In a devastating blow to Arsenal and FPL managers alike, Gabriel has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury.
With the Brazilian defender currently owned by 28.1% of FPL teams, managers are scrambling for suitable replacements. Let's analyse six potential options to fill the void left by Gabriel's absence.
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Joško Gvardiol (£6.1m) has emerged as a standout FPL defender this season. With five goals, no other defender has scored more as shown in the Opta Stats Sandbox.
His 35 shots rank second only to Trent Alexander-Arnold (38), and his 11 shots on target trail only Daniel Muñoz (14). His expected goals (xG) of 4.05 suggest his scoring form is sustainable.
Owned by 26.7% of FPL managers, Gvardiol's upcoming fixtures include Manchester United (A), Crystal Palace (H), and a double gameweek (Everton (A) & Aston Villa (H)). With 14.6 projected points, he is a strong replacement for Gabriel.
William Saliba (£6.3m) offers a simple swap for Gabriel while maintaining Arsenal defensive coverage. With 11 clean sheets, he has been integral to the Gunners' backline.
As shown in the Opta Heatmaps feature he averages 4.14 FPL points per game, the fourth highest among defenders, behind his now-injured teammate Gabriel (4.18), Milenković (4.34), and Alexander-Arnold (4.82).
Arsenal's upcoming fixtures—Everton (A), Brentford (H), and a double gameweek (Ipswich (A) & Crystal Palace (H))—boost his appeal. With 17.6 projected points and 25.8% ownership, Saliba is a strong FPL option.
At just £4.8m, Jakub Kiwior is likely to replace Gabriel in Arsenal’s starting XI. With a low 0.2% ownership, he was featured in this week's Top 5 Differential Picks. While his attacking potential is limited, he benefits from Arsenal's defensive solidity.
According to the Predicted Points & Stats tool, Arsenal have the highest clean sheet probability (1.4) over the next three gameweeks.
For FPL managers needing a budget enabler, Kiwior is worth considering.
Kieran Trippier (£5.6m) has been a proven FPL performer, known for his set-piece expertise. Though his season has been underwhelming, he appears back in Newcastle’s starting XI.
His upcoming fixtures—Leicester (A), a double gameweek (Manchester United (H) & Crystal Palace (H)), and Aston Villa (A)—offer opportunities.
With 13.1 projected points and just 4.2% ownership, he could be a solid FPL differential.
Daniel Muñoz (£5.1m) has hit the ground running at Crystal Palace, tallying three goals, five assists, and strong attacking stats.
Palace have back-to-back double gameweeks: Brighton (H), Manchester City (A) & Newcastle (A), then Bournemouth (H) & Arsenal (A) as shown in the Fixture Difficulty Rating tool.
With 16.1 projected points and 19.9% ownership, Muñoz is a strong FPL pick for managers chasing points.
Lucas Digne (£4.5m) is providing excellent value, with five assists, tied with Muñoz for the most among defenders in this comparison. His 12 big chances created are only second to Alexander-Arnold (13).
Aston Villa’s fixtures—Nottingham Forest (H), Southampton (A), and a double gameweek (Newcastle (H) & Manchester City (A))—boost his appeal.
With 13.2 projected points and just 6.5% ownership, Digne is an attractive budget option.
Gabriel’s absence presents an opportunity for FPL managers. Whether you prefer a premium replacement (Gvardiol), a reliable pick (Saliba), or a budget-friendly differential (Kiwior or Digne), your decision should align with your chip strategy and the upcoming double gameweeks (GW32 & GW33), followed by a blank GW34.
Choose wisely to maximise your FPL points potential!
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