Arsenal's Double Gameweek 26 Preparation: Trossard's Injury, Gyokeres' Rise, and Rice's DefCon Points
Arsenal's recent 3-0 victory over Sunderland has set the stage for a crucial Double Gameweek 26, with the team now nine points ahead of their rivals. The match also brought to light several key points to consider for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers.
Trossard's Injury Concerns
Leandro Trossard, who had been a standout performer against Sunderland, seemed to struggle towards the end of the game, eventually walking off the field unaided. Despite his impressive contribution, there was no immediate update on his fitness from Mikel Arteta post-match. The lack of clarity on Trossard's status, along with the absence of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, adds uncertainty for the upcoming Double Gameweek.
Gyokeres' Rising Stock
Viktor Gyokeres, who came on as a substitute, scored a brace against Sunderland, showcasing his adaptability and goal-scoring prowess. His goals were a result of his teammates' efforts, including a slide-rule pass from Trossard and a square pass from Kai Havertz. Gyokeres' performance has been particularly notable against newly promoted clubs, with six of his eight Premier League goals coming in such matches.
Rice's Defensive Contributions
Declan Rice, despite not scoring, made significant defensive contributions, earning him DefCon points. His performance, along with Martin Zubimendi's goal, highlights the importance of midfielders in FPL, even when they don't score directly.
Saliba and Raya's Defensive Extras
William Saliba and David Raya also contributed to Arsenal's defensive success, with Saliba earning DefCon points for the first time since Gameweek 1 and Raya pocketing more than six FPL points in a match for the second time since the opening weekend. Despite Raya's two saves, one of which was unconvincing, and Saliba's physical battle with Brian Brobbey, the opposition's expected goals (xG) were kept remarkably low.
Sunderland's Performance and Future Outlook
Sunderland, despite losing to one of the best teams in Europe, showed resilience and limited Arsenal's clear-cut chances. The team is now back on home soil, where they are unbeaten in 2025/26, providing an opportunity for them to bounce back in Gameweeks 26 and 27.
