Like many who play the Fantasy Premier League game, I’m sure you’ve already put together various drafts and will continue to do so right up until August 21st.So don’t take this squad as confirmation that it will be the one I start the season with, but I thought I would invite readers to join the Just Arsenal league.Click on the link below to take part and read the rules:https://fantasy.premierleague.com/leagues/auto-join/b6s8skAs things stand, here’s who’s pencilled in to play for AFC Destiny…GoalkeepersBart Verbruggen (Brighton – £4.5m)A cheaper route is to pick two £4.5m keepers who you can rotate weekly.Unlike previous years though, the game’s creators haven’t priced many at £4.5m who you know will be starting. There’s Leno, Petrovic and Kinsky, but only six other goalkeepers scored more points than the Seagulls’ number one last season.Antonín Kinsky (Spurs – £4.5m)If you want to save money, you could just rely on one goalkeeper and have a £4m option on your bench.Unlike this time last year though, none of the £4m keepers look likely to start the season. Keep your eye on the transfer market and injury updates because that can quickly change.DefendersLuke Shaw (Manchester United – £4.5m)If you have the extra funds, turn this pick into Harry Maguire for £5m, simply because the centre-back is more likely to get you attacking returns from set-pieces.United start against Hull and Ipswich, so this is the cheapest way to be represented by a first-choice Manchester United defender.Gabriel (Arsenal – £8m)What were two of the main factors that made Arsenal champions?Their defensive ability and how dangerous they were from set-pieces.Our Brazilian was a massive part of both, hence his price hike.Some are put off that our centre-back is £1.5m more expensive than other defenders, especially when there are cheaper ways to get into the Gunners’ defence such as Raya, Mosquera and Calafiori.My outlook is that if this were a midfielder who recorded 209 points, not many would even mention the asking price.Rodon (Leeds – £4.5m)I’ll be honest, I’m gutted I can’t fit Harry Wilson into my midfield, so I thought I’d at least pick someone who could benefit from quality set-piece delivery.He was my bargain last season, returning 109 points from a defender who cost me only £4m at the time.That’s what you need to do with the next batch of promoted teams. Like I did with Rondón, study the Championship and see if you can find a cheap gem from one of the three teams who have come up…Thomas (Coventry – £4m)Studying the Championship winners, it’s between Van Ewijk, who is more likely to get the odd assist, or Thomas, who will earn the occasional set-piece goal or bonus defensive points.Whoever I settle on will be on my bench for the opener at the Emirates, but then Coventry have Hull at home a week later.Leif Davis (Ipswich – £4m)Essentially, all the defenders who play for a promoted team are priced at £4m, leaving it up to players to decide who to take a gamble on.I pick Davis purely because he takes Ipswich’s set-pieces, but keep an eye on Diop.Cole Palmer (Getty Images)MidfieldersBryan Mbeumo (Manchester United – £8m)Even as I write this, I know it’s probably a mistake not to pick Bruno Fernandes.He’s almost guaranteed to start, assist, take penalties, etc.Yet I can’t afford to get all the usual suspects in, so I had to sacrifice someone.Getting his team-mate, who will play as a striker at times but counts as a midfielder, saves me £4m.Plus, nearly half the game has picked the Portuguese already, so I need to think differently.I have not been able to sleep over this issue!Cole Palmer (Chelsea – £9.5m)Many will feel I could have saved money by picking Rodgers instead for £2m less.That’s what many players have done, obviously thinking Palmer is overpriced for someone who wasn’t even selected for the World Cup.Yet I think that was down to never being fully fit last season.Chelsea were clearly managing his workload, not trusting him to start every few days.Physically, I think he will benefit from the summer off and mentally will play with a chip on his shoulder.I’ll know very early on if I’ve made a mistake, so I’ll review the situation during the international break when I play my Wildcard.Semenyo (Manchester City – £8.5m)Again, I accept the argument that I could have saved money for Bruno Fernandes by picking a cheaper Manchester City midfielder.Yet I can’t look past City’s opening fixtures.Their first three home games are Bournemouth, Coventry and Sunderland.I like the idea of the added points that come with having a midfielder who you know will score goals.Sarr (Crystal Palace – £6.5m)While many build their team around blocks of fixtures, I just think Sarr is incredible value at this price.He plays at times as a second striker, or even up front on his own, yet in FPL he’s counted as a midfielder.£6.5m for someone who scored 117 points last season is a bargain.I think he’ll only get better.Slater (Hull – £4.5m)I had very little money left and essentially needed a body on my bench.I could have gone for a £5m option if I’d picked a £4m goalkeeper, but the choices didn’t really change as you’re still mainly left with defensive midfielders who won’t start every week.That’s why I picked Slater. I know that, if nothing else, he’ll get points for starting.As he’ll mostly be a substitute, that’s all I need in the short term.StrikersErling Haaland (Manchester City – £15.5m)Despite being one of the most expensive players in FPL history, I would go as far as to say it’s hard to compete without him.Whereas you can find cheaper alternatives for a Gabriel or Fernandes, who is as reliable for goals as the Norwegian?As I write this, nearly 75% of players have selected the 26-year-old.That’s with weeks still to go before kick-off, when most are yet to finalise their teams, so that percentage will only increase.Meaning if you don’t pick him, be aware that the majority will.Alexander Isak (Liverpool – £9m)This is where I’m taking my biggest risk because I could have gone for a cheaper striker to raise funds elsewhere.If someone had said 12 months ago that picking the Swede would be a gamble, no one would have believed you.On paper, Liverpool have one of the easier starts to the season, so I felt I needed them represented in my team.Many are going for Szoboszlai, with nearly half the game selecting him, but how do you score more points than your rivals?You think outside the box and find routes that not everyone has considered.Could that be Isak staying fit and rediscovering his mojo?If not, he won’t last long at AFC Destiny!Walle Egeli (Ipswich – £4.5m)If, like me, you need the cheapest possible striker to sit on your bench, keep an eye on the transfer window because, as things stand, FPL are not being generous at all.While many at this price are promising youngsters, few will start or even come off the bench.Walle Egeli is actually a winger at Ipswich, but he’s the most likely on the list to start.Also keep an eye on Kusi-Asare at Fulham.He’s the better long-term option but might not start straight away.To give you some perspective, last season I had Kroupi at £4.5m.Join the Just Arsenal Fantasy Premier League here:https://fantasy.premierleague.com/leagues/auto-join/b6s8skLeague code: b6s8skAny issues, or if you need the code, just let me know peeps.Have fun!Dan Smith_____________________________________________________________________________________________ADMIN COMMENTSo here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…More Stories / Latest NewsJoin the Just Arsenal Fantasy Premier League for the 2026/27 Season6 August 2026, 21:30“I felt I needed a change” Norgaard explains why he left Arsenal6 August 2026, 21:00Xabi Alonso tells Chelsea he wants to work with Arsenal star6 August 2026, 20:00The post Join the Just Arsenal Fantasy Premier League for the 2026/27 Season appeared first on Just Arsenal News.