According to a report by the London Evening Standard on Saturday, November 7, 2026, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has reportedly introduced a new rule prohibiting players and staff members from selecting Gunners stars in their Fantasy Premier League (FPL) teams.

The decision comes after a recent leak involving Christos Tzolis, whose fantasy team selection correctly suggested that he would be available for Arsenal's Premier League meeting with Liverpool.

Fantasy Premier League has increasingly emerged as an unexpected source of information about team selections across the Premier League, with players' choices sometimes revealing details that clubs would prefer to keep private. Arsenal have now moved to prevent similar incidents.

The situation came to light last week when Tzolis' FPL team was shared online ahead of the Liverpool fixture. His decision to include himself suggested that he was fit to play, and that prediction proved accurate when he was named in the starting lineup at Anfield.

In response, Arteta reportedly instructed everyone associated with Arsenal to stop including the club's players in their fantasy teams. The restriction applies to both footballers and members of staff.

Tzolis has already complied with the directive by activating his wildcard and removing all Arsenal players from his team. An Arsenal staff member who also plays the fantasy game has reportedly made the same change.

The move underlines Arteta's determination to protect confidential information about player fitness and team selection. Arsenal typically keep injury updates and tactical plans closely guarded, particularly before important matches.

Tzolis had attracted attention ahead of the Liverpool encounter because of uncertainty surrounding his fitness. His eventual appearance in the starting lineup confirmed what his FPL selection had suggested.

The new restriction signals Arsenal's intention to prevent unofficial leaks of team news and limit the possibility of players' fantasy selections revealing information about their availability for upcoming fixtures.