Line-up Lessons – Gameweek 33 – Part One

Danny Welbeck is the main beneficiary as Arsene Wenger rotates heavily once again ahead of European action, while even Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is hooked early.

Jurgen Klopp also makes significant teamsheet alterations with one eye on Liverpool’s Champions League trip to Man City on Tuesday.

Elsewhere, Andreas Christensen’s run of five league starts comes to an untimely end, while an injury to Christian Benteke allows Wilfried Zaha to profit from a move up front as Crystal Palace draw Bournemouth.

Here’s part one of Line-up Lessons, assessing the teamsheets and formations from the Gameweek 33 matches, with one eye on what’s to come from the midweek European matches and beyond.

Arsenal

Starting XI: Cech; Bellerin (Holding 75), Mustafi, Chambers, Kolasinac; Elneny, Xhaka; Nelson (Wilshere 64), Iwobi, Welbeck; Aubameyang (Lacazette 72). Subs not used: Macey, Ozil, Monreal, Nketiah.

• What we saw: Arsene Wenger again decided to rotate for the home fixture against Southampton which was sandwiched in between Europa League matches against CSKA Moscow. Sead Kolasinac started in place of Nacho Monreal at left-back, while there were again no starting spots for Laurent Koscielny and Aaron Ramsey in the Premier League. Reiss Nelson (right), Alex Iwobi (No 10) and Danny Welbeck (left) formed the attacking midfield trio in the 4-2-3-1 formation behind lone striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The introduction of Jack Wilshere in the No 10 role saw Iwobi move onto the right wing.
• What we learned: With Sunday’s trip to Newcastle coming just three days after the second leg in Russia, we could again see Wenger use his squad at St James’ Park. The Gunners do hold a 4-1 lead over CSKA Moscow following the first leg, though, so he may be able to afford to hold some of his leading players back for Gameweek 34. But should Koscielny and Ramsey be named in the starting XI on Thursday night, they appear unlikely starters on Sunday. However, Mohamed Elneny will now miss the next three league matches due to suspension, so Wilshere or Ramsey will likely be required to partner Granit Xhaka at the base of midfield. Monreal could return at left-back, while Rob Holding and potentially Ainsley Maitland-Niles, providing he recovers from a knock, offer possible alternatives to Hector Bellerin at right-back. After being rested on Sunday, Mesut Ozil could start the next two matches, making Nelson an unlikely starter against Newcastle. But Wenger’s options are limited in the attacking midfield areas with Henrikh Mkhitaryan ruled out for several weeks with a knee ligament injury. The decision to hand a weary Aubameyang a rest with 20-minutes to go indicates that the striker is not quite as bulletproof as anticipated in league matches, with Wenger determined to help Lacazette rediscover some sharpness and confidence.

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

Bournemouth

Starting XI: Begovic; Francis, S Cook, Ake, Daniels; Fraser, L Cook (Surman 80), Gosling, Pugh (Mousset 62); Defoe; Wilson (King 62). Subs not used: Boruc, Smith, Simpson, Taylor.

• What we saw: Simon Francis returned to the starting XI following a hamstring injury, allowing Ryan Fraser to move forward to the right side of midfield in the absence of Jordon Ibe, who missed out due to illness. Marc Pugh replaced the injured Junior Stanislas on the opposite flank, while Jermain Defoe was preferred to Josh King in the support striker role in Eddie Howe’s usual 4-4-1-1 system. King entered the fray on the hour mark in place of Callum Wilson, seeing Defoe move into the lone striker role.
• What we learned: After both scoring as substitutes, King and Lys Mousset are likely to push for starts when Bournemouth travel to Liverpool on Saturday. Should Ibe be ready to return to face his former club, it may be he and Mousset who compete for one of the wide berths, with Fraser appearing a more probable starter after a strong display at the weekend. Wilson’s recent lack of goals means he could make way for King, seeing Defoe lead the attack. The Cherries then face a home clash against Manchester United four days later, but with limited options to rotate, there aren’t expected to be many changes. Andrew Surman may be an option to provide fresh legs in central midfield, though.

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

Brighton & Hove Albion

Starting XI: Ryan; Schelotto, Duffy, Dunk, Bong; March, Propper, Stephens, Izquierdo; Gross (Kayal 76), Murray (Ulloa 67). Subs not used: Saltor, Baldock, Goldson, Locadia, Krul.

• What we saw: Chris Hughton decided to hand a recall to Solly March for the home clash against Huddersfield Town, seeing Jurgen Locadia drop to the bench. March was stationed on the right side of midfield in the usual 4-4-1-1 system. Elsewhere, Dale Stephens was fit to return in central midfield for the Seagulls. Following the sending off of Davy Propper, Hughton decided to bring on Beram Kayal for Pascal Gross, switching to a 4-4-1 formation.
• What we learned: With Propper now suspended for the next three matches, Kayal should replace the Dutchman in central midfield. With a trip to Crystal Palace up next, Anthony Knockaert is back in contention following a three-match ban and will compete with March and Locadia for the role on the right wing. Leonardo Ulloa replaced Glenn Murray shortly after the hour mark but is unlikely to usurp the former Eagles player for the trip to Selhurst Park. Hughton’s men face Tottenham Hotspur in their second match of Double Gameweek 34 but, given the lack of options available to the Seagulls boss, it’s unlikely that there will be many changes. As evidenced at the weekend, though, the veteran Murray could have his pitch-time cut.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, right wing

Burnley

Starting XI: Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Long, Ward; Lennon (Hendrick 81), Cork, Westwood, Nkoudou (Vokes 70); Barnes, Wood. Subs not used: Heaton, Marney, Wells, Taylor, Bardsley.

• What we saw: Sean Dyche was forced into making one change for the trip to Watford, with Kevin Long replacing the injured Ben Mee who missed out due to a shin injury. With his side trailing 1-0, the Clarets boss decided to introduce Sam Vokes in place of Georges-Kevin Nkoudou, switching from a 4-4-1-1 formation to a 4-4-2. Vokes joined Chris Wood up front, while Ashley Barnes played as an inside forward down the left flank.
• What we learned: The Clarets face two home matches in Double Gameweek 34, hosting Leicester City at Turf Moor on Saturday, before entertaining Chelsea a week on Thursday. If available, Mee will return in place of Long in central defence, while Johann Berg Gudmundsson could also be fit to return. The Iceland international would be expected to replace Nkoudou on the left wing if available. Jeff Hendrick could see some minutes either in central midfield or as a No 10, while Vokes’ goal means he may also challenge for pitch time, perhaps at the expense of Wood. Tom Heaton was back on the bench at Vicarage Road and continues to put pressure on the impressive Nick Pope in goal.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Goalkeeper, central defenders, central midfield, left wing, forwards

Chelsea

Starting XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Rudiger; Moses (Pedro 78), Fabregas, Kante, Alonso; Willian, Morata (Giroud 78), Hazard. Subs not used: Caballero, Drinkwater, Bakayoko, Christensen, Emerson.

• What we saw: Antonio Conte made two changes from the side that lost 3-1 to Tottenham Hotspur for the visit of West Ham United to Stamford Bridge. The fit-again Thibaut Courtois replaced Willy Caballero in goal, while Gary Cahill started in place of Andreas Christensen in the three-man backline. The introduction of Pedro in one of the two attacking midfield spots saw Willian end the match at right wing-back in Conte’s usual 3-4-2-1 system.
• What we learned: The Blues now face trips to Southampton and Burnley in Double Gameweek 34 before their FA Cup semi-final against Saints on April 22. Christensen remains part of Conte’s first choice defence, but is the most vulnerable of the back three should Cahill earn the occasional start. Davide Zappacosta and Emerson Palmieri offer cover in the wing-backs positions, providing the former recovers from a tendon injury, while Tiemoue Bakayoko and Danny Drinkwater are likely to be handed minutes in central midfield. Having missed just 13 and 22 minutes in the last five matches, Willian and Eden Hazard seem likely to see off the threat form Pedro for Saturday’s early kick-off at St Mary’s, while Olivier Giroud may start one of the next two in the league as the main alternative to Alvaro Morata. Ten points behind fourth, the Blues now have little hope of securing a top-four finish means in general that rotation seems far more likely at Turf Moor, with the FA Cup set to be the priority. Hazard may well be protected in that second fixture, which may actually help cement Willians two Double Gameweek starts.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, central midfield, attacking midfield, lone striker

Crystal Palace

Starting XI: Hennessey; Wan-Bissaka, Tomkins, Sakho, van Aanholt; McArthur, Cabaye, Milivojevic, Loftus-Cheek; Townsend, Zaha. Subs not used: Lee Chung-yong, Cavalieri, Souare, Fosu-Mensah, Kelly, Riedewald, Daly.

• What we saw: With Christian Benteke sidelined due to a groin injury, Roy Hodgson switched from a 4-3-3 formation to a 4-4-2 for the trip to Bournemouth. Ruben Loftus-Cheek was recalled on the left side of midfield, with James McArthur stationed on the opposite flank. Andros Townsend joined Wilfried Zaha up front for the Eagles. Hodgson was boosted by the return to fitness of James Tomkins in central defence, though, seeing Martin Kelly drop to the bench.
• What we learned: Unless Benteke is fit to return for Saturday’s home meeting with Brighton, changes appear unlikely. Hodgson would probably switch back to a 4-3-3 should Benteke return, with Loftus-Cheek or McArthur appearing most at risk of dropping to the bench. Kelly and Timothy Fosu-Mensah provide cover in defence but aren’t expected to push for recalls.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, flanks, central strikers

Everton

Starting XI: Pickford, Coleman, Jagielka, Keane, Baines, Rooney (Gueye 57), Schneiderlin, Davies (Baningime 79), Walcott, Tosun, Bolasie (Calvert-Lewin 61). Subs not used: Martina, Niasse, Funes Mori, Robles.

• What we saw: Toffees boss Sam Allardyce mirrored Liverpool’s 4-3-3 formation for the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. Tom Davies returned as part of the three-man midfield in the only change from the 3-1 defeat to Man City, seeing Dominic Calvert-Lewin drop to the bench.
• What we learned: Following an improved performance against Liverpool, Allardyce is likely to stick with a similar side for Saturday’s trip to Swansea. Idrissa Gueye returned from a muscle injury as a substitute on Saturday and may challenge for a start in central midfield. Calvert-Lewin is a possible alternative to Yannick Bolasie out wide, while Wayne Rooney and Morgan Schneiderlin should battle it out to partner the fit-again Gueye in the middle of the park.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, left wing

Huddersfield Town

Starting XI: Lossl, Hadergjonaj, Jorgensen, Schindler, Kongolo; Ince (Depoitre 90), Hogg (Billing 80), Mooy, van La Parra (Quaner 90); Pritchard, Mounie. Subs not used: Smith, Malone, Coleman, Lowe.

• What we saw: David Wagner rang the changes for the trip to Brighton after going four matches without a win. Florent Hadergjonaj returned at right-back, while Tom Ince replaced the injured Elias Kachunga on the right wing in the usual 4-2-3-1 formation. The other change saw Steve Mounie recalled as the lone striker ahead of Laurent Depoitre. In search of a late winner against 10-man Brighton, Wagner brought on Depoitre for Ince, switching to a 4-4-2.
• What we learned: The Terriers will have to check on Jonathan Hogg ahead of the home clash against Watford after the midfielder was unable to carry on after being on the receiving end of the tackle which saw Davy Propper sent off. Philip Billing provides the main alternative in central midfield. Mounie is likely to retain his start up front after getting on the scoresheet, while if Wagner looks to make a change in the attacking midfield spots, Collin Quaner is the player most likely to push for a recall. Tommy Smith remains an alternative to Hadergjonaj at right-back.

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

Leicester City

Starting XI: Schmeichel, Simpson (Okazaki 56), Morgan, Maguire, Chilwell; Iborra (Choudhury 41), Silva; Mahrez, Diabate (Gray 76), Albrighton; Vardy. Subs not used: Iheanacho, Dragovic, Jakupovic, Fuchs.

• What we saw: Foxes boss Claude Puel handed recalls to Adrien Silva and Fousseni Diabate for the home meeting with Newcastle United. Silva replaced the suspended Wilfred Ndidi in central midfield, while Diabate took over from Shinji Okazaki in the central support role in the usual 4-4-1-1 system. But with his side a goal behind, Puel decided to bring on Okazaki before the hour mark, forcing a reshuffle. Marc Albrighton moved to right-back, seeing Diabate shift across to the left wing, while the Japanese international played in his regular support striker position.
• What we learned: After being forced off with a hamstring injury on Saturday, Vicente Iborra is a major doubt for the Double Gameweek 34 matches against Burnley and Southampton. The Spaniard was replaced by youngster Hamza Choudhury at the weekend, and with Ndidi suspended and Matty James injured, he could now earn successive starts. Okazaki, Demarai Gray and Kelechi Iheanacho are all possible alternatives to Diabate in a central support role, while Gray is also an option on the left wing in place of Albrighton. Christian Fuchs may start one of the next two matches at left-back at the expense of Ben Chilwell.

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

Liverpool

Starting XI: Karius, Clyne, Lovren, Van Dijk, Klavan, Wijnaldum, Henderson, Milner (Oxlade-Chamberlain 68), Ings (Alexander-Arnold 89), Solanke, Mane (Firmino 74). Subs not used: Camacho, Mignolet, Masterson, Jones.

• What we saw: After Wednesday night’s 3-0 win over Manchester City in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final, Jurgen Klopp decided to make five changes for the trip to Everton. Andrew Robertson (calf) and Mohamed Salah (groin) missed out with injuries, while Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Roberto Firmino all dropped to the bench. Nathaniel Clyne and Ragnar Klavan came in at right-back and left-back respectively, while Georginio Wijnaldum returned in central midfield in the usual 4-3-3 system. Danny Ings (right) and Dominic Solanke (central striker) joined Sadio Mane in the front three. With Everton pushing forward late on, Klopp decided to introduce Alexander-Arnold for Ings, with the youngster providing cover in front of right-back Clyne.
• What we learned: The Reds face their major Champions League test at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night, before hosting Bournemouth at Anfield on Saturday. Robertson and Salah are both expected to be in contention for the City clash, while Alexander-Arnold, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Firmino should also return to the starting XI. Klopp’s lack of options in attack means if Salah does play tomorrow night and comes through unscathed, he will be expected to feature against the Cherries. Emre Can remains doubtful for the second leg due to a back problem, but Jordan Henderson is suspended for that match, so he appears a sure starter this weekend. Either James Milner or Oxlade-Chamberlain may drop to the bench in Gameweek 34, with Wijnaldum perhaps a more probable starter. Solanke and Ings could be options if Klopp looks to rest either Mane or Salah at the weekend. Given he’s an unlikely starter tomorrow night, Klavan may be an option to replace either Dejan Lovren or Virgil van Dijk in central defence. Alberto Moreno offers an alternative to Robertson down the left if he can recover from a knock.

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

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