Line-up Lessons – Gameweek 7 – Part One

Eden Hazard is afforded an advanced central role in his first league start of the season. Meanwhile, over on Merseyside, Roberto Firmino and Wayne Rooney drop to the bench as Liverpool and Everton freshen up their frontlines.

Here’s part one of Line-up Lessons, assessing the teamsheets and formations from Gameweek 7, with one eye on developments after the international break.

Arsenal

Starting XI: Cech; Holding, Mustafi, Monreal; Bellerin, Xhaka (Elneny 83), Ramsey, Kolasinac; Iwobi (Walcott 71), Sanchez; Lacazette (Giroud 71). Subs not used: Ospina, Maitland-Niles, Mertesacker, Wilshere.

• What we saw: Gunners boss Arsene Wenger once again rolled out the 3-4-2-1 formation against Brighton & Hove Albion, but handed a start to Alex Iwobi alongside Alexis Sanchez in the attacking midfield positions. That meant that Aaron Ramsey dropped back into central midfield next to Granit Xhaka, with Mohamed Elneny demoted to the bench. Laurent Koscielny missed out due to an Achilles problem, with Rob Holding taking over in central defence.
• What we learned: The Arsenal side continues to look settled, with only a few changes likely for the trip to Watford following the international break. If available, Koscielny should return at the expense of Holding, while Mesut Ozil will be an option to start in place of Iwobi if he can overcome a knee complaint. Danny Welbeck (groin) could also return to contention for Gameweek 8, and provide another alternative in the advanced midfield positions.

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

Bournemouth

Starting XI: Begovic; Smith, Francis, Ake, Daniels; Stanislas (Fraser 88), L Cook, Surman, Pugh (Ibe 69); King; Defoe (Afobe 81). Subs not used: Boruc, S Cook, Gosling, Mousset.

• What we saw: Eddie Howe went with a more attacking 4-2-3-1 formation against Leicester City, with Marc Pugh handed a recall on the left wing, seeing Jordon Ibe drop to the bench. Lewis Cook was handed his first start of the season in central midfield, with Dan Gosling perhaps not fully fit, having been a doubt pre-match.
• What we learned: After keeping a first clean sheet of the season, Steve Cook may well miss out on a starting role once again for the trip to Tottenham Hotspur after the international break. Simon Francis continues to be the preferred partner for Nathan Ake in central defence. Howe still doesn’t appear to have settled on his first choice wide men, with Ibe and Ryan Fraser options to start at Wembley in place of Pugh – Stanislas appears a slightly more secure starter. Lewis Cook impressed on Saturday, but if they are fully fit, either Harry Arter or Gosling could replace the youngster in central midfield.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, flanks

Brighton & Hove Albion

Starting XI: Ryan; Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Bong; March (Schelotto 72), Propper, Stephens, Gross, Izquierdo (Knockaert 76); Brown (Murray 76). Subs not used: Krul, Molumby, Suttner, Goldson.

• What we saw: Chris Hughton switched from his usual 4-4-1-1 formation to a more defensive 4-1-4-1 at the Emirates, with Pascal Gross operating slightly deeper, alongside Davy Propper in central midfield. Jose Izquierdo was handed a first Premier League start at the expense of Anthony Knockaert, while Izzy Brown was fielded as the lone striker in place of the suspended Tomer Hemed. Gaetan Bong was also handed his first start of the season at left-back, with Markus Suttner dropping to the bench. Ezequiel Schelotto made his first league appearance for the Seagulls as a substitute, playing slightly out of position on the right side of midfield.
• What we learned: Having almost exclusively favoured a 4-4-1-1 system this season, Hughton was happy to adopt a more cautious approach in a tough away match. But with a home meeting with Everton in Gameweek 8, it’s likely he’ll revert back to the 4-4-1-1, with Gross restored in a central support role. Bong and Izquierdo were surprise starters yesterday, but Suttner and Knockaert will push for recalls against the Toffees. In attack, Glenn Murray could challenge Brown for the starting spot as the lone striker, although doubts on his match fitness remain.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Left-back, flanks, lone striker

Burnley

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

• What we saw: Sean Dyche kept faith in the 4-4-1-1 formation for the trip to Everton, with Jeff Hendrick again used in a central support role in an unchanged side.
• What we learned: Burnley are another team who have an established first choice starting XI. Johann Berg Gudmundsson is a viable alternative out wide, but is currently losing out to Scott Arfield for a starting spot, while Sam Vokes and Ashley Barnes are having to play second fiddle to Chris Wood in attack.

Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: Flanks

Chelsea

Starting XI: Courtois, Rudiger, Christensen, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Kante, Bakayoko (Batshuayi 73), Fabregas, Alonso, Hazard (Pedro 72), Morata (Willian 35). Subs not used: Caballero, Moses, Kenedy, Zappacosta.

• What we saw: Blues boss Antonio Conte handed a first league start of the season to Eden Hazard against Manchester City, who was used just behind lone striker Alvaro Morata in a 3-5-1-1 formation. That meant both Cesc Fabregas and Tiemoue Bakayoko started in central midfield, leaving Willian and Pedro among the substitutes. Cesar Azpilicueta was used at right wing-back, leaving Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Gary Cahill in the three-man defence. After Morata was replaced by Willian following a hamstring injury, Hazard took over the lone striker role, with the Brazilian in the central support position. The home side finished the match in a 3-4-2-1, with Willian and Pedro flanking central striker Michy Batshuayi.
• What we learned: While Conte opted to strengthen his midfield against Man City, it’s more likely that he’ll revert back to a 3-4-2-1 when his side travel to Crystal Palace after the international break. Morata is a doubt due to that hamstring issue, with Batshuayi the likely replacement if he’s unavailable or tested. One of Pedro or Willian will join Hazard in the attacking midfield positions. Either Bakayoko or Fabregas will drop to the bench should Conte revert back to the 3-4-2-1. Victor Moses may well return at right wing-back after his rest, with Davide Zappacosta another alternative. That would mean Azpilicueta returning to the back three, with David Luiz also set to be restored to the starting XI following his three-match ban. That could see both Rudiger and Christensen drop to the bench, with Cahill retaining his start although with a midweek Champions League tie with Roma looming, Cahill could be considered for a rest once again.

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

Crystal Palace

Starting XI: Hennessey; Ward, Sakho, Delaney, van Aanholt; Townsend, Milivojevic, Puncheon (Riedewald 69); Cabaye, Sako (Ladapo 74), Schlupp (McArthur 69). Subs not used: Speroni, Lee, Mutch, Kelly.

• What we saw: Roy Hodgson decided to go with a 4-1-4-1 formation against Manchester United, with Jason Puncheon and Yohan Cabaye operating just in front of holding midfielder Luka Milivojevic. Bakary Sako came in as the lone striker in place of the injured Christian Benteke, while there were a couple of changes in defence. Joel Ward returned at right-back, with on-loan defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah ineligible to face his parent club, while Damien Delaney started in central defence in place of the injured Scott Dann.
• What we learned: Given Benteke will still be unavailable for the home meeting with Chelsea in Gameweek 8, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek is ineligible to face his parent club, Hodgson will be desperate to have Wilfried Zaha back following a knee injury. That looks unlikley but, if available, he could start either on the left wing, or even as a lone striker in place of Sako. In defence, Dann should return in place of Delaney if he’s passed fit, while Fosu-Mensah is expected to return at right-back, seeing Ward drop to the bench. James Tomkins should be available following illness and provides another option at right-back and centre-back. James McArthur offers a viable alternative to Puncheon and Cabaye in central midfield.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-back, central defenders, central midfield, left wing, lone striker

Everton

Starting XI: Pickford; Martina, Keane, Williams, Baines; Schneiderlin (Rooney 63), Gueye; Calvert-Lewin, Sigurdsson, Vlasic (Davies 69); Niasse (Ramirez 82). Subs: Stekelenburg, Holgate, Klaassen, Lookman.

• What we saw: Toffees boss Ronald Koeman opted to change formation for the visit of Burnley to Goodison Park, switching to a 4-4-2. Oumar Niasse started alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin in attack, with Nikola Vlasic (right) and Gylfi Sigurdsson (left) stationed out wide. Michael Keane returned from injury to partner Ashley Williams in central defence. Wayne Rooney was introduced shortly after the hour mark, but he played in central midfield, just in front of Idrissa Gueye.
• What we learned: Following another poor performance in the 1-0 defeat, there looks to be plenty of uncertainty as to how the Toffees will line up when they travel to Brighton after the international break. In attack, Rooney and Sandro Ramirez are possible alternatives to Niasse and Calvert-Lewin, while the need for more pace and width means that Ademola Lookman may come into contention. The likes of Aaron Lennon and Kevin Mirallas could even be options. There’s uncertainty as to where the likes of Sigurdsson, Tom Davies and Davy Klaassen fit in, then, with Gueye and Morgan Schneiderlin more likely to retain their starts in the deeper midfield areas. At the back, Phil Jagielka may push to replace Ashley Williams if he recovers from a hamstring injury, while Mason Holgate and Jonjoe Kenny are alternatives to Cuco Martina at right-back.

Current Status: Very Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-back, central defenders, flanks, forwards

Huddersfield Town

Starting XI: Lossl; Smith, Jorgensen, Schindler, Lowe (Malone 61); Mooy (Billing 61), Hogg (Whitehead 81); Kachunga, van La Parra, Ince; Depoitre. Subs not used: Green, Sabiri, Cranie, Hadergjonaj.

• What we saw: Despite facing their first big test of the season in the shape of Spurs, David Wagner kept faith in his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation. The one change saw Rajiv van La Parra replace Abdelhamid Sabiri, which saw Tom Ince move back into the No 10 role.
• What we learned: The way Spurs easily dispatched the Terriers should provide Wagner with food for thought when they come up against more of the top clubs over the next month or so. He may adopt a more defensive formation in those matches, but with a trip to Swansea up next, he is expected to continue with the 4-2-3-1 system. The Huddersfield boss hopes Steve Mounie will be fit to return, though Laurent Depoitre has deputised well over the last three matches. Sabiri could push for a recall at the expense of van La Parra, while Billing remains a viable alternative to Jonathan Hogg in central midfield. Scott Malone replaced Chris Lowe at left-back for the final 30 minutes, and is pushing for a first league start.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Left-back, central midfield, attacking midfield, lone striker

Leicester City

Starting XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Maguire, Fuchs; Gray, Ndidi, King (Iborra 46), Albrighton (Mahrez 75); Okazaki (Iheanacho 69); Vardy. Subs not used: Hamer, Chilwell, Amartey, Slimani.

• What we saw: Craig Shakespeare dropped Riyad Mahrez for the trip to Bournemouth, with Demarai Gray preferred to the Algerian out wide. Christian Fuchs returned from an eye problem to replace Ben Chilwell at left-back, with the rest of the side staying unchanged in the usual 4-4-1-1 system. Vicente Iborra made a belated Premier League debut as a half-time substitute in place of Andy King.
• What we learned: The fact that Leicester lacked creativity against the Cherries means that Mahrez should have a good chance of earning a recall when Leicester host West Bromwich Albion after the international break. Starting both Mahrez and Gray might be seen as too much of a risk from a defensive perspective, so it’s Gray who might drop back to the bench, leaving Albrighton and Mahrez on the wings. Iborra got 45 minutes under his belt at the Vitality Stadium and looks set to push for a first start against the Baggies in place of King. Kelechi Iheanacho offers a viable alternative to Shinji Okazaki in the support striker role.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, flanks, support striker

Liverpool

Starting XI: Mignolet; Gomez, Matip, Lovren, Moreno; Wijnaldum, Henderson, Coutinho; Salah (Oxlade-Chamberlain 83), Mane (Solanke 75); Sturridge (Firmino 75). Subs not used: Karius, Can, Milner, Klavan.

• What we saw: Jurgen Klopp kept faith in his favoured 4-3-3 formation for the trip to Newcastle, although he handed a rare start to Daniel Sturridge as his central striker, seeing Roberto Firmino drop to the bench. Sadio Mane returned from his three-match ban to start on the left of the front three, with Philippe Coutinho dropping back into central midfield. That meant Emre Can had to make do with a place among the substitutes. In search of a late winner, Klopp switched to a more attacking 4-2-3-1 formation, with Firmino stationed in a No 10 role behind lone striker Dominic Solanke. Fellow substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain played on the right wing, with Coutinho on the opposite flank.
• What we learned: As expected, Klopp fielded Coutinho on the left of the three-man midfield, allowing Mane to be restored to the starting XI. Sturridge failed to make the most of a rare start, so Firmino is expected to be recalled for the Gameweek 8 home clash with Manchester United. Against stronger opposition, Klopp could be wary of fielding Coutinho in midfield, though, which would put a squeeze on the forward positions if the Brazilian was used on the left of the front three. Emre Can could challenge for a start in place of Georginio Wijnaldum, while Trent Alexander-Arnold will be pushing Joe Gomez for the right-back berth. Long-haul flights could be a factor for Klopp’s Brazilians given the early kick-off against United, but, for such a big fixture, both will be expected to be in contention.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Right-back, Central midfield, central striker

Part two of line-up lessons, detailing the remaining ten teams, will follow on Tuesday.