Line-up Lessons – Gameweek 34 – Part One

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is shifted onto the left flank as Alexandre Lacazette leads the line for Arsenal’s trip to Newcastle. Olivier Giroud stakes a claim to start the second match of Chelsea’s Double Gameweek 34 after turning in a match-winning display off the bench at Southampton. Jurgen Klopp rolls out his big-hitters for Liverpool’s clash with Bournemouth, while Wilfried Zaha continues to impress up front as the fit-again Christian Benteke is handed bench-warming duties for Crystal Palace’s win against Brighton.

Here’s part one of Line-up Lessons, assessing the teamsheets and formations from the Gameweek 34 encounters, with one eye on what’s to come from the midweek league matches, weekend FA Cup fixtures and beyond.

Arsenal

Starting XI: Cech; Chambers (Maitland-Niles 78), Holding, Mustafi, Monreal; Xhaka, Elneny; Iwobi (Nketiah 86), Willock (Welbeck 68), Aubameyang; Lacazette. Subs not used: Ospina, Mertesacker, Kolasinac, Nelson.

• What we saw: Arsene Wenger again made changes for the trip to Newcastle United following Thursday night’s 2-2 draw with CSKA Moscow in the UEFA Europa League. Calum Chambers and Rob Holding started at right-back and centre-back respectively, while youngster Joe Willock was handed his Premier League debut in a three-man midfield alongside Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny. Alexandre Lacazette started as the central striker, flanked by Alex Iwobi (right) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (left) in a 4-3-3 formation. The Gunners ended the match with substitutes Danny Welbeck and Eddie Nketiah joining Lacazette and Aubameyang in attack in what was more of a 4-2-4 system and the Gunners pushed forward in search of a late equaliser.
• What we learned: Up next for Arsenal is a home meeting with West Ham United on Sunday, with the first leg of their Europa league semi-final first leg at home to Atletico Madrid four days later. Wenger looks almost certain to rest a number of his key players, then, with the likes of Laurent Koscielny and Aaron Ramsey, who has a minor shin problem, certainly appearing unlikely starters. Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Sead Kolasinac could be options to start in the full-back positions, but after being left out of the squad yesterday, Jack Wilshere may be handed some minutes against the Hammers in central midfield. Iwobi and Aubameyang appear certain starters in attack, with the latter ineligible to play in Europe, while Reiss Nelson could be handed a recall. Welbeck may start out wide, with Nketiah another alternative in attack. Lacazette could be handed another start as Wenger looks to build up his match sharpness for the European matches after a period on the sidelines.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Defence, central midfield, flanks, attacking midfield, lone striker

Bournemouth

Starting XI: Begovic; Fraser, Francis, S Cook, Ake, Daniels; Defoe (Wilson 70), L Cook (Surman 73), Gosling, Ibe (Mousset 58); King. Subs: Boruc, Pugh, Smith, Simpson.

• What we saw: Eddie Howe opted for a defensive 5-4-1 formation for the trip to Liverpool. Simon Francis played in central defence, with Ryan Fraser stationed at right-back. Jordon Ibe and Josh King operated out wide, leaving Jermain Defoe as the lone striker.
• What we learned: The Cherries host Manchester United at the Vitality on Wednesday night, so back on home turf, Howe may revert back to his favoured 4-4-1-1 system. Francis may start at right-back, then, with Fraser then competing with Ibe and Lys Mousset for a starting berth out wide. King is likely to start in the support role, with Callum Wilson an option to replace Defoe as the lone striker. Andrew Surman is an alternative in central midfield should the Cherries boss look to introduce fresh legs.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-back, flanks, lone striker

Brighton & Hove Albion

Starting XI: Ryan; Schelotto, Duffy, Dunk, Bong (March 86); Locadia (Knockaert 46), Stephens, Kayal, Izquierdo; Gross (Ulloa 71); Murray. Subs not used: Saltor, Baldock, Goldson, Krul.

• What we saw: Seagulls boss Chris Hughton decided to use an unfamiliar 4-3-2-1 formation for the trip to Crystal Palace, with Jurgen Locadia and Jose Izquierdo deployed in central attacking midfield spots behind lone striker Glenn Murray. Pascal Gross dropped back into the three-man midfield, where Beram Kayal started in place of the suspended Davy Propper. With his side trailing 3-2, Hughton switched to a 4-4-2, with substitute Leonardo Ulloa joining Murray up front, seeing Anthony Knockaert and Izquierdo move onto the flanks. Solly March was introduced late on to provide more of an attacking threat from left-back.
• What we learned: Brighton now face a short turnaround before hosting Tottenham Hotspur at the Amex tomorrow night before they next play in Gameweek 36. A return to a 4-4-1-1 system could be on the cards, with Gross back in a central support role. Knockaert may be preferred to Locadia and March on the right wing, but Murray is expected to retain his start as the lone striker ahead of Ulloa. Following a disappointing display on Saturday, Ezequiel Schelotto’s start could come under threat from club captain Bruno. With Propper still suspended, Kayal will be expected to continue in central midfield.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Right-back, right wing, attacking midfield

Burnley

Starting XI: Pope; Lowton, Long, Tarkowski, Ward; Gudmundsson, Westwood, Cork, Lennon; Barnes (Vokes 85), Wood (Hendrick 75). Subs not used: Heaton, Taylor, Marney, Wells, Bardsley.

• What we saw: Sean Dyche handed a recall to the fit-again Johann Berg Gudmundsson for the home encounter against Leicester City, with the Iceland international stationed on the left wing. Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood formed the partnership up front in a 4-4-2 system. Holding on to a slender 2-1 lead, Dyche decided to bring on Jeff Hendrick for Wood, seeing the home side switch to a more defensive 4-5-1.
• What we learned: The Clarets face a home fixture against Chelsea on Thursday night, before travelling to Stoke City on Sunday. But given Burnley have won five consecutive matches, Dyche is likely to stick with what is a settled line-up. Hendrick provides an alternative in central midfield and as a No 10, while Sam Vokes offers cover up front. If he is fit following a hamstring problem, Georges-Kevin Nkoudou provides a different option out wide. Another strong performance from Nick Pope means Tom Heaton may have to remain patient before returning to the starting XI.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Goalkeeper, central midfield, attacking midfield, forwards

Chelsea

Starting XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill; Zappacosta (Pedro 61), Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Willian, Hazard (Moses 86); Morata (Giroud 61). Subs not used: Caballero, Barkley, Bakayoko, Emerson.

• What we saw: Antonio Conte handed recalls to Andreas Christensen and the fit-again Davide Zappacosta for the trip to Southampton. Christensen replaced Antonio Rudiger in the three-man defence, while Zappacosta came in for Victor Moses at right wing-back in the usual 3-4-2-1 system. But trailing 2-0 at St Mary’s, Conte decided to switch to a 4-2-3-1, with Pedro joining Willian and Eden Hazard in the attacking midfield spots. Cesar Azpilicueta moved to right-back, while Olivier Giroud took over from Alvaro Morata as the lone striker. But shortly after taking a 3-2 lead, the Blues boss reverted back to the 3-4-2-1, bringing on Moses for Hazard.
• What we learned: Chelsea now travel to Burnley on Thursday night, three days before their FA Cup semi-final against Saints. Some rotation appears likely at Turf Moor, then, with Rudiger expected to return in central defence in place of either Christensen or Gary Cahill. Moses could return at right wing-back, though the wing-back situation could be complicated by the fact that Marcos Alonso may face a retrospective ban following a challenge on Shane Long last weekend. If the Spaniard is suspended, Zappacosta or Emerson Palmieri are the options at left wing-back. Tiemoue Bakayoko and Danny Drinkwater are contenders to start in central midfield. After turning the match around on Saturday, Giroud is expected to replace Morata as the lone striker. Ross Barkley was back on the bench at Southampton and may be handed some minutes at Turf Moor.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, wing-backs, central midfield, attacking midfield, lone striker

Crystal Palace

Starting XI: Hennessey; Ward, Tomkins, Sakho, van Aanholt; McArthur, Cabaye (Benteke 71), Milivojevic, Loftus-Cheek (Riedewald 80); Zaha, Townsend. Subs not used: Speroni, Sorloth, Lee Chung-yong, Wan Bissaka, Kelly.

• What we saw: Roy Hodgson kept faith in the 4-4-2 formation for the home clash against Brighton, with Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend again combining up front, despite Christian Benteke and Alexander Sorloth being fit enough to return among the substitutes. The only change from the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth saw the fit-again Joel Ward replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back. Holding on to a 3-2 lead, Hodgson made an attacking change by bringing on Benteke for Yohan Cabaye, seeing the Eagles switch to a 4-3-3, with the Belgian flanked by Zaha and Townsend in attack. Jairo Riedewald was brought on to help bolster the three-man midfield for the final 10 minutes.
• What we learned: After earning such a crucial win, Hodgson is expected to stick with a similar starting XI for Saturday’s trip to Watford. That means that Benteke may have to again settle for a place among the substitutes, while Ward is likely to retain his start at right-back ahead of Wan-Bissaka. In the event Hodgson does decide to hand a recall to Benteke, a switch to a 4-3-3 appears most likely, with James McArthur probably dropping to the bench.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Right back, flanks, forwards

Everton

Starting XI: Pickford; Coleman, Jagielka, Keane, Baines; Schneiderlin, Gueye (Baningime 70); Walcott, Rooney (Vlasic 87), Bolasie (Funes Mori 76); Tosun. Subs not used: Robles; Martina, Niasse, Davies.

• What we saw: Sam Allardyce only made one alteration from the side that drew 0-0 with Liverpool for the trip to Swansea City, with the fit-again Idrissa Gueye replacing Tom Davies. Gueye joined Morgan Schneiderlin at the base of midfield in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Wayne Rooney deployed in a central attacking midfield role. Shortly after Jordan Ayew equalised, Allardyce decided to bring on Ramiro Funes Mori for Yannick Bolasie, switching to a 3-5-2 system. Mori played as part of a back three, while Theo Walcott joined Cenk Tosun up front.
• What we learned: With a home fixture against Newcastle United up next for the Toffees a week tonight, Allardyce is likely to stick with a 4-2-3-1 formation. That would make personnel changes less likely, with Davies perhaps the player most likely to push for a recall either in central midfield or in a No 10 role. A switch to a three-man defence would make the fit-again Funes Mori a possible starter, with Bolasie the one most likely to drop to the bench in that scenario.

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

Huddersfield Town

Starting XI: Lossl; Hadergjonaj, Jorgensen, Schindler, Kongolo; Mooy, Hogg; Quaner (Ince 60), Pritchard, van La Parra (Billing 77); Mounie (Depoitre 71). Subs not used: Coleman, Smith, Malone, Lowe.

• What we saw: David Wagner only made one change for the visit of Watford to the John Smith’s Stadium, with Collin Quaner replacing Tom Ince on the right of the attacking midfield trio in the usual 4-2-3-1 formation.
• What we learned: The Terriers aren’t in action in Gameweek 35, with their next fixture coming a week later when they face a home clash against Everton. After scoring the winner last weekend, Ince is likely to replace Quaner on the right wing. Other changes appear unlikely, with the likes of Tommy Smith and Laurent Depoitre not expected to earn recalls.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Right wing

Leicester City

Starting XI: Schmeichel (Hamer 86); Simpson, Morgan, Maguire, Chilwell; Silva, Choudhury; Mahrez, Okazaki (Iheanacho 46), Gray (Diabate 64); Vardy. Subs not used: Albrighton, Dragovic, Fuchs, Barnes.

• What we saw: Claude Puel handed recalls to Shinji Okazaki and Demarai Gray for the trip to Burnley, while youngster Hamza Choudhury was handed his first Premier League start in central midfield in the usual 4-4-1-1 system. Kasper Schmeichel was forced off with an ankle injury during the latter stages, with Ben Hamer replacing the Dane in goal.
• What we learned: The Foxes now entertain Southampton at the King Power on Thursday night, before a break until they’re next in action in Gameweek 36. Schmeichel is a doubt for the Saints clash so Hamer may be handed his first Premier League start of the season. Wilfred Ndidi is available again following his one-match ban and is likely to replace Choudhury in central midfield. Okazaki and Gray’s starting spots appear at risk, with Kelechi Iheanacho, Marc Albrighton and Fousseni Diabate pushing for recalls. Christian Fuchs could also be considered at left-back in place of Ben Chilwell.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Goalkeeper, left-back, central midfield, flanks, support striker

Liverpool

Starting XI: Karius; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren (Klavan 83), van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino (Solanke 90), Mane (Milner 77). Subs: Mignolet, Moreno, Ings, Woodburn.

• What we saw: Jurgen Klopp named a strong side for the home clash against Bournemouth, with Jordan Henderson returning in central midfield after being suspended for the 2-1 win over Manchester City in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie. The Reds boss started with his first-choice front three in the usual 4-3-3 system. That changed to a 4-4-2 late on when James Milner was brought on for Sadio Mane. Milner played on the left side of midfield, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the right, seeing Mohamed Salah move up front.
• What we learned: Up next for Liverpool is Saturday’s trip to West Bromwich Albion, which comes three days before their Champions League semi-final first leg against Roma. Dejan Lovren will be assessed ahead of the trip to The Hawthorns after being forced off with a knock last weekend. Ragnar Klavan appears a likely starter, then, with Alberto Moreno perhaps in line to start at left-back if Andrew Robertson is rested. If Nathaniel Clyne is passed fit, he may start at right-back ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold. Unless Klopp looks to hand starts to some younger players, his options appear more limited in central midfield. Milner is more likely to start following his cameo appearance at the weekend, with one of the three midfield starters then in line to earn a rest. But Dominic Solanke and Danny Ings are options to start in attack, should Klopp look to manage the minutes of Mane, Salah and/or Roberto Firmino.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Defence, central midfield, forwards

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