Bukayo Saka has been priced at £8.0m in FPL this year after having his best season to date.
He was Arsenal’s standout performer last season, having consistently provided both goal and assist contributions.
This article explores whether Saka should be in your GW1 teams.
Saka 2021/22
Saka had a fantastic season in 21/22. In the league, he contributed to 20 goals, scoring 11 and providing 9 assists.
He finished the season with the most xG and xA of any Arsenal player.
Only Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (329) had more touches in the penalty area than Saka amongst midfielders, with 221.
Saka also had the third-most goal attempts among midfielders, trailing only Sadio Mane (98) and Salah (139) of Liverpool.
Saka also had a solid record against challenging opponents, scoring four goals and assisting once in nine matches against the other top six teams.
Among midfielders priced under £10 million this season, Saka ranked first for xGI (expected goal involvement).
Only Kevin De Bruyne, Salah, Bruno Fernandes, and Heung Min Son were ahead of Saka in midfielders’ expected assists.
Saka Starting
Saka may not be as attractive of a choice as some of the other £8.0m midfielders but he is among the most reliable.
Read More: Should You Pick Mason Mount in FPL 2022/23?
The 20 year old is a lock for a starting position in the Arsenal team and will play in almost every game he is available for.
Comparing Saka’s minutes to the other similar-priced players indicates how safe an option he is.
| Player | Minutes | Minutes per Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| Bukayo Saka | 2945 | 77.5 |
| Phil Foden | 2122 | 75.8 |
| Mason Mount | 2370 | 74.1 |
| Luis Diaz | 959* | 73.8 |
| Dejan Kulusevski | 1265* | 70.3 |
| James Maddison | 2433 | 69.5 |
| Riyad Mahrez | 1538 | 54.9 |
*Diaz and Kulusevski signed for Liverpool and Tottenham, respectively, in January
Saka has played more minutes than any other £8 million midfielder. He also plays more minutes per appearance than any of the other options.
This means that early substitutions are less likely for Saka which is, of course, a positive for FPL managers.
Arsenal Fixtures
- GW1- Crystal Palace (a)
- GW2- Leicester City (H)
- GW3- Bournemouth (a)
- GW4- Fulham (H)
- GW5- Aston Villa (H)
- GW6- Manchester United (a)
Arsenal have one of the better set of fixtures to begin the season. In their first six games, the Gunners will face two freshly promoted teams, Bournemouth and Fulham.
The attractive matchups make owning Arsenal players more desirable and may even present a captain opportunity.
In GW3, for example, Salah plays Man Utd away and Erling Haaland faces Newcastle away, both of which are relatively difficult matches.
Arsenal, on the other hand, plays recently promoted Bournemouth, presenting an alternative captaincy option to the popular premium assets.
Pick Saka?
Saka is the most reliable of the £8 million midfielders. He’s as likely to start as any other Arsenal player, in addition to great goal and assist potential. Furthermore, he has a strong run of fixtures.
Saka appears to be reasonably priced at £8 million and looks to be a smart pick.
Read More: Top 10 Budget Midfielders in FPL 2022/23
If you do not select Gabriel Jesus for your FPL teams, then there is an even stronger case to be made for Saka to cover the Arsenal attack.
While not guaranteed, there is also a chance Saka is given the responsibility of being Arsenal’s penalty taker.
Gabriel Martinelli and Jesus appear to be the others fighting for that role.