Gameweek 7 is in the books, and it was a classic FPL rollercoaster. We saw explosive hauls from popular assets, reliable returns from premium picks, and dominant team performances that rewarded savvy managers. For some, it was a week of green arrows fuelled by a Bournemouth masterclass, while for others, a clean sweep from Arsenal assets provided the boost.

Here at FPL Stats Lab, we've analysed the key performances to help you make sense of the chaos and prepare your squad for Gameweek 8.

The Star of the Show: Antoine Semenyo (18 points)

Minutes Played: 90
Goals: 2
Assists: 1
Bonus Points: 3

What a performance! Antoine Semenyo was the undisputed king of Gameweek 7, delivering a colossal 18-point haul in Bournemouth's 3-1 victory over Fulham. Far from being a differential, Semenyo was a popular transfer-in who handsomely rewarded the managers that backed his excellent underlying numbers. This is a perfect example of how using the Player Watchlist on FPL Stats Lab can validate that a player's form is backed by solid data.

Malen's Masterful Brace (15 points)

Minutes Played: 83
Goals: 2
Bonus Points: 3

In a weekend of high scores, Aston Villa's Donyell Malen delivered a stunning 15-point haul that came as a pleasant surprise for his owners. His two goals were instrumental in the 2-1 win over Burnley, and he rightly claimed all three bonus points. While not considered an "in-form" player heading into the week, his performance is a classic example of the unpredictable nature of FPL that can lead to massive green arrows.

The Premium Question: Erling Haaland (8 points)

Minutes Played: 90
Goals: 1
Bonus Points: 2

For the millions of managers who handed Erling Haaland the captain's armband, his 8-point return (16 for captains) feels adequate. He remains the most reliable captaincy option in the game, but GW7 is a stark reminder that considering other candidates can be the path to a significant rank climb.

Defensive Dominance: Gvardiol Shines (12 points)

Minutes Played: 90
Assists: 1
Clean Sheets: 1
Bonus Points: 3

Joško Gvardiol delivered a dream return for his owners with a clean sheet, an attacking contribution, and maximum bonus points. His 12-point score highlights the immense value of investing in the Man City defence. Navigating these investment decisions is exactly what our Fixtures Difficulty tool at FPL Stats Lab is designed for.

The Midfield Dynamo: Mohammed Kudus (12 points)

Minutes Played: 89
Goals: 1
Assists: 1
Bonus Points: 3

After a hot start to the season followed by a few quiet gameweeks, Mohammed Kudus exploded back onto the scene with another double-digit return. Far from a "template" pick, his GW7 haul rewarded patient managers and serves as a reminder that class is permanent.

Gunners on Fire: Arsenal Dominate West Ham

It was a fantastic Saturday for managers invested in Arsenal, as their 2-0 victory over West Ham yielded FPL points across the pitch. Declan Rice (11 points) and Jurriën Timber (11 points) were the stars, with Gabriel (9 points) and Bukayo Saka (8 points) also providing excellent returns. The performance showed that stacking assets from in-form teams with good fixtures is a powerful FPL strategy.

The Surprise Package: Caicedo's Chelsea Heroics (10 points)

Minutes Played: 90
Goals: 1
Bonus Points: 3

Perhaps the biggest shock of the weekend came at Stamford Bridge, where defensive midfielder Moisés Caicedo scored a stunning goal against Liverpool. His 10-point return was something virtually no FPL manager saw coming, reminding us that in this game, points can come from the most unlikely of sources.

More Solid GW7 Returns

Elsewhere, several other players delivered. In the Everton vs Crystal Palace clash, Iliman Ndiaye (7 points) scored for the home side, while Ismaïla Sarr (7 points) provided an assist and secured two bonus points for the visitors. These are the kinds of consistent returns that keep your FPL score ticking over.

Looking Ahead to Gameweek 8 with FPL Stats Lab

Gameweek 7 taught us valuable lessons: popular picks can deliver big, surprise hauls are always around the corner, and elite defenders can match the output of midfielders.

Are you ready to get ahead of the curve for GW8?

It's time to analyse your team's data with FPL Stats Lab. Evaluate your team's performance with our Team Planner and Mini-league Analyser tools. Then, use the Player Watchlist to compare transfer targets and our Fixtures Difficulty tool to plan your future moves.

Make data-driven decisions with FPL Stats Lab, not gut feelings. Good luck for Gameweek 8, managers!