FPL Line-Up Lessons – Gameweek 1 – Part One

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang started centrally for Arsenal as Alexandre Lacazette emerged as a second-half substitute, while Eden Hazard was forced to make do with a 15-minute cameo as Maurizio Sarri rolled out his trusty 4-3-3 formation.

David Wagner tried to thwart Chelsea by switching to a 3-5-1-1, but there were familiar systems and personnel for Burnley, Brighton & Hove Albion, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace.

Sol Bamba once again lined up in midfield for Cardiff City, while an injury to Joe Bryan could potentially spell trouble for Ryan Sessegnon‘s owners.

Leighton Baines, meanwhile, got the nod over Lucas Digne at left-back for Everton.

Part one of our Line-up Lessons assesses the teamsheets and formations of ten Premier League clubs’ opening matches, with the second instalment to follow tomorrow.

Arsenal

Starting XI: Cech; Bellerin, Sokratis, Mustafi, Maitland-Niles (Lichtsteiner 35′); Guendouzi, Xhaka (Torreira 70′), Ramsey (Lacazette 54′); Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Aubameyang.

• What we saw: Unai Emery deployed his usual 4-3-3 system for his first competitive match in charge of the Gunners, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan (left) and Mesut Ozil (right) flanking central striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in attack. After Alexandre Lacazette’s introduction, Aubameyang was moved out to the left wing, with Mkhitaryan switching to the right and Ozil replacing Aaron Ramsey as the most advanced midfielder in the central three. Ainsley Maitland-Niles started at left-back in the absence of Sead Kolasinac and Nacho Monreal, while Petr Cech got the nod in goal over Bernd Leno. Matteo Guendouzi was a surprise starter in central midfield, meanwhile.
• What we learned: The Gunners travel to Stamford Bridge next weekend with Emery facing a number of selection headaches. The left-back position is of particular concern, with Maitland-Niles set for a physio assessment after limping off in the defeat to Manchester City. Emery suggested in his post-match comments, however, that Monreal might be fit enough for the trip to Chelsea. The new Arsenal manager also backed Cech in his press conference, suggesting the veteran goalkeeper will continue to start ahead of Bernd Leno. Emery has a decision to make on whether to start Lacazette next weekend, with the Gunners having improved after his introduction early in the second half. Lacazette’s deployment as the central striker would, as happened yesterday, possibly see Aubameyang move out to the left flank, with Mkhitaryan switching to the right and Ozil dropping into the hole. Given that Arsenal’s next opponents are Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea, it would perhaps be unlikely that all four of that attack-minded quartet will start in west London. If Emery was to again roll out a three-man central midfield, Mkhitaryan could drop out with Ozil playing on the right. Lucas Torreira may replace one of Guendouzi, Granit Xhaka or Aaron Ramsey in the engine room.

Current Status: Fairly unsettled
Risk Areas: Left-back, central midfield, both wings, striker

Bournemouth

Starting XI: Begovic; Daniels, Ake, S Cook, Smith (Defoe 93′); Fraser, Surman, Gosling, Brooks (Francis 67′); Wilson (Mousset 94′), King.

• What we saw: Eddie Howe rolled out a straightforward 4-4-2 for the visit of Cardiff City, with Dan Gosling and Andrew Surman getting the nod in central midfield and Ryan Fraser and debutant David Brooks lining up on the flanks. Josh King supported Callum Wilson in attack, while Charlie Daniels was present at left-back in the absence of the suspended Diego Rico.
• What we learned: Howe will surely be loath to change a winning side and this indeed was the same starting XI that beat Marseille 5-2 in the Cherries’ final pre-season friendly. Central midfield is an area that Howe may look at, with Lewis Cook and new £25m signing Jefferson Lerma alternative options in the engine room. Lerma was missing from the match-day squad on Saturday having signed for Bournemouth just four days earlier. Daniels’ stay of execution in the Cherries’ line-up will go on, with Rico suspended until Gameweek 4. Brooks, in his first taste of Premier League football, took time to get up to speed on the right flank and may be susceptible to rotation with Jordon Ibe waiting in the wings.

Current Status: Fairly settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield

Brighton and Hove Albion

Starting XI: Ryan; Bruno (Bong 25′), Duffy, Dunk, Bernardo; Knockaert, Stephens, Propper, March (Jahanbakhsh 71′); Gross (Bissouma 60′); Murray

• What we saw: A familiar shape (4-4-1-1) and familiar personnel, with all bar one of the starting XI having been on the Seagulls’ books last season. Bernardo was handed his debut at left-back, though was forced to switch over to the opposite flank when Bruno fell victim to what appeared to be a hamstring strain early in the match. Gaetan Bong replaced the veteran Spaniard and took up the left-back role. Anthony Knockaert and Solly March were Brighton’s wide players, with Pascal Gross supporting Glenn Murray in attack.
• What we learned: An anaemic showing at Vicarage Road – Ben Foster wasn’t forced into making one save in goal for Watford – would give plenty of cause for Chris Hughton to shake things up ahead of the visit of Manchester United next weekend. While news is awaited on the severity of Bruno’s injury, Hughton may decide to blood new right-back Martin Montoya anyway when Jose Mourinho and co visit the south coast. Montoya trained with his new team-mates on Monday, with Bruno absent. Knockaert and March look at risk of rotation, with Alireza Jahanbakhsh getting a 20-minute cameo in place of the latter at the weekend. It remains unclear if Jose Izquierdo will be fit enough to take part in Gameweek 2, so one of March or Knockaert may have a stay of execution on the flank. Yves Bissouma is an option in central midfield or even in Gross’s position – Bissouma replaced the German on the hour-mark at Vicarage Road – but the home form of the talismanic Gross in 2017/18 would surely secure his place behind Murray next Sunday.

Current Status: Fairly unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-back, central midfield, wingers

Burnley

Starting XI: Hart; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Ward; Gudmundsson (Taylor 87′), Westwood, Cork, Lennon; Hendrick (Barnes 76′); Wood (Vokes 73′).

• What we saw: Sean Dyche made four changes to the side that drew 0-0 in Istanbul on Thursday, with first-choice full-backs Matthew Lowton and Stephen Ward, winger Aaron Lennon and striker Chris Wood coming into the side. As has been the case in the Clarets’ two away Europa League matches this summer, Dyche rolled out a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Jeff Hendrick supporting Wood in attack. Joe Hart made his Burnley league debut, with Tom Heaton fit enough for a place on the bench. The 4-4-2 system that Burnley finished last season playing was in evidence late on, as Ashley Barnes and Sam Vokes replaced Wood and Hendrick in the final 20 minutes.
• What we learned: As was always going to be the case, the Premier League clearly takes priority for Dyche over the Clarets’ European exertions. The back four all played at least 25 matches for Burnley last season and seem set to be Dyche’s first choices again this campaign. New signing Ben Gibson watched on from the bench as James Tarkowski and Ben Mee excelled in the heart of the defence, with both collecting FPL bonus points for their performances. What we might see at Turf Moor next Sunday is the reintroduction of a second striker alongside Chris Wood, with Dyche having deployed a 4-4-2 in the Clarets’ only competitive home match this summer, the 3-1 extra-time win over Aberdeen in the Europa League. Vokes or Barnes could, therefore, come into the side at the expense of Hendrick, should Dyche decide to take the game to Watford. Hart kept his second successive clean sheet between the sticks and may have the edge over the fit-again Heaton.

Current Status: Fairly settled
Risk Areas: Goalkeeper, attacking midfield, forwards

Cardiff City

Starting XI: Etheridge; Bennett, Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Peltier; Paterson (Murphy 62′), Bamba, Ralls; Hoilett, Mendez-Laing (Ward 62′), Reid (Madine 89′)

• What we saw: Neil Warnock rolled out a familiar 4-3-3 formation for Cardiff’s opening match at Bournemouth, though there were one or two surprise selections within that set-up. Sol Bamba lined up in central midfield, as he had done towards the end of pre-season, with Bruno Ecuele Manga and Sean Morrison at the heart of the defence. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing – having played the fewest minutes of Cardiff’s attacking midfielders over the summer –  started on the flank, with Bobby Reid and Junior Hoilett making up the rest of the frontline.
• What we learned: Reid’s struggles to lead the line suggests a bona fide target-man could be brought in as the spearhead of the Cardiff attack for the visit of Newcastle United on Saturday, with Reid perhaps set for a supporting role either wide of or just behind the striker. Kenneth Zohore missed the trip to the south coast with a knock, but Warnock is hopeful of the striker’s return ahead of the meeting with the Magpies. Josh Murphy, Cardiff’s form player of pre-season, may be unleashed on the flank given that the Bluebirds will be at home. Victor Camarasa watched on from the bench on Saturday and could be thrown into central midfield against Rafael Benitez’s side, while Harry Arter is another option there after being ineligible to face his parent club at the weekend. Bamba will surely drop into the defence in place of Ecuele Manga, who could, in turn, oust Lee Peltier from the right-back slot. Warnock regularly changed his formation – and starting XI – in the Championship last season and a switch to a five-man backline is not out of the question.

Current Status: Fairly unsettled
Risk Areas: Defence, central midfield, wingers, forwards

Chelsea

Starting XI: Kepa; Alonso, Rudiger, David Luiz, Azpilicueta; Barkley (Loftus-Cheek 68’), Kante, Jorginho; Pedro (Moses 81’), Morata, Willian (Hazard 76’).

• What we saw: There were few surprises in Maurizio Sarri’s first Premier League starting XI, with Chelsea lining up in the same 4-3-3 formation that he settled on at Napoli. Jorginho was handed his debut in central midfield, with Ross Barkley getting the nod alongside the Brazilian and N’Golo Kante. Willian and Pedro, as expected, flanked Alvaro Morata in attack, with Eden Hazard introduced as a late substitute. The back four was the same as the one that lined up in the Community Shield a week ago, while Kepa Arrizabalaga was handed his debut between the sticks. Much was made in pre-season of Marcos Alonso’s appeal being dented by the switch to an orthodox back four, but the left-back was still heavily involved at the business end of the pitch, winning a penalty and striking the crossbar.
• What we learned: Sarri was renowned for playing a settled side during his spell in Naples, so changes will likely be at a minimum for the visit of Arsenal this weekend – particularly after the Blues saw off Huddersfield Town with such ease. Hazard is the likeliest candidate to push for a start at the expense of William or Pedro, but could even replace Morata as a false nine. Sarri’s comments after the game in Yorkshire suggested that Hazard may still only be used as an impact substitute at the Emirates, though. Barkley’s place is likely most at risk from the arrival of Mateo Kovacic, but the Croatian wasn’t part of the 18-man Chelsea squad on Saturday and a start at Arsenal next weekend may be too big an ask for a player still working up to match fitness.

Current Status: Fairly settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, wingers

Crystal Palace

Starting XI: Hennessey; van Aanholt (Souare 92’), Tomkins, Sakho, Wan-Bissaka; Schlupp, McArthur, Milivojevic, Townsend (Kouyate 88’); Benteke (Sorloth 83’), Zaha.

• What we saw: A tried-and-tested 4-4-2 for Roy Hodgson’s side, with Wilfried Zaha joining Christian Benteke in attack. Jeffrey Schlupp was deployed “out of position”, as he had been done in pre-season, on the left flank, with James McArthur lining up alongside Luka Milivojevic in central midfield. The back four was the quartet that played the most minutes in the summer friendlies, with budget buy Aaron Wan-Bissaka impressing at right-back. Wayne Hennessey was given the nod over summer capture Vicente Guaita in goal.
• What we learned: Hodgson must be tempted to stick with the same 11 players that won him all three points at Craven Cottage, but the visit of Liverpool this coming weekend may force a rethink. Palace allowed Fulham 15 shots on goal on Saturday and Hodgson may decide to shore up his midfield when Mohamed Salah et al come to Selhurst Park. Cheikhou Kouyate could come into the side alongside Milivojevic to add steel to the central midfield, with McArthur moving out to the flank – as he did for spells last season. That would put one of Andros Townsend or Schlupp at risk, which would be particularly harsh on the latter given that he found the back of the net at the weekend. The rest of the Eagles’ side looks very settled, however.

Current Status: Fairly settled
Risk Areas: Central/left midfield

Everton

Starting XI: Pickford; Coleman, Jagielka, Keane, Baines; Schneiderlin, Gueye, Sigurdsson (Holgate 43′); Walcott, Tosun (Niasse 81′), Richarlison (Digne 86′)

• What we saw: Leighton Baines got the nod over Lucas Digne at left-back in what was Marco Silva’s only real selection dilemma prior to the match at Molineux at the weekend. Gylfi Sigurdsson started as the most advanced central midfielder in Silva’s 4-3-3 but was withdrawn shortly before half-time in a tactical substitution that followed Phil Jagielka’s red card. Thereafter, Everton’s shape resembled a 4-4-1, with Theo Walcott and Richarlison continuing wide right and left respectively and Cenk Tosun toiling in attack. Mason Holgate replaced Sigurdsson and joined Michael Keane in central defence after Jagielka’s dismissal. Jordan Pickford went straight into the side despite returning late from his post-World Cup break.
• What we learned: After a fairly mediocre pre-season, Silva would have been encouraged by his side’s performance in the West Midlands, particularly after playing nearly an hour with ten men. Jagielka will be suspended for the visit of Southampton next weekend, but may have been replaced anyway – new signings Yerry Mina and Kurt Zouma will have designs on a place alongside Keane at centre-back. Baines surely did enough at left-back to see off Digne’s challenge for the time being, but Walcott looks at risk from the arrival of winger Bernard from Shakhtar Donetsk. The Brazilian midfielder wasn’t considered for the trip to Molineux but will come into the reckoning for the visit of the Saints on Saturday afternoon. Richarlison limped off in the 2-2 draw with Wolves, but news is still awaited on the severity of his injury – that the ailment wasn’t acknowledged by either player or manager in their post-match interviews suggests the problem perhaps isn’t too serious.

Current Status: Fairly settled
Risk Areas: Central defence, right wing

Fulham

Starting XI: Fabri; Bryan (Vietto 71’), Le Marchand, Chambers, Christie; Seri (Johansen 82’), Cairney, McDonald; R Sessegnon, Mitrović, Schürrle (Kamara 61’).

• What we saw: The 4-3-3 system that Slavisa Jokanovic rolled out in Fulham’s promotion-winning season was trusted once again, with the deadline day capture of Joe Bryan meaning that Ryan Sessegnon was free to line up alongside Aleksandar Mitrovic and Andre Schurrle in the three-man attack. Sessegnon, however, was forced to drop back into defence when Bryan injured his ankle in the second half of the Cottagers’ 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace. Tim Ream and Denis Odoi were missing through injury and suspension, so Maxime Le Marchand and Calum Chambers were Fulham’s centre-back pairing for the visit of the Eagles. Fabri started in goal, with fellow summer recruit Sergio Rico among the substitutes.
• What we learned: Fulham were more than a match for Palace at the weekend and could perhaps consider themselves a tad unfortunate not to come away from their opening-day encounter with a point. With that in mind, then, changes might be minimal for the trip to Wembley to face Tottenham Hotspur. News is awaited on the severity of Bryan’s injury, with Jokanovic unable to give a definitive prognosis after the match. Timothy Fosu-Mensah and, if fit, Ream may come into contention to challenge for a centre-half slot, with Le Marchand and Sessegnon options at left-back if Bryan is ruled out. Aboubakar Kamara is a likely beneficiary on the wing should Sessegnon be forced to play in defence. Record signing Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa could challenge Kevin McDonald for his defensive midfield spot, though a start against Spurs may be too tall an order.

Current Status: Fairly unsettled
Risk Areas: Central defence, left-back, central midfield

Huddersfield Town

Starting XI: Hamer; Kongolo, Schindler, Zanka; Lowe (Diakhaby 71’), Mooy, Billing, Hogg, Hadergjonaj; Pritchard (Depoitre 45’); Mounie.

• What we saw: As we predicted in our Team News line-ups, David Wagner rolled out a three-man central defence for the visit of Chelsea. Alex Pritchard played just off Steve Mounie in a 3-5-1-1 in the first half but was hooked at half-time to allow Laurent Depoitre to join Mounie in a two-man attack. Ben Hamer was preferred to Jonas Lossl in goal, but the eight players immediately in front of the summer signing from Leicester City were as expected.
• What we learned: Though Huddersfield didn’t disgrace themselves in defeat to Chelsea, Wagner may reconsider his use of a 3-5-2/3-5-1-1 for the daunting trip to the Etihad this weekend. That being said, the Terriers ground out a 0-0 draw at City in May using this exact system and Wagner will surely be tempted to give the formation another try against Pep Guardiola’s outfit. Florent Hadegjonaj was used in midfield in that valuable draw in Manchester towards the end of last season and is an option in the engine room again, with Tommy Smith the alternative at right wing-back. Adam Diakhaby impressed in a 20-minute cameo for Town at the weekend and could come into contention, possibly playing just off Mounie or Depoitre. Isaac Mpenza is still regaining match fitness and would appear unlikely to start at the Etihad.

Current Status: Fairly settled
Risk Areas: Attacking midfield, forwards

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