Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 1 locks on Friday 21 August 2026 at 18:30 BST — 8 days from today (13 August). Arsenal’s final Emirates friendly is done: Guimarães debuted, Community Shield vs Manchester City is Sunday, then the real GW1 countdown begins.
Countdown
- Community Shield: Arsenal vs Manchester City (Sat 16 Aug, Cardiff) — last big minutes check.
- GW1 opener: Arsenal vs Coventry City (Fri 21 Aug, 20:00 BST).
- Official FPL deadline: Fri 21 Aug, 18:30 BST.
Arsenal 1-1 Como — FPL takeaways
- Bruno Guimarães debuted at half-time — assured, deepest midfield role after Lewis-Skelly came off; Arteta: only three training sessions, “looked good,” Community Shield start TBD.
- Myles Lewis-Skelly scored — still a minutes option even with Guimarães in the building; do not assume he is automatically benched for GW1.
- Mosquera had a second-half effort saved — keeps the cheaper Arsenal defensive route live with Saliba/Timber out.
- Tzolis scored the decisive shootout pen — left-wing form continues; still a watch for mid-price midfielders.
- Friendlies do not score FPL points — use them for minutes and set-piece clues only.
What to watch before Sunday
- Haaland minutes in Community Shield — decides whether he is auto-captain for City vs Bournemouth in GW1.
- Saka / Rice / Raya load management after late World Cup returns — confirm before you lock Arsenal premiums.
- City midfield without Rodri — Anderson (£6.5m) and Semenyo/Foden involvement still the value angle.
- Re-check price movers on /fpl-price-changes — do not force £0.1m rises with unlimited transfers left.
Read next (free)
- Community Shield FPL Watch — Arsenal vs City checklist before GW1.
- Best FPL Forwards for GW1 — Haaland, João Pedro, Igor Jesus.
- Best FPL Captains for GW1 — Saka, Haaland, Bruno differentials.
- 12 Aug daily update — keep the trail.
Play it today
Open Gameweek Fantasy on FootballDream, lock a practice XI after Guimarães’ debut clues, and captain for 2× points in a free mini-league.