Saliba (ARS, Defender, £6.1m)

Verdict: HOLD

The Reasoning

Recent Performance: Saliba blanked in GW2 but bounced back with a 9-point haul in GW1, including a bonus point. His form is strong overall, averaging 7.5 points per game.
Upcoming Fixtures: A tough run of fixtures is coming up: Away to LIV (difficulty 5), then home to NFO (difficulty 3), and home to MCI (difficulty 4). This could impact his clean sheet potential.
Underlying Stats: Saliba's ICT index is solid (5.5), driven mainly by his influence (49.8). His creativity and threat are low, reflecting his defensive role. He's a points-provider through clean sheets and bonus points.
Long-Term View: Last season was excellent (130 points, 12 clean sheets). While the early season form is promising, the upcoming fixtures are a concern.

Risks

Rotation risk is always present for Arsenal defenders. The upcoming fixtures are a significant risk to his points output.

Alternative Options

Gabriel (ARS, £5.5m): A cheaper Arsenal defensive option with similar upside. Estupinan (BHA, £5.0m): A strong attacking full-back with a better run of fixtures.

The Strategic Play

Saliba is a hold for now, given his price and potential. However, monitor his minutes and Arsenal's defensive form closely. The next 3-4 gameweeks will be crucial. If his points drop significantly, consider selling before his price falls further. Keep an eye on Estupinan as a potential replacement if Saliba blanks again.

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