FPL Gameweek 8: Saka Replacements, Best Captains and Two Elite Managers’ Plans

Introduction

Deadline: Friday 23 October, 6:30pm BST. Updated: Thursday 22 October 2026.

Saka’s injury has changed the transfer conversation. Haaland’s positive fitness update has helped settle the captaincy debate. And one experienced elite manager is considering sitting tight.

Our picks: Palmer is the preferred Saka replacement if affordable, Tavernier is the budget option, and Haaland gets the armband.

Your bench and the final Arsenal update should determine whether you need to make that transfer this week.

Saka injured: sell, hold or wait?

Saka came off after just 10 minutes against Bayern Munich with a quad problem. Arteta’s assessment that it “doesn’t look good at all” is concerning, but the updates checked have not confirmed how long he will miss.

FPL currently lists him at £9.6m with a 50% chance of playing. That flag is not a confirmed recovery timeline.

Our approach:

• WAIT for the final Arsenal update before committing, if your budget allows.
• SELL if a longer absence is confirmed, or he is ruled out and your bench cannot provide adequate cover.
• HOLD FOR ONE WEEK if the timeline remains unclear and you have a reliable substitute.

A playable bench gives you time. A squad already carrying several unavailable starters needs a more immediate repair.

Who should replace Saka?

H = home; A = away. Prices and fixtures checked on 22 October.

Palmer: our first choice

Two home games followed by Sunderland away give Palmer a useful three-week platform.

His two goals and four assists show the different ways he can deliver. The underlying numbers add encouragement: 14 shots inside the box and six big chances created across Gameweeks 1–7, according to The Scout’s comparison.

We like the combination of shooting, creativity and fixtures. He also gives you another captain option.

His listed price is £0.1m above Saka’s, but check your actual selling price and bank balance. You may need to find more than that to complete the transfer.

Mbeumo or Tavernier: make the saving count

Mbeumo has played all 630 available league minutes, producing four goals and an assist. He appeals if your priority is a midfielder who stays on the pitch.

Tavernier has four goals and 42 points, with Leeds at home and Ipswich away following the United trip. His lower price releases considerably more money.

Our preference: Mbeumo for his minutes record; Tavernier when the saving funds a clear improvement elsewhere.

Decide what that extra money will achieve before making the downgrade.

Cherki: returns are attractive, minutes need scrutiny

Cherki’s four goals and two assists make him tempting. However, his 392 league minutes, compared with Mbeumo’s 630, illustrate the selection risk.

He did not play a league minute in GW7, despite returning eight and 10 points in GW5 and GW6. Official Cherki Gameweek history.

Semenyo’s injury creates an opportunity, but City still have several midfield options competing for places. We would want reliable bench cover before buying.

What about Ødegaard and Eze?

Ødegaard is a cheaper Arsenal alternative, but do not assume he will take penalties if Saka is absent.

Eze’s goal against Bayern deserves attention, but he has played only 130 league minutes this season. His last three Gameweeks, GW5–7, returned 17, zero and 45 minutes. Official Eze Gameweek history.

We want clearer evidence of his starting role before making him a priority replacement.

Best captains for Gameweek 8

1. Erling Haaland — Aston Villa away

Haaland gets our vote.

Thursday’s update confirmed he is fully available after being rested in Europe. His two goals against Ipswich produced a 13-point return last weekend.

Villa away is a tougher assignment, but the positive fitness update and his scoring form keep him first in our ranking.

2. João Pedro — Tottenham at home

Our leading alternative to Haaland.

João Pedro’s average of 7.8 points per appearance makes a strong case. He has been involved in two goals in four of his six league appearances, demonstrating his potential for substantial returns.

He is our preferred vice-captain if you own both him and Haaland.

3. Cole Palmer — Tottenham at home

Palmer’s shooting and chance creation earn him third place. If he is your Saka replacement, the same transfer gives you a captain option for this week and the weeks ahead.

Our order: Haaland → João Pedro → Palmer, subject to fresh team news before the deadline.

Two elite managers’ public GW8 reveals

Bennett’s written notes describe a possible change; his displayed XI still had Saka starting and De Cuyper benched when checked.

These are provisional public reveals checked on 22 October from Fantasy Football Fix’s cohort, separate from FPL Assistant’s tracked managers. They can change before the deadline.

Bennett’s approach gives us a useful question: can your bench solve this week’s problem while you wait for better information?

That makes sense for a squad with cover. It becomes harder to justify if Saka’s absence leaves you short of starters.

Apply this to your own squad

Open Rate My Team in FPL Assistant and review your squad. Pro members can also check Elite Manager Alignment, which uses available public picks—not unrevealed GW8 transfers.

Focus on three decisions:

• Can your bench cover Saka adequately?
• Does your replacement improve the next three Gameweeks? Use our transfer-planning guide to assess the move.
• Have you selected a fit captain and vice-captain? Our captaincy guide explains the decision.

Before you lock it in

Check the final Arsenal news, confirm your transfer is affordable, set your bench order and save your captain and vice-captain.

For a four-point hit, the incoming player needs to beat the substitute who would otherwise start by more than four points over your chosen planning period—not simply outscore an injured Saka.

A four-point gain is break-even. Reassess the comparison if Saka returns during that period.