FPL GW26 Captain Picks: Arsenal Double Gameweek Dominates (2025/26)
Best captain picks for Gameweek 26 with Arsenal and Wolves playing twice. Gabriel, Zubimendi, and Bruno Fernandes lead the way with data-backed analysis.
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View Campaign OfferFPL GW26 Captain Picks: Arsenal Double Gameweek Dominates 🔴⚪
The big question: Do you captain an Arsenal player with two fixtures, or stick with premium single-gameweek options?
GW26 brings a Double Gameweek for Arsenal and Wolves, giving their players two chances to haul. Arsenal face Brentford (A, FDR 3) and Wolves (H, FDR 2), while Wolves have Forest (A, FDR 3) and Arsenal (A, FDR 4). The Arsenal double looks far more appealing 👀
Let me break down the top 5 captain options backed by live FPL data, expected points, and form analysis.
1. 🥇 Gabriel (Arsenal, DEF) - The Safe DGW Captain
Price: £7.1m | Ownership: 41.6% | Points: 135
Form: 5.8 | Expected Points: 13.6 | Fixtures: Brentford (A), Wolves (H)
Why Gabriel?
Gabriel is the safest DGW26 captain pick with two strong reasons to back him:
✅ Double gameweek advantage - Two fixtures means double the clean sheet and attacking return potential
✅ Highest expected points (13.6) among realistic captain options
✅ Consistent form (5.8) with 3 goals and 2 assists this season
✅ Dominant in the air - xG of 1.72 from set pieces gives him goal threat
✅ Fixture mix - One tough away game (Brentford FDR 3), one easier home fixture (Wolves FDR 2)
The Numbers
Gabriel has been Arsenal's most reliable defensive asset, combining clean sheet potential with attacking threat from corners. His 135 total points rank him 4th overall, and his 5.8 form shows he's in great shape.
With two games to Haaland's one, Gabriel offers a 13.6 expected points ceiling that's hard to ignore. Even if Arsenal concede away to Brentford, he has the Wolves home game as a backup.
Captaincy verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Safe, high ceiling, double fixtures - the complete package.
2. 💎 Zubimendi (Arsenal, MID) - The Explosive Differential
Price: £5.2m | Ownership: 3.6% | Points: 101
Form: 6.0 | Expected Points: 14.0 | Fixtures: Brentford (A), Wolves (H)
Why Zubimendi?
This is the differential captain pick of the gameweek. At just 3.6% ownership with a 14.0 expected points (highest in the game!), Zubimendi is a potential league-winning differential captain.
✅ Highest expected points in FPL (14.0) - elite ceiling
✅ Only 3.6% owned - massive rank gains if he hauls
✅ Best form in Arsenal (6.0) - currently their in-form player
✅ Double gameweek - two chances to deliver
✅ Goal threat - 5 goals from midfield (xG: 2.56)
The Upside
Zubimendi has quietly been Arsenal's most dangerous midfielder in recent weeks with incredible form (6.0 average). His 14.0 EP suggests FPL towers expect big things from him across two fixtures.
If you're chasing in mini-leagues or want to make up ground in your overall rank, captaining Zubimendi could be the bold move that pays off massively. With 96.4% of managers NOT owning him, any haul creates huge green arrows.
Risk level: HIGH ⚡ Only 101 total points means less proven consistency than Gabriel
Captaincy verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ High risk, elite reward - for the brave
3. 🔴 Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd, MID) - The Form Premium
Price: £9.8m | Ownership: 35.1% | Points: 141
Form: 8.8 | Expected Points: 8.8 | Fixture: West Ham (A, FDR 2)
Why Bruno?
If you're skeptical about doubling down on Arsenal's DGW, Bruno Fernandes is the premium single-gameweek alternative with elite form.
✅ Exceptional form (8.8) - averaging 8.8 points per game recently
✅ 141 total points - 2nd highest midfielder in the game
✅ Penalties and set pieces - on everything for Man United
✅ Great fixture - West Ham away (FDR 2)
✅ 6 goals, 12 assists this season - consistent returns
The Case for Single GW Captain
While Arsenal players have two fixtures, Bruno has one easier fixture (FDR 2 vs Arsenal's mix of FDR 2-3). His 8.8 form is higher than Gabriel (5.8) and suggests he's in peak form right now.
Man United travel to West Ham, who have been leaky at the back, making this a great spot for Bruno to deliver attacking returns from open play and set pieces.
Captaincy verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Elite form meets good fixture - safe non-DGW option
4. ⚡ João Pedro (Chelsea, FWD) - The In-Form Striker
Price: £7.6m | Ownership: 43.2% | Points: 122
Form: 9.5 | Expected Points: 9.5 | Fixture: Leeds (H, FDR 2)
Why João Pedro?
João Pedro is in ridiculous form right now - posting a 9.5 average over his last games with incredible consistency.
✅ Best form of any captain option (9.5) - absolutely flying
✅ Home fixture vs Leeds (FDR 2) - couldn't ask for better
✅ 9 goals, 7 assists this season (xG: 7.75, xA: 1.50)
✅ Expected points of 9.5 - elite single-GW projection
The Hot Hand
Sometimes FPL is about riding form, and nobody's hotter than João Pedro right now. His 9.5 form crushes Gabriel's 5.8, and he has the perfect fixture at home to a struggling Leeds side.
Chelsea are firing at Stamford Bridge, and João Pedro is their main goal threat. If you believe in backing in-form players in easy fixtures over double gameweeks with mixed difficulty, this is your man.
Captaincy verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Peak form + perfect fixture = excellent choice
5. 🛡️ Jurriën Timber (Arsenal, DEF) - The Budget DGW Pick
Price: £6.4m | Ownership: 30.0% | Points: 121
Form: 4.2 | Expected Points: 10.4 | Fixtures: Brentford (A), Wolves (H)
Why Timber?
Timber offers similar DGW upside to Gabriel at a cheaper price and lower ownership.
✅ Double gameweek - two chances to haul
✅ 10.4 expected points - excellent projection
✅ Attacking threat from fullback - 2 goals, 4 assists (xG: 4.30!)
✅ Lower ownership (30%) than Gabriel (41.6%) for differential appeal
✅ Cheaper at £6.4m while still getting Arsenal's DGW
The Budget DGW Option
If you own Gabriel and want to double up on Arsenal's DGW defense, Timber is your man. His 4.30 xG from a defensive position shows he gets into dangerous attacking areas regularly.
With 10.4 expected points, Timber has a great ceiling across two fixtures. The risk is that Arsenal concede in both games, wiping out clean sheet potential - but his attacking returns (4 assists) provide insurance.
Captaincy verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Solid DGW pick with attacking upside
📊 Captain Pick Summary
| Player | Team | Fixtures | EP | Form | Own% | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabriel | ARS | 2 (FDR 2-3) | 13.6 | 5.8 | 41.6% | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Safest DGW pick |
| Zubimendi | ARS | 2 (FDR 2-3) | 14.0 | 6.0 | 3.6% | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Elite differential |
| Bruno F. | MUN | 1 (FDR 2) | 8.8 | 8.8 | 35.1% | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best single GW |
| João Pedro | CHE | 1 (FDR 2) | 9.5 | 9.5 | 43.2% | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Form player |
| Timber | ARS | 2 (FDR 2-3) | 10.4 | 4.2 | 30.0% | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Budget DGW |
🎯 Final Recommendation
Safe pick: Gabriel - proven points scorer with double fixtures and 13.6 EP
Differential: Zubimendi - 3.6% owned with highest EP (14.0) in the game
Template: Bruno Fernandes or João Pedro - elite form in great single fixtures
My Captain for GW26: Gabriel 🥇
The double gameweek advantage is too strong to ignore. Even if Arsenal blank against Brentford, Gabriel still has Wolves at home. His 13.6 expected points, consistent form, and set-piece threat make him the safest captain option.
Bold alternative: Zubimendi for those chasing ranks - his 14.0 EP and 3.6% ownership could be league-winning if Arsenal smash both fixtures.
🚫 Avoid Captaining
Wolves Players ❌
Despite the double gameweek, Wolves' top player (João Gomes, 62 points) doesn't have the quality to be a serious captain option. Their fixtures (FDR 3 and 4) are also tougher than Arsenal's.
Data accurate as of February 9, 2026. All statistics sourced from FPL API. Expected points, form, and ownership figures verified from live bootstrap-static data.