The upcoming international break gives Fantasy Premier League managers a pause, but Gameweek 7 demands decisions before the deadline. Friday night’s Bournemouth v Fulham fixture shortens planning time ahead of five notable Sunday matchups.

Goalkeeper choices centre on David Raya (£5.6m) and Nick Pope (£5.0m). Raya looks most likely to keep a clean sheet after Arsenal secured their sixth shutout of the season at Olympiacos midweek and the Spaniard made several superb stops. Arsenal host struggling West Ham United on Saturday, increasing Raya’s appeal. Pope endured a mixed afternoon against Arsenal last weekend but should have an easier ride at home to Nottingham Forest on Sunday. The Tricky Trees have also been in European action midweek and have made an underwhelming start to life under Ange Postecoglou, scoring just once in three league outings since the Australian took over.

Defenders to consider include Arsenal’s Gabriel (£6.2m) and Jurriën Timber (£5.8m), plus Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi (£4.9m) and Aston Villa’s Matty Cash (£4.6m). Gabriel is the obvious pick after last weekend’s late winner at Newcastle but was substituted with an injury against Olympiacos and is a slight doubt. Timber has amassed 37 points this season, one fewer than Gabriel, is a strong attacking threat and is guaranteed to start despite no defensive contribution points so far. Senesi has been a revelation, scoring seven points or more in four of his six outings for Bournemouth, with a home game against Fulham on Friday offering further upside. Cash offers attacking promise and defensive solidity for Villa and has already scored this season.

Midfield recommendations include Bukayo Saka (£9.8m), Eberechi Eze (£7.5m), Gabriel Martinelli (£6.9m), Antoine Semenyo (£7.8m) and Bruno Fernandes (£9.0m). Saka scored midweek and could be an excellent differential given low ownership. Eze and Martinelli are cheaper options in form but lack guaranteed minutes. Semenyo is the highest scoring midfielder with 48 points and only one blank in six weeks and should benefit against Fulham. Despite a missed penalty and yellow card at Brentford, Fernandes remains an excellent choice for Manchester United’s home clash with Sunderland and “should still be on penalties despite two misses this term.”

Attacking picks include Ismaïla Sarr (£6.4m), Anthony Gordon (£7.4m), Jérémy Doku (£6.6m), Erling Haaland (£14.4m), Viktor Gyökeres (£9.0m) and Jean-Philippe Mateta (£7.5m). Sarr returned from injury, scored against Liverpool and faces Everton. Gordon could punish Forest following his midweek brace. Doku has managed 23 points across his last three games and is City’s best value for the trip to Brentford. Haaland remains a must-have after a Champions League brace at Monaco and eight Premier League goals, making him an easy captain choice. Gyökeres has both his goals at the Emirates this term and looked lively against Olympiacos. Mateta was unfortunate not to score against Liverpool and could trouble an Everton defence that has kept only one clean sheet in their last four league games.

Gabriel Martinelli has publicly backed Viktor Gyökeres to reach the high double figures this season, suggesting the Swedish striker could finish with “30 or 40 goals a season.” Martinelli pointed to the influence of Martin Ødegaard as a decisive factor in that projection after Arsenal’s Champions League victory over Olympiacos.

The towering 27-year-old has proved a handful for central defenders even when not scoring, something that was underscored by his performance in Arsenal‘s 2–0 win over Olympiacos in the Champions League on Wednesday. Gyökeres outmuscled both Olympiacos centre backs in the build-up to Martinelli’s opener, finishing the game with three shots, 0.47 expected goals and seven touches in the opposition penalty area.

Bukayo Saka was also on the scoresheet midweek but it was Ødegaard who was the standout performer, with Martinelli believing the Norwegian will boost Gyökeres’ goalscoring numbers in his debut term. The forward’s physical presence and movement were highlighted as complementary to Ødegaard’s ability to find team-mates in dangerous positions.

“We are really happy with [Gyökeres], we trust him, we know his qualities and he’s one of the top strikers in the world right now,” said Martinelli after the victory.

“We trust him and we are trying to give him the confidence to score and to do his best on the pitch to help us. It’s really good to play with Martin there because he’s always trying to find you, when we make the movement.

“And for Viktor as well, his qualities as well, as he likes to go in behind and attack the opposition’s box. I think him playing with Martin as well is going to be good for him. We are going to try to give him the ball as much as possible to make him score, I don’t know, 30 or 40 goals a season.”

Martinelli’s assessment rests on Gyökeres converting chances that are created by Ødegaard and others, and on the striker maintaining the form shown against Olympiacos.

Mikel Arteta sought to calm concern over Gabriel Magalhães after the centre back was withdrawn during Arsenal’s victory over Olympiacos. The manager described the substitution as a precaution and indicated the issue is not expected to be serious.

“I think he’s going to be OK,” Arteta explained.

Arteta said the problem stemmed from a first-half challenge. “I think it was a kick, in the first half, and it was a bit uncomfortable. He could carry on but we decided not to take any risks because he’s played a lot of games. He’s coming back from a long-term injury and we need to look after him.” Those comments underline a cautious approach given Gabriel’s recent long-term layoff and his heavy workload since returning.

Despite the reassurance, Arsenal face a short wait to confirm whether Gabriel will be available for Saturday’s Premier League meeting with West Ham United. The Brazilian has played every minute of league action so far this season, following a hamstring injury that ended his 2024–25 campaign in April, so any enforced absence would halt that run.

Arsenal’s defensive options provide cover. Cristhian Mosquera replaced Gabriel alongside William Saliba when the change was made, and Riccardo Calafiori can also operate centrally despite being used primarily on the left in England. Piero Hincapié remains out with a groin issue; while his setback is not expected to be lengthy, the Ecuador international will not be fit for Saturday’s game.

Arteta’s handling of Gabriel’s withdrawal reflects a priority on long-term fitness over short-term gain. With rotation and alternatives available, Arsenal will monitor the centre back closely ahead of their domestic fixture, balancing the desire to maintain an unbeaten run of appearances for Gabriel against the need to manage his recovery following a significant prior injury.