Line-Up Lessons – Gameweek 5 – Part One

Both Alexis Sanchez and Eden Hazard have to settle for spots on the bench for the stalemate between Arsenal and Chelsea, while Bournemouth return to a back four and pick up their first points of the season.

Elsewhere, Burnley switch back to defensive mode for the siege of Anfield and new man Roy Hodgson eschews the fashion for three-man defences for his first match in charge at Crystal Palace.

Here’s part one of Line-up Lessons, assessing the teamsheets and formations from Gameweek 5, with one eye on what’s to come at the weekend.

Arsenal

Starting XI: Cech; Koscielny, Mustafi, Monreal; Bellerin, Ramsey, Xhaka, Kolasinac; Welbeck (Giroud 72), Iwobi (Elneny 79); Lacazette (Sanchez 65). Subs not used: Mertesacker, Ospina, Walcott, Maitland-Niles.

• What we saw: Mesut Ozil missed the trip to Chelsea with a knee injury, but rather than hand a first start of the season to Alexis Sanchez, Arsene Wenger opted to use Alex Iwobi alongside Danny Welbeck in the attacking midfield positions. The Gunners boss kept faith in his usual 3-4-2-1 formation, with Alexandre Lacazette leading the line. Wenger introduced Mohamed Elneny late on, helping shore up the midfield in more of a 3-5-2, leaving substitutes Olivier Giroud and Sanchez in attack.
• What we learned: The defence and midfield now looks more settled, with Wenger seemingly set on the 3-4-2-1 system. Sanchez could be handed a start against Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night to build up his match fitness, with a view to starting against West Bromwich Albion a week on Monday. He is likely to replace Danny Welbeck, who was forced off at Stamford Bridge due to a groin injury, with Ozil likely to return in place of Iwobi if he’s available.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Attacking midfield

Bournemouth

Starting XI: Begovic; A Smith, Francis, Ake, Daniels; Fraser (Ibe 65), Arter, Surman, Pugh; King (Gosling 90); Defoe (Afobe 78). Subs not used: Boruc, L Cook, Mings, Mousset.

• What we saw: Having used a three-man defence for the last couple of matches, Eddie Howe switched back to the 4-4-1-1 formation for the home meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion. Steve Cook missed out with a knee injury, so Simon Francis slotted in at centre-back. Marc Pugh was handed a start on the left wing, with Ryan Fraser on the right, while Andrew Surman was recalled in central midfield. Dan Gosling was introduced late on, seeing the home side switch to a 4-5-1 as they looked to hold on for a first win of the season.
• What we learned: With the return to a four-man defence reaping immediate rewards, it’s likely that Howe will stick with the same formation for Saturday’s trip to Everton. Cook remains a doubt, but if he is fit, could replace Francis at centre-back, with the club captain then battling with Adam Smith to start at right-back. After changing the match as a second-half substitute with two assists, Jordon Ibe will be pushing for a start at Goodison Park. Junior Stanislas is closing in on a return, and may be ready to feature from the bench.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Right-back, central defenders, right wing

Brighton & Hove Albion

Starting XI: Ryan; Rosenior, Dunk, Duffy, Suttner; Knockaert (Izquierdo 77), Stephens, Propper, March; Gross (Murray 77); Hemed. Subs not used: Maenpaa, Hunemeier, Murphy, Goldson, Schelotto.

• What we saw: Chris Hughton was forced into making one adjustment from the side that beat West Brom 3-1 for the trip to Bournemouth, with Liam Rosenior replacing captain Bruno at right-back. He was ruled out due to a back injury picked up against the Baggies. The Seagulls boss switched from the 4-4-1-1 to a 4-4-2 late on, with Glenn Murray joining Tomer Hemed in attack as the visitors tried to engineer a late equaliser.
• What we learned: The Brighton side still remains relatively settled, with Hemed having the edge over Murray in the pecking order in attack. Jose Izquierdo got some more minutes under his belt, this time on the right wing, and is pushing for a first start in place of either Anthony Knockaert or Solly March. Bruno looks to have a good chance of being fit to return this weekend, so Rosenior may drop back to the bench.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Right-back, flanks

Burnley

Starting XI: Pope; Ward, Tarkowski, Mee, Lowton; Brady, Cork, Defour (Westwood 87), Gudmundsson (Barnes 60); Arfield; Wood (Vokes 87). Subs not used: Legzdins, Bardsley, Walters, Long.

• What we saw: As expected, Sean Dyche did switch back to the more defensive 4-5-1 formation for the trip to Liverpool, with Chris Wood getting the nod over Sam Vokes as the lone striker. Scott Arfield returned in central midfield, while Nick Pope replaced the injured Tom Heaton in goal. Dyche did switch to a more attacking 4-4-1-1 on the hour mark, with Ashley Barnes operating as a support striker. Robbie Brady moved from the left to the right wing, with Arfield shifting across to the left flank.
• What we learned: Playing against tougher opposition away from home, Dyche continues to roll out the 4-5-1 formation. But with a home fixture against Huddersfield Town this weekend, he could hand a recall to either Vokes or Barnes in attack alongside Wood. Arfield could be the midfielder to make way, although Gudmundsson’s spot is perhaps also at risk. Jeff Hendrick (thigh) could provide another midfield option and has been passed fit.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Flanks, central midfield, forwards

Chelsea

Starting XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Luiz; Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Willian (Hazard 69), Pedro (Bakayoko 46); Morata (Christensen 88). Subs not used: Caballero, Rudiger, Zappacosta, Batshuayi.

• What we saw: Blues boss Antonio Conte resisted the temptation to start Eden Hazard, instead choosing Willian and Pedro to support lone striker Alvaro Morata in attack. Gary Cahill returned from suspension to replace Antonio Rudiger in the three-man defence, while Cesc Fabregas was preferred to Tiemoue Bakayoko in central midfield. Conte had to reshuffle things at half-time after Pedro was forced off with an ankle problem. Fabregas moved into a more advanced midfield role, with Bakayoko partnering N’Golo Kante in the middle of the park. After David Luiz was sent off, Conte brought on Andreas Christensen to retain a back three, with Morata sacrificed.
• What we learned: Luiz will miss the next two Premier League matches due to suspension, so Rudiger looks in line to return to the starting XI. Chelsea play Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, so Hazard may be handed some more minutes, with a possible start against Stoke City on Saturday in mind. He could potentially replace Pedro in the advanced midfield positions. Bakayoko provides a more physical option in central midfield if Conte feels that will be required at the bet365 Stadium.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, central midfield, attacking midfield

Crystal Palace

Starting XI: Hennessey; Ward, Fosu-Mensah, Dann, Schlupp; Townsend, McArthur (Milivojevic 69), Cabaye, Puncheon; Loftus-Cheek (Sako 77), Benteke. Subs not used: Speroni, Van Aanholt, Tomkins, Lee Chung-yong, Kelly.

• What we saw: New Palace boss Roy Hodgson rolled out a 4-2-3-1 formation for his first match in charge, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek returning from injury to start in the No 10 role. Jason Puncheon was stationed on the left wing for the Eagles, leaving James McArthur and Yohan Cabaye in the double-pivot.
• What we learned: With few options available to him, we didn’t see radical changes to the Palace side under Hodgson. Bakary Sako did return from injury as a substitute and could provide a possible alternative to Puncheon out wide. Luka Milivojevic also impressed at the base of midfield coming off the bench, and may well push for a start away to Manchester City on Saturday. Mamadou Sakho and Pape Souare are set to start the Eagles’ Carabao Cup clash with Huddersfield Town tonight, and the former, in particular, could be fast-tracked to the teamsheet for the Etihad test.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, left-back, central midfield, left wing

Everton

Starting XI: Pickford; Keane, Jagielka, Williams; Martina, Schneiderlin, Gueye (Calvert-Lewin 76), Baines; Davies (Sandro 66), Sigurdsson; Rooney (Mirallas 81). Subs not used: Klaassen, Besic, Stekelenburg, Holgate.

• What we saw: After using a 4-2-3-1 against Spurs in Gameweek 4, Ronald Koeman switched back to a 3-4-2-1 formation at Old Trafford. Phil Jagielka was recalled in central defence, while Tom Davies joined Gylfi Sigurdsson in the central attacking midfield positions behind lone striker Wayne Rooney. Davies did make way for Sandro Ramirez shortly after the hour mark, though, with the Spaniard then taking over as the lone striker, seeing Rooney drop deeper. Sigurdsson ended up moving into central midfield, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Sandro and Kevin Mirallas forming a front three for the final nine minutes.
• What we learned: With Everton’s run of tough matches now over, it’s possible that Koeman will return to a back four for the home encounter with Bournemouth on Saturday. Should that be the case, one of Jagielka or Ashley Williams should make way, while Mason Holgate is an option to replace Cuco Martina on the right side of the defence. One of Sandro or Calvert-Lewin should start to provide some pace in attack, perhaps seeing Rooney move back into the No 10 role, and Sigurdsson to the left in a 4-2-3-1. Davy Klaassen offers another alternative in midfield.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-back/right wing-back, central defenders, flanks, attacking midfield, lone striker

Huddersfield Town

Starting XI: Lossl; Smith, Schindler, Zanka, Lowe; Sabiri (Hogg 82), Williams; Kachunga (Quaner 74), Mooy, Ince; Depoitre (Van la Parra 90). Subs not used: Coleman, Malone, Billing, Hefele.

• What we saw: Steve Mounie missed the home meeting with Leicester City due to a knock, so Laurent Depoitre was handed a first Premier League start as the lone striker in the usual 4-2-3-1 formation. Elsewhere, Abdelhamid Sabiri got the nod in the No 10 role, seeing Tom Ince move to the left, while Danny Williams replaced Philip Billing at the base of midfield. Jonathan Hogg retuned from injury to come on as a late substitute in central midfield, Aaron Mooy moving into the No 10 position.
• What we learned: David Wagner chose to freshen up his side following the 2-0 defeat to West Ham United, showing he does have some decent back-up options available to him. Rajiv van La Parra could now struggle to get back into the side in place of Sabiri. If he is fit for the trip to Burnley, Mounie will push Depoitre for the striker’s role, although Wagner may keep faith with Saturday’s goal scorer. Williams, Billing and Hogg all look to be battling it out for one spot alongside Mooy in central midfield.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, lone striker

Leicester City

Starting XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Maguire, Chilwell; Mahrez, Ndidi, King, Albrighton (Gray 67); Iheanacho (Okazaki 68), Vardy (Slimani 82). Subs not used: Hamer, Dragovic, Amartey, Iborra.

• What we saw: Craig Shakespeare was forced into making a couple of changes for the trip to Huddersfield, with Ben Chilwell and Andy King coming in for the injured duo Christian Fuchs and Matty James. The Foxes boss also handed a first league start to Kelechi Iheanacho, who was stationed in the support striker role in the 4-4-1-1 system. Jamie Vardy was forced off with a groin problem late on, with Islam Slimani taking his place in a straight swap.
• What we learned: Vardy’s groin injury will have to be checked ahead of the home meeting with Liverpool on Saturday – indeed, he is still a doubt to face the Reds in the EFL Cup this evening. Slimani and Shinji Okazaki provide alternatives in attack. Fuchs and James should have a decent chance of recovering, and could return in place of Chilwell and King respectively. Demarai Gray still appears unlikely to oust Marc Albrighton from the starting spot on the left wing.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Left-back, central midfield, forwards

Liverpool

Starting XI: Mignolet; Alexander-Arnold, Klavan, Matip, Robertson; Milner, Can, Coutinho (Solanke 77); Salah, Sturridge, Firmino (Oxlade-Chamberlain 77). Subs not used: Karius, Wijnaldum, Lovren, Henderson, Moreno.

• What we saw: Jurgen Klopp handed a first start of the season to Philippe Coutinho, who was stationed in central midfield in a 4-1-2-3 formation. Daniel Sturridge came into the side as the central striker, as Roberto Firmino shifted over to the left of the front three. Andrew Robertson was handed a recall at left-back in place of Alberto Moreno. Trent Alexander-Arnold came in for Joe Gomez at right-back. In search of a late winner, Klopp brought on Dominic Solanke and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
• What we learned: We again saw Klopp rotate his side following a UEFA Champions League match, with seven alterations to his teamsheet. After the attack failed to fire against Burnley, Firmino could return to the central striker role against Leicester City, with Coutinho or Oxlade-Chamberlain perhaps starting on the left. Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum and Moreno should all earn recalls, while Dejan Lovren could replace Ragnar Klavan in central defence. Joe Gomez is also a viable alternative to Alexander-Arnold at right-back and may well earn a starting role, given that he is suspended for the Champions League clash with Spartak Moscow just three days’ later.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Defence, central midfield, left wing, central striker