Fantasy Premier League

FPL experts: Keep or sell Arsenal and Man Utd midfielders?

31 Aug 2023

Some of the world's top Fantasy managers discuss Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli, Rashford and Fernandes

The Scout's panel of Fantasy Premier League experts discuss whether to keep or sell Arsenal trio Bukayo Saka (£8.7m), Martin Odegaard (£8.5m) and Gabriel Martinelli (£8.0m) and Manchester United duo Marcus Rashford (£9.0m) and Bruno Fernandes (£8.5m).

Lee Bonfield (@FPLFamily)

I've got Fernandes and Saka, and neither are going anywhere. Both returned for me in Gameweek 3 and are on penalties.

If I had Martinelli, though, I would be tempted to move him on to either Raheem Sterling (£7.2m) or James Maddison (£7.7m). The Spurs man just about edging it, if I had to pick one - but it's close!

See: Maddison or Sterling: Who is the better FPL pick?

Pranil Sheth (@lateriser12)

I think you can be patient with Fernandes, Saka and Rashford.

Martinelli is someone I'm on the fence about, but I'm okay to sell him for someone like Phil Foden (£7.6m). This is going to be a common theme this season where we're going to have to sell good players.

Utkarsh Dalmia (@ZopharFPL)

Fernandes and Saka are easy holds for me. Both have started the season well and have posted decent underlying numbers.

The other midfield options such as Odegaard, Martinelli and even Rashford can be moved on for the likes of Sterling and Maddison.

Ben Crabtree (@FC_CrabDogg)

Neither team warrants a defender, but there are still good attacking returns incoming. Man Utd play Brighton, who are prone to counter-attacks, in Gameweek 5, so that fixture looks appealing. Arsenal's run is more difficult, so I'd stick to one Gunners attacker, with Saka the best option.

Gianni Buttice (@GianniButtice)

I would be fairly happy with both Fernandes and Rashford for the output we have seen in terms of FPL points and underlying statistics, but the same can't be said for some of the Arsenal midfielders.

While Saka feels like a long-term hold, Martinelli and Odegaard can be moved on knowing there are so many great midfield options this season.

Pras (@Pras_FPL)

It's easy to ship out Arsenal and Man Utd midfielders for new "shiny toys". But it's important to remember their long-term pedigree of producing great attacking data in attacking teams.

Having said this, if you find yourself in a position of having two free transfers, a luxury transfer of moving an Arsenal midfielder not called Saka could work.

Mark McGettigan (@FPLGeneral)

I've currently got the double double-up of Saka, Martinelli, Rashford and Fernandes! I'm open to losing one of them to bring in Maddison. It will be either Martinelli or Rashford to make way, and I'm currently leaning towards losing the Brazilian.

See: FPL Lessons: Why five-man midfields are the way to go for managers

Sam Bonfield (@FPLFamily)

I currently own Fernandes and Saka. After their performances last weekend, they both feel like holds. However, this is a maybe because I already own Maddison.

Maddison and Sterling feel like priorities this week, so if selling an Arsenal or Man Utd midfielder allows you to own one of those two, it may be a wise move.

Nick Harris (@WGTA_Nick)

Many managers own three midfielders from Arsenal and Man Utd, and this feels excessive considering the other teams with much better fixtures.

I wouldn't be looking to take multiple hits to sell the players from these clubs, but I would be looking to disinvest slightly for players from the likes of Chelsea, Spurs and Manchester City.