1st choice RB for Arsenal this season. He has played 3,054 and 2,987 minutes in the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 seasons respectively.
FPL’s highest scoring defender last season is positionally flexible as can step in at RCB should or CDM if he’s needed.
Tends to get substituted early (i.e. around 70 mins) so expect him to lock in clean sheets before the other defenders.
William Saliba (£6m)
Saliba played all 38 Premier League games last season, so we can expect a similar amount of appearances (i.e. 35-38 games) this year.
Usually scores well on BPS although has slightly less goal threat compared to Gabriel.
With Arsenal’s Sporting Director – Edu – noting the high number of minutes Saliba played last year, he may get the occasional rest this season, as Ben White is capable of deputising in his position.
Gabriel Magalhães (£6m)
Arsenal’s 1st choice LCB should play the vast majority of games this season.
He’s their main set piece threat, managing to score 3 goals in each of his previous seasons.
Likely to be rotated with the left-footed Italian Riccardo Calafiori, who is capable of playing at CB and LB.
Riccardo Calafiori (£6m)
New signing who can play at LCB and LB.
Should take minutes off of Gabriel at LCB, as Arsenal will be involved in the UEFA Champions League in addition to their Premier League games.
Also rumoured to play exclusively at LB, so wait and see how he’s utilised by Arteta.
Jurrien Timber (£5.5m)
Timber’s 2023/2024 season was cut short through injury on the opening day, so we can expect him to be slowly eased into the starting 11.
He can slot in across the entire backline, but is a wait and see as he’s only just getting his match rhythm back.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (£5m)
Defensively solid player who will start at LB based on the threat of the opposition, and can also slot in at RB for Ben White.
Risky pick as he could easily be rotated with Zinchenko, Kiwior, Calafiori or Timber.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5m)
Unlikely to start as 1st choice LB due to his defensive frailties.
Will mainly be used situationally to break down low-block defences typically employed by bottom-half opponents.
Jakub Kiwior (£5m)
Rotation option who is expected to make only a handful of appearances at LB, primarily based on the availability of Tomiyasu.
