It’s time for another Gameweek 3 team reveal as the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) deadline approaches.
Here, FPL Milanista – who has three top 5k finishes in the last five seasons – explains why he’s going with Arsenal’s premium midfielder.
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GAMEWEEK 2 REVIEW
The first couple of weekends haven’t exactly gone to plan. Despite a summer of planning that pieced together a seemingly strong squad, the points aren’t flowing, and now there’s injury and uncertainty surrounding key players.
Many of the supposedly obvious picks are underperforming. Highly owned assets keep blanking, while differential punts are yet to pay off. Even the safer routes have turned turbulent. It’s been an extremely frustrating start for me and many managers.
One of the more disappointing moments came in Gameweek 2, where my strategy hinged on a maverick Bukayo Saka (£10.0m) captaincy against Leeds United. On paper, it looked quite clever – a high-ceiling player against a leaky side.
But football has a way of humbling us quickly. Saka was forced off with an injury before the 60-minute mark, meaning no clean sheet point or captaincy bonus. Instead of a smart gamble, it’s turned into a costly setback.
Cole Palmer’s (£10.5m) injury flag only adds to the growing list of concerns. He’s an important part of my midfield setup and his availability could still prove crucial, depending on the latest update.
Then there’s Florian Wirtz (£8.4m). His inclusion was always going to be a calculated risk, as I knew he might take time to get going. While the returns haven’t yet arrived, I’m not in a hurry to sell. Facing Burnley and Everton in Gameweeks 4 and 5 provide great opportunities, and I have more pressing issues to address.
Perhaps a Wildcard? I completely understand why some are hitting that button. If your team is structurally flawed or riddled with injuries, it’s a valid option.
But for me, it feels premature. The teams I’m backing are still top of the Fixture Ticker, and I don’t see a Wildcard squad that significantly improves my current lot. Furthermore, I see the dramatic fixture swings around Gameweeks 7 and 8 as a more optimal time to reset.
GAMEWEEK 3 TEAM REVEAL