Dec 14

Arsenal � Team & Player Guide 2015/16 � Fantasy Premier League Tips

Share post on:
We're teaming up with knowledgeable fans ahead of the 2015/2016 Fantasy Premier League season to get some tips on their players potential, starting lineups, transfers and much more. This article will focus on Arsenal, who this year will be hoping to mount a serious title challenge. Gunners fan from Reddit has provided us with his expert insight in to the club and hopefully his predictions and player analysis will help you choose which Arsenal players should make your FPL teams. He will also be at hand to answer any of your Arsenal related questions in the comments section. Without further ado, here's our Arsenal team guide and player tips for the 2015/16 season.

OPENING FIXTURES

West Ham (H) Crystal Palace (A) Liverpool (H) Newcastle (A) Stoke (H)

SET PIECE TAKERS

Penalties: Mikel Arteta, Santi Carzola, Olivier Giroud Freekicks: Santi Carzola, Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil Corners: Santi Carzola, Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez

TRANSFER TARGETS

Striker - Karim Benzema (Transfer rumour) Midfielder - William Carvalho (Transfer rumour)

PREDICTED LINEUPS

Cech Bellerin Koscielny Mertesacker Monreal Coquelin Cazorla Oxlade-Chamberlain Ozil Ramsey Walcott/Giroud

ARSENAL'S DEFENSIVE RECORD

Arsenal are usually quite solid at the back. Wenger has built them to be stubborn whilst also remaining clinical in attack. Last season they conceded 36 goals in the Premier League, this was the third least. The difference between last season and this is that Wenger now has a world class goalkeeper in the shape of Petr Cech. Ospina and Szczesny both had spells last season where they were shaky but Cech brings a calm head to proceedings. He's behind a relatively common back line who at home last season only conceded 14 goals. This record makes Arsenal defenders and Cech look quite appealing.

GOALKEEPER ANALYSIS

[mks_col] [mks_one_half] [/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Petr Cech (5.5m) - He's without doubt going to be Arsenal's first choice goalkeeper, there are arguments that he's one of the best in the league. He's only likely to miss games due to injury or suspension and keeps a lot of clean sheets. VERDICT: He's worth thinking about, if you want an Arsenal defender who will score points Cech is a safe bet.[/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] David Opsina (5.0m) - He's unlikely to get game time with the arrival of Cech, there are also rumours that he's on his way out the door. VERDICT: Avoid him, he's not going to be playing much.

WHICH ARSENAL DEFENDER SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?

An Arsenal defender looks very appealing due to the low amount of goals they concede. Mertesacker was the highest scoring Arsenal defender last season but he lost his place in the side towards the end of the season due to poor form. Bellerin looks appealing due to his low price tag and attacking threat but he could be rotated with Debuchy at right back. This leads us onto our pick Koscielny. He's a nailed on starter and is likely to play every game for Arsenal. He's a threat from set pieces and keeps clean sheets. He should be considered for your sides.
[mks_col] [mks_one_half] [/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Laurent Koscielny (6.0m) - He's a nailed on starter for Arsenal, he's at an expensive price but his points return is justified. He scores goals from set pieces and picks up bonus points and clean sheets, if Arsenal are to mount a serious title challenge, he will be key. . VERDICT: Definitely worth considering he's Arsenal's best defender.[/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] Mathieu Debuchy (5.5m) - On his day he's a dangerous attacking right back but last season he was hampered by injuries and only played 10 games. At the start of last year he probably was the first choice right back, now his position is in doubt with the superb form of Bellerin. VERDICT: It's not worth the risk, Bellerin is ahead of him now. Hector Bellerin (5.5m) - He the break out star of Arsenal and possibly the Premier League last season. Bellerin is very attacking and contributed two goals and one assist in his debut season, he is still quite raw and new to the league and could easily lose his place after a bad game. VERDICT: We can see Wenger rotating between Debuchy and Bellerin so for 5.5m we would say he's not worth the risk. Per Mertesacker (5.5m) - He usually pairs Koscielny at the back, he had a solid season until the final third of the season where his form dropped dramatically and he was subsequently dropped. Although he's a threat from set pieces, but doest score enough from them and could be a solid FPL pick. VERDICT: Due to his low goal output and his dodgy form towards the end of last season we'd say he's best to avoid. Kieran Gibbs (5.5m) - In the past few seasons he's been Arsenal's starting Left Back but he's lost hist place  due to some poor performances to Monreal. He's not going to be a starter this season and may struggle to displace Monreal. VERDICT: Once again another player who lost his place due to poor form, avoid him. Nacho Monreal (5.5m) - He's going to be the starting left back for Arsenal and has been reliable and consistent in every game he's played. His attacking output however isn't the best in 28 games last season he only picked up one assist. VERDICT: If he can improve his final product he's one to keep an eye on. Gabriel (5.0m) - He was the beneficiary of Metesacker's poor form and took his place in the starting line up. He could get a good run in the team at some point in the season but until then you could spend your money elsewhere. VERDICT: If either Metersacker or Koscienly gets inured and Gabriel gets a good run in the team - avoid him. Calum Chambers (5.0m) - He was utilised in both right back, centre back and even played a game in defensive midfield last season, but he's not going to be a consistent starter for Arsenal. VERDICT: He won't be playing enough games to score you points on a regular basis because of that we'd advise looking elsewhere.


WHICH ARSENAL MIDFIELDER SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?

Arsenal have plenty of midfielders to choose from and they are all good quality midfielders. It's the Germany Mesut Ozil who catches our eye though. In his first two seasons in the Premier League he's picked up over 100 points in both campaigns. He's now fully settled in at Arsenal and is now starting to become the player we saw at Real Madrid. He's got a fantastic eye for a pass and can pick out his team mates with near impossible passes. There is a belief he goes missing in big games but to start the season Ozil is a fantastic pick for your team.

MIDFIELDER ANALYSIS

[mks_col] [mks_one_half] [/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Mesut Ozil (8.5m) - The German looks a fantastic addition to any FPL side at 8.5m he brings goals and assists, he's one of the most creative players in the world, he could have his best season in an Arsenal shirt if he wants to. VERDICT: Offers great value and points return, you have to consider him for his output. A great option for any side. [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] Alexis Sanchez (11.0m) - Probably Arsenal's best players last season he took the Premier League by storm scoring 16 goals and collecting 8 assists he was a joy to watch at times, and you probably had him in your FPL side. The problem with Sanchez though is he's going to miss the opening GW's due to his involvement in the Copa America, Wenger has given him extra time off to avoid burnout. VERDICT: Once he's back to full fitness you have to consider him he's going to score a lot of points this season and is going to play a massive part for Arsenal just be patient with him. Theo Walcott (9.0m) - Missed most of last season due to an ACL injury but Walcott is not back and fighting fit. He only played 442 minutes last season but even in his lack of appearances he managed to score five goals. Walcott has been knocking on Wenger's door for a while to play him as striker and this season could well be his chance to. He's quick and has an eye for goal. VERDICT: If Wenger opts to play him upfront over Giroud we'd advise getting him in your team. Santi Carzola (8.5m) - Currently probably the most two footed player in the Premier League. He was used as a centre midfielder last season and impressed the Arsenal faithful. His ability to time a pass then execute it saw Arsenal's chances created increase. The move back to CM did see his goal output decrease. He takes set pieces from both sides and has an incredible delivery on him. VERDICT: He's worth a gamble but for 8.5m in the Arsenal side you'd be better of with Ozil. Aaron Ramsey (8.5m) - Always provides an attacking threat both in the way of goals and assists. He's a nailed on starter and is starting to develop into a really talented player. Scored and assisted six times last season but that number should've been higher. VERDICT: He's going to be key to Arsenal's attacking play, if he can stay clear of injury and continue his form from last season he's a solid FPL pick. Jack Wilshere (6.0m) - A very good player when he's fit but his issue is being fit enough to play. He managed 732 minutes last season due to injuries and scored two goals and yielded one assist. VERDICT: Avoid him he loves a tackle (4 bookings last season) and struggles to get a consistent run of games. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (6.0m) - Another Arsenal player whose season was disrupted due to injury. When he does play he works very hard and chases everything. When he gets into the final third he lacks that cutting edge to boost his goals and assists output. It's unclear yet if he'll be a starter due to the high quality in Arsenal's midfield. VERDICT: If he can nail down a starting position and his goals and assists tally increases he's worth a go. Mikel Arteta (5.0m) - Now at the age of 33 the captain is at the stage in the career where he's occupying the bench more than the pitch. He's prone to injuries and will probably miss out on starting due to Coquelin. VERDICT: Don't buy him, he's not going to score many points. Tomas Rosicky (5.0m) - An attacking threat but another play whose suffered injuries that hampered his season. In total he played 576 minutes and scored two goals and one assist. VERDICT: Works hard but not likely to feature much, you could spend 5m better. Serge Gnabry/Gedion Zelalem (5.0) - Both are youngsters tipped for big things, they will struggle to make a consistent impact on the Arsenal side because of their age. Will play in the cups otherwise they won't feature. VERDICT: Avoid the pair they won't play enough. Mathieu Flamini (4.5m) - He's third in the pecking order being Coquelin and Arteta, he's a defensive midfielder who doesn't offer much to Arsenal going forward, therefore he won't be scoring points for your side. VERDICT: Stay away game time will be limited and he won't score FPL points when he does play. Francis Coquelin (4.5m) - Looks nailed on to start for Arsenal this season with Wenger's reluctancy to bring in a defensive midfielder Coquelin looks their standout option. He doesn't get forward and doesn't get assists. VERDICT: Not an FPL player, avoid him.


WHICH ARSENAL FORWARD SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?

Currently, Arsenal are not blessed with an abundance of strikers. Unless Wenger pulls of something special in the transfer market then our pick is going to be Olivier Giroud. He's going to face competition from Walcott which could see him improve his performances or lose his place, it depends what the Frenchman wants to do. He can be either fantastic or anonymous. He scored 14 goal last season and 16 the previous if he can better both of them tallies he will be a solid addition to your FPL side, but he is a gamble.

FORWARD ANALYSIS

[mks_col] [mks_one_half] [/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Olivier Giroud (9.0m) - Most likely on starter at the start of the season for Arsenal. He is very inconsistent though, one week he could score two goals and the next three games he's anonymous. His problem this season will come in the shape of Theo Walcott who will be hoping to play upfront. VERDICT: For 9.0m you could get a Kane or Benteke who will provide you points on a more regular basis. [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] Danny Welbeck (7.5m) - In his first season at Arsenal he scored four goals in 18 stats. He was however thrown around the pitch both on the wing and as a striker. He currently has a 25% chance of being fit for West Ham at home by then he could be the third choice striker. VERDICT: Avoid ‘Dat Guy' he's going to struggle to feature regularly as a striker.


OVERALL SUMMARY

Starting in-goal Petr Cech is the nailed on starter for Arsenal, he's not going to lose his place unless of an injury if you want a luxury keeper then you have to consider Cech. Moving into defence both Koscielny and Mertesacker offer clean sheets but our pick Koscielny also brings consistency and goals to the table something Per currently doesn't. There are also the likes of Bellerin and Monreal who are likely to be starting at wing back but there is the risk they will be rotated in and out the side. Koscielny is the most solid defender Arsenal have to offer. In midfield you have a handful of choice, you could go with the ever impressive Ramsey or the gifted Carzola or maybe Walcott who could be used as a striker? We feel though Ozil is the best choice, he's been looking sharp in pre season and has a fantastic ability to pick out a pass. Finally upfront, Welbeck isn't fit and Walcott isn't listed as a striker so it's got to be Giroud - just be aware of his inconsistency.

Related offers

4
3
Genting-Bet
£25 First Bet Insurance!

The most popular markets with strong odds and an awesome platform. Over 300+ Casino Games and a Out of this World Casino VIP Programme.

New customers only. Valid only for accounts tracked from an eligible referring website. A qualifying bet is a losing first settled real money single bet of at least £10+ (at odds of evens (2.0) or greater (or a multiple where each selection is at odds of 2/5 (1.4) or more. Only losing win single part of an E/W bet will qualify. Free bet equal to your qualifying stake credited within 24 hours of qualifying bet settling and used within 14 days. free bet stake not included in returns.

4
Redzonesports
Deposit £200 Get £100 Extra in Bonus Funds

Redzone.bet has outstanding online sports betting odds and the latest casino products, all with a thick slice of American flair! For sports-book customers we have hundreds of pre-match and in-play markets.

New UK customers only. Place a series of bets at minimum odds of 1.6 with a minimum stake equal to the combined value of 7x your deposit amount and bonus funds received and once such bets have settled, any bonus funds and winnings remaining will become withdrawal.

2
Sportingbet
Get Up To £50 In Free Bets

Some of the best odds online and free bet club. Bet in play and cash out on 30+ different sports. 8,000 daily bets offered.

New UK players only. Players must place the necessary eligible bets for each Challenge during the promotional period. There are four Challenges, as follows: Acca Challenge, Football Challenge, In-Play Challenge and Casino Challenge. T&Cs apply.

3
21bet Free Bet

Join 21Bet Today!

NA