FPL Tips: What to do with Arsenal players and Reece James in Fantasy Premier League?

FPL managers face a major headache heading into FPL GW32. Arsenal have 10 players listed as injured after the international break, including Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Gabriel and Jurrien Timber. Chelsea's Reece James (7.3% owned) has also suffered his 10th hamstring injury. Here's what you need to know about each situation, plus the best replacements if you need to make a move before the April 10 deadline.

Arsenal Injury Crisis: 10 Players Doubtful for GW32

Arsenal may have the most significant injury situation in the league heading into FPL GW32. Here's everyone currently flagged as doubts on the RotoWire predicted lineups page:

• Bukayo Saka (F/M) - Undisclosed, doubtful
• Martin Odegaard (F/M) - Knee, a doubt
• Declan Rice (M) - Undisclosed, doubtful
• Gabriel (D) - Knee, touch and go
• William Saliba (D) - Ankle, doubtful
• Noni Madueke (F/M) - Knee, doubtful
• Martin Zubimendi (M) - Undisclosed, a doubt
• Piero Hincapie (D) - Undisclosed, doubtful
• Leandro Trossard (F/M) - Undisclosed, a doubt
• Jurrien Timber (D) - Undisclosed, doubtful

All 10 have a return date in the coming week, which lines up with Arsenal's FA Cup quarterfinal against Southampton. That match will be a huge indicator because whoever plays in the FA Cup is likely available for GW32 against Bournemouth on April 11. Arsenal also have a Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Sporting Portugal on April 7, so there's a rotation risk even for players who are fit. Mikel Merino (foot) and Eberechi Eze (calf) are both confirmed to miss GW32.

The "undisclosed" tag on many of these players could simply be international break caution. Several were withdrawn from national team duty as a precaution rather than with confirmed injuries. Saka and Rice were both pulled from England duty for assessment.

Check out what the Arsenal predicted lineup looks like ahead of Gameweek 32.

Will Saka play in GW32?

Saka is listed as a late test with an unknown issue after being withdrawn from England duty. The positive news is that it's not a confirmed injury like a hamstring or ankle tear, and it could be a precautionary withdrawal ahead of a packed April for Arsenal. The FA Cup match against Southampton on April 4 will tell us everything. If Saka starts or comes off the bench, he's likely available for GW32. Hold him until then.

Is Odegaard fit for GW32?

Odegaard has a knee issue that's been lingering, and his questionable tag is more concerning than Saka's. He hasn't had many updates in recent weeks outside of Mikel Arteta describing him as "working his way back." Even if he does return, Odegaard hasn't been a strong FPL asset this season and there are better options at his price point. He's a sell regardless of whether he makes the squad.

Should you sell Arsenal players in FPL?

Don't panic yet. Arsenal have Bournemouth at home in GW32, which is one of the best fixtures on the board according to the Fixture Difficulty Ranker. If even half of these injuries clear up, which is likely, Arsenal assets remain some of the highest-ceiling players in the game. The FA Cup on April 4 is your decision point. If you're wildcarding ahead of GW32, it's risky to triple up on Arsenal until there's more clarity.

GW32 Replacements for Arsenal Assets

Buy Dominik Szoboszlai ($7.0m, 14.0% owned)

If you need to move on from Saka or Odegaard, Szoboszlai is a brilliant like-for-like swap. Liverpool host Fulham in GW32, one of the best fixtures on the board, and he ranks 10th overall in our GW32 player rankings. At $7.0m he's cheaper than most mid-price options and has been putting in solid performances in the Liverpool midfield. With Mohamed Salah expected back, Liverpool's attack should be closer to 100 percent.

Buy Matheus Cunha ($8.0m, 8.3% owned)

Cunha continues to get full 90s for Manchester United and ranks 14th overall for the Gameweek. United host Leeds in GW32, which is one of the standout fixtures, and at $8.0m he offers a nice middle ground between the premium picks and budget options. If you'd rather spread the risk, Jarrod Bowen ($7.5m, 8.8% owned) is a solid alternative with West Ham hosting Wolves.

Buy Nathan Collins ($4.9m, 2.9% owned) or Daniel Ballard ($4.7m, 3.7% owned)

If it's Arsenal defenders you need to replace, forget the usual suspects this week. Collins ranks 16th overall for GW32 with Brentford hosting Everton at home, and Ballard ranks 15th with Sunderland hosting Spurs. Both are cheap, both have favourable fixtures and both are likely to play the full 90. These are far better options than the big-name defenders facing trickier matchups this week.

Reece James Injury Update: Chelsea Defender Suffers 10th Hamstring Injury

Reece James ($5.8m, 7.3% owned) has suffered yet another hamstring injury, his 10th since December 2020, just days after signing a new six-year contract with Chelsea. He picked up the problem during the match against Newcastle and is listed as questionable without any positive updates in the past week.

Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior provided a cautious update: "It's not serious, but there is something in his hamstring and that's something that we'll monitor after the international break." Reports suggest the target is a return for the Manchester United clash, but given his history, there's no guarantee he'll be ready.

Should you sell Reece James in FPL?

Yes. Even if James hits the April 12 target, Chelsea host Manchester City in GW32, one of the toughest fixtures possible. There's no upside in holding through that combination of injury doubt and a brutal fixture. Sell now and revisit once he's fully fit and Chelsea's schedule improves from GW34 onwards.

Is Salah fit for GW32?

Mohamed Salah ($14.0m, 14.1% owned) has been dealing with a hamstring issue that kept him out before the international break, but the expectation is he'll be available for Gameweek 32. Liverpool host Fulham, one of the best fixtures on the board, making Salah a strong captaincy option if confirmed fit. He ranks fourth overall in our GW32 player rankings and at just 14.1% ownership, he's a massive differential. Hold him, and if you don't own him, this could be the week to bring him in.

Need more tips on how to replace your injured players? Use our predicted lineups and Gameweek 32 FPL rankings.

Final Thoughts

The headline for GW32 is Arsenal's injury list. Having 10 players carrying fitness concerns at once isn't great, and how many of them feature in the FA Cup quarterfinal against Southampton on April 4 will shape every FPL manager's transfer strategy. If Saka, Rice, Gabriel and Timber play in the Cup, they're holds. Odegaard is a sell either way given his poor returns this season. Arsenal have Bournemouth at home, which is about as good as it gets. Keep in mind Arsenal also face Sporting CP in the Champions League on April 7, which could mean rotation even for fit players come league play.

Reece James owners should move on regardless. Another hamstring setback plus Man City at home is a clear sell. Salah is expected back and Liverpool host Fulham, so he should be a top captaincy pick if Arne Slot confirms his availability at the press conference.

As always, wait for the FA Cup results and press conferences before making final decisions. Check the confirmed lineups 75 minutes before kickoff on RotoWire's predicted lineups page before making any last-minute changes.