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 still have five players flagged as doubts ahead of Gameweek 32, 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 Update: Five Players Still Doubtful for GW32

Arsenal's injury situation has cleared up significantly since our original report. Five players remain flagged as doubts on the RotoWire predicted lineups page:

• Bukayo Saka (F/M) - Undisclosed, doubtful
• Declan Rice (M) - Undisclosed, doubtful
• Gabriel (D) - Undisclosed, doubtful
• Jurrien Timber (D) - Undisclosed, doubtful
• Leandro Trossard (F/M) - Undisclosed, a doubt

Martin Odegaard, William Saliba, Noni Madueke and Martin Zubimendi have all been cleared and are no longer carrying injury designations. Odegaard and Gabriel both started Arsenal's 2-1 FA Cup defeat at Southampton on April 4, confirming their fitness. Mikel Merino (foot, return May 9), Eberechi Eze (calf, return April 19) and Piero Hincapie (strain, return April 25) are all confirmed OUT for GW32.

Mikel Arteta confirmed after the Southampton defeat that Saka, Rice and Trossard were all "very close" to being involved. However, Saka and Timber have since been ruled out of the Champions League quarterfinal against Sporting on April 7 and neither has traveled to Lisbon. Rice, Gabriel and Trossard are still expected to travel and their involvement against Sporting will be the final indicator before GW32.

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

Will Saka play in GW32?

Saka didn't feature in the FA Cup defeat to Southampton on April 4, and has now been confirmed OUT of the Champions League quarterfinal against Sporting on Tuesday. He hasn't traveled to Lisbon, per Arteta. This is a real worry for GW32 given that Arteta described him as "very close" to the Southampton squad just days ago. If he can't make the traveling party for a Champions League knockout match, there has to be a serious question mark over his availability for Bournemouth on April 11. Saka owners should have a replacement plan ready.

Is Odegaard fit for GW32?

Odegaard is fit. He started the FA Cup match against Southampton and has been cleared from the injury list entirely. The knee issue that had been lingering is no longer a concern. That said, Odegaard still hasn't been a strong FPL asset this season and there are better options at his price point. He's available but remains a sell in FPL terms.

Should you sell Arsenal players in FPL?

The picture is clearer than it was a week ago, though Saka's absence from the CL traveling squad is a concern. Arsenal have Bournemouth at home in GW32, which is one of the best fixtures on the board according to the Fixture Difficulty Ranker. Saliba, Odegaard, Madueke and Zubimendi are all fit again, and Rice, Gabriel and Trossard are expected to be involved against Sporting. If Saka misses GW32, Madueke is the likely replacement on the right wing. Saka owners should have a plan B ready but don't need to sell just yet.

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 Salah now confirmed fit, Liverpool's attack should be firing on all cylinders.

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 given the all-clear after the hamstring issue that kept him out before the international break. While he started Saturday's FA Cup game against Manchester City, he looked off his game for the most part.

Liverpool host Fulham in GW32, one of the best fixtures on the board, making Salah a differential captaincy option. He still ranks in the top 10 of the GW32 player rankings and at just 14.1% ownership, he's a massive differential. If you don't own him, this is 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

Arsenal's injury crisis has eased from 10 doubts to five, but the news that Saka and Timber haven't traveled to Lisbon for the Sporting match is a blow. If Saka can't make a Champions League knockout squad, his GW32 availability is in serious doubt. Rice, Gabriel and Trossard are expected to be involved against Sporting, which should confirm their fitness for Bournemouth at home. Odegaard and Saliba are both fit again but Odegaard remains a sell in FPL given his returns this season.

Reece James owners should move on regardless. Another hamstring setback plus Man City at home is a clear sell. Salah has been given the all-clear and Liverpool host Fulham, making him a top captaincy pick for GW32.

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.