Early EA FC 26 ratings are filtering out, and Arsenal’s headline numbers look serious. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Magalhães lead the way on 88, with Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard, and William Saliba close behind on 87. New No. 9 Viktor Gyökeres lands at 86 after his explosive seasons in Portugal and fast start in red and white.
It is only a snapshot of form and reputation, but it mirrors what we see every week. Arsenal’s spine reads elite, and the wide threat stays lethal.
Saka and Gabriel set the tone
Saka at 88 feels inevitable. He carries chance creation, end product, and work rate without losing efficiency. Defenders double up; he still finds routes through. That rating matches his status as one of Europe’s most reliable wingers.
Gabriel at 88 is a statement. He defends the box, dominates aerially, and sets the line with conviction. When Arsenal squeeze the pitch, he anchors the aggression. The number reflects impact, not just reputation.
Rice, Ødegaard, Saliba form an elite core
Rice at 87 captures his control. He breaks play, drives forward, and protects transitions. His presence changes the tempo in both phases. It is the platform modern title winners need.
Ødegaard at 87 speaks to influence. He dictates rhythm, connects zones, and finds gaps with disguise. When he accelerates combinations around the box, Arsenal look inevitable.
Saliba at 87 will spark debate. Many will argue 88. He defends one-v-one in huge spaces, passes under pressure, and rarely gets beaten clean. The number is high; his ceiling is higher.
Gyökeres lands strong at 86
Gyökeres enters on 86, which is fair and still conservative. He attacks crosses, runs channels, and thumps shots with minimal backlift. He is not here to knit midfield. He is here to live between the posts and finish.
As patterns settle around him, the output will climb. Ratings follow goals. Gyökeres delivers goals.
What the numbers tell us
Arsenal’s curve is upward. The ratings place the squad among Europe’s most balanced sides: elite creators, elite stoppers, and an athletic back line built for control and recovery. Crucially, the spread shows depth. If one star sits, another steps up without the structure breaking.
You can quibble over a point here or there, but the direction is right. Saka and Gabriel headline at 88; Rice, Ødegaard, and Saliba sit on 87; Gyökeres opens on 86. It reads like a title challenge in numbers.
Now translate the digits into trophies. If Arsenal keep their defensive standards and add the penalty-box edge promised by Gyökeres, the game will start to match the ratings. And that is the only metric that matters.
