STARTING GUN
Why William Saliba might be a must-have Dream Team defender for remainder of 2024
Arsenal's clean sheet hopes are sky-high across the next two Gameweeks
WHO needs Gabriel (£5.3m) when you've got William Saliba (£5.2m)?
With Arsenal's Brazilian centre-back currently sidelined with injury, his French counterpart has stepped up to provide a potent threat at set-pieces.
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The Gunners' corners are feared across the land, with no respite for Manchester United and Fulham this month despite Gabriel's absence.
Saliba wrapped up the win against the Red Devils before rescuing a point at Craven Cottage as Arsenal built upon their mountainous tally of set-piece goals.
Add in a clean sheet against Ruben Amorim's side and the 23-year-old has produced 24 points from his last two outings.
This influx has propelled Saliba up to third in the rankings among defenders.
He's now just two points adrift of Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.7m) and seven shy of leader Virgil van Dijk (£5.5m) - although it's worth noting that Storm Darragh prevented Liverpool from playing at the weekend.
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Mikel Arteta's side were perhaps a tad unlucky not keep a clean sheet in West London on Sunday as Fulham only registered two shots come full time for a combined xG of 0.11 - credit to Raul Jimenez (£3.3m) for a clinical finish.
The Spanish tactician will be very hopeful of clean sheets for the remainder of the year given the schedule and Dream Team managers would be wise to consider a corresponding strategy.
Saliba and company are due to take on Everton, Crystal Palace (x2) and Ipswich across the next two Gameweeks the double header with the Eagles facilitated by the Carabao Cup quarter-final draw.
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All three opponents are among the lowest scorers in the top flight at present.
FEWEST PREMIER LEAGUE GOALS THIS SEASON:
- 11 - Southampton
- 14 - Everton
- 14 - Crystal Palace
- 14 - Ipswich
- 19 - Manchester United
- 19 - Nottingham Forest
- 19 - Newcastle
- 20 - West Ham
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Combine these numbers with the fact only Liverpool have conceded less xG than Arsenal this season and Dream Team bosses are within their rights to expect plentiful points from Arteta's defenders from now until 2025.
Their favourable run ends on New Year's Day when they travel to Brentford - the Bees boast the best home record in the league and only Chelsea have scored more goals.
Injuries hinder the viability of this plan slightly with Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori (£3.7m), Ben White (£4.1m), Oleksandr Zinchenko (£3.1m) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (£3m) all either flagged as doubtful or ruled out for the foreseeable future.
However, one or more defenders may return against Monaco on Wednesday night.
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For now, Saliba, David Raya (£4.7m) and Jurrien Timber (£4.3m) are seemingly the most logical selections.
One thing's for sure, it's brave Dream Team manager who traverses the next two Gameweeks without at least one Arsenal defender.
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