Lineup Lessons – Gameweek 9 – Part One

Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette start together for the first time as Arsenal run riot at Everton.

Antonio Conte switches to a 3-4-2-1 as Eden Hazard and Pedro buzz around Alvaro Morata, while Bournemouth prevail at Stoke City despite missing both first-choice strikers.

Here’s part one of Line-up Lessons, assessing the teamsheets and formations from Gameweek 9, with one eye on what’s to come over the Carabao Cup matches and the weekend slate.

Arsenal

Starting XI: Cech; Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal; Bellerin, Ramsey, Xhaka, Kolasinac; Ozil (Coquelin 82), Sanchez; Lacazette (Wilshere 76). Subs not used: Macey, Giroud, Walcott, Holding, Iwobi.

• What we saw: Arsene Wenger once again rolled out the 3-4-2-1 formation for the trip to Everton, handing recalls to fit-again Aaron Ramsey and Alexis Sanchez, while Mesut Ozil was afforded a first start since Gameweek 4. Tellingly, it was the first time that Ozil and Sanchez had started in the same XI alongside Alexandre Lacazette. The Gunners ended the match with Sanchez as the lone striker, while Ramsey moved forward into a central support role, leaving substitutes Francis Coquelin and Jack Wilshere alongside Granit Xhaka in central midfield.
• What we learned: Following an impressive performance, changes are unlikely for Saturday’s visit of Swansea City to the Emirates. Arsenal face Norwich City in the EFL Cup tomorrow night, with most, if not all of the players who started yesterday, expected to be rested ahead of the weekend. Rob Holding provides an alternative in central defence, as does Alex Iwobi in the attacking midfield positions but both will struggle to force their way into the Gameweek 10 starting line-up.

Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: None

Bournemouth

Starting XI: Begovic; Smith, Francis, Ake, Daniels; Ibe (Pugh 86), Surman, L Cook (Arter 76), Stanislas; Mousset (S Cook 61), Afobe. Subs not used: Boruc, Gosling, Wilson, Fraser.

• What we saw: Eddie Howe reverted to a 4-4-1-1 formation for the trip to Stoke City, after using a five-man defence in the 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. With Josh King (illness) and Jermain Defoe (hamstring) both ruled out, Benik Afobe operated as the lone striker, with Lys Mousset stationed in a central support role. Jordon Ibe (right) and Junior Stanislas (left) played out wide, while Steve Cook dropped to the bench. But with his side holding a 2-0 lead, Howe switched to a 5-4-1 system, bringing on Cook in place of Mousset.
• What we learned: Howe is showing more flexibility in his tactical approach, changing formations both before and during matches. With a home clash against Chelsea on Saturday, he has the option to start with both a four or five-man defence. Steve Cook is the player who stands to benefit if he opts for the latter, while King should return to the starting XI, most likely in place of Mousset. Defoe is more of a doubt, having been ruled out for tomorrow night’s EFL Cup tie against Middlesbrough, so Afobe may retain his start in attack. If one of the midfielders does have to make way in order to change formation, Ibe appears most at risk.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, flanks, forwards

Brighton & Hove Albion

Starting XI: Ryan; Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Bong; Knockaert (Schelotto 84), Stephens, Propper, Izquierdo (March 69); Gross (Brown 76); Murray. Subs not used: Krul, Goldson, Suttner, Molumby.

• What we saw: The Seagulls lined up in more of a 4-4-2 formation against West Ham United, with Pascal Gross deployed up in support of Glenn Murray in attack. There were two changes down the left flank, with Gaetan Bong replacing Markus Suttner at left-back, while Jose Izquierdo came in for Solly March on the left side of midfield.
• What we learned: Given the comprehensive nature of Brighton’s 3-0 victory, both Bong and Izquierdo should retain their starts for the home clash against Southampton on Sunday. Tomer Hemed is available again following his three-match ban, but Murray’s brace means he may well keep his place in the side. While Gross was used in a slightly different position last Friday, he could return to a deeper support role against Saints.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Left-back, left wing, lone striker

Burnley

Starting XI: Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Ward; Cork, Defour (Westwood 84); Brady, Hendrick (Gudmundsson 71), Arfield; Wood (Barnes 20). Subs not used: Bardsley, Lindegaard, Long, Taylor.

• What we saw: While Clarets boss Sean Dyche named an unchanged starting XI for the trip to Manchester City, he did change his tactical approach slightly, opting for a 4-1-4-1 system. Steven Defour was used in a defensive midfield role, leaving Jack Cork and Jeff Hendrick in central midfield. Dyche was forced into an early change, after Chris Wood was forced off with a hamstring problem. The New Zealand international was replaced by Ashley Barnes.
• What we learned: Dyche’s side continues to appear settled, although there are one or two possible changes for the home meeting with Newcastle United a week tonight. Should Wood be ruled out, Barnes or Sam Vokes – providing he recovers from an abdominal injury that saw him miss out on the weekend – could start as the lone striker. Johann Berg Gudmundsson provides an option out wide, with Scott Arfield’s starting berth probably the most at risk. Against the Magpies, the Clarets may well line up in a more attacking 4-4-1-1 formation, with Hendrick deployed in a central support role.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Flanks, lone striker

Chelsea

Starting XI: Courtois; Rudiger, Luiz, Cahill; Azpilicueta, Fabregas, Bakayoko, Alonso (Willian 68); Pedro (Zappacosta 86), Morata (Batshuayi 61), Hazard. Subs not used: Caballero, Musonda, Christensen, Ampadu.

• What we saw: After starting with a 3-5-2 in the midweek Champions League match against Roma, Antonio Conte reverted to a 3-4-2-1 formation for the visit of Watford. The fit-again Alvaro Morata lead the attack, with Hazard and Pedro interchanging either side of the striker. In defence, Cesar Azpilicueta was chosen ahead of Davide Zappacosta at right wing-back. Elsewhere, pre-match doubts David Luiz and Tiemoue Bakayoko were both fit to start. During the second half, Conte brought on Willian at right-wing-back, seeing Azpilicueta shift across to left wing-back as the disappointing Marcos Alonso made way. The Brazilian then moved alongside Eden Hazard, after Zappacosta was brought on in place of Pedro to play at right wing-back.
• What we learned: Conte is likely to name a similar starting XI for Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth after emerging with all three points against the Hornets. Should Victor Moses (hamstring) remain sidelined, it’s only Zappacosta and Andreas Christensen that provide alternatives in defence. N’Golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater are set to remain sidelined, restricting Conte’s ability to shift his formation to the preferred 3-5-2. Pedro surely did enough to retain his start ahead of Willian, while despite scoring twice off the bench, Michy Batshuayi is expected to remain back-up to Morata.

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

Crystal Palace

Starting XI: Speroni; Ward, Dann, Sakho, van Aanholt; McArthur (Sako 88), Cabaye, Milivojevic, Schlupp; Townsend, Zaha (Loftus-Cheek 76). Subs not used: Hennessey, Tomkins, Fosu-Mensah, Puncheon, Riedewald.

• What we saw: While Wayne Hennessey was fit to return after missing the 2-1 victory over Chelsea following a knock, the Wales international was only named among the substitutes, along with Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Roy Hodgson decided to name an unchanged starting XI, with the Eagles once again lining up in a 4-4-2 formation. When Loftus-Cheek was introduced, he took over from Wilfried Zaha in attack.
• What we learned: While Palace suffered another defeat, Hodgson looks to be fairly settled on his strongest starting XI. If he approaches the home encounter against West Ham United with a more attacking approach, Andros Townsend could replace James McArthur on the right side of midfield, allowing Loftus-Cheek to join Zaha in attack. Hennessey may also challenge Julian Speroni for the starting spot in goal but if the veteran retains his start, then he would appear established as the second 4.0 keeper following Newcastle’s Rob Elliot earlier this season.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Goalkeeper, right wing, forwards

Everton

Starting XI: Pickford; Keane, Williams (Davies 46), Jagielka; Kenny, Gueye, Vlasic, Baines; Sigurdsson, Rooney (Lookman 74); Calvert-Lewin (Niasse 74). Subs not used: Robles, Mirallas, Martina, Klaassen.

• What we saw: Ronald Koeman switched from a 4-2-3-1 formation to a 3-4-2-1 as he desperately searched for a tactical solution to their slump. Ashley Williams returned in central defence, while Jonjoe Kenny got the nod at right wing-back. Nikola Vlasic generally played alongside Idrissa Gueye in central midfield, although both Wayne Rooney and Gylfi Sigurdsson, who started the match as the attacking midfield duo, at times dropped back into deeper areas. Koeman decided to change back to a 4-2-3-1 system at half-time, with Tom Davies joining Gueye in midfield, seeing Williams withdrawn. After Gueye was sent off, both Vlasic and Sigurdsson dropped slightly deeper in midfield next to Davies, while Ademola Lookman came on to play on the right wing.
• What we learned: With Koeman’s departure now confirmed, the Everton line-up is in total flux ahead of the weekend visit to Leicester City. Gueye will be available as he serves his one-match suspension against Chelsea in the EFL Cup. Morgan Schneiderlin could also return to contention after he missed out on Sunday having sustained an injury against Lyon in the UEFA Europa League. Fantasy managers must now sit and wait to see what news emerges from Goodison Park, with David Unsworth perhaps likely to take temporary charge for the trip to the King Power Stadium.

Current Status: Very unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-back/right wing-back, central defenders, central midfield, flanks, forwards

Huddersfield Town

Starting XI: Lossl; Smith, Jorgensen, Schindler, Lowe; Hogg; Kachunga (van la Parra 39), Williams, Mooy, Ince (Malone 90); Depoitre (Mounie 69). Subs not used: Coleman, Cranie, Hadergjonaj, Sabiri.

• What we saw: Perhaps in light of the 4-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, David Wagner opted for a more cautious 4-1-4-1 formation at home to Manchester United. Jonathan Hogg was deployed in front of the back four, leaving Danny Williams and Aaron Mooy in central midfield. Chris Lowe was recalled at left-back in place of Scott Malone. A back injury saw Elias Kachunga withdrawn just before half-time, with Rajiv van La Parra taking over on the right side of midfield. The returning Steve Mounie made his first appearance since Gameweek 4 following a heel injury, taking over from Laurent Depoitre as the lone striker for the final 21 minutes.
• What we learned: With the Terriers facing another tough challenge at Anfield this weekend, it’s likely that Wagner will stick with the 4-1-4-1 system. If Kachunga is unavailable, Van La Parra could start on the right, while Mounie may challenge Depoitre for the lone striker role. Following the hugely impressive victory over Jose Mourinho’s side, the rest of the starting XI appears likely to remain unchanged.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Right wing, lone striker

Leicester City

Starting XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Maguire, Fuchs; Mahrez (Gray 86), Iborra, Ndidi, Albrighton; Okazaki (King 68); Vardy. Subs not used: Hamer; Chilwell, Iheanacho, Amartey, Slimani.

• What we saw: Caretaker manager Michael Appleton only made one change from Craig Shakespeare’s final match in charge, with Shinji Okazaki returning as the support striker in place of Kelechi Iheanacho. With Swansea pushing forward for a late equaliser, Appleton brought on Andy King in central midfield for Okazaki, seeing the Foxes line up in a more defensive 4-5-1 formation.
• What we learned: If Appleton is still in charge for Sunday’s home meeting with Everton, it’s possible we’ll see him select the same starting XI, providing there is a clean bill of health following their EFL Cup match against Leeds United. King is the main alternative in the middle of the park, but neither Iheanacho nor Islam Slimani are likely to start at the expense of Okazaki. Demarai Gray provides a more attacking option out wide compared to Marc Albrighton.

Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: None

Liverpool

Starting XI: Mignolet, Gomez, Matip, Lovren (Oxlade-Chamberlain 31), Moreno, Milner, Henderson, Emre Can (Grujic 84), Coutinho, Firmino (Sturridge 77), Salah. Subs not used: Karius, Klavan, Solanke, Alexander-Arnold.

• What we saw: After Georginio Wijnaldum was ruled out with a knee injury, Jurgen Klopp decided to hand a start to James Milner as part of the three-man midfield. Dejan Lovren was replaced after suffering a nightmare first half-hour in the heart of the defence, with his departure forcing a reshuffle. Joe Gomez moved to centre-back, with Emre Can taking over at right-back. Philippe Coutinho dropped back into midfield, seeing substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain operate on the left of the front three. When Marko Grujic was brought on, he played in central midfield as Milner shifted to right-back.
• What we learned: After his disastrous display, Lovren’s start is surely at risk for Saturday’s home meeting with Huddersfield. Gomez and Ragnar Klavan are the options in central defence, with Trent Alexander-Arnold then a possible alternative at right-back. Should Wijnaldum remain sidelined, either Milner or Coutinho could earn a start in central midfield. If the Brazilian drops back, Daniel Sturridge may be handed a role in attack. Oxlade-Chamberlain provides another option as he continues to push for minutes.

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

Part two of Line-up Lessons, detailing the remaining ten teams, will follow tomorrow.