GW 5 FANTASY TEAM @ FPL 2026/27

 

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Captain : Haaland (Man City)

V.Captain : Palmer (Chelsea)

Transfer In : Cherki (Man City)

Transfer Out : Foden (Man City)

GW 3 FANTASY TEAM @ FPL 2026/27

 

Credit : fantasy.premierleague.com

Captain : Haaland (Man City)

V.Captain : Thiago (Brentford)

Transfer In : Foden (Man City)

Transfer Out : Tzolis (Arsenal)

GW 2 FANTASY TEAM @ FPL 2026/27

 

Credit : fantasy.premierleague.com

Captain : Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd)

V.Captain : Gakpo (Liverpool)

Transfer In : Tarvernier (Bournemouth)

Transfer Out : Foden (Man City)

GW 1 FANTASY TEAM @ FPL 2026/27

 

Credit : fantasy.premierleague.com

Captain : Haaland (Man City)

V.Captain : Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd)

Arsenal: The Champions' Hunt for History

 

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Arsenal enter the 2026/27 Premier League season as the team everyone is chasing. After ending a 22-year title drought last season, the Gunners have a target on their backs for the first time in over two decades. Their aim is now to achieve something no Arsenal side has managed in the Premier League era: win back-to-back titles . This essay examines their historic triumph, the strategic summer reinforcements, the challenges of a defensive injury crisis, and the path to a potential dynasty.

The Drought Ends and a Dynasty Begins?

For a generation of Arsenal fans, the wait for a Premier League title was agonizing. Since the "Invincibles" of 2003/04, the club had endured near-misses and false dawns. Last season's triumph finally broke that cycle . Finishing as runners-up for three consecutive seasons had forged a mental resilience within Mikel Arteta's squad. This breakthrough was as much a psychological victory as it was a footballing one .

This newfound winning mentality was on full display in the pre-season Community Shield. A dominant 3-0 victory over Manchester City served as a "warning klaxon" to the rest of the league . The performance, described as a "humbling" defeat for City, demonstrated Arsenal's "strength, hunger and intentions" to not merely participate but to dominate .

Mikel Arteta: The Longest-Serving Manager

At the helm is Mikel Arteta, now the longest-tenured manager in the Premier League at six years and eight months . The club's ownership stuck by him through the three consecutive second-place finishes, and their patience has been rewarded. Arteta now presides over a squad that is the 10th-youngest in the league, a blend of youthful exuberance and players entering their prime . The continuity he provides is a significant advantage in a league where rivals have undergone substantial managerial and squad upheaval.

A Summer of Smart Reinforcement

Arsenal have had a relatively quiet transfer window, focusing on quality over quantity to strengthen an already formidable squad . Their net spend of just under £104 million has brought in five key players designed to add depth and star quality .

The Key Signings

• Bruno Guimarães (£75m from Newcastle United): The club's statement signing of the summer. He is a massive upgrade in midfield, bringing "grit, tenacity and force-of-will" . His ability to play as a number eight, where he scored nine goals and provided seven assists last season for Newcastle, makes him a significant addition .

• Christos Tzolis (£34m from Club Brugge): Brought in to replace Leandro Trossard on the left wing. He arrives with impressive stats, having provided two assists against Manchester City in the Community Shield .

• Piero Hincapié (Permanent Transfer): The defender has impressed during his loan spell and is now a permanent fixture, considered "head-and-shoulders better" than the outgoing Jakub Kiwior .

• Illan Meslier (Free Transfer): Signed from Leeds United, the goalkeeper provides experienced backup for David Raya .

The Defensive Injury Crisis

The primary challenge heading into the new season has been a defensive injury crisis. William Saliba is sidelined for an "extended period" with a persistent back issue that became acute during France's World Cup semi-final defeat . Jurrien Timber is also recovering from a groin injury . To address this, Arsenal have moved decisively to sign England international Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa for a fee of up to £51 million . Konsa, who played a prominent role in England's run to the World Cup semi-finals, is expected to slot straight into the heart of the defence alongside Gabriel .

FPL and On-Field Outlook: Defending the Crown

Bookmakers have Arsenal as the overwhelming 44% favorites to retain the title, ahead of Manchester City . This optimism is reflected in Fantasy Premier League, where Arsenal assets are highly prized, though their prices have risen accordingly.

• Gabriel (£8.0m): The club's highest FPL scorer last season with 209 points. However, some experts are cautious, noting that changes to the Bonus Points System this season may reduce his appeal compared to the more attack-minded full-backs .

• Bukayo Saka (£9.5m): Remains Arsenal's most expensive premium player and a key asset for any team .

• Riccardo Calafiori (£5.5m): Considered a "steal" at this price, offering a cheap route into a league-best defence .

• David Raya (£6.0m): The Golden Glove winner from last season provides a reliable, if pricey, option in goal .

Conclusion

Arsenal's 2026/27 season is about proving that last year's triumph was not an anomaly but the start of a new era. With a squad now strengthened in midfield and on the wings, the foundations are in place for a title defence. The immediate challenge will be navigating a defensive injury crisis. However, if they can overcome this and replicate their form from the Community Shield, they have a strong chance of becoming the first team outside of Manchester City to retain the Premier League title since 2009. The hunters have become the hunted, and only time will tell if they have the resilience to stay at the top.

Manchester City: The Post-Guardiola Era Begins

 

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Manchester City enter the 2026/27 Premier League season at a defining moment in their history. For the first time in a decade, Pep Guardiola is not in the dugout, and the club has lost the midfield heartbeat of its dynasty in Rodri. The task of sustaining the club's position as a domestic and continental superpower now falls to Enzo Maresca, a manager who knows the club intimately but faces an unprecedented challenge .

The End of an Era

Pep Guardiola's departure at the end of last season marked the conclusion of a transformative period that elevated Manchester City from title contenders to a global footballing dynasty. Under his stewardship, City won six Premier League titles and a Champions League, establishing themselves as one of the dominant forces in European football . The club honoured his legacy by opening the new Pep Guardiola Stand, expanding the Etihad Stadium's capacity to 61,000 .

The summer has seen a significant exodus of experience. Alongside Guardiola, the club has lost Rodri to Barcelona, with the 30-year-old expected to challenge for a second Ballon d'Or after his displays in Spain's triumphant World Cup campaign . John Stones was released, Nathan Aké moved to Fenerbahçe, and Bernardo Silva joined Real Madrid . These departures represent more than just personnel losses; they represent the dismantling of the spine that underpinned City's dominance.

The Maresca Appointment

Enzo Maresca inherits what many consider a herculean task. The 46-year-old is no stranger to the club—he served as Guardiola's assistant during City's treble-winning season—but replacing one of the most impactful managers in English football history is a challenge few would envy .

Maresca's CV shows success: he won the Championship with Leicester, and delivered the Conference League and Club World Cup during his time at Chelsea . Yet questions remain about whether he can replicate Guardiola's genius. As one journalist observed, "Is Maresca courageous for following The Man or naive for believing he can?"  Maresca himself has no doubts: "It's fantastic, nice and exciting, and for me, a privilege," he said. "This is a club that has to win games, titles and has to compete" .

The club's hierarchy has backed him decisively. City have spent over £200m this summer, with the marquee signing being Elliot Anderson for a club-record £116m from Nottingham Forest . The 23-year-old impressed for England at the World Cup and is seen as Rodri's long-term successor, capable of spraying long-range passes and orchestrating the metronomic possession game that defined City's style .

Other arrivals include Mathys Detourbet from Troyes, Jeremy Monga from Leicester, Pierce Charles from Sheffield Wednesday, and goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli from Marseille . The club remain active in the market, with 18-year-old Moroccan World Cup star Ayyoub Bouaddi of Lille a target, alongside Chelsea's Enzo Fernández .

The World Cup Hangover

One of the most significant obstacles facing Maresca is the impact of the World Cup on his squad. City sent 19 players to the tournament across 12 nations, the heaviest workload in the league . Seven of their best XI have missed nearly all of pre-season due to their World Cup commitments, leaving Maresca with limited time to implement his ideas .

The situation is particularly acute for key players. Erling Haaland, despite being the overwhelming favourite to claim a fourth Premier League Golden Boot in five seasons, looked leggy in his brief 53-minute Community Shield appearance and has had a shortened pre-season following Norway's World Cup campaign . FPL experts have cautioned that a "World Cup hangover" could affect early performances, though the Premier League's decision to delay the season start to 21 August has provided a month between the World Cup final and the campaign's opening .

Phil Foden has been boosted by a bumper new contract, but questions remain about how the boy from Stockport will dovetail with Rayan Cherki and maintain his influence . Antoine Semenyo, who enjoyed his best Fantasy campaign ever in 2025/26 with 202 points, has impressed in pre-season with five assists . However, his average of 4.8 points per start for City was lower than his 6.0 points per start for Bournemouth before his mid-season move, suggesting he may not be the guaranteed asset his price tag implies .

Defensive Concerns and Set-Piece Vulnerabilities

A statistical concern for Maresca is City's defensive record from set pieces. Last season, City conceded more league goals from set plays than in the previous two campaigns combined . The winning goals in their defeats at Aston Villa and Newcastle both came from corners. Maresca's record with Chelsea was marginally worse, conceding from a set play every three league games, so this is an area requiring urgent attention .

The defence faces uncertainty early in the campaign. Marc Guehi and Nico O'Reilly have returned late from World Cup duty, making Josko Gvardiol—who has seen significant pre-season minutes—the most reliable defensive asset . City ranked second behind Arsenal last season with 16 clean sheets, providing optimism that the foundations remain strong .

FPL and On-Field Outlook

For Fantasy Premier League managers, Manchester City remains one of the most attractive teams to invest in. The club face one of the kindest opening schedules, with home games against Bournemouth, Coventry City, and Sunderland, combined with a visit to Crystal Palace . Their average Fixture Difficulty Rating of 2.8 across Gameweeks 1-5 ranks second only to Liverpool .

Erling Haaland (£15.5m) is, for all the caveats, considered a must-have. A massive 75.2% of managers have selected the Norwegian, and his history shows why: he has been the top-scoring player after the first six Gameweeks in all four of his seasons at City, averaging nine goals and 61.3 points over that period . Home matches against promoted sides Coventry and Ipswich in the first seven Gameweeks make him a strong candidate for the Triple Captain chip .

FPL experts have debated whether his price is worth the investment. Holly Shand noted that "Haaland carries the potential to justify his high price tag," while Pras argued that "at a record £15.5m he still looks essential because captaincy matters so much early on" . Gianni added: "In a season of very few premium options, you can have a balanced squad even after picking Haaland" .

Among midfielders, Phil Foden (£7.0m) has been described by Maresca as a "pillar" of his squad, while Antoine Semenyo (£8.5m) has impressed in pre-season . Rayan Cherki (£7.5m) and Jeremy Doku offer alternatives, with Doku averaging 6.6 points per start after joining City, the best of the attacking midfield options . In defence, Josko Gvardiol (£5.5m) appears the most reliable starter given the late return of World Cup participants .

The Season Ahead

Bookmakers have City as 7/4 second-favourites to lift the Premier League trophy, behind Arsenal at 44% favourites to repeat their title triumph . The Guardian's writers predict a second-place finish . City are priced at 5/4 for a top-two finish and 1/4 to secure a top-five spot .

Maresca's immediate task is to integrate the new signings and overcome the disruption caused by the World Cup. As one reporter noted, "It may take some time to see the best version of City that Maresca wants" . The club have a real hunger to win the Premier League or Champions League after two years without either, but it remains a significant ask for this new-look outfit to best the consistency of an Arsenal side with such stability .

City's early fixtures offer a chance to build momentum: they host Bournemouth on 23 August, visit Crystal Palace, host Coventry, travel to Manchester United for the derby in Gameweek 4, then host Sunderland . The derby at Old Trafford will be an early test of Maresca's credentials.

Conclusion

Manchester City's 2026/27 season is defined by transition and ambition. The departure of Pep Guardiola and the exodus of key players mark the end of an era, but Enzo Maresca has the backing of a best-in-class organisation and the resources to reinvent the team. The challenge is formidable: integrating new signings, overcoming World Cup fatigue, and maintaining the standards of a dynasty built over a decade. For a club that has won 53% of all Premier League titles awarded since 2014 , the expectation remains relentless. Whether Maresca can rise to the challenge will define not just this season, but the next chapter of Manchester City's extraordinary story.

Manchester United: The Carrick Revolution Begins

 

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Manchester United enter the 2026/27 Premier League season with a sense of optimism that has been absent for over a decade. Under Michael Carrick, who replaced Ruben Amorim last January, the club has rediscovered its identity and is once again being spoken of as potential title contenders . However, the challenge of building on last season's momentum, integrating new signings, and competing in the Champions League means the Carrick era is about to face its toughest test.

From Interim to Long-Term Project

Carrick's appointment as interim manager in January 2026 transformed United's season . He secured a third-placed finish and a return to the Champions League, restoring a feel-good factor that had been missing since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement . His calm and composed character proved to be the perfect antidote to the chaos of the previous managerial reigns, and he was rewarded with the permanent job in May .

The numbers under Carrick are compelling. After he took charge in Gameweek 22, United had a better points-per-game record than Arsenal and finished third . The challenge now is to sustain that momentum across a full season, with the added demands of midweek Champions League football . As Paul Scholes observed, "The thing Michael Carrick is going to have to deal with now as well is midweek football. He had an unbelievable run last year but everything was in his favour if you know what I mean. Now all of a sudden he's got these extra games which will have an impact on the squad" .

A Summer of Strategic Overhaul

United's summer transfer window has been characterised by prudence rather than panic. The club have added six players while parting ways with 12, reshaping the squad for the challenges ahead . The headline arrivals are Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £48 million and Belgian international Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35 million .

Notable departures include Rasmus Hojlund to Napoli for £38 million, Casemiro to Inter Miami after his contract expired, and Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia who were both released . Andre Onana has been loaned to Trabzonspor, while Altay Bayindir moved to Celta Vigo, leaving Senne Lammens as the new number one goalkeeper . Marcus Rashford has returned from loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona, giving Carrick another attacking option .

The club are also actively pursuing further reinforcements, with Fulham midfielder Sander Berge and Club Brugge left-back Joaquin Seys emerging as cost-effective targets .

The Squad and Carrick's Key Challenges

Paul Scholes has identified United's central spine as the biggest issue that could hamper a title challenge . "I still think there's a problem down the middle, I still think they need centre-halves," he said. "I don't think the current ones are of the quality to try and win the Premier League" . While United have a talented group of centre-backs in Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, Leny Yoro, and Ayden Heaven, injuries and inconsistency have been persistent problems .

The midfield has been strengthened with the arrivals of Santos and Tielemans, but questions remain about whether the balance is right. Scholes noted: "[Youri] Tielemans is a brilliant footballer and can control the game but again athleticism isn't his strength. I still think there's a problem down the middle" . Kobbie Mainoo continues to develop, but competition for places in midfield will be fierce .

In attack, Benjamin Sesko has become the main striker following Hojlund's departure . His form under Carrick was impressive, and he is expected to thrive as the club's number nine . Bryan Mbeumo has impressed in pre-season , while Matheus Cunha retains the number ten shirt . Carrick must also manage the return of Marcus Rashford, who he believes "can contribute a lot to us" .

FPL and On-Field Prospects

For Fantasy Premier League managers, United offers outstanding early fixtures. They start with back-to-back matches against promoted sides Hull City and Ipswich Town, and only face one team from last season's top ten in their first five games . Bruno Fernandes (£12.0m) is the standout asset. He was the top-scoring player in FPL after Carrick took charge, amassing 129 points with four goals and 16 assists . With double-figure hauls in eight of his 17 starts under Carrick, he is considered a must-have for opening squads .

Benjamin Sesko could also be a bargain forward option, while Luke Shaw (£4.5m) offers value in defence . The goalkeeper situation is less clear, with Senne Lammens (£5.0m) expected to start following Onana's loan exit .

Bookmakers have United at 7/1 to win the Premier League and 4/11 to secure a top-five finish . While Carrick understands the need to be "realistic and not get carried away," the expectation at Old Trafford remains relentless .

Conclusion

Manchester United's 2026/27 season is about proving that last year's revival was no fluke. Michael Carrick has brought stability and identity to a club that had lost both. The challenge is to build on the foundations laid over the past six months, with a squad that has been reshaped but still has gaps in key positions. With a favourable fixture list to start and a manager who understands the club's DNA, United have a platform to challenge at the top. As Carrick himself put it, "We're excited and really positive about what's next, and we've got to try and win every game" .