Line-up Lessons – Gameweek 10 – Part One

Olivier Giroud gives Arsene Wenger food for thought, Alberto Moreno gets a rare run-out for Liverpool, Andros Townsend is benched for Palace and Pep Guardiola turns to a four-man defence with Fernando at right-back. Here’s our first part of the lessons learned from the Gameweek 10 teamsheets.

Arsenal

Starting XI: Cech; Bellerin, Koscielny, Mustafi, Gibbs; Elneny, Coquelin (Maitland-Niles 89); Oxlade-Chamberlain (Ramsey 78), Iwobi (Giroud 69), Ozil; Sanchez.

• Arsene Wenger was forced into making two changes for the trip to the Stadium of Light, with Kieran Gibbs and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain drafted in for the injured duo Nacho Monreal and Theo Walcott.
• Gibbs slotted in at left-back for the Gunners, while Oxlade-Chamberlain took over on the right wing in Wenger’s standard 4-2-3-1 formation.
• With the match level at 1-1, Wenger turned to Olivier Giroud off the bench, with the French international coming on in place of Alex Iwobi. Giroud took over as the lone striker, with Alexis Sanchez moving onto the left wing. Aaron Ramsey then replaced Oxlade-Chamberlain in a straight swap with 12 minutes remaining. Youngster Ainsley Maitland-Niles was handed a brief run-out in place of Francis Coquelin.
• Monreal and Walcott missed out with muscle and hamstring injuries respectively, but are believed to have a good chance of returning to face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. They could both earn recalls, then, while Santi Cazorla (Achilles) is another who may be fit to return, and perhaps come in at the expense of Mohamed Elneny in central midfield. Granit Xhaka will also be available having completed his three-match ban, although he looks an outside bet to start. Ramsey may continue to build up his match fitness from the bench, but Giroud made a compelling case for inclusion against Spurs with his two goals off the bench. The option to move Sanchez back onto the wing is there then, but given Wenger’s post-match comments, it seems most unlikely.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Left-Back, Central Midfield, Left Wing, Lone Striker

Bournemouth

Starting XI: Boruc, Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels, Surman, Arter (Gosling 73), Wilshere, Ibe (Fraser 60), King, Wilson (Afobe 58).

• Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe made one adjustment from the side that drew 0-0 against Tottenham Hotspur for the trip to Middlesbrough, with Andrew Surman returning in place of Dan Gosling.
• Surman started alongside Harry Arter in the double-pivot in what was a 4-2-3-1 again for the Cherries, with Josh King (right), Jack Wilshere (No 10) and Jordon Ibe (left) forming the attacking midfield trio.
• But with his side trailing 2-0, Howe turned to Benik Afobe and Ryan Fraser off the bench, with Callum Wilson and Ibe making way in straight swaps with around 30 minutes remaining. Howe’s final substitution saw Gosling come in on in central midfield for Arter for the final 17 minutes.
• Surman picked up a knock during Saturday’s match but should be okay to start against Sunderland on Saturday. Gosling will be on standby just in case then, while Howe will hope to have Junior Stanislas (calf) available to return against the Black Cats. If he were to be passed fit, Stanislas could replace either King or Ibe in the starting XI.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Flanks

Burnley

Starting XI: Heaton, Lowton, Keane, Mee, Ward (Flanagan 44), Arfield, Hendrick, Marney, Gudmundsson (Boyd 84), Vokes, Gray (Barnes 59).

• Sean Dyche made one alteration from the side that beat Everton 2-1 for the trip to Old Trafford, with Andre Gray, fresh from completing his four-match ban, returning to the starting XI in place of Michael Kightly.
• That change saw the Clarets switch from the 4-1-4-1 formation to Dyche’s preferred 4-4-2 then, with Gray partnering Sam Vokes in attack. Johann Berg Gudmundsson (right) and Scott Arfield (left) started out wide in midfield.
• Dyche was forced into making a change just before half-time after Stephen Ward picked up a knock. He was replaced by Jon Flanagan at left-back then, while 14 minutes into the second-half, the fit-again Ashley Barnes came on for Gray in a straight swap. George Boyd was brought on to provide some fresh legs with six minutes remaining, replacing Gudmundsson on the right side of midfield for the visitors.
• Ward’s injury didn’t appear to be too serious, but Flanagan is the obvious replacement should the Republic of Ireland international be ruled out for Saturday’s home clash against Crystal Palace. Steven Defour (hamstring) may come into contention to return in central midfield, while Boyd offers an alternative to either Gudmundsson or Arfield on the flanks.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Left-Back, Central Midfield, Flanks

Chelsea

Starting XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill; Moses (Ivanovic 87), Kante, Matic, Alonso; Pedro (Willian 78), Costa (Batshuayi 88), Hazard.

• Antonio Conte named an unchanged starting XI from the one that demolished Manchester United 4-0 for the trip to Southampton.
• The Italian continued with the 3-4-3 formation then, with Pedro keeping his place on the right of the front three, meaning Willian had to settle for a spot among the substitutes once again.
• Following another strong performance, Conte only made substitutions during the final stages of the match, with Willian, Branislav Ivanovic and Michy Batshuayi getting brief run-outs in place of Pedro, Victor Moses and Diego Costa respectively.
• Following a fourth successive win, and a fourth clean sheet in a row, Conte may again name the same starting XI for the visit of Everton to Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The only contentious position looks to be on the right wing, with Willian a viable option to replace Pedro. The Brazilian may have to bide his time for a recall though given Chelsea’s current form.

Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: Right Wing

Crystal Palace

Starting XI: Mandanda; Ward, Tomkins, Dann, Kelly; McArthur (Campbell 86), Ledley (Puncheon 74); Zaha, Cabaye, Lee Chung-yong (Townsend 66); Benteke.

• Alan Pardew made two changes for the home clash against Liverpool, with the fit-again Scott Dann replacing Damien Delaney, while Lee Chung-yong earned a recall in place of Andros Townsend.
• Dann partnered James Tomkins at centre-back for the Eagles, then, while Lee started on the left of the attacking midfield trio in the 4-2-3-1. It was James McArthur who took the central attacking midfield spot, though, with Yohan Cabaye dropping back into the double-pivot alongside Joe Ledley.
• Lee struggled to make an impact in the match, though and was replaced by Townsend in a straight swap with 24 minutes left. The fit-again Jason Puncheon then entered the fray in place of Ledley, while Pardew’s final substitution saw Fraizer Campbell introduced for McArthur, seeing Palace end the match in a 4-4-2.
• Zeki Fryers continues to offer an alternative to Martin Kelly at left-back, while Pardew looks to have several options for the central midfield spots and the No 10 role, with Ledley perhaps the most vulnerable should Puncheon be recalled for Saturday’s trip to Burnley. Townsend may also push for a recall in place of Lee on the left wing, although Puncheon may also be considered for that position.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Left-Back, Central Midfield, Left Wing

Everton

Starting XI: Robles; Coleman, Williams, Funes Mori, Oviedo; Barry, Gueye; Bolasie (Jagielka 82), Barkley (Lennon 87), Mirallas (Cleverley 71); Lukaku.

• Everton manager Ronald Koeman made two tweaks to the side that lost 2-1 at Burnley for the visit of West Ham United to Goodison Park, with Joel Robles replacing the injured Maarten Stekelenburg in goal, while Ramiro Funes Mori earned a recall in place of Phil Jagielka.
• Funes Mori partnered Ashley Williams in central defence for the Toffees, then, while Yannick Bolasie, Ross Barkley and Kevin Mirallas formed the attacking midfield trio once again.
• Koeman’s first substitution was a slightly defensive one, with Tom Cleverley replacing Mirallas after 71 minutes. Cleverley joined Gareth Barry and Idrissa Gueye in midfield, with Barkley moving out to the left to form more of a 4-3-3 system. Then, after going two goals in front, Jagielka was brought on in place of Bolasie, seeing Everton move to five at the back. That change saw Cleverley move out to the right wing to form more of a 5-4-1. Aaron Lennon replaced Barkley on the left flank for the final few minutes.
• Stekelenburg missed out due to a foot problem yesterday, but he should have a good chance of being fit to return against Chelsea on Saturday. Jagielka was rested having started in all of Everton’s previous league matches, and despite the Toffees keeping a clean sheet, he’s expected to earn a recall at the expense of Funes Mori this weekend. Koeman will be without the suspended Gueye against the in-form Blues, so he’ll hope that James McCarthy can shake off a knock to provide another option in the middle of the park. If McCarthy remains out, Cleverley looks the obvious replacement.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Goalkeeper, Central Defence, Central Midfield

Hull City

Starting XI: Marshall, Davies, Maguire, Dawson, Elmohamady, Clucas, Henriksen (Bowen 90), Mason, Livermore, Keane (Meyler 78), Hernandez.

• Mike Phelan made three changes for the trip to Vicarage Road, with Harry Maguire, Markus Henriksen and Abel Hernandez coming in for David Meyler, Tom Huddlestone and the injured Robert Snodgrass.
• Having lined up in a 4-1-4-1 against Stoke City last weekend, and a 3-4-3 against Bristol City in the EFL Cup, Phelan rolled out a 3-5-2 formation against Watford. Maguire, Curtis Davies and Michael Dawson formed the three-man backline, with Ahmed Elmohamady and Sam Clucas stationed in the wing-back roles. Jake Livermore, Ryan Mason and Henriksen started in central midfield, with Will Keane joining Hernandez in attack.
• With 12 minutes to go, Phelan brought on Meyler in place of Keane, with the substitute slotting into central midfield, allowing Henriksen to move forward in support of Hernandez. Youngster Jarrod Bowen earned a brief run-out in place of Henriksen as the Tigers searched for a late equaliser.
• Following a decent performance on Saturday, Phelan may choose to stick with the 3-5-2 for the home fixture against Southampton on Sunday. Personnel changes may be at a minimum given the lack of available options, with the likes of Huddlestone and Shaun Maloney perhaps unlikely to earn recalls. Dieumerci Mbokani would be a viable option in attack if he can recover from a knock.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Strikers

Leicester City

Starting XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs; Mahrez (Albrighton 72), King, Drinkwater, Musa (Schlupp 68); Okazaki (Ulloa 78), Vardy.

• Claudio Ranieri only made one adjustment for the trip to White Hart Lane, with Jamie Vardy replacing the injured Islam Slimani.
• Vardy returned as the lone striker for the champions, then, with Ranieri again opting for a 4-2-3-1, seeing Riyad Mahrez (right), Shinji Okazaki (No 10) and Ahmed Musa (left) start in the advanced midfield positions.
• Musa was the first player to be replaced by Ranieri, with the more defensive Jeffrey Schlupp coming on in a straight swap for the final 22 minutes. The Leicester boss then did the same on the opposite flank, with Marc Albrighton taking over from Mahrez. Ranieri’s final substitution saw Leonardo Ulloa come on for Okazaki for the last 12 minutes. Ulloa played alongside Vardy in attack, forming a 4-4-2 system.
• Slimani missed out on Saturday due to a minor groin injury but the Algerian should be fit to face West Brom on Sunday if selected. The Foxes face a Champions League match against FC Copenhagen on Wednesday night, though, so we may see some rotation against the Baggies. Luis Hernandez, Albrighton and Daniel Amartey are all players who may push for recalls should they not start in midweek.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right-Back, Central Midfield, Flanks, Strikers

Liverpool

Starting XI: Karius; Clyne, Lovren, Matip, Moreno; Henderson, Emre Can; Mane (Klavan 90), Lallana (Wijnaldum 76), Coutinho (Origi 89); Firmino.

• Jurgen Klopp was forced into making one change for the trip to Selhurst Park, with Alberto Moreno coming in for James Milner, who missed out due to illness.
• Moreno slotted in at left-back for the Reds, while Emre Can kept his place in midfield ahead of Georginio Wijnaldum in Klopp’s usual 4-3-3 system.
• It was Wijnaldum who was the first player summoned off the bench, though, with the Dutchman replacing Adam Lallana in a straight swap with 14 minutes remaining. Divock Origi and Ragnar Klavan were then brought on during the final few minutes, with Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane making way.
• While Moreno didn’t do much wrong on Saturday, Milner will be expected to return at left-back providing he’s fully fit for Sunday’s home encounter with Watford. Wijnaldum may be considered for a recall in place of Can given Liverpool will probably look to take on the Hornets with more of an attacking mindset on home turf.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Left-Back, Central Midfield

Man City

Starting XI: Bravo, Fernando, Stones, Otamendi, Kolarov, Fernandinho, Gundogan, Silva (Garcia 83), Sterling (Navas 77), Nolito (De Bruyne 68), Aguero.

• Pep Guardiola made three changes for the trip to the Hawthorns, with Fernando, Nicolas Otamendi and Nolito coming in for Vincent Kompany, Leroy Sane and Kevin de Bruyne.
• Those changes saw City switch from the 3-2-4-1 formation back to the 4-1-4-1 system, with Fernando starting in the unfamiliar position of right-back, with Otamendi partnering John Stones in central defence. Aleksandar Kolarov moved to left-back, with Fernandinho stationed in the defensive midfield role. Nolito (left) and Raheem Sterling (right) operated on the flanks for City.
• De Bruyne was the first player to appear off the bench, taking over from Nolito on the left wing for the final 22 minutes. Jesus Navas then replaced Sterling on the opposite flank, with youngster Aleix Garcia taking over from David Silva in central midfield for the final seven minutes.
• While the 4-1-4-1 worked well at the Hawthorns, Guardiola may yet consider moving back to a 3-2-4-1 or similar formation for the home clash against Middlesbrough in Gameweek 11. Rotation may also be an issue given City host Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday night, so the likes of Sane, Navas and Kelechi Iheanacho may all come into contention for the attacking positions. Kompany is another who may feature on the weekend, while if Pablo Zabaleta (knock) isn’t fit to play tomorrow night, he could return against ‘Boro on Saturday if Guardiola opts for a four-man defence.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Full-Backs, Central Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks, Lone Striker