from the left, Martinelli is a force to be dealt with and can provide problems to the best of the full-backs. He could well prove to be the alternative or the differential to Bukayo Saka – and at that price, he is an absolute steal.
Gabriel Martinelli looks at arm to be that regular out-force under Mikel Arteta this season, and although he finished 110 points behind Bukayo Saka last season – it is noteworthy to highlight that Gabby played 1,100 minutes fewer than then B. But here is what will help: when selected, Martinelli was part of 38% of Arsenal’s goals as compared to Bukayo Saka’s 39.
He looks like the best-value route into Arsenal’s offence – especially if you are looking to save some money.