Our post-week analysis of the Gameweek team sheets gets underway this afternoon as we assess the lessons learned from Saturday and Sunday’s Gameweek 1 line-ups. We roll out the first of a two-part series today, with a further ten teams to follow tomorrow.
Arsenal
Starting XI: Cech; Bellerin, Holding, Chambers, Monreal; Elneny (Xhaka 67), Coquelin; Walcott, Ramsey (Cazorla 60), Iwobi (Oxlade-Chamberlain 58); Sanchez.
- With centre-backs Per Mertesacker and Gabriel both out injured, Arsene Wenger handed a first start to summer signing Rob Holding against Liverpool, with Laurent Koscielny, Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud all left out following their Euro 2016 exertions.
- Wenger kept faith in his usual 4-2-3-1 formation, with Aaron Ramsey in the number ten role behind lone striker Alexis Sanchez. Theo Walcott (right) and Alex Iwobi (left) started out wide, while youngsters Calum Chambers and Holding formed the central defensive partnership. Francis Coquelin partnered Mohamed Elneny at the base of midfield for the Gunners.
- After picking up a thigh problem, Iwobi was replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain just before the hour mark in a straight swap, while just moments later, Ramsey had to be substituted after suffering a hamstring injury. The Welshman was replaced by Santi Cazorla, who slotted into the central attacking midfield position. Wenger’s final change saw Granit Xhaka handed his Premier League debut in place of Elneny in central midfield.
- The extent of Iwobi and Ramsey’s injuries are yet to be discovered ahead of the trip to Leicester. Wenger revealed that Koscielny, Ozil and Giroud may feature at the King Power Stadium, although there appear no guarantees given the Frenchman is wary of the trio picking up an injury, as Ramsey did, due to less than ideal preparation. He could move Nacho Monreal into central defence should Koscielny not be risked, with Kieran Gibbs an option at left-back. Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Xhaka will also push for starting berths.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Central Midfield, Attacking Midfield, Flanks, Lone Striker
Bournemouth
Starting XI: Boruc; Francis, A. Smith, S. Cook, Daniels; Surman, Arter, L. Cook (Gradel 82); Ibe (Afobe 68), Wilson (Grabban 68), King.
- Eddie Howe handed a Premier League debut to Lewis Cook, while club-record signing Jordon Ibe also made his first start for the Cherries as they hosted Man United.
- Howe opted for a 4-3-3 formation, with Lewis Cook and Harry Arter playing slightly in advance of Andrew Surman in central midfield. In attack, Ibe (right) and Josh King (left) flanked central striker Callum Wilson.
- With his side trailing 3-0, How made a double substitution, with Benik Afobe and Lewis Grabban introduced in place of Ibe and Wilson. Grabban played down the right flank, while Afobe took over from Wilson as the central striker. Max Gradel played the final eight minutes, coming on in place of Lewis Cook, with the Ivorian playing on the left side of a four-man midfield, allowing King to partner Afobe up front.
- After a disappointing performance, Howe could look to make a few changes for their trip to West Ham. Afobe and, in particular, Grabban made an impact off the bench, so they could push for starting roles, with Wilson perhaps looking slightly vulnerable. However, given that he scored a hat-trick against the Hammers last season, we’d expect him to retain his start. Nathan Ake may also come into contention should the Bournemouth boss look to shore up the midfield, with Cook possibly being at risk. Gradel is another who could earn a recall afer a lively cameo.
Current Status: Slight Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Flanks.
Burnley
Starting XI: Heaton; Lowton, Keane, Mee, Ward; Boyd, Jones (Jutkiewicz 87), Marney, Arfield (Gudmundsson 76); Vokes, Gray.
- Sean Dyche chose to leave summer signing Johann Berg Gudmundsson on the bench for the visit of Swansea to Turf Moor, with George Boyd and Scott Arfield preferred in the wide positions.
- Dyche rolled out his favoured 4-4-2 formation, with Andre Gray and Sam Vokes starting in attack.
- Gudmundsson was the first player called upon off the bench, replacing Arfield with 15 minutes to go. The Iceland international played on the right wing, with Boyd switching over to the left. Striker Lukas Jutkiewicz was thrown on for David Jones in the final stages as the Clarets pushed for a late equaliser.
- Dyche could look to hand Gudmundsson his first start when Liverpool are the visitors to Turf Moor on Saturday, with Arfield or Boyd dropping to the bench. Burnley look poised to complete the signing of midfielder Steven Defour over the next 24 hours, so providing he’s fully fit, the Belgian could replace either Jones or Dean Marney in the middle of the park.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Flanks
Crystal Palace
Starting XI: Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare (Kelly 90); Jedinak, Puncheon (Cabaye 77); Townsend, Lee Chung-yong (Bolasie 65), Zaha; Wickham.
- Alan Pardew decided to leave Everton target Yannick Bolasie on the bench for the home clash against West Brom, instead handing a surprise start to Lee Chung-yong.
- Lee operated in a central attacking midfield role in Pardew’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, flanked by Andros Townsend and Wilfried Zaha. Connor Wickham started as the lone striker, while Jason Puncheon was stationed next to Mile Jedinak in the double-pivot.
- With the match goalless, Pardew turned to Bolasie with his first substitution, with the DR Congo international replacing Lee in a straight swap with 25 minutes remaining. Then, after falling a goal behind, Yohan Cabaye came on in place of Puncheon.
- While Cabaye wasn’t fit enough to start on Saturday following his Euro 2016 exploits, the Frenchman should return to the starting XI for the trip to White Hart Lane on Saturday. That could see Puncheon being moved to the number ten role, with Lee perhaps dropping to the bench. James McArthur (knee) remains doubtful for the Tottenham clash and Bolasie has now departed for Everton.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Attacking Midfield
Everton
Starting XI: Stekelenburg, Holgate, Jagielka, Funes Mori, McCarthy, Gueye, Barry (Cleverley 84), Baines, Barkley, Mirallas (Lennon 75), Deulofeu (Kone 67).
- New Everton boss Ronald Koeman handed a debut to summer signing Idrissa Gueye for the home fixture against Tottenham, but Romelu Lukaku and Seamus Coleman were ruled out due to heel and ankle injuries respectively.
- The Dutchman opted for a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Phil Jagielka and Ramiro Funes Mori joined by youngster Mason Holgate in the three-man backline. James McCarthy was used in the unfamiliar position of right wing-back, with Leighton Baines on the opposite flank. Gueye joined Gareth Barry in central midfield, with Ross Barkley and Kevin Mirallas in central attacking midfield positions behind “false nine” Gerard Deulofeu.
- Deulofeu was the first player to be sacrificed, as Arouna Kone replaced the Spaniard in a straight swap with 23 minutes remaining. Aaron Lennon then entered the fray in place of Mirallas, playing slightly wider on the left, with Tom Cleverley handed a brief run-out, replacing Barry in the middle of the park.
- Koeman said after the match that Lukaku should be fit to face West Brom on Saturday, so either Deulofeu or Mirallas could drop out of the starting XI, with the former Barcelona player capable of dropping back into an attacking midfield role. New signing Yannick Bolasie offers further competition out wide or in a central support berth. While McCarthy performed well in an unfamiliar position, he could be vulnerable should Koeman change formations. Having had more time to build up his match fitness, Ashley Williams could be handed his Toffees debut at the Hawthorns, with Holgate appearing the most likely to make way.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Right Wing-Back, Attacking Midfield, Lone Striker
Hull
Starting XI: Jakupovic; Elmohamady, Livermore, Davies, Robertson; Clucas; Snodgrass, Meyler, Huddlestone, Diomande; Hernandez.
- Caretaker Manager Mike Phelan had very few decisions to make given the lack of senior players available to him, but it was Jake Livermore, normally a midfielder, who was chosen to partner Curtis Davies in central defence as the Tigers hosted champions Leicester.
- Phelan opted for a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Sam Clucas operating as the defensive midfielder. Robert Snodgrass (right) and Adama Diomande (left) started out wide, with David Meyler and Tom Huddlestone patrolling central midfield. Abel Hernandez led the line.
- Given the lack of options off the bench, it perhaps wasn’t a huge surprise that Phelan chose not to make any substitutions.
- With that in mind, and the fact Hull didn’t appear to pick up any injuries, it’s likely they’ll name an unchanged side for their trip to Swansea on Saturday. Shaun Maloney does offer a different option in the attacking midfield areas, but is probably unlikely to force his way into the starting XI given the impressive opening day victory.
Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: Attacking Midfield
Leicester
Starting XI: Schmeichel; Simpson (Ulloa 83), Hernandez, Morgan, Fuchs; Mahrez, King (Amartey 68), Drinkwater, Gray (Okazaki 68); Musa, Vardy.
- Claudio Ranieri was without the suspended Robert Huth, so Luis Hernandez was handed his Premier League debut, as was Ahmed Musa for the trip to the KCOM Stadium.
- Musa’s inclusion in the starting XI meant Ranieri went with a 4-4-2 system, with the Nigerian partnering Jamie Vardy in attack. Riyad Mahrez and Demarai Gray started out wide, with Andy King filling the void left by N’Golo Kante in central midfield. Hernandez started alongside Wes Morgan on the right side of central defence.
- With his side trailing 2-1, Ranieri made a double substitution after 68 minutes, with Daniel Amartey and Shinji Okazaki replacing King and Gray. Amartey took over in central midfield, while Musa moved to the left to allow Okazaki to support Vardy down the middle. As a final roll of the dice, Leonardo Ulloa was thrown on for Danny Simpson, but the Foxes couldn’t find a late equaliser.
- Huth will be available to face Arsenal on Saturday after serving his suspension, so he should replace Hernandez at centre-back. Summer signing Nampalys Mendy wasn’t included in the 18-man squad on Saturday, but should he be fit, he could challenge King for a starting berth. Gray’s unconvincing display could see Musa switch to the left, with Okazaki behind Vardy, though Marc Albrighton could also come into contention for a starting berth.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Centre-Back, Central Midfield, Left Wing, Support Striker
Liverpool
Starting XI: Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Klavan, Moreno; Lallana (Origi 75), Henderson, Wijnaldum (Stewart 88); Mane, Coutinho (Can 70), Firmino.
- Jurgen Klopp handed debuts to Ragnar Klavan, Georginio Wijnaldum and Sadio Mane for the trip to the Emirates, while Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana were favoured in midfield over Emre Can.
- Klopp rolled out the 4-3-3 formation. Henderson was stationed in the defensive midfield role, with Lallana and Wijnaldum operating slightly further forward. Philippe Coutinho (left) and Mane (right) flanked Roberto Firmino in the “false nine” role.
- After suffering with cramp, Coutinho was replaced by Can with 20 minutes remaining. Shortly after, Divock Origi was introduced in place of Lallana, with the Belgian taking over as the lone striker, moving Firmino into a slightly deeper attacking midfield role. Kevin Stewart came on for Wijnaldum for the final few minutes to help see out the 4-3 victory.
- Klopp revealed after the match that Coutinho suffered no injury, and the Brazilian should be okay to start at Burnley on Saturday. Alberto Moreno’s poor performance means James Milner could come into contention to start at left-back should the England international recover from a heel injury.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Left-Back
Man City
Starting XI: Caballero, Sagna, Stones, Kolarov, Clichy (Iheanacho 81), Fernandinho, Silva (Delph 64), Sterling, De Bruyne, Nolito (Jesus Navas 59), Aguero.
- Pep Guardiola handed immediate debuts to John Stones and Nolito, but Nicolas Otamendi was only named among the substitutes having been struggling to overcome a tendon injury. Kevin De Bruyne was a slightly surprising inclusion given his late arrival back to pre-season following his Euro 16 exploits. In goal, Willy Caballero was preferred to England number one Joe Hart.
- Guardiola started the match with a 4-1-4-1 formation, with David Silva and De Bruyne operating slightly in advance of Fernandinho in central midfield. Nolito (left) and Raheem Sterling (right) started high up the pitch, with Sergio Aguero the lone forward. Stones was partnered by Aleksandar Kolarov at the heart of the defence.
- Nolito was the first player to make way, with the Spaniard being replaced by his compatriot Jesus Navas just before the hour mark. Navas played on the right wing, with Sterling switching over to the left. Shortly after, Fabian Delph came on in place of Silva, seeing City switch to more of a 4-2-3-1, with Delph sat alongside Fernandinho in central midfield, allowing De Bruyne to move forward into the number ten role. With the scores level at 1-1, Guardiola threw on Kelechi Iheanacho for Gael Clichy as the former Bayern Munich boss searched for a late winner.
- Should Otamendi be fully fit, he may challenge Kolarov for a starting berth alongside Stones in central defence for Saturday’s trip to Stoke. Nolito had a fairly quiet match against Sunderland, so Navas may have the opportunity to earn a starting spot, while Fernando or Delph could provide additional bite in midfield against the Potters.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks
Man United
Starting XI: De Gea; Valencia, Bailly, Blind, Shaw; Fellaini, Herrera; Mata (Mkhitaryan 75), Rooney (Depay 89), Martial (Schneiderlin 85); Ibrahimovic.
- Jose Mourinho handed Premier League debuts to Eric Bailly and Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the trip to Bournemouth, but fellow new boy Henrikh Mkhitaryan was only named among the substitutes.
- Mourinho used his favoured 4-2-3-1 system, with Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini at the base of midfield. Juan Mata (right), Wayne Rooney (number ten) and Anthony Martial (left) formed the attacking midfield trio behind lone striker Ibrahimovic.
- With the match as good as won, Mourinho introduced Mkhitaryan, Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay off the bench during the final 15 minutes, with Mata, Martial and Rooney making way.
- Both Chris Smalling and Paul Pogba missed yesterday’s clash due to suspension, but the pair will be available for Friday’s home encounter with Southampton. Both have had disrupted pre-seasons though, so it’s not a sure thing they’ll come straight into the starting XI. Daley Blind, and one of Herrera or Fellaini would appear the likely players to make way. Jesse Lingard missed the 3-1 victory due to a foot injury, but he could be available to face the Saints, so Mata’s starting berth reamains in doubt, with Mkhitaryan another option in that position.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Centre-Back, Central Midfield, Right-Wing
