FPL Specialist är, precis som namnet antyder, specialist på FPL i allmänhet och Arsenal i synnerhet. Han har inte missat en enda Arsenal-match på tre års tid och har stenkoll på Artetas spelsystem och rotationer bland spelare. Utöver matcher följer FPL Specialist även Arsenals träningar och klubbnyheter. Det är därför inte konstigt att över 2000 personer väljer att följa honom på Twitter, en följarskara som ökar i raketfart. Vi är därför glada att presentera intervjun med Owen där vi tar tempen på honom inför säsongspremiären!

The start of the FPL season is just a few weeks away! How hectic of a time is this for you?

– I do want to start off by saying thank you for the opportunity for the interview and it’s a big part of my progress so thank you for that,

– If you don’t find the summer a hectic time for FPL you’re doing it wrong, personally I’m finding this season more troubling then others due to new substitution rules in the league, but on a scale of 1/10 it’s an 11 for sure. With the weeks left I also have to focus on pushing opinions and poles so people can interact with each other and come together through football, so lots of different variables make it even more hectic, but hectic means fun.

How did you get into FPL?

– I’ve always been a lover of football since I was very young so my interest was always there, I feel like Fantasy Football adds a different fun element to the game that can only be produced by the app, but originally it was all just for fun with my friends but now it’s that an a competitive game to play, but big shout out to my friends for really making me get more involved with FPL.

”Three to stay away from for now, Tierney, Saliba and Ben White.”

Do you have any beginner advice for managers who haven’t played for too long?

– My beginners advice would be to stay in touch with the community, gain advice, give opinions and interact. Try keep your eye out for articles from each club for injuries and squad changes. Have fun it’s a game at the end of the day and it’s all there to have fun with. Something I experienced with last season DONT CHOOSE MAUPAY.

Thoughts on Arsenal this year? Is it a good idea to triple up on them at the start of the season, and which players should you be considering?

– With Arsenal it’s a weird one, I think everyone knows how good they can be but it’s the production of the players we need to watch out for, I am currently only doubling up on Arsenal because I like to spread fixtures around my team, I don’t see any harm in for example Gabriel, Martinelli and Jesus it’s a nice trio the 3 Gabi’s. But I would personally only double up!

Any Arsenal player to stay away from?

– My main 3 would be to stay away from Tierney due to his injury record. He’s a great player and on his day one of the better left backs in the league but little injuries can really hurt him, Ben white for rotation risk with Saliba, even as an Arsenal fan I have no clue how Mikel Arteta will line up with our two center backs, I would say 3 to stay away from for now, Tierney, Saliba and Ben White.

”I’d be a mad man to keep them out”

Whenever I talk FPL with someone, people quickly name drop a few “must have’s”. Do you reckon there are any “must have’s” at the start of this season?

– Everyone has their own must haves, mine would be Salah and Trent Alexander Arnold, the production from these guys every season is crazy, I’d be a mad man to keep them out, Salah has 13 goals and 9 assists against newly promoted teams, Fulham 1st game how can I pass up, Trent is a god for FPL, his overall play going forward is amazing, crossing, passing, even notching in a goal or two in a season, the assists, he’s a must have in anyones team.

And on the other hand: Is there any player you think have too high ownership?

– Oh for sure! Coutinho, I don’t get it, he had so many blanks last term and people are sticking by him, look I could eat my words but even at 20% ownership I don’t like this one for me, get Rashford or Bruno G much better options. I do think this ownership is down to his fixtures but we need to take into consideration that when he did bag he would rack up 15 points then have 5-6 blanks after.

It’s safe to say that a lot of people will start the season going big on defence. What’s your thoughts on this approach?

– For me that approach is both acceptable and understandable, defenders are becoming big hitters more and more, and with so many productive players playing in the wing back positions they can be hard to pass up on, James, Trent, Cancelo, Cash, Trippier all fantastic options. Big at the back is probably how I will line up GW1.

”I always say it was the FPL Gods looking over me that day”

What does it take to become a great FPL manager?

– For me I’m not there yet, I have a lot to learn and a lot to experience, but it’s the consistency and the need to improve more and more, there’s no such thing as a perfect manager, but we can all work towards being a great manager, just stay in touch with people in the community, share your drafts, gain information, chop and change, consistency is key!

Any beginner mistakes you see a lot of people do?

– I even do this sometimes out of frustration, but if you’ve done research on a player and put him in your team and he doesn’t hit that first GW he’s in Don’t Change Him!! you had a reason to put him in and you had the research to back it up, stick with him until there’s no hope, I still do this and I’m sure many do it’s a rookie mistake.

Greatest FPL memory?

– It was actually the first GW of last season, my internet crashed before the deadline and I still had Bruno Fernandes captained, it was supposed to be Salah, but Bruno ended up with like 50 points but I always say it was the FPL Gods looking over me that day.

What team do you think will win the PL this season and which teams are getting relegated?

– I’m going with Manchester City to win the league, then Fulham, Southampton and Nottingham Forrest to go down.

Lastly: Where can people follow you for more expert advice?

– You can all find me on Twitter @FFS_FantasyPL, my dms are always open for anyone who needs tips or advice!

PS! Dela gärna artikeln med era Betting-kompisar! Vill du läsa mer om FPL gör du det under fliken ”Fantasy Premier League” högst upp på sidan!