Gameweek 26 marks a pivotal moment in the 2025/26 FPL season — the first confirmed Double Gameweek. Arsenal and Wolves both play twice this week, and getting your squad right here could define your season's trajectory.

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DGW26 FIXTURES AT A GLANCE

Here's the full schedule across the midweek round:

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ARSENAL TRIPLE-UP: THE MUST-HAVE STRATEGY

With two fixtures this week, loading up on Arsenal assets is the headline move. Mikel Arteta's side have been excellent defensively, and the double gives their players two bites at the cherry. Here are the best options:

GABRIEL MAGALHAES (DEF) - £7.0M

Gabriel is the standout pick for DGW26 — arguably the best player to own full stop. He's averaged 7.5 points per start this season, the highest of any FPL asset in any position. His aerial threat from set pieces gives him a genuine goal threat on top of clean sheet potential.

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WILLIAM SALIBA (DEF) - £6.0M

Saliba has banked 22 points over his last four gameweeks and provides a cheaper route into Arsenal's defence. He's nailed on as a starter, which matters in a double gameweek where rotation risk lurks for attacking players.

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DECLAN RICE (MID) - £7.5M

With Bukayo Saka sidelined for 3-4 weeks with a muscular injury, Rice becomes Arsenal's most important FPL midfielder. He's guaranteed to start both matches, takes set pieces, and has created 3 big chances in recent weeks.

Rice's defensive contribution points add a consistent floor, while his set-piece delivery provides a reasonable ceiling. In a DGW, that reliability is gold.

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JURRIEN TIMBER (DEF) - £6.3M

Timber leads all FPL defenders for expected goal involvement (xGI) this season. He offers attacking upside from full-back alongside clean sheet potential, making him an excellent third Arsenal pick if you want to go heavy on the Gunners.

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SAKA REPLACEMENTS

The biggest squad headache heading into GW26 is replacing Bukayo Saka, who's expected to miss at least 3-4 weeks. At his price, you can't afford dead weight — especially during a double gameweek.

BEST REPLACEMENTS

Here are the top options to replace Saka in your squad:

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WOLVES ASSETS: WORTH IT?

Wolves also double in GW26, but their fixtures are far less appealing — Nottingham Forest (A) and Arsenal (H). Is it worth targeting their players?

MATHEUS MANE (FWD) - £4.6M

The only Wolves player really worth considering. At his bargain price, Mane can start both DGW26 fixtures and then sit on your bench for the rest of the season as an emergency sub. Two bites at returns for a player who costs virtually nothing.

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OTHER TOP PICKS FOR GW26

Not everything revolves around the double. Several single-gameweek players have outstanding fixtures and form worth targeting.

FLORIAN WIRTZ (MID, MCI) - £8.3M

Wirtz has been sensational since settling into Manchester City's system. With 6 returns in his last 8 games and an xGI per 90 of 0.67, he's delivering premium output at a mid-range price. His developing partnership with Haaland and Hugo Ekitike is City's most potent attacking axis right now.

City host Fulham in GW26 — a winnable fixture where Wirtz could easily haul again.

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TREVOH CHALOBAH (DEF, CHE) - £5.7M

The second-highest scoring defender in FPL with 117 points, Chalobah is a must-own at his price. Chelsea face Leeds at home in GW26, and their defensive record has been solid. He offers clean sheet potential with occasional attacking returns.

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HUGO EKITIKE (FWD, MCI) - £8.9M

Ekitike scored 13 points last gameweek with a brace and is thriving alongside Wirtz. City host Fulham, and their attack looks increasingly sharp. If you can afford the City double-up of Wirtz and Ekitike, GW26 is a great week for it.

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PLAYERS TO SELL

BUKAYO SAKA (MID, ARS) - INJURED

Saka sustained a muscular injury in the warm-up against Leeds and is expected to miss 3-4 weeks. At his premium price, you cannot carry dead money — especially with so many strong alternatives available. Sell immediately.

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UNDERPERFORMING PREMIUMS

If you're still holding onto out-of-form premium assets, now is the time to reassess. The funds freed up from selling Saka (or other underperformers) should be invested in players with form AND fixtures.

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CHIP STRATEGY FOR DGW26

The big question: should you activate a chip this week?

TRIPLE CAPTAIN

Gabriel is a tempting TC target with two fixtures, but both games are away from home. There will likely be larger doubles later in the season (potentially GW32/33) with better fixture profiles. The recommendation is to save your Triple Captain unless you're confident this is the best opportunity.

BENCH BOOST

With only two teams doubling, you probably don't have enough DGW players on your bench to justify a Bench Boost. Save it for a week where more teams double.

FREE HIT

Using your Free Hit on a two-team double is generally poor value. You'd want a week with 4+ teams doubling, or a blank gameweek where many teams don't play. Save it.

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DIFFERENTIAL PICKS (UNDER 5% OWNERSHIP)

MATEUS CUNHA (MID, WOL) - ~3% OWNED

If you want a Wolves differential for DGW26, Cunha is their most creative player. Two games gives him double the opportunity to deliver. Just be aware the fixture difficulty is high.

NONI MADUEKE (MID, ARS) - ~4% OWNED

With Saka out, Madueke steps into a key attacking role for Arsenal. He's created 2 big chances recently and could deputise effectively across both DGW26 fixtures. The risk? He typically plays around 60 minutes when he starts.

MATTY CASH (DEF, AVL) - £4.8M - ~3% OWNED

Villa's fixtures look excellent from a medium-term perspective, and Cash is the most attacking defender in their backline. At his price, he's a brilliant set-and-forget option. Villa host Brighton in GW26 — a decent fixture to start his run.

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PLANNING AHEAD: GW27 AND BEYOND

GW26 isn't just about this week — it's about setting up your squad for the run-in. Here's what's on the horizon:

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

Here's your quick-reference summary for GW26:

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CONCLUSION

Double Gameweek 26 is an exciting milestone in the season, but don't overreact. With only Arsenal and Wolves doubling, the smart play is to own 2-3 Arsenal defenders plus Rice, consider a budget Wolves option, and save your chips for the larger doubles coming in GW31-33.

Use FPLWatch's fixture tracker to plan your transfers across the coming weeks, and keep an eye on price change predictions to time your moves before prices shift. The season's decisive phase starts now — every transfer counts.

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