Fantasy Football Sidekick: Go big on Arsenal for the double gameweek
The Carabao Cup this weekend means Manchester United, Newcastle, Brighton and Brentford won't be in action, yet Fantasy Football Sidekick is here to help with your choices for your Fantasy Football side. With a double gameweek for four teams, too, now is perhaps as good a time as any to play that Free Hit. With stars from Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham all featuring, we take a look at five players worth bringing into your Fantasy Football team ahead of Friday's meeting between Fulham and Wolves.
Bernd Leno - Fulham (vs Wolves)
Few could have foreseen Fulham being closer to first than the relegation zone after 24 games, yet the Cottagers are mounting a real push for a European finish. While many had predicted Marco Silva's side to make an immediate return to the Championship, they are now just two points off the magic 40-mark and they'll be confident of reaching the milestone on Friday night.
Fulham welcome Wolves to Craven Cottage to kick off the weekend's Premier League action as they seek to maintain their impressive resolve. Indeed, Fulham have kept three successive clean sheets, and it wouldn't be a shock to see them return a fourth against this goalshy Wolves side. Julen Lopetegui's side have improved following his appointment, yet goals remain an issue. No team has scored fewer goals than Wolves (17) this season, so bringing Bernd Leno into your XI is perhaps the wise choice this week.
Gabriel - Arsenal (vs Leicester & Everton)
Arsenal ended a three-game winless run in style as they earned a 4-2 victory at Aston Villa in Saturday's lunchtime kick off. While the solidity was found wanting, after a testing week, the three points was a welcome reprieve for the Gunners, who ended the weekend back at the top of the table.
Next up for Mikel Arteta's men is a trip to a Leicester side that had looked to be turning a corner, only to be humbled 3-0 at Manchester United. Arsenal have won their last three trips to the King Power Stadium, including a 2-0 victory in this game last season. Gabriel scored in that one, and has been part of an Arsenal defence that is the second tightest in the Premier League. Only Newcastle (7) have conceded fewer away goals than the Gunners (9) in England's top tier this term, and in a double gameweek for the Gunners, Gabriel could prove a handy addition.
Darwin Nunez - Liverpool (vs Crystal Palace & Wolves)
Another to benefit from the double gameweek, Darwin Nunez looks to really be getting up to speed following his high-profile summer move to Liverpool. The Uruguayan has been directly involved in a goal in each of his last three outings, including a superb backheel goal in the Reds' 5-2 loss to Real Madrid on Tuesday night.
First up for Liverpool and Nunez is Saturday's trip to Crystal Palace. The reverse fixture is one that Nunez will remember for the wrong reasons owing to his second half dismissal, but the Eagles are struggling having failed to win in seven. Only Aston Villa and Southampton (both 19) have conceded more home goals than Palace (17) in the Premier League this season, with the 23-year-old keen to make amends following a disastrous home debut. The young striker has already scored against Wolves this season, too, so the Reds hitman could be a handy earner this week.
Bukayo Saka - Arsenal (vs Leicester & Everton)
Going big on Arsenal this week, Bukayo Saka is another to consider bringing in if you haven't already. The Gunners' Starboy has been directly involved in a goal in each of his last three league outings, scoring twice, and has now 17 goals and assists combined in the Premier League this season; only Erling Haaland (30) and Harry Kane (19) have more direct goal contributions.
In his last six top-flight appearances, Saka has had a direct hand in a goal in five, with the only blip on the record book the 1-0 loss at Everton at the start of the month. In the double gameweek, Arsenal will be out for revenge against the Toffees and extend their lead at the top of the table. Expect Saka to play a big part in two key games for Arteta's side.
Harry Kane - Tottenhham (vs Chelsea)
Chelsea have a decent recent record at Tottenham, but a run of two wins in the last 14 in the league suggests the pendulum is swinging back in Spurs' favour. Harry Kane doesn't have the best record against Chelsea, scoring just five times in 15 league outings with the Blues, but did score late on in the reverse fixture, best remembered for 'Handshake-gate'.
As mentioned, Kane's been directly involved in 19 league goals this season, 10 of which have come at home, which for a Spurs side that has scored just 24 league goals at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this term, is a solid return. Chelsea have shipped only 23 league goals in 2022/23, but 15 of those have come away from home. They have conceded in five of their last six league games on the road, so Kane will fancy his chances of adding to his 17 goals on Sunday afternoon.
