Line-up Lessons – Gameweek 36 – Part One

Arsene Wenger’s rotation policy goes into overdrive at Old Trafford. Chris Hughton switches his strikers as Glenn Murray is benched for Brighton and Chelsea change of formation leaves Willian and Alvaro Morata in the cold.

Here’s part one of Line-up Lessons, assessing the teamsheets and formations from the weekend, with an assessment of what that teaches us ahead of Double Gameweek 37.

Arsenal

Starting XI: Ospina, Bellerin, Mavropanos, Chambers, Kolasinac (Monreal 64), Maitland-Niles, Xhaka, Mkhitaryan (Willock 76), Nelson (Welbeck 64), Iwobi, Aubameyang. Subs not used: Holding, Cech, Nketiah, Osei-Tutu.

• What we saw: Arsene Wenger decided to ring the changes at Old Trafford ahead of Thursday night’s UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid. Konstantinos Mavropanos was handed his Premier League debut in central defence, while Calum Chambers and Sead Kolasinac also earned starts in the back four. Ainsley Maitland-Niles partnered Granit Xhaka in front of the back four in a 4-2-3-1 formation, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan (right), Alex Iwobi (No 10) and Reiss Nelson (left) formed the attacking midfield trio. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang started as the lone striker for the Gunners. Kolasinac was forced off with a groin injury during the second half, with Nacho Monreal taking over at left-back.
• What we learned: Up next for Arsenal in the league is a home fixture against Burnley, which comes just three days after the trip to Spain. Meanwhile, they then face a trip to Leicester City a week on Wednesday in their second match of Double Gameweek 37. Very few players seem likely to start both fixtures, then, with goalkeepers David Ospina and Petr Cech perhaps set to earn a start apiece. Ospina picked up a rib injury on Sunday, which may yet cement Cech’s starts. Shkodran Mustafi had been a regular starter prior to yesterday, so he and Hector Bellerin are possibly the defenders most likely to start both matches. Wenger has plenty of options with the likes of Chambers, Rob Holding and Mavropanos, while Kolasinac may earn a start at left-back providing he recovers from the groin injury. Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere should come back into contention in central midfield, certainly for the Leicester match. The same can probably be said for Mesut Ozil, although the return to fitness of Mkhitaryan now gives the Gunners boss another option in the attacking midfield spots, providing he can shake off a knee problem sustained at Old Trafford. The likes of Danny Welbeck, Nelson and Joe Willock, along with Iwobi, offer Wenger a wealth of options to choose from though the latter is also a fresh injury concern with a hamstring problem. Aubameyang should continue to earn starts, while Wenger has the option to start both he and Lacazette in attack with the former shifting to the left flank.

Current Status: Very Unsettled
Risk Areas: All Positions

Bournemouth

Starting XI: Begovic; Francis, Cook, Ake; Fraser, L Cook, Gosling (Surman 72), Daniels; Mousset (Ibe 64), King; Wilson (Defoe 64). Subs not used: Boruc, Pugh, Smith, Mings.

• What we saw: Eddie Howe opted to deploy a 3-4-3 formation for the trip to Southampton, with Josh King and Lys Mousset flanking central striker Callum Wilson in attack. Dan Gosling returned in central midfield, while Ryan Fraser was against used as a right wing-back.
• What we learned: Following the 2-1 defeat at St Mary’s, Howe could consider switching back to a 4-4-1-1 formation for the visit of Swansea City on Saturday. In that system, Simon Francis or Adam Smith, providing he is fully fit following a knee injury, would be the options to start at right-back. Fraser, Jordon Ibe and Mousset would then battle for two spots out wide, with King returning to a No 10 role. Jermain Defoe remains an option to replace Wilson up front in either formation.

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

Brighton & Hove Albion

Starting XI: Ryan; Bruno (Schelotto 89), Duffy, Dunk, Bong; Stephens, Kayal; Knockaert, Gross, Izquierdo (March 85); Ulloa (Murray 67). Subs not used: Krul, Goldson, Locadia, Suttner.

• What we saw: Chris Hughton opted to hand a start to Leonardo Ulloa in the lone striker role in a 4-2-3-1 formation for the trip to Burnley, seeing Glenn Murray drop to the bench.
• What we learned: Brighton play twice in Double Gameweek 37, hosting Manchester United on Friday, before travelling to Manchester City a week on Wednesday. Hughton is likely to stick with a similar starting XI, although Davy Propper has completed his three-match ban, and should replace Beram Kayal in central midfield. Elsewhere, Ezequiel Schelotto continues to push for a recall ahead of Bruno at right-back, while Solly March is a viable starter out wide. Jurgen Locadia should get some minutes either as a wide forward or as the lone striker, although Murray and Ulloa appear ahead of the Dutchman in the pecking order to lead the attack.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Right-back, central midfield, flanks, lone striker

Burnley

Starting XI: Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Long, Ward; Lennon (N’Koudou 72), Cork, Westwood (Hendrick 81), Gudmundsson; Barnes, Wood (Vokes 66). Subs not used: Heaton, Taylor, Wells, Bardsley.

• What we saw: Clarets boss Sean Dyche once again named an unchanged starting XI for the home meeting with Brighton, with his side adopting a 4-4-2 formation.
• What we learned: The Clarets will check on Chris Wood ahead of Sunday’s trip to Arsenal after the forward was forced off with a gashed foot on Saturday. Sam Vokes provides a like-for-like replacement, with the other option should Wood miss out being to use Jeff Hendrick in a central support role. Other changes appear unlikely, although Ben Mee is likely to replace Kevin Long in central defence once he makes his recovery from a shin injury. Nick Pope continues to see off the challenge of Tom Heaton in goal with Saturday’s clean sheet reinforcing his starting role.

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

Chelsea

Starting XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Rudiger; Moses, Kante, Bakayoko, Emerson; Fabregas (Pedro 81), Hazard (Willian 81); Giroud (Morata 85). Subs not used: Caballero, Barkley, Christensen, Zappacosta.

• What we saw: Antonio Conte decided to switch from a 3-4-2-1 system to a 3-5-1-1 for the trip to Swansea City, with Eden Hazard stationed in the No 10 role behind lone striker Olivier Giroud. Willian dropped to the bench, allowing Tiemoue Bakayoko to return in central midfield. There was once again no place for Andreas Christensen in the starting XI. The Blues boss did revert back to a 3-4-2-1 late on following the introduction of both Willian and Pedro.
• What we learned: The performance of Hazard in a central position and the fact Chelsea entertain Liverpool this weekend means that Conte could well keep faith in the 3-5-1-1. That would make personnel changes less likely, with perhaps rotation to come against Huddersfield Town three days later. But Marcos Alonso is available again following his three-match suspension, and he will be expected to return at left wing-back, with Emerson Palmieri more likely to see minutes against the Terriers. Christensen, Davide Zappacosta, Willian, Pedro and Alvaro Morata are others who may start against Huddersfield should Conte look to freshen up his side, with a return to a 3-4-2-1 on the cards.

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

Crystal Palace

Starting XI: Hennessey; Ward, Tomkins, Sakho, van Aanholt; McArthur (Schlupp 83), Milivojevic, Cabaye, Loftus-Cheek (Lee Chung-yong 86); Townsend (Benteke 86), Zaha. Subs not used: Speroni, Sorloth, Wan-Bissaka, Kelly.

• What we saw: Roy Hodgson elected to name an unchanged starting XI once again for the home encounter against Leicester City, sticking with a 4-4-2 formation. Jeffrey Schlupp returned from injury as a late substitute, playing on the left side of midfield.
• What we learned: Following the emphatic 5-0 victory, Hodgson is likely to retain the same starting line-up for Saturday’s trip to Stoke City. So despite scoring a penalty late on, Christian Benteke will probably have to settle for a place among the substitutes once more. Schlupp is also set to continue building his match fitness with another appearance from the bench.

Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: None

Everton

Starting XI: Pickford; Coleman, Jagielka, Keane, Baines; Gueye, Schneiderlin; Walcott, Rooney (Davies 63), Vlasic (Funes Mori 75); Tosun (Niasse 73) Subs not used: Robles, Bolasie, Martina, Baningime. 

• What we saw: Sam Allardyce handed a recall to Nikola Vlasic for the trip to Huddersfield Town, with the Croatian starting on the right of the attacking midfield trio in a 4-2-3-1 formation. That meant that Theo Walcott shifted across to the opposite flank. Holding a 1-0 lead, Allardyce decided to bring on centre-back Ramiro Funes Mori, switching to more of a 3-4-3 system, with fellow substitute Tom Davies stationed on the right of the front three.
• What we learned: Following another victory, Allardyce is set to stick with a similar starting XI for the final home match of the season against Southampton. Vlasic could retain his start at the expense of Yannick Bolasie out wide in what may be an unchanged side. Attacking options are limited with Dominic Calvert-Lewin ruled out with a back injury, though Oumar Niasse is again vying for pitch time.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Flanks

Huddersfield Town

Starting XI: Lossl; Hadergjonaj, Jorgensen, Schindler, Kongolo; Mooy, Hogg (Malone 62); Quaner (Billing 59), Pritchard, van La Parra (Depoitre 75); Mounie. Subs not used: Coleman, Smith, Lowe, Stankovic.

• What we saw: With Tom Ince sidelined with a hamstring problem, David Wagner elected to name the same side that beat Watford 1-0 for the home meeting with Everton. Trailing at half-time, Wagner decided to bring on Laurent Depoitre to partner Steve Mounie up front, while fellow substitute Scott Malone played in an advanced role on the left. Right-back Florent Hadergjonaj was tasked with providing an attacking threat down the opposite flank.
• What we learned: Huddersfield now face testing trips to Man City and Chelsea in Double Gameweek 37. Wagner will hope to have Ince back in contention for those matches, while Malone looks an option to line-up on the left wing, potentially putting the starts of both Collin Quaner and Rajiv van La Parra at risk. Depoitre provides a different option up front, but the Terriers boss is probably unlikely to start with two forwards in such difficult away fixtures. Should Wagner look to play with an extra midfielder in either match, Philip Billing will be a viable starter.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, flanks, lone striker

Leicester City

Starting XI: Hamer; Albrighton, Maguire, Morgan, Chilwell; Mahrez, Choudhury (Silva 46), Ndidi (Dragovic 51), Gray; Iheanacho (Diabate 46); Vardy. Subs not used: Jakupovic, Simpson, Fuchs, Barnes.

• What we saw: Foxes boss Claude Puel decided to hand a recall to Wes Morgan for the trip to Crystal Palace, while youngster Hamza Choudhury was preferred to Adrien Silva in central midfield. But Marc Albrighton was once again utilised at right-back in the usual 4-4-1-1 system. Puel decided to introduce Silva and Fousseni Diabate at half-time, with the latter stationed on the left wing, seeing Demarai Gray move into a central support role. Then after Wilfred Ndidi was forced off with a hamstring injury, Harry Maguire moved into central midfield, with substitute Aleksandar Dragovic brought on at centre-half. Following Albrighton’s sending off, Dragovic moved to right-back, with Maguire dropping back into central defence, leaving the Foxes light in the middle of the park.
• What we learned: After such a dismal display at Selhurst Park, Puel is expected to make changes for Saturday’s home meeting with West Ham United, while the Foxes then host Arsenal four days later. Ndidi is set for a spell on the sidelines, further limiting the already depleted resources in midfield. Silva should earn a recall, then, with Maguire providing further cover if required. But Dragovic may challenge for a start in central defence in place of Morgan, while Danny Simpson should return at right-back in place of the suspended Albrighton. If they’re passed fit, Kasper Schmeichel and Shinji Okazaki should both return to the starting XI, seeing Ben Hamer and Iheanacho drop to the bench. Christian Fuchs provides a possible alternative to Ben Chilwell at left-back, while rotation seems likely out wide, with Albrighton perhaps in line to start back in his familiar position on the left wing when he is available again following a one-match ban.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Goakeeper, defence, central midfield, flanks, support striker

Liverpool

Starting XI: Karius; Gomez (Clyne 65), van Dijk, Klavan, Moreno; Alexander-Arnold (Milner 65), Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Ings, Firmino. Subs not used: Mignolet, Lovren, Robertson, Solanke, Woodburn.

• What we saw: Jurgen Klopp resisted the temptation to make wholesale changes for the home fixture against Stoke City, which came four days before their pivotal UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg against Roma. He did rotate in defence, though, with Joe Gomez, Ragnar Klavan and Alberto Moreno handed starts, while Trent Alexander-Arnold played as part of the three-man midfield. With Sadio Mane sidelined after picking up a knock in the first leg against Roma, Danny Ings came in on the left of the front three.
• What we learned: With a top-four finish not yet confirmed, Klopp will surely name something close to his strongest starting XI for the Gameweek 37 trip to Chelsea. So if fit, Mane should replace Ings, while Milner is likely to return in central midfield. Alexander-Arnold could line up in at right-back, although Gomez and Clyne do provide decent alternatives in that position, while Dejan Lovren and Andrew Robertson may both earn recalls. Much will depend on how the Reds come through Wednesday night’s trip to Italy, although the fact they play on Sunday should also increase the chances of a first choice XI being named as Liverpool look to finally seal their top four status.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Defence, central midfield, left wing

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