Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 10 takeaways: Eyeing Enzo, the Gyokeres issue, and differential Salah
The weekend brought another round of twists for Fantasy Premier League managers: clean sheets, injury scares, and the possible re-emergence of a once-essential midfielder.
As we head into Gameweek 11, there’s plenty to unpack, including Arsenal’s incredible defensive run, the latest Viktor Gyokeres (£9.0m) puzzle, and Mohamed Salah’s (£14.2m) timely resurgence.
We still have one game left in Gameweek 10 as Sunderland host Everton tonight (8pm GMT), but as ever, we will review the main FPL talking points from the weekend.
Arsenal’s relentless defence… but inconsistent attackers
Another week, another Arsenal clean sheet. Mikel Arteta’s side have established themselves as the defensive side to back this season, and they’re on course to break Premier League clean sheet records if they continue.
Whether you’re doubled up or even tripled up on their defence, it’s paying dividends. The attacking assets haven’t been as consistent, however.
After five straight blanks, Viktor Gyokeres’ owners were finally rewarded when he found the net this weekend, but their joy was short-lived. The striker was withdrawn at half-time with an injury, and Arteta confirmed post-match that it’s “a muscle issue” that will be assessed further this week.
Viktor Gyokeres scored on Saturday before an injury forced him off (Peter Powell/AFP via Getty Images)
With a decent fixture up next against Sunderland, it’s a frustrating time for managers who have kept faith through his dry spell. However, with uncertainty over his fitness and cheaper forwards scoring, it’s probably time to move him on.
If Gyokeres is ruled out even for a single week, he’s an easy sell. Jean-Philippe Mateta (£7.9m), Danny Welbeck (£6.5m), or even budget-friendly picks such as Thiago (£6.2m) could be worth a look depending on your team structure.
Gyokeres’ price tag makes it harder to keep your team flexible. If his minutes are managed or reduced in the next few weeks, he is unlikely to justify the outlay.
City cruise past Bournemouth, as Haaland’s dominance continues
Manchester City’s 3-1 win against Bournemouth was business as usual for Erling Haaland (£14.8m), who bagged another double to make it 13 league goals for the season. Any doubts about his captaincy credentials have been emphatically silenced: he’s still the most explosive asset in the game, and arguably essential regardless of fixture.
City weren’t at their best defensively, but they remain consistent in attack. Haaland faces Liverpool next in the league, traditionally a tough fixture, but given his form and ownership (70 per cent, highest in the game), he’s still likely to be the standout captaincy choice for Gameweek 11.
If you don’t own him, it’s simple: find a way. Whether it means downgrading a premium midfielder or reshaping your forward line, Haaland is the one player capable of hurting you every single week.
Tijjani Reijnders (£5.5m) started the season as a gem: nailed-on the star, energetic, and playing in a central role with attacking potential. But his FPL value has evaporated.
After being benched this weekend, Pep Guardiola revealed that Reijnders “wasn’t fully fit”, although his minutes had been trending downward. City’s heavy rotation across midfield means Reijnders is no longer a reliable option.
Tijjani Reijnders’s status as a budget diamond in FPL has plummeted (Carl Recine/Getty Images)
If you’re still holding him, he’s an easy sell. Better midfielders are available around his price bracket.
Yankuba Minteh (£6.0m) looks a solid replacement who is close to him in price — but if you have a bit more in the bank, then Enzo Fernandez (£6.7m), who has Wolverhampton Wanderers (H) and Burnley (A) next, could be a shrewd pick.
Liverpool finally bounce back. Is it time to invest again?
After four straight league defeats, Liverpool returned to winning ways with a convincing victory over Aston Villa. For FPL managers, the big story is that Salah has scored in back-to-back games, and is looking sharper and more confident.
His ownership (25 per cent) is lower than we’ve seen in years, and with his price having fallen to £14.2m, he has suddenly become a premium differential — not a phrase we often associate with such Salah.
The upcoming fixture against Manchester City in Gameweek 11 might deter some from buying him immediately, but his Gameweek 12-16 run is very appealing: Nottingham Forest (H), West Ham (A), Sunderland (H), Leeds (A), Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
That stretch screams points, and the wise move might be to start planning your route to Salah. For most teams, it’ll take two free transfers, possibly requiring a downgrade elsewhere. But those who plan could be handsomely rewarded once that fixture run kicks in.
Despite only one clean sheet for Arne Slot’s side in the last six, keep an eye on Virgil van Dijk (£6.0m). Fixtures breed form, and Liverpool’s performance looks to be trending in the right direction. The Netherlands international is nailed to start, and has some goal threat too.
Van Dijk has also hit his defensive contribution threshold in six out of 10 games and is only behind Marcos Senesi (£5.0m) for overall defensive contributions (116 and 127).
