Arsenal defender Gabriel has been priced at £8.0m for the 2026/27 Fantasy Premier League season, a £2.0m increase following a successful campaign. The Brazilian centre-back, who earned 209 points last year, now sits among the most expensive defenders in the history of the game, just shy of the £8.5m benchmark set by John Arne Riise and John Terry.
The Evolution of Defensive Pricing in Fantasy Premier League
Gabriel’s new £8.0m valuation places him in elite historical company. According to official Fantasy Premier League data, he joins a select group of defenders to reach this price point, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, who hit £8.0m in the 2023/24 season, and Nemanja Vidic, who reached that mark in 2011/12. The record remains the £8.5m price tag carried by Liverpool’s John Arne Riise in 2003/04 and Chelsea’s John Terry in 2004/05.
This price hike reflects Gabriel’s output during the 2025/26 season. He finished the year with 209 total points, the third-highest tally ever recorded by a defender. Only Andrew Robertson’s 213 points in 2018/19 and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s 210 points in 2019/20 rank higher.
Did you know?
Gabriel’s 209 points were bolstered by 18 clean sheets and 22 defensive contribution (DC) points, the latter being just eight less than the combined total of Arsenal’s other defenders.
Consistency as a “Set and Forget” Asset
While players like Erling Haaland (£15.5m) and Bruno Fernandes (£12.0m) offer higher explosive potential for captaincy, Gabriel provides a level of reliability that is rare in defensive assets. Analysis of the 2025/26 season shows that Gabriel maintained a near-identical points-per-start average regardless of location, recording 7.0 points at home and 6.8 points away.
In contrast, the output of premium midfielders and forwards often fluctuates significantly based on venue. Haaland and Fernandes saw their points-per-start averages drop by 0.8 and 1.1 respectively when playing away from home. For managers, this makes Gabriel an ideal candidate for a “set and forget” strategy, as he is less susceptible to the volatility often associated with attacking players.
Early Season Fixture Outlook
Arsenal’s opening schedule for the 2026/27 season further justifies the premium cost of their defensive anchor. The Gunners face a home fixture against promoted Coventry City in Gameweek 1, followed by a stretch of matches that includes encounters with promoted sides Sunderland and Leeds United within the first six weeks.
Arsenal’s Opening Six Gameweeks
- GW1: Coventry (H)
- GW2: Aston Villa (A)
- GW3: Chelsea (H)
- GW4: Sunderland (A)
- GW5: Brighton (A)
- GW6: Leeds (H)
Pro Tip:
Managers looking to optimize their £100.0m budget should be aware that owning Haaland, Fernandes, and Gabriel simultaneously requires an investment of £35.5m, consuming over one-third of the total squad budget before accounting for the remaining 12 players.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Gabriel’s price increase to £8.0m?
The price hike follows his best-ever individual season in 2025/26, where he topped the defender standings with 209 points and demonstrated consistent returns in both clean sheets and offensive contributions.
Is Gabriel a good captaincy choice compared to Haaland or Fernandes?
While Gabriel is highly consistent, he managed only six double-figure hauls in 2025/26 compared to 10 for Haaland and 12 for Fernandes, making him a less frequent choice for the captain’s armband.
How does Gabriel’s home and away form compare?
Gabriel shows minimal disparity in performance. He averaged 7.0 points per home start and 6.8 points per away start in the 2025/26 season, making him one of the most reliable assets in the game regardless of the fixture location.
How are you balancing your budget with these premium price reveals? Join the conversation in the comments below or subscribe to our weekly newsletter for more FPL strategy updates.