Bournemouth are the latest to revert to a three-man backline, just as Arsene Wenger may be about to call time on the system following a first-half runaround at Anfield.
Elsewhere, Antonio Conte gives a vote of confidence to Cesc Fabregas in midfield and is rewarded with a goal, while Frank De Boer’s tactics and formation come under scrutiny as Crystal Palace fail to overcome key absentees.
Here’s part one of Line-up Lessons, assessing the teamsheets and formations from Gameweek 3, with one eye on what’s to come following the international break.
Arsenal
Starting XI: Cech: Holding, Koscielny, Monreal: Oxlade-Chamberlain (Lacazette 62), Xhaka, Ramsey (Coquelin 46), Bellerin: Sanchez (Giroud 62), Welbeck, Ozil. Subs not used: Ospina, Mustafi, Kolasinac, Walcott.
- What we saw: Arsene Wenger handed a first start of the season to Alexis Sanchez, who joined Mesut Ozil in the two advanced midfield positions in the 3-4-2-1 formation. It was Danny Welbeck who surprisingly got the nod ahead of Alexandre Lacazette in the lone striker role. Laurent Koscielny returned from suspension to join Rob Holding and Nacho Monreal in central defence, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (right) and Hector Bellerin (left) chosen as the wing-backs, as Sead Kolasinac dropped to the bench. But following a disastrous first half, Wenger brought on Francis Coquelin for Aaron Ramsey, with the Welshman reportedly dealing with a calf problem, and switched to a 4-2-3-1, with Nacho Monreal moving to left-back, and Bellerin to right-back. Oxlade-Chamberlain moved forward to the right wing but was replaced shortly after the hour mark. The final half hour saw Welbeck move to the right, with substitute Lacazette on the left and Olivier Giroud as the lone striker.
- What we learned: The changes in system and personnel demonstrate the current malaise at Arsenal, with the uncertainty hanging over the future of Shkodran Mustafi, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and perhaps Sanchez. The fact the three-man defence is not yielding the success found during the final stages of last season suggests that Wenger may consider a return to a back four following the international break. Both Lacazette and Giroud will push for recalls in attack, with Coquelin a more defensive option in central midfield should the Gunners go back to 4-2-3-1. Kolasinac is another who should come back into contention, particularly if Oxlade-Chamberlain departs.
Current Status: Very Unsettled
Risk Areas: Wing-backs/full-backs, central defenders, central midfield, attacking midfield, lone striker
Bournemouth
Starting XI: Begovic; A Smith, S Cook, Ake, Mings, Daniels; Gosling, Surman, Arter; Defoe (Afobe 73, (Mousset 90)), King. Subs not used: Boruc, Brad Smith, Lewis Cook, Fraser, Ibe.
- What we saw: Eddie Howe switched to a 3-5-2 formation for the visit of Manchester City to the Vitality Stadium, with Tyrone Mings earning a start in a back three. Dan Gosling joined Andrew Surman and Harry Arter in central midfield, while Jermain Defoe made his first Premier League start alongside Josh King. Benik Afobe was brought on to replace Defoe, but he picked up a knock late on, and made way for Lys Mousset.
- What we learned: Usually a firm advocate of a four-man defence, Howe joined the growing number of Premier League managers experimenting with a three-man backline. With a trip to Arsenal up next, he could retain that system, which would make personnel changes less likely. Simon Francis may be available following a hamstring injury; he would be an option to replace Mings in central defence, while Lewis Cook could perhaps push for a start in central midfield. Ryan Fraser was the fall guy from the change of formation, with the Scot missing out having started 18 of the last 22 for the Cherries.
Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, central midfield
Brighton & Hove Albion
Starting XI: Ryan; Bruno (Rosenior 46), Dunk, Duffy, Suttner; Knockaert (Izquierdo 80), Stephens, Propper, March; Gross (Murphy 90); Hemed. Subs not used: Maenpaa, Huenemeier, Sidwell, Skalak.
- What we saw: Chris Hughton handed a first start to Anthony Knockaert, who was stationed on the right of midfield in the usual 4-4-1-1 formation. Glenn Murray missed out with an ankle injury, seeing Tomer Hemed get the nod in attack. But following Miguel Britos’ early dismissal for Watford, that changed to a 4-2-3-1, with Knockaert and Solly March in more advanced wide positions. Jose Izquierdo made his Seagulls debut off the bench, operating on the left wing, seeing March switch over to the opposite flank. Liam Rosenior replaced Bruno at half-time with the suggestion that the club skipper may have been troubled by a back injury – there has been no confirmation from the club, and this may have been a move to add energy to the flank in light of the Britos dismissal.
- What we learned: Hughton will have been encouraged after picking up a first point of the season, with radical changes in formation appearing unlikely after the break. Izquierdo will push for a start against West Brom on the left wing, putting March’s berth at risk. Brighton are expected to add a striker to their ranks before the transfer window closes, having yet to register a goal in the Premier League.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Left wing, lone striker
Burnley
Starting XI: Heaton; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Ward; Gudmundsson (Wood 57), Cork, Arfield, Defour (Westwood 81), Brady; Vokes (Barnes 57). Subs not used: Bardsley, Long, Taylor, Pope.
- What we saw: Jeff Hendrick missed the trip to Wembley due to a thigh injury, with Scott Arfield taking his place. The Clarets lined up in more of a 4-2-3-1, with Jack Cork and Steven Defour in the double-pivot. Arfield joined Robbie Brady and Johann Berg Gudmundsson slightly further forward in midfield. That changed to more of a 4-4-1-1 following the introduction of Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood from the bench, with Brady on the right flank, and Arfield on the left.
- What we learned: After scoring the late equaliser, Wood should push for a start when Burnley host Crystal Palace in Gameweek 4. Sean Dyche could choose to use the New Zealander either in place or alongside Vokes, in a 4-4-2. Hendrick should return to contention in midfield, with Arfield’s berth most at risk.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, forwards
Chelsea
Starting XI: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Rudiger, Moses (Christensen 88), Fabregas, Kante, Alonso, Pedro (Bakayoko 75), Willian, Morata (Batshuayi 77). Subs not used: Caballero, Kenedy, Musonda, Tomori.
- What we saw: Antonio Conte handed a first start of the season to Pedro, who joined Alvaro Morata and Willian in the front three in the Italian’s usual 3-4-3 formation. Cesc Fabregas returned from suspension to join N’Golo Kante in the middle of the park, with Tiemoue Bakayoko dropping to the bench. David Luiz shifted back into defence, seeing Andreas Christensen miss out. Holding a 2-0 lead, Conte switched to a 3-5-1-1 late on after Bakayoko was sent on for Pedro, with Willian operating just behind substitute Michy Batshuayi.
- What we learned: The use of Luiz in central midfield against Spurs appears to have been designed to nullify the opposition and due to a lack of options. With Fabregas and Bakayoko now battling to partner Kante in central midfield, Luiz will surely remain part of Conte’s back three. Elsewhere, Eden Hazard featured for the U23s last Friday and should be in contention to return against Leicester City following the international break. The Belgian could replace either Willian or Pedro if he’s fit enough to come straight into the starting XI.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, flanks
Crystal Palace
Starting XI: Hennessey, Fosu-Mensah, Dann, Tomkins (Kelly 41), Ward, Milivojevic (Cabaye 58), McArthur, Van Aanholt (Lee Chung-yong 46), Townsend, Puncheon, Benteke. Subs not used: Speroni, Schlupp, Lokilo, Anderson.
- What we saw: Frank de Boer was without Ruben Loftus-Cheek (groin) for the home encounter against Swansea City, with James McArthur taking the loanee’s place. Andros Townsend played nearest to Christian Benteke in attack in a 3-5-2, with Jason Puncheon pushing forward from the three-man midfield. The Palace boss switched to a four-man defence in the second half, with substitute Martin Kelly at right-back, and Joel Ward shifting across to the left. Lee Chung-yong came on for Patrick van Aanholt at half-time and played on the right of an attacking midfield trio alongside Puncheon and Townsend in a 4-2-3-1. Yohan Cabaye made his first appearance of the season in the second half, replacing Luka Milivojevic in a straight swap.
- What we learned: De Boer is still discovering the strengths and weaknesses of his Palace squad, and perhaps that a three-man defence is not ideally suited to the players at his disposal. Changes in both system and personnel appear possible for the trip to Burnley after the international break, with De Boer desperate to have both Loftus-Cheek and Wilfried Zaha available. Tomkins was forced off with a knock on the weekend, but Jairo Riedewald should have a good chance of recovering to start at Turf Moor. Cabaye provides a different option in midfield, while Van Aanholt’s start looks far from assured. Jeffrey Schlupp is another who may come into contention, then. De Boer is reportedly in the market for a new goalkeeper, so Wayne Hennessey’s place may also come under threat.
Current Status: Very Unsettled
Risk Areas: Goalkeeper, wing-backs/full-backs, central defenders, central midfield, attacking midfield
Everton
Starting XI: Pickford, Keane, Williams, Jagielka (Lennon 83), Holgate, Davies (Besic 46), Gueye, Baines, Rooney, Sigurdsson, Sandro (Calvert-Lewin 62). Subs not used: Martina, Stekelenburg, Lookman, Kenny.
- What we saw: Ronald Koeman rolled out a 3-4-2-1 formation at Stamford Bridge, with Gylfi Sigurdsson handed his first Premier League start next to Wayne Rooney in the advanced midfield positions. Sandro was available again following a heel problem and replaced Dominic Calvert-Lewin as the lone striker. Tom Davies and Idrissa Gueye formed the central midfield partnership in the absence of the suspended Morgan Schneiderlin, with Mason Holgate again preferred at right wing-back. Koeman switched to four at the back late on, introducing Aaron Lennon for Phil Jagielka, with the substitute joining Sigurdsson and Rooney in the attacking midfield spots in a 4-2-3-1.
- What we learned: Koeman appears to favour a three-man defence – particularly away from home – and with Spurs up next, that could continue. Davy Klaassen should be available for that clash having missed out yesterday due to a foot injury, and will provide another midfield option, along with Schneiderlin, who will return from his ban. Calvert-Lewin has impressed and will surely challenge Sandro for his starting role following the international break. The Toffees may yet make further moves in the transfer market in that position, however.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, attacking midfield, lone striker
Huddersfield Town
Starting XI: Lossl: Smith, Schindler, Zanka, Lowe: Billing (Williams 61), Van La Parra (Palmer 56): Kachunga (Quaner 88), Mooy, Ince: Mounie. Subs not used: Coleman, Malone, Lolley, Hefele.
- What we saw: David Wagner named the same side that beat Newcastle United 1-0 for the home meeting against Southampton, sticking with his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation. Kasey Palmer entered the fray for Rajiv van La Parra, who picked up a knock, while Colin Quaner again appeared off the bench.
- What we learned: The Terriers’ starting XI has a settled look to it, and the two-week break should allow time for Van La Parra to regain full fitness. Danny Williams replaced Philip Billing in central midfield on the hour mark, and could potentially push for a start for the Gameweek 4 trip to West Ham United.
Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, left wing
Leicester City
Starting XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Maguire, Morgan, Fuchs; Mahrez, Ndidi, James, Albrighton (King 60); Vardy (Slimani 76), Okazaki (Gray 60). Subs not used: Hamer, Chilwell, Iheanacho, Amartey.
- What we saw: Craig Shakespeare once again rolled out an unchanged starting XI for the trip to Old Trafford, although Kelechi Iheanacho was fit enough to be named on the bench. The Foxes lined up in their usual 4-4-1-1 formation, which changed to more of a 4-5-1 after the introduction of Andy King, Demarai Gray and Islam Slimani. Riyad Mahrez was allowed to drift inside more during the final half hour, though, with King playing wider on the right.
- What we learned: Shakespeare looks set to continue with the 4-4-1-1, although he’ll be hoping Iheanacho can shake off a nagging toe problem to push for a start in attack. Providing Danny Drinkwater (thigh) is fully fit after the international break, and remains at the club, he should come into contention to replace Matty James in central midfield. Robert Huth (ankle) should also be close to a return when the Foxes host the Blues in Gameweek 4 with Wes Morgan’s starting role then under threat. Demarai Gray continues to offer a more attacking alternative to Marc Albrighton on the left flank.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, support striker
Liverpool
Starting XI: Karius: Gomez, Matip, Lovren, Moreno: Wijnaldum, Henderson, Emre Can (Grujic 83): Mane (Sturridge 74), Firmino (Milner 80), Salah. Subs not used: Ward, Alexander-Arnold, Klavan, Solanke.
- What we saw: Reds boss Jurgen Klopp kept faith in his favoured 4-3-3 formation, but did make a few personnel changes. Simon Mignolet was dropped in goal, with the official line stating that he was “rested”. Loris Karius took his place with Danny Ward promoted to the bench. Alberto Moreno was preferred at left-back, with Joe Gomez at right-back. Trent Alexander-Arnold was named among the substitutes despite suffering from a dead leg last week. Klopp shored up the midfield late on with his side 4-0 up, bringing on James Milner for Roberto Firmino, leaving just Mohamed Salah and fellow substitute Daniel Sturridge in attack.
- What we learned: While Karius was far from convincing, he could feasibly replace Mignolet as the first choice stopper. Rotation at right-back looks set to continue, while on the opposite flank, Andrew Robertson is a viable alternative to Alberto Moreno. The Scot missed out on Sunday following the birth of his child. With Philippe Coutinho perhaps remaining at the club, he will be a threat to the starts of either Georginio Wijnaldum or Emre Can once fit – perhaps even after the international break.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Goalkeeper, full-backs, central midfield
Part two of Line-up Lessons, detailing the remaining ten teams, will follow tomorrow.
