Captaincy options for Gameweek 22: Mohamed Salah to light up Carabao Cup semi-final?

DREAM TEAM managers must remember to select their captain for Gameweek 22 before Saturday’s 11am deadline.

Generally speaking, it’s wise to stick the armband on a player with two point-scoring opportunities if possible.

And so assets from Arsenal, Newcastle, Liverpool and Tottenham are in the spotlight as those four clubs are set to pull double duty in Gameweek 22, courtesy of the Carabao Cup semi-final second legs.

Dream TeamSalah is the safe choice for a reason[/caption]

Mohamed Salah (£8m) is the first name that comes to mind as he leads the way with 339 points overall.

Liverpool are due to face Bournemouth on Saturday before hosting Spurs on Thursday night.

Two seasons ago, the Reds beat the Cherries 9-0 but a lot has changed since then.

Right now, Bournemouth are arguably the Premier League’s most in-form side having dusted Newcastle 4-1 and thrashed high-flying Nottingham Forest 5-0 in their two most recent outings.

Andoni Iraola’s side also boast the best defensive record in home fixtures this season.

On paper, Salah faces a stern test this weekend.

GettyBournemouth have outplayed several strong opponents this season[/caption]

That being said, the Egyptian superstar averages 10.6 points-per-game this season and even if he is constricted by Milos Kerkez (£3.6m) and company on the south coast then he may cash in against an injury-ravaged Spurs at Anfield a few days later.

Ange Postecoglou’s side beat Liverpool 1-0 in the first leg and so Arne Slot is expected to name a strong starting line-up on Thursday night with a view to targeting his first trophy as Anfield boss.

If Salah is going to be rested soon, it will surely be against Plymouth in the FA Cup fourth round.

Many Dream Team bosses will be wary of overthinking captaincy this Gameweek and so the prolific 32-year-old provides a safe, logical option.

Gaffers looking to take Salah on in Gameweek 22 would do well to consider Alexander Isak (£6.1m).

A rare double Gameweek for Newcastle makes Isak an appealing optionGetty

Fulham (league) and Arsenal (cup) is far from a favourable double header for Newcastle but the Magpies are the only team with the luxury of two home games this Gameweek.

The Toon’s Swedish striker has racked up 230 points via 19 goals this campaign – Salah and Erling Haaland (£7.9m) are the only names above him in the rankings.

Isak will be up against two good defences this coming Gameweek but his blistering form means he almost transcends the schedule.

Let’s not forget he banked 13 points against the Gunners in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.

GettyArsenal have two big fixtures in Gameweek 22[/caption]

Mikel Arteta’s side are not to be underestimated but it would take a brave gaffer to confidently pick out a captain among their ranks at this juncture.

Gabriel (£5m), Leandro Trossard (£3.9m) and Kai Havertz (£4.7m) have notched their fair share of points lately but Arsenal’s double header of Manchester City and Newcastle is a difficult one to predict.

If Bukayo Saka (£6.6m) was fit and firing then he would be a strong candidate for the armband but sadly that’s not the case.

It’s a similar story for Spurs.

Son Heung-min (£5m), Pedro Porro (£4.2m) and Dejan Kulusevski (£4.4m) have delivered plentiful points this term but it’s a stretch to think any of them are stronger captaincy options than Salah or Isak… isn’t it?

AFPA bold alternative[/caption]

Cody Gakpo (£4.7m) is among the most popular recruits ahead of Gameweek 22 and his new owners might be tempted to slap the armband straight on him following his mighty 29-point return in Gameweek 21.

The Dutchman is technically Liverpool’s most in-form player right now but again, it would take some courage to opt for him over Salah.

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