The Wildcard is the most powerful FPL chip, allowing unlimited free transfers without point deductions, and can be used twice per season: once before 29 December and once after.
With no international breaks
until March, this period offers a stable run of fixtures with fewer injury risks, making it an ideal time to activate the first Wildcard.
It also allows managers to prepare ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, where many key players may miss several Gameweeks, and to take advantage of favourable fixture swings.
Using the Wildcard now helps reshape squads before the congested December schedule, ensures stronger bench depth, and positions managers to navigate rotation and AFCON absences effectively.
What makes the Wildcard truly special is that every transfer you make becomes permanent for the weeks ahead, unlike the Free Hit, which resets after one Gameweek.
Because of this long-term impact, I am focusing on players who are nailed starters and avoiding those likely to be affected by the upcoming AFCON.
Arsenal’s defence has been outstanding this season, keeping the most clean sheets and conceding only six goals.
Their goalkeepers and defenders are all strong candidates for my squad, although I am benching them this week due to a difficult fixture away at Stamford Bridge.
Tete has recently returned from injury and looked sharp, earning himself a place on my team, while Van de Ven and Cash are both in good form and offer strong defensive value.
In midfield, Trossard has stepped up as one of Arsenal’s key goal scorers with their forwards sidelined.
Rogers, Cullen, and Anderson have also grown into important figures for their respective teams, consistently starting and contributing throughout the first third of the season.
Up front, I am sticking with Thiago, Welbeck, and Haaland. Haaland, who plays at home against Leeds United this week, naturally takes the captain’s armband given his form and fixture.
