Picking the best Arsenal FPL players is one of the most important decisions FPL managers have at present.

With two double gameweeks approaching, plus guaranteed fixtures in Blank Gameweek 25 and 28, having three Gunners is looking like a wise choice.

Choosing the best trio is also likely to be pivotal. As we approach a busy schedule, transfers will be at premium as fantasy managers plan their way through those blanks and doubles.

But while Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has picked a settled side for much of the season so far, January signings and team news have made things less clear.

And there’s also the small matter of the return of Gabriel Jesus (£7.9m), owned by the vast majority of FPL managers before his injury in December.

Using Fantasy Football Hub’s toolbox, we look at the stats and dilemmas to bear in mind ahead of the Double Gameweek 23 deadline.

Eddie Nketiah (£6.8m), Martin Odegaard (£7.0m), Bukayo Saka (£8.3m) and Gabriel Martinelli (£6.6m) are our main focus – but there’s also a look at the defenders too.

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The best Arsenal FPL players: The stats

If you’re looking for a deep dive into the main four attacking Arsenal assets, look no further than Chris Tan’s detailed analysis in his best captain piece this week.

Chris covers their stats since Jesus’ injury, how often they’ve scored big and how their Gameweek 23-28 opponents’ zonal weaknesses could suit them.

But in summary, we have rounded up some key points using our Opta stats tool.

Attackers

The post-World Cup period has belonged to Nketiah.

He has dominated when it comes to big chances, his seven eclipsing nearest challenger Saka on two.

Nketiah leads for expected goal involvements (xGI) with 4.7 – more than Saka and Odegaard (3.0) and Martinelli (2.8).

But it is Odegaard who is ahead on actual goal involvements (GI) with six, while Nketiah and Saka have four and Martinelli has two.

Over the course of the season, it is much closer – particularly between Odegaard, Martinelli and Saka – who have been the more regular starters:

xGI (per appearance): Odegaard (0.6), Martinelli (0.6), Saka (0.5), Nketiah (0.3)

GI (per appearance): Saka (0.75), Odegaard (0.74), Martinelli (0.6), Nketiah (0.22)

Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli

Defenders

As a team, Arsenal have one of the best defensive records in the league.

They have conceded the second-fewest goals (17) and their expected goals conceded (xGC) of 20.8 is bettered only by Manchester City’s 20.3.

The Gunners have kept nine clean sheets, behind Newcastle on 12.

And according to our fixture ticker, they are predicted to keep more clean sheets than anyone else up to Gameweek 28.

The goal threat comes primarily from Gabriel (£5.2m), who has two goals from an xG of 1.95.

William Saliba (£5.3m) also has two goals, however he has outperformed his xG of 0.88.

Ben White (£4.7m), who has largely played at right-back this season, has two assists from an xA of 2.01 but an xG of 0.

Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale (£4.9m) sits fourth among Arsenal defensive options for FPL points with 84.

He has collected six bonus points, which puts him fourth among his teammates at the back.

Gabriel’s stats

The best Arsenal FPL players: Predicted points

The Hub’s artificial intelligence currently puts Nketiah on top for predicted points up to FPL Gameweek 28.

It’s important to note that these numbers can – and will – change over time as things like expected mins (xMins) change, so the predicted points tool is one to bookmark and check regularly.

It does however indicate that the most-nailed attacking options are favoured over defensive picks.

Team structure and price points will be an important consideration though, with the defenders offering a budget saving.

Arsenal players' predicted FPL points for Gameweek 23-28

Arsenal predicted points

The best Arsenal FPL players: Other things to consider

Stats aside, these are some of the most important issues FPL managers need to think about when deciding which Arsenal players to hold in the long term.

When is Gabriel Jesus back from injury?

Jesus injured his right knee at the World Cup in early December and underwent surgery.

It was reported that he would face three months on the sidelines, making March his potential return date.

Jesus was filmed chatting to UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov after the Gunners’ 3-2 win over Manchester United on January 22.

He told the fighter it could be ‘maybe about four or five weeks’ before he was back again.

On Jesus’ own schedule, that would put him in the frame for a return in late February, potentially in time for Arsenal’s second Gameweek 25 fixture against Everton on March 1.

But whether the player’s timescale was realistic is another matter – and Arsenal’s medical team might have different ideas.

Expert injury analyst Ben Dinnery, who writes the Hub’s weekly team news and predicted lineups article, told the Hub:

“The initial timeline was in and around three months, typical for this type of injury, although Mikel Arteta wouldn’t give any sort of definitive timeframes.

“But as with any long-term problem, those dates are never set in stone, so three months could potentially go closer to four months.

“It looks as if the recovery and rehab programme has gone pretty smoothly with no major setbacks. Of course he’s been training away from the club, so exactly where he’s at will be determined on his return this week.”

Gabriel Jesus. Picture by Getty Images

Ben said the beginning of March could well see Jesus back in the matchday squad – but stressed there were various factors which could see that change:

“I think realistically for me, we’re probably looking maybe at the beginning of March for that potential return or maybe being in and around that squad – but of course we’ve always got to contextualise these things.

“Eddie Nketiah’s done well and if Arsenal keep on winning then Arteta will not feel the pressure of rushing him back – but that three months is always a good guide as to where we are and things are looking pretty promising.

“We’d expect now that he’s back at the club for things to ramp up and he needs to get some good training in his legs with the group and then once he’s able to come through those activity based protocols without any kind of reaction or issues he’ll be edging closer to a return to play.”

Arteta gave an update on Jesus’ progress at his pre-match press conference on Friday (February 10) ahead of the Brentford game.

He said:

“Gabi’s doing really well. He’s been outside a little bit, just the earlier stages. He keeps pushing everybody every single day but we need to respect some timelines and processes but he’s doing very well.”

Asked if he had a date for his return in mind, Arteta added:

“No, not yet. I think it’s still too far off that. You have to see now when you start to put some loads through the knee and start to get some movement and some actions that are not as controlled as the ones he’s been doing and how that knee reacts and if he’s comfortable to reach the next stage.”

Should Eddie Nketiah owners be concerned about Gabriel Jesus’ return from injury?

Nketiah has deputised for Jesus since his injury and is in about 10% of FPL teams.

Owners should have at least a few more weeks of secure starts before Jesus comes back into the picture.

The main issue is for those looking to buy Arsenal assets.

Transfers will be precious in the coming weeks, with blank and double gameweeks to navigate.

Having a settled Arsenal trio as soon as possible – without booking in a transfer to deal with known issues later on – will allow FPL managers to use their moves to ensure the blanks and doubles are well planned for.

For Nketiah admirers then, it is a debate over whether his strong stats outweigh the Jesus problem later on – but judging by Arteta’s comments, he should be good for another few weeks at least.

Eddie Nketiah - best Arsenal FPL players

Eddie Nketiah. Picture by Getty Images.

Expected minutes concerns for Gabriel Martinelli

Leandro Trossard (£6.7m) was signed from Brighton in the January transfer window, sparking fears over Martinelli’s minutes.

He made his debut in Gameweek 21, playing eight minutes against United. He then played 31 minutes in Gameweek 22.

Martinelli was the man to depart on both occasions, while in the FA Cup fourth round against Manchester City it was the Belgian who started the game before the Brazilian replaced him after 66 minutes.

The increased competition has led some managers to consider ditching Martinelli for another Arsenal midfielder – even for a hit.

Gabriel Martinelli FPL - best Arsenal FPL players

Time to get rid of Gabriel Martinelli? Picture by Getty Images

Ben White’s competition from Takehiro Tomiyasu

White has also lost minutes since the restart at the expense of Tomiyasu.

With the exception of Gameweek 20, where he came on for Zinchenko for four minutes, Tomiyasu has replaced White in the league four times since Gameweek 18:

Gameweek 22: White 85 mins, Tomiyasu 5 mins
Gameweek 21: White 45 mins, Tomiyasu 45 mins
Gameweek 19: White 76 mins, Tomiyasu 14 mins
Gameweek 18: White 60 mins, Tomiyasu 30 mins

So long as a defender plays at least 60 minutes, being subbed off is arguably less of a concern than if attackers lose gametime.

If they have reached the hour mark without their team conceding, they will keep their clean sheet points – even if a goal is let in afterwards.

FPL expert BigManBakar’s Gameweek 23 Preview details his opinion on the Martinelli and White issue – and check out our team reveals section to see what some of the game’s most successful managers are doing in their own squads.

Ben White’s stats

Who’s on penalties?

Saka has been Arsenal’s main penalty taker – but Jorginho (£5.8m) was Chelsea’s spot-kick specialist before moving to the Emirates last month.

It remains to be seen whether Saka retains penalty duties, however if Jorginho fails to cement his place in the starting 11, the chances are the Englishman will be the man Mikel Arteta calls upon from 12 yards when the time comes.

Saka has scored all three of his Premier League penalties, all of which came in 2022.

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The best Arsenal FPL players: Everything you need to know ahead of FPL Gameweek 23

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