Arsenal stars driving FIFA betting boom on the new iteration of iconic video game

• Tweet
• Pin It

Five Arsenal players were recently recognised for their efforts in the club’s title bid by their inclusion in the EA FC 24 Premier League Team of the Season (TOTS).

Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, Gabriel and Ben White were named in the prestigious 20-man squad as recognition for their performances this term.

TOTS is one of the most anticipated releases in Ultimate Team each year – a tradition which started when the game was previously released under the FIFA moniker.

The players featured are generally standout performers in the teams which feature on FC Pro – an eSports circuit with a cool $1 million prize pool up for grabs.

Places in the FC Pro Open competitions are highly sought after as they offer a route for the world’s best exponents of the game to showcase their talents on a global stage.

EA FC 24 has followed in FIFA’s footsteps, with its eSports leagues and tournaments garnering significant interest from the online gambling industry.

An increasing number of punters have clamoured to access FIFA betting odds in recent years and that trend has continued with the new iteration of the game.

The inclusion of a quintet of Arsenal players in the TOTS will likely increase betting turnover when the FC Pro World Championship is staged this summer.

Bettors will keen to back gamers whose teams include Gunners stars given the way they have performed in the Premier League this season.

Rice undoubtedly deserves his place in the squad after playing a key role for the club since his big money move from West Ham United last summer.

However, it would be biased for Arsenal fans to argue that he deserves the same 96 rating awarded to Manchester City duo Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri.

While they are expected to end the campaign as double-winners, the England midfielder will have no silverware to show for his debut season with the club.

A rating of 95 alongside Saka would perhaps been a fairer assessment of Rice’s contribution this term, although he is not alone in receiving a slightly questionable rating.

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has been ranked at 97 alongside Man City striker Erling Braut Haaland despite failing to match his previous form.

The Dutchman has produced several shaky performances this season and Haaland can feel hard done by that he is not alone at the top of the tree.

Saka’s ranking cannot be disputed after a season in which he has weighed in with 16 goals and nine assists in 35 league appearances.

The England international is an essential component of Arsenal’s attacking unit and thoroughly deserves to be ranked so highly.

The inclusion of Saliba (94), Gabriel (91) and White (91) among the 20-man squad can also not be challenged following their stellar performances this season.

Saliba has been a rock at centre-back, while Gabriel has shone alongside him after enduring a surprisingly sticky start to the season.

The Brazil international was relegated to the bench for the first three games of the season and appeared to be out of favour with manager Mikel Arteta.

However, he has been impeccable since regaining his place and unquestionably deserves his spot in the TOTS alongside his defensive partner.

The same point applies to White, who has proved several critics wrong by nailing down the right-back spot for Arsenal this season.

The 26-year-old was signed as a centre-back from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2021, but has switched with great effect to the full-back role.

Former Manchester United star Gary Neville was among White’s detractors, but recently held his hands up by naming him in his Premier League team of the season.

EA FC 24 Premier League TOTS squad

• ST: Erling Braut Haaland (Manchester City) – 97 OVR
• CB: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – 97 OVR
• CDM: Rodri (Manchester City) – 96 OVR
• CM: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) – 96 OVR
• CM: Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 96 OVR
• RW: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) – 95 OVR
• RW: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – 95 OVR
• GK: Alisson (Liverpool) – 95 OVR
• CAM: Phil Foden (Manchester City) – 94 OVR
• CB: William Saliba (Arsenal) – 94 OVR
• RM: Cole Palmer (Chelsea) – 94 OVR
• ST: Heung-min Son (Tottenham Hotspur) – 94 OVR
• LW: Luis Diaz (Liverpool) – 94 OVR
• ST: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) – 93 OVR
• CM: Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) – 92 OVR
• CF: Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea) – 92 OVR
• LW: Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United) – 92 OVR
• CB: Gabriel (Arsenal) – 91 OVR
• RB: Ben White (Arsenal) – 91 OVR
• LB: Pervis Estupinan (Brighton & Hove Albion) – 90 OVR

• Tweet
• Pin It