How to invest in Arsenal's backline in Fantasy

Clean sheets are proving hard to come by this season, but managers in Fantasy Premier League are investing in Arsenal’s defence for their favourable long-term run of opponents.

Mikel Arteta’s side boast the most resilient rearguard in the league ahead of their home match with Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday. Their totals of six clean sheets and 10 goals conceded are the best over the first 13 Gameweeks of 2023/24.

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As a result, Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.1m) and William Saliba (£5.5m) are among the five most-bought players for Gameweek 14.
 
The underlying numbers further highlight Arsenal’s strong displays across every area at the back.
 
They have conceded fewer shots on target, headed shots and shots from set-pieces than any other side.

The Gunners also rank in the top two for conceding the fewest shots, shots in the box and big chances.

Arsenal defensive stats GW1-13

Arsenal's upcoming schedule gives them plenty of chances to deliver more defensive returns, which is likely to make them top targets for managers across the festive period.
 
According to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), six of Arsenal’s next nine matches – including their encounter with Wolves – score just two.

Arsenal's next nine matches

*Fixture Difficulty Ratings (1= easiest, 5 = hardest)

Saliba has been Arsenal's standout performer at the back in the early stages of 2023/24.
 
The Frenchman is the second top-scoring defender in Fantasy, amassing 61 points thanks to a goal, an assist and six clean sheets.

 Just a single point separates full-backs Ben White (£5.7m) and Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.1m), with the England star edging it by 54 to 53.           
 
Notably, the pair's all-round style of play has helped them benefit when it comes to collecting bonus points. White and Zinchenko have a combined 16 bonus points compared with the combined seven of Saliba and his fellow centre-back Gabriel (£4.9m).

Goalkeeper David Raya (£4.9m), meanwhile, has amassed 35 points over eight matches since securing a starting role in Gameweek 5. He is expected to return against Wolves, after being unavailable to face his parent club Brentford last time out.

Arsenal’s top-scoring defensive assets GW1-13

Saliba’s output has been boosted by his security of starts. The centre-back is the only defender to be named in the starting XI in all 13 matches, and he has played every minute of the campaign.
 
However, it’s worth noting that White had started each of the first 11 matches and was ahead of Saliba by 53 points to 46 before suffering an injury prior to Gameweek 12.

In terms of points per start (PPS), White has the slightest of advantages by 4.8pps to the 4.7pps of Saliba.

Zinchenko, meanwhile, has emerged as a key performer after recovering from injury to make his first start of the season in Gameweek 4.
 
Indeed, his total of 51 points ranks second only to the 66 points of Kieran Trippier (£7.0m) among defenders in that run.
 
The Ukrainian has started nine of Arsenal’s last 10 matches and his average of 5.6pps is markedly better than any rival defender.

Zinchenko's goal v Burnley

By contrast, Gabriel has proven a big frustration. The Brazilian may have equalled Zinchenko’s nine starts but he has averaged only 3.7 points over those encounters.
 
Raya's displays between the posts further add to the number of valid options at the disposal of Fantasy managers. His average of 4.4 points per match is exactly the same as last season, when he was the top-scoring goalkeeper in Fantasy.

Points per match compared

Who's most likely to get attacking returns?

The underlying numbers are very much in Zinchenko’s favour here.

His totals of 11 shots and 12 key passes both place top among the Gunners’ back four.

Despite his secure minutes, Saliba has managed only two shots in the box, fewer than any of his rivals in the analysis.

Indeed, it is Gabriel who has boasted the greatest goal threat from close range, producing six shots inside the box.

While White’s 10 key passes earn him second spot, his average of 95 minutes per key pass is a fair bit slower than the 64 minutes of Zinchenko.

Arsenal defenders' attacking threat

So, who is the best pick?

Arsenal’s defensive form and fixtures are arguably so strong that there is a case for doubling up.
 
The busy festive schedule has to play a part in how managers assess the Gunners’ prospects, with seven matches over the coming month.
 
There would be no surprise if Saliba, who is owned by over 34 per cent of managers, starts all of those encounters.
 
While Zinchenko is a little riskier, he looks to have a far greater upside than any other Arsenal defender in terms of goals, assists and bonus points.
 
Only nine per cent have selected Zinchenko, marking him out as a big differential for those willing to accept the occasional benching in December.
 
Raya’s mere four per cent backing also makes him a relatively low-cost differential as a “set and forget” option between the posts.

View all the latest FPL tips ahead of Gameweek 14 in Fantasy Premier League