Arsenal Dream Team preview: Top stars, smart options & potential flops

ARSENAL are set to start the defence of their Premier League title against newly-promoted Coventry on Friday night. Dream Team managers will be able check the starting line-ups for the season opener before the first deadline (8pm), a luxury unique to Gameweek 1. PLAY DREAM TEAM NOW: £100,000 PRIZE POT! Arsenal set the standard Credit: Getty Ahead of the curtain-raiser, we’ve analysed the Gunners’ top stars, smart options and potential flops. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! TOP STARS Gabriel (£5.5m) and David Raya (£5m) are the outright most expensive players in their respective fields for good reason. Both finished as the top performers in their positions last season and their presence virtually guarantees clean sheets. The Brazilian centre-back is also a potent set-piece threat — he contributed 11 goal involvements to Arsenal’s cause in 2025/26. Bukayo Saka (£5.5m) has been an elite Dream Team asset for several years. There are doubts about the winger’s fitness after a hampered World Cup campaign but his quality is beyond question, as Mikel Arteta knows better than anyone. Saka was one of just seven midfielders who averaged over six points-per-game last term. Most read in Football It’s a similar story for Declan Rice (£5m), who looked in desperate need of a holiday after England beat France last month. The 27-year-old’s workload may be managed to some extent to begin with but he is an essential cog for the champions and reliable Dream Team performer with several routes to points when fully fit. Statement signing Credit: Alamy SMART OPTIONS Starting prices were determined before Bruno Guimaraes (£4m) moved from Newcastle to Arsenal and, as such, the all-action midfielder now appears rather cheap. The Brazil international’s migration south has added European fixtures to his schedule once again and gaffers might expect an uptick in goals and assists now he represents one of the most dominant teams in Europe. Stats boffins will know that Guimaraes wins a lot of free-kicks, a trait that results in ample bonus points. Riccardo Calafiori (£4.5m) is a full £1m cheaper than Gabriel and therefore offers a budget-friendly avenue to the Gunners’ formidable defence. The Italian may have to share some of his minutes with Piero Hincapie (£4.5m) but we feel confident proclaiming him first-choice left-back. As exhibited in last weekend’s Community Shield, Calafiori is encouraged to take up advanced positions and has the necessary attributes to make things happen in the final third. In a parallel universe it will be Vinicius Junior lining up on the left flank against Coventry on Friday but in our timeline it’s likely to be Christos Tzolis (£4m). The Greek winger embarked on a spree of assists throughout pre-season, including two against Manchester City in Cardiff, and has to be considered good value compared to Saka. Play Dream Team this season! £100,000 in prize money up for grabs in 2026/27 Free to enter Play in Mini Leagues against your mates £60,000 jackpot for the overall winner £1,000 prize for winning Gameweek 1 PLAY DREAM TEAM NOW! Will Gyokeres start against his former club on Friday night? Credit: Getty POTENTIAL FLOPS It’s a good job Arsenal’s starting line-up will be confirmed before the Gameweek 1 deadline because far too many Dream Team bosses are selecting Jurrien Timber (£5m) and William Saliba (£5m) at this moment in time. The two elite defenders are superb options (if a tad pricey) when available but both are sidelined with injury at present — the Frenchman isn’t expected to return until winter. Gaffers who aren’t wise to this information risk stumbling at the first hurdle. Arteta’s confirmed XI will also give everyone a better idea of who holds the higher status between Kai Havertz (£4.5m) and Viktor Gyokeres (£5m). The German forward started the Community Shield and scored, just as he did in the Champions League final back in May. As for the Swedish striker, he racked up 21 goals in all competitions last season — a healthy total despite some lean patches. At the time of writing, Gyokeres features in 13% of teams compared to Havertz’s ownership of 10.6%. If the pair are to share minutes then both will be difficult selections for Dream Team managers to justify. Open to residents of UK and Rep of Ireland, 18+ only. T&Cs apply. How to claim £30 in football free bets Midnite offer Download the Midnite app or create an account online HERE* Register using the code: BETGET30 Deposit a minimum of £10 Place a £10 sportsbook bet at minimum odds of 1/1 Free Bets will be credited upon settlement of your qualifying bet Comment now