William Saliba is back in action. Should FPL managers hold Ezri Konsa?

Hold Ezri Konsa if you already own him in Fantasy Premier League. If you are spending a transfer on an Arsenal defender for the next month, Gabriel is the better buy if the budget allows. William Saliba’s first public appearance since his injury, a half against Aston Villa’s under-21s on Sunday, matters more for a new buyer than for a manager who already has Konsa at £4.8m. Villa under-21 match report · Fantasy Football Scout team news

Saliba started Arsenal’s 5-2 win and came off at halftime as planned. “He’s fine, by the way, it was all pre-planned, so nobody needs to panic,” under-21 coach David Horseman said. It was a step in the French defender’s recovery. Mikel Arteta still has to decide when to give him senior minutes, and Konsa played the whole of Saturday’s 1-0 win over Hull alongside Gabriel. Horseman’s update · Arsenal lineup and match report

Both center backs earned two extra FPL points against Hull by reaching the defensive contribution threshold. Defenders get those points for recording at least 10 combined tackles, interceptions, blocks and clearances in a match. Gabriel has 66 fantasy points through Gameweek 10, and the league’s pre-weekend Scout analysis also flagged his threat from set pieces. At £8.1m he is £3.3m more expensive than Konsa, but he also gives you a way to buy into this defense without making the transfer depend on how quickly Saliba reclaims the right-sided spot. Hull FPL match data · Defensive contribution scoring · Premier League Scout · FPL season totals

Arsenal have allowed five goals in 10 league matches, but the next two opponents are Newcastle away and Manchester City at home. That run makes it easier to wait on a second Arsenal defender if you already start one. The same applies if you own David Raya and already get Arsenal’s clean-sheet points in goal. Keep Konsa available for Newcastle with a playing first substitute and listen for Arteta’s update. Wait for a senior start before buying Saliba. If Gabriel’s price would force a downgrade elsewhere, bank the transfer until the center-back picture is clearer. League defensive record · November fixtures

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