Ødegaard (ARS, Midfielder, £6.6m)

Verdict: BUY

Ødegaard kicked off the season with a fantastic haul, making him an immediate differential target at a tempting price point.

The Reasoning

Fitness & Availability: Martin Ødegaard is fully available and looks nailed in Arsenal's starting XI, playing a crucial role in their attack. There are no injury concerns here.
Recent Performance: He hit the ground running in Gameweek 1, bagging a goal, a clean sheet, and all three bonus points for a superb 11-point haul. His form of 11.0 speaks volumes, showing he's straight into the points.
Upcoming Fixtures: While the next two fixtures against Aston Villa (A) and Chelsea (H) are rated 4 for difficulty, Arsenal's attack is potent. A trip to Sunderland (A) in GW4 offers a good opportunity for more returns.
Underlying Stats: His ICT Index of 12.3, coupled with strong Influence (50.6) and Creativity (41.5), demonstrates his all-around involvement in Arsenal's attacking play. He's not just a goal threat but also a key creator.

Risks

The primary risk for Ødegaard lies in the upcoming tough fixtures against Villa and Chelsea, which could limit his immediate attacking returns. While generally nailed, Arsenal's squad depth means rotation is always a slight possibility, though less likely for a player of his importance.

Alternative Options

If you're looking for alternatives in a similar price bracket, consider someone like Eberechi Eze (£6.5m) who has a good run of fixtures, or perhaps a differential like Morgan Gibbs-White (£6.0m) if he can find form.

The Strategic Play

Ødegaard looks like a fantastic differential pick for managers looking to jump on an in-form Arsenal attacker. Despite the tricky immediate fixtures, his opening day haul and relatively low ownership (11.4%) make him an exciting prospect. He has shown in past seasons that he can deliver consistent hauls and is a strong hold for the long term, with potential to rise in value quickly.

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