Calafiori (ARS, Defender, £5.8m)

Verdict: HOLD

Despite a couple of recent blanks, Calafiori remains a nailed-on starter for a strong Arsenal defence, making him a solid hold for managers who own him.

The Reasoning

Fitness & Availability: Calafiori is fully fit and available, a nailed-on starter in Arsenal's backline. No injury concerns here, which is always a bonus for FPL managers.
Recent Performance: He just delivered a solid 7-point haul in Gameweek 14, including a clean sheet and bonus. However, prior to that, he had a few blanks (0, 2, 1 points), showing a slight dip in form. His 5.0 points per game over the season is respectable for a defender at his price point.
Upcoming Fixtures: The Gunners face Brentford (H, difficulty 3) and Aston Villa (A, difficulty 3) next, followed by a favourable home tie against Wolves (difficulty 2). These fixtures offer a mixed bag, but Arsenal's defensive solidity means clean sheet potential is always there, especially at home.
Underlying Stats: Calafiori's ICT Index of 50.8, coupled with 1 goal and 2 assists, indicates he offers some attacking threat from defence. His influence and threat stats are decent for a defender, suggesting he's involved in both defensive and offensive phases.

Risks

The primary risk for Calafiori is Arsenal's occasional defensive lapses, which can lead to unexpected blanks. While generally nailed, the demanding schedule could also introduce a slight rotation risk, though he's been a consistent starter. The upcoming fixtures against Brentford and Villa are not guaranteed clean sheets.

Alternative Options

If you're looking for alternatives in a similar price bracket, consider Gabriel (£5.0m, ARS) for a cheaper route into the Arsenal defence, or perhaps a defender from a team with a stronger immediate fixture run, such as a Crystal Palace defender like Marc Guéhi (£4.5m) if their fixtures align, or even a Spurs defender like Pedro Porro (£5.5m) if you want more attacking upside.

The Strategic Play

For managers who already own Calafiori, holding onto him is a sensible move. He's a key part of a top defence, offers occasional attacking returns, and has just delivered a haul. While his form has been a bit inconsistent, the underlying quality of Arsenal's defence and his nailed status make him a valuable asset. Keep him for the upcoming fixtures, especially the Wolves game, and reassess after that.

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