Arsenal failed to make the top four for six consecutive seasons between 2016/17 and 2021/22, but have subsequently finished as Premier League runners-up twice in a row.
The Gunners have improved their performance, and Dream Team points have poured easily as a result.
So it’s no surprise that several of Mikel Arteta’s favourites are expected to kick off the new campaign among the most popular players in the game – but do managers have the full picture?
A top-tier Dream Team assetCredit: Dream Team
Let’s look at Arsenal’s top players, budget possibilities, and players to avoid.
TOP STARS
Bukayo Saka (£6 million) is a well-known Dream Team superstar despite his young age of 22.
The brilliant winger had his greatest season yet in 2023/24, scoring 363 points – a figure bettered only by three players.
Goals, assists, and bonus points—the England star does it all.
Last season, Arsenal dominated defence, with Ben White (£5 million), Gabriel (£5 million), and William Saliba (£5 million) leading the way, leaving Josko Gvardiol (£4.5 million) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.5 million) behind.
Interestingly, the Frenchman is the most selected of the three ahead of Gameweek 1, with a massive ownership of 25.2%.
Let’s look at Arsenal’s top players, budget possibilities, and players to avoid.
TOP STARS
Bukayo Saka (£6 million) is a well-known Dream Team superstar despite his young age of 22.
The brilliant winger had his greatest season yet in 2023/24, scoring 363 points – a figure bettered only by three players.
Goals, assists, and bonus points—the England star does it all.
Last season, Arsenal dominated defence, with Ben White (£5 million), Gabriel (£5 million), and William Saliba (£5 million) leading the way, leaving Josko Gvardiol (£4.5 million) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.5 million) behind.
Interestingly, the Frenchman is the most selected of the three ahead of Gameweek 1, with a massive ownership of 25.2%.
New recruitCredit: Getty
Arsenal’s recent success has resulted in a price increase across the board, making genuine discounts nearly non-existent.
That being said, Riccardo Calafiori’s (£4 million) arrival is an intriguing prospect.
If the Italy international instantly establishes himself as first-choice left-back, he will provide a relatively inexpensive route into the country’s strongest defence, as he is now £1 million less expensive than White, Saliba, and Gabriel.
This tactic may be overly ambitious for Gameweek 1 because Calafiori is not guaranteed to start; Oleksandar Zinchenko (£3.5 million), Takehiro Tomiyasu (£3 million), Jurrien Timber (£3.5 million), and Jakub Kiwior (£3 million) are all capable of playing left-back.
Waiting for a fuller picture of Arteta’s pecking order seemed prudent.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Martinelli struggled at times last year.Credit: Getty.
Gabriel Martinelli (£4 million) has been a frustrating asset in the realm of Dream Team recently.
After scoring 15 league goals in 2022/23, he managed only six last season and appeared to lack confidence at times.
Dream Team managers understand what the Brazil international is capable of when everything comes together, but most will want to see progress before he is regarded viable.
Gabriel Jesus (£4.5 million) has had hot spells in previous seasons but has recently struggled with injuries and form.