Line-up Lessons – Gameweek 23 – Part One

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain fills the void left by Philippe Coutinho’s departure to help consign Man City to their first defeat of the season, as Jurgen Klopp switches allegiance between the sticks.

Wilfried Zaha is shifted to the flank as Bakary Sako vindicates Roy Hodgson’s decision to start him up front by netting the winner against Burnley.

Cenk Tosun is handed the lone striker role on his debut for Everton, while Eddie Howe opts for a three-man defence as Bournemouth see off Arsenal.

Here’s part one of Line-up Lessons, assessing the teamsheets and formations from Gameweek 23, with one eye on what’s to come over the midweek FA Cup replays and beyond.

Arsenal

Starting XI: Cech; Chambers (Ramsey 73), Mustafi, Holding; Bellerin, Wilshere, Xhaka, Maitland-Niles; Iwobi (Walcott 76), Welbeck; Lacazette. Subs not used: Ospina, Mertesacker, Kolasinac, Elneny, Nketiah.

• What we saw: Arsene Wenger kept faith in the 3-4-2-1 formation for the trip to Bournemouth, although he was again without Mesut Ozil (knee) and Alexis Sanchez, with the Chilean set to leave the club over the coming days amid interest from both Manchester clubs. Alex Iwobi and Danny Welbeck started in the advanced midfield positions, while Jack Wilshere recovered from an ankle sprain to keep his place in central midfield. With the score at 1-1, Wenger decided to switch to a 4-3-3, with Aaron Ramsey returning from injury to join Wilshere and Granit Xhaka in central midfield.
• What we learned: With plenty of injuries for the Gunners, Wenger had few options to change things around at the Vitality Stadium. Laurent Koscielny is expected to return to training this week and may be available to return against Crystal Palace on Saturday. Nacho Monreal (ankle) could have an outside chance of being available, while Sead Kolasinac was back on the bench on Sunday. The Bosnian offers a possible replacement for Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who himself may be an option to start in a more advanced role. The return to fitness of Ramsey means Wenger could consider switching to a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, perhaps depending on whether Ozil is ready to return. Alternatively, one of Ramsey or Wilshere could be used in a support role behind Alexandre Lacazette if the Gunners retain their wing-back system.

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

Bournemouth

Starting XI: Begovic; Francis, S. Cook, Ake; A. Smith, Gosling, L. Cook, Daniels (Mousset 63); Ibe (Pugh 86), Fraser; Wilson (Afobe 90). Subs not used: Boruc, Surman, Arter, Simpson.

• What we saw: Cherries boss Eddie Howe decided to match up against Arsenal’s 3-4-2-1 formation, allowing all five of his leading defenders to start. Jordon Ibe and Ryan Fraser were stationed in the advanced midfield positions, while Lewis Cook and Dan Gosling were favoured in central midfield. With his side trailing 1-0, Howe decided to bring on Lys Mousset for Charlie Daniels, seeing Ryan Fraser move to right wing-back, and Adam Smith to left wing-back. Mousset played in the attacking midfield spots down the left flank.
• What we learned: Howe showed he isn’t afraid to try a different formation yesterday, and given Saturday’s opponents West Ham United are also playing with three at the back, he could well stick with the 3-4-2-1 this weekend. That would make personnel changes unlikely, with Andrew Surman and Harry Arter possible alternatives in central midfield, while if either Josh King or Junior Stanislas (both hamstring) are available, they could challenge Ibe and Fraser for starting spots. The Cherries face a trip to Wigan Athletic in an FA Cup third round replay on Wednesday night, although Howe is likely to ring the changes for that match.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Central midfield, attacking midfield

Brighton & Hove Albion

Starting XI: Ryan; Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Bong; Stephens, Propper (Kayal 76); Knockaert, Gross (Baldock 66), Izquierdo (March 46); Murray; Subs not used: Hemed, Goldson, Schelotto, Krul.

• What we saw: The Seagulls lined up in a more attacking 4-2-3-1 for the trip to West Bromwich Albion, with Glenn Murray starting as the lone striker. Jose Izquierdo was preferred on the left wing, while Gaetan Bong got the nod over Markus Suttner at left-back. But following a disappointing display, Izquierdo was replaced by Solly March at half-time in a straight swap. Sam Baldock returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines to make his first appearance of the season, joining Murray in attack as Brighton switched to a 4-4-2.
• What we learned: The return to fitness of Baldock provides Chris Hughton with another attacking option and, after replacing Pascal Gross at the weekend, there is a slight concern that the German may be more vulnerable to being withdrawn late on in matches. Tomer Hemed continues to offer a viable alternative to Murray, while March could come in for Izquierdo on the left wing for Saturday’s home clash against Chelsea. Rotation remains an issue at left-back, with Suttner and Bony continuing to share starts.

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

Burnley

Starting XI: Pope; Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Cork, Defour; Gudmundsson (Wells 85), Hendrick (Nkoudou 63), Barnes; Vokes. Subs not used: Lowton, Westwood, Walters, Lindegaard, Long.

• What we saw: Sean Dyche used a 4-2-3-1 formation for the trip to Crystal Palace, with Ashley Barnes again used on the left wing, allowing Sam Vokes to start as the lone striker. James Tarkowski and Ben Mee shook off their knocks to start, while Phil Bardsley was again favoured over Matt Lowton at right-back. The Clarets ended the match with substitutes Georges-Kevin Nkoudou and Nahki Wells in attack alongside Barnes and Vokes, leaving only Jack Cork and Steven Defour in midfield.
• What we learned: Scott Arfield missed out at Selhurst Park due to a hamstring injury, but if he’s fit for Saturday’s visit of Manchester United to Turf Moor, he could earn a recall on the left wing. That would make Barnes an option to replace Vokes up front if Chris Wood remains sidelined due to a knee problem. Stephen Ward (knee) faces a struggle to be fit for the weekend, so Charlie Taylor looks poised to continue at left-back, while Bardsley could again retain his start at right-back ahead of Lowton. New loan signing NKoudou offers another option out wide after making his debut at the weekend.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Full-backs, left wing, lone striker

Chelsea

Starting XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Cahill (Christensen 33), Rudiger; Moses, Kante, Fabregas (Pedro 57), Bakayoko, Alonso; Hazard (Willian 57), Morata. Subs not used: Caballero, Zappacosta, Batshuayi, Luiz.

• What we saw: Antonio Conte surprisingly decided to leave Andrea Christensen on the bench for the home encounter against Leicester City, with Gary Cahill and Antonio Rudiger joining Cesar Azpilicueta in the three-man defence. The Blues again lined up in the 3-1-4-1-1 system, with Eden Hazard again operating in a central support role behind lone striker Alvaro Morata. Conte was forced into making an early change, with Cahill’s hamstring injury seeing Christensen enter the fray. Following a flat first-half performance, Conte decided to take off Cesc Fabregas and Hazard just before the hour mark, with Pedro and Willian coming on, seeing the home side switch to a more attacking 3-4-2-1 formation.
• What we learned: After failing to score in a third consecutive match in all competitions, Conte could consider switching back to the more attacking 3-4-2-1 for Saturday’s trip to Brighton. Either Willian or Pedro may push for a start, then, with either Tiemoue Bakayoko or Fabregas appearing most at risk of dropping to the bench. The Italian’s team selection for Wednesday night’s FA Cup third round replay against Norwich City is likely to provide some clues as to his thinking for the weekend. Ross Barkley could make his Blues debut in midweek, but his lack of match fitness makes him an unlikely starter for Gameweek 24. Danny Drinkwater provides another alternative in the middle of the park. At the back, Christensen is expected to replace Cahill, although the skipper’s injury isn’t thought to be too serious. Conte’s intentions with the Dane now requires monitoring given that David Luiz is also now a rotation option.

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

Crystal Palace

Starting XI: Hennessey; Fosu-Mensah, Kelly, Tomkins, Van Aanholt; Zaha, Milivojevic, Riedewald, McArthur; Benteke, Sako. Subs not used: Speroni, Cabaye, Lee, Souare, Kaikai, Delaney, Wan-Bissaka.

• What we saw: Roy Hodgson again rolled out a 4-4-2 formation for the home clash against Burnley, although he did hand a start to Bakary Sako, who lined up alongside Christian Benteke in attack. That saw Wilfried Zaha move to the right side of midfield, while James McArthur was stationed on the left wing. Jairo Riedewald was preferred to a fatigued Yohan Cabaye in the engine room, while Patrick van Aanholt replaced the injured Jeffrey Schlupp at left-back.
• What we learned: The decision to hand Sako just his second start of the season paid off handsomely for Hodgson, and should see the former Wolves winger retain his start for Saturday’s trip to Arsenal. Ruben Loftus-Cheek (knock) has missed the last three matches, but would be an option to start in place of McArthur if fit to return. The more defensive Riedewald is likely to retain his start ahead of Cabaye in central midfield, while unless Joel Ward (calf) is ready to return, the back four is set to stay unchanged.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, wings, forwards

Everton

Starting XI: Pickford; Kenny, Holgate, Jagielka, Martina; McCarthy (Schneiderlin 72), Gueye; Bolasie (Lennon 57) Rooney, Sigurdsson; Tosun (Calvert-Lewin 62). Subs not used: Robles, Williams, Niasse, Lookman.

• What we saw: Sam Allardyce handed a Premier League debut to Cenk Tosun, with the Turkish international starting as the lone striker in an attacking 4-2-3-1 formation. Wayne Rooney was deployed in the No 10 role, while James McCarthy was preferred to Morgan Schneiderlin alongside the returning Idrissa Gueye at the base of midfield. Mason Holgate and Phil Jagielka formed the centre-back partnership, with Ashley Williams dropped to the bench, while Jonjoe Kenny returned at right-back.
• What we learned: Following another poor defensive display, Allardyce could consider making changes at the back for Saturday’s home meeting with West Bromwich Albion. Williams is likely to push for a recall in central defence, while Holgate is a possible alternative to Kenny at right-back. Schneiderlin may come into contention to replace McCarthy in central midfield, while Aaron Lennon and Dominic Calvert-Lewin could be viable starters out wide, most likely in place of Yannick Bolasie. Tosun is expected to make his first home start after an encouraging debut.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-back, central defenders, central midfield, right wing

Huddersfield Town

Starting XI: Lossl: Smith (Kongolo 71), Jorgensen, Schindler, Malone; Mooy, Hogg; Lolley (Pritchard 65), Ince, van La Parra; Depoitre. Subs not used: Sabiri, Coleman, Williams, Mounie, Hefele.

• What we saw: David Wagner decided to hand Joe Lolley just his second start of the season in the No 10 role in the usual 4-2-3-1 formation. That saw Tom Ince move over to the right wing, while Jonathan Hogg was preferred to Danny Williams at the base of midfield. With Chris Lowe out injured, Scott Malone started at left-back for the Terriers. Laurent Depoitre led the line, with Steve Mounie on the bench. Alex Pritchard and Terence Kongolo were handed their Huddersfield debuts off the bench, with Pritchard taking over the No 10 role. Kongolo joined Christopher Schindler in central defence, with Mathias Jorgensen shifting across to right-back.
• What we learned: Following an encouraging debut, Pritchard could be handed a first start when Huddersfield head to Stoke on Saturday. Lolley is the player most likely to make way in a straight swap. Collin Quaner could provide another option in the attacking midfield positions if, as expected, he recovers from a hamstring problem, potentially putting Rajiv van La Parra’s start at risk. Mounie will push for a recall in place of Depoitre, while Williams is a viable alternative to Hogg in central midfield. At the back, Kongolo could be considered either in central defence or at left-back, while if he is fit to return from a foot injury, Lowe provides the alternative at left-back.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Full-backs, central midfield, attacking midfield, flanks, lone striker

Leicester City

Starting XI: Schmeichel; Amartey, Maguire, Dragovic, Chilwell; Mahrez, Ndidi, James (Iborra 90), Albrighton; Okazaki (Fuchs 73), Vardy (Gray 82). Subs not used: Gray, Iheanacho, Hamer, Slimani, Iborra, Benalouane.

• What we saw: Foxes boss Claude Puel opted for an attacking 4-2-3-1 formation for the trip to Chelsea, with Shinji Okazaki starting in the No 10 role behind lone striker Jamie Vardy, who returned from injury. Matty James was preferred to Vicente Iborra in central midfield, while Ben Chilwell got the nod over Christian Fuchs at left-back. Aleksandar Dragovic replaced the injured Wes Morgan in central defence. After Chilwell was dismissed for a second bookable offence, Puel decided to bring on Fuchs in place of Okazaki, seeing the Austrian take over at left-back in a 4-4-1 system. Demarai Gray was then introduced for Vardy as Leicester ended the match without a recognised striker, instead packing the midfield in order to hold on for a point. James was forced off with a knock late on, seeing Iborra come on for the final few minutes.
• What we learned: Following an impressive performance at Stamford Bridge, Puel may keep changes to a minimum for Saturday’s home fixture against Watford. He does, of course, have plenty of strong options to choose from, with Gray a viable starter in place of Okazaki in the No 10 role, while Iborra will be on standby should James not be fit to face the Hornets. At left-back, Fuchs will challenge Chilwell, though he will serve his one-match ban against Fleetwood Town in the FA Cup third round replay tomorrow night and therefore looks a probable starter against the Hornets. James could retain his central midfield spot after recovering from his knock. Leicester’s star men – Vardy, Mahrez, Maguire and Schmeichel – could be rested for the midweek cup tie.

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

Liverpool

Starting XI: Karius; Gomez, Matip, Lovren, Robertson; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Emre Can (Milner 79), Wijnaldum; Salah (Lallana 87), Firmino, Mane (Klavan 90). Subs not used: Mignolet, Ings, Solanke, Alexander-Arnold.

• What we saw: Mohamed Salah recovered from a groin injury to return on the right of the front three in the usual 4-3-3 formation for the home encounter against Manchester City. Virgil van Dijk was ruled out due to a tight hamstring, so Dejan Lovren partnered Joel Matip in central defence, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Emre Can and Georginio Wijnaldum in central midfield in the Reds’ first league match since the departure of Philippe Coutinho. Loris Karius was preferred to Simon Mignolet in goal. The Reds ended the match in a 5-4-1 as they looked to hold onto their 4-3 lead, with Ragnar Klavan slotting into central defence.
• What we learned: Emre Can was withdrawn yesterday due to illness, but with Liverpool not playing again until a week tonight against Swansea City, he should have plenty of time to recover. James Milner is the main back-up option in central midfield, unless Jordan Henderson is back in contention following a hamstring injury. The extra recovery time should also boost van Dijk’s chances of being fit to replace Lovren in central defence. Even when Alberto Moreno is available again following an ankle injury, the form of Andrew Robertson at left-back means the Spaniard faces a battle to get back into the side. Klopp has confirmed that Karius is now his number one, with Mignolet set to be consigned to bench-warming duties.

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

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