Captaincy options for Gameweek 8: Time for gaffers to revert to the safety of Erling Haaland?

DREAM TEAM managers who chose to captain Bukayo Saka (£6.5m) over Erling Haaland (£9.1m) in Gameweek 7 were handsomely rewarded.

Just prior to the international break, Arsenal’s ‘Star Boy’ took Southampton for 20 points while Manchester City’s No9 mustered just four against Fulham.

This outcome meant those who opted to double Saka’s return benefited from a significant swing over those who backed Haaland.

In fact, the England international has outscored the Norwegian poacher since the start of Gameweek 4 and the latter’s lead at the top of the rankings has been cut to just nine points as a result.

It’s simply a fact that gaffers who have captained Saka over Haaland for the last month have had their actions justified.

Now the pertinent question is whether the Gunners’ No7 is the optimum skipper for Gameweek 8?

One potential blockade is that Saka is an availability doubt having been forced off with an injury while on duty for the Three Lions.

In this morning’s press conference, Mikel Arteta offered some reassurance when he told reporters: “Not a serious injury, he’s evolving really well. We are hopeful.”

Arsenal are set to face Bournemouth and Shakhtar Donetsk in Gameweek 8 and given Saka is statistically the most in-form player in Dream Team (based on points earned across last three games) he would obviously be a strong captaincy choice if passed fit.

That being said, this may be the Gameweek to revert to the familiar safety of Haaland.

Pep Guardiola’s side travel to Molineux this weekend, where they were beaten last season, but a repeat of that upset seems unlikely with Wolves currently bottom of the table having conceded the most leagues goals this season.

City will then host Sparta Prague in the Champions League in midweek – another relatively favourable match-up.

Haaland may not have scored in his last two league outings (a drought by his standards) but it’s worth remembering he has 11 goals to his name in all competitions in 2024/25 – no other Dream Team asset has scored more than six.

Certainly the case for captaining Haaland is a strong one, as is usually the case.

Elsewhere, Mohamed Salah (£7.6m) is always among the most-selected skippers but his fixtures aren’t as appealing on paper.

Liverpool host fourth-placed Chelsea in the standout Premier League game of the weekend before travelling to RB Leipzig on Wednesday – the German outfit are level on points with Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga at present.

Bold gaffers might look to target Tottenham’s double header of West Ham and AZ Alkmaar, both to be played in North London, by captaining Dominic Solanke (£4.4m), James Maddison (£4.5m) or the in-form Brennan Johnson (£3.8m).

It’s a tempting punt on paper but one that will only appeal to managers who enjoy taking risks and going against grain.

With Saka seemingly not 100% fit, Haaland appears to be the safe choice for Gameweek 8.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk