Line-Up Lessons – Gameweek 1 – Part One

Alvaro Morata emerges from the bench to bag a goal and assist as Chelsea fall to defeat at home to Burnley. James Milner is named among the subs as Liverpool share the spoils with Watford, while Arsenal subs Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey stake a claim for a start at Stoke by inspiring a comeback win over Leicester City.

Here’s the lessons learned from 10 teamsheets so far, with the remaining 10 to come tomorrow…

Arsenal

Starting XI: Cech; Holding (Giroud 67), Monreal, Kolasinac; Bellerin, Xhaka, Elneny (Ramsey 67), Oxlade-Chamberlain; Ozil, Welbeck (Walcott 75); Lacazette. Subs not used: Ospina, Iwobi, Mustafi, Coquelin.

• What We Saw
  Gunners boss Arsene Wenger kept faith in the 3-4-2-1 formation. Sead Kolasinac started at left centre-back, allowing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to operate at left wing-back, while Danny Welbeck was preferred to Alex Iwobi alongside Mesut Ozil in the advanced midfield positions. But with Arsenal trailing 3-2, Wenger decided to change to more of a 4-2-3-1, with Rob Holding replaced by Olivier Giroud. He played as the lone striker, with Alexandre Lacazette shifting to a left-sided support role. Theo Walcott was introduced on the right wing, with Aaron Ramsey brought on in the double-pivot alongside Granit Xhaka.
• What We Learned
  While Wenger had to change systems during Friday night’s match, the three-man defence is surely here to stay. The possible return of Per Mertesacker from a facial injury is imminent, but Laurent Koscielny remains banned. Shkodran Mustafi will also be an option, which could threaten Holding’s start. Giroud could well find a place on the teamsheet, though – he’s started away to Stoke in each of the previous five seasons. With Alexis Sanchez (abdominal injury) expected to miss out, Lacazette could be handed a support berth alongside Ozil. Meanwhile, Ramsey appears likely to earn a recall in place of Mohamed Elneny.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, left wing-back, attacking midfielders, lone striker

Bournemouth

Starting XI: Begovic; Francis (A. Smith 79), Cook, Ake, Daniels; Surman, Arter; Fraser, King, Pugh (Ibe 46); Afobe (Defoe 64). Subs not used: Boruc, Gosling, Mings, Mousset.

• What we saw: Cherries boss Eddie Howe plumped for a 4-2-3-1 formation against West Bromwich Albion, with Benik Afobe preferred to Jermain Defoe up front. The summer signing from Sunderland has been battling with a groin injury during pre-season, but did play the final 26 minutes.
• What we learned: As expected, Josh King was used in a support striker role for Bournemouth, and for Saturday’s home fixture against Watford, it’s likely that Defoe will take over from Afobe as the lone striker. Simon Francis was forced off with a hamstring problem at the Hawthorns, so Adam Smith will be on standby to start at right-back. Marc Pugh also appears vulnerable after being replaced by Jordon Ibe at half-time.

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

Brighton and Hove Albion

Starting XI: Ryan, Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Suttner, March (Knockaert 77), Stephens, Propper, Brown (Murphy 74), Gross, Hemed (Murray 60). Subs not used: Hunemeier, Maenpaa, Sidwell, Rosenior.

• What we saw: Chris Hughton chose to start the season with a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Pascal Gross in the central support role behind lone striker Tomer Hemed. Davy Propper came straight into the side in central midfield, while Solly March and Izzy Brown were preferred out wide, with Anthony Knockaert short of match fitness.
• What we learned: Hughton spoke during the summer that he may have to use a more defensive 4-4-1-1 through the majority of this season, and Saturday’s 2-0 defeat probably reinforced his thinking. Brown was forced off with a hamstring injury, so that may open the door for Knockaert to come into the side after getting some minutes under his belt at the weekend. Likewise, Glenn Murray should put pressure on Hemed for a start, but the transfer of Jose Izquierdo is being held up due to a work permit issue, so he faces a race against time to be available for Saturday’s trip to Leicester City.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Wings, lone striker

Burnley

Starting XI: Heaton; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Ward; Gudmundsson (Arfield 75), Defour (Walters 75), Cork, Hendrick, Brady; Vokes. Subs not used: Taylor, Barnes, Westwood, Long, Pope.

• What we saw: Clarets manager Sean Dyche opted for a 4-5-1 formation against Chelsea, with Sam Vokes chosen as the lone striker. Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Steven Defour were slightly surprising starters in midfield, with Jonathan Walters only named among the substitutes.
• What we learned: While Dyche opted for a more cautious approach at Stamford Bridge, he may go for a slightly more attacking line-up when the Clarets entertain West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. Walters could push for a start, either on the right wing or even in a support striker role in a 4-4-1-1 system. Jeff Hendrick or Defour may also be capable of playing in that central attacking midfield slot. Changes are generally unlikely following the stunning 3-2 victory over the champions.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Right wing, attacking midfield

Chelsea

Starting XI: Courtois; Rudiger, Luiz, Cahill; Azpilicueta, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Willian, Boga (Christensen 18, Musonda 90); Batshuayi (Morata 59). Subs not used: Caballero, Kenedy, Tomori, Scott.

• What we saw: Blues boss Antonio Conte stuck with the 3-4-2-1 formation that proved so successful last term. Antonio Rudiger was handed his Premier League debut at right centre-back, seeing Cesar Azpilicueta move to right wing-back in the absence of the suspended Victor Moses. Youngster Jeremie Boga was surprisingly preferred to Alvaro Morata, with Michy Batshuayi chosen as the lone striker. Boga was then sacrificed following the sending off of Gary Cahill, as Andreas Christensen entered the fray. The hosts switched to more of a 3-4-1-1 system before Cesc Fabregas was also dismissed late on.
• What we learned: The shock opening day defeat was probably down to the lack of personnel available to Conte, along with the early sending off, than anything tactical. Cahill will miss the next three league matches due to suspension, though, but Moses will be available for the clash against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley. The Nigerian looks set to start at right wing-back, with Azpilicueta returning to the back three. However, with Fabregas banned and Tiemoue Bakayoko set to miss out again, Conte could move David Luiz into central midfield and hand Christensen a start at the back. Morata looks likely to come into the starting XI after producing a goal and an assist from the bench, so he could start either alongside or in place of Batshuayi. Pedro (ankle) remains a doubt, but if fit, would be the obvious replacement for Boga.

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

Crystal Palace

Starting XI: Hennessey; Fosu-Mensah (Tomkins 78), Dann, Riedewald; Ward, Milivojevic (Townsend 46), Puncheon, Van Aanholt; Zaha, Benteke, Loftus-Cheek. Subs not used: Speroni, Lee, Schlupp, Ladapo, Eyenga-Lokilo.

• What we saw: New Eagles head coach Frank de Boer rolled out the 3-4-3 formation he’s been using all pre-season, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek chosen on the right of the front three. Luka Milivojevic joined Jason Puncheon in central midfield, while Timothy Fosu-Mensah made his Palace debut at right centre-back. Joel Ward surprisingly got the nod over Andros Townsend at right wing-back. Townsend was introduced at half-time though, on the right of the front three, as Loftus-Cheek dropped back into the middle of the park.
• What we learned: After such a poor opening day display, there may be a chance the Dutchman considers a different system for Saturday’s trip to Liverpool. In terms of possible changes, Townsend may push for a start, either on the right of the front three or at wing-back, while James Tomkins and Jeffrey Schlupp are alternatives at centre-back and left wing-back respectively. Both Yohan Cabaye and James McArthur could be in contention, though neither will likely be considered for a start. Meanwhile, Palace have confirmed that Zaha left the ground sporting a brace to apparently aid his recovery. While this is thought to be a precaution, Zaha’s start against Liverpool is in question. Palaces’ open training session on Tuesday will hopefully gives us more indication on that.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Central defenders, wing-backs, central midfield, right forward

Everton

Starting XI: Pickford; Keane, Jagielka, Williams (Martina 46); Calvert-Lewin, Schneiderlin, Gueye, Klaassen (Davies 60), Baines; Rooney, Ramirez (Mirallas 77). Subs not used: Stekelenburg, Besic, Holgate, Lookman.

• What we saw: Toffees boss Ronald Koeman opted for a 3-5-2 formation against Stoke City, with Sandro Ramirez partnering Wayne Rooney up front. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was stationed at right wing-back, while Phil Jagielka earned a start alongside Ashley Williams and Michael Keane in the three-man defence. Koeman changed things up at half-time, introducing Cuco Martina for Williams. The substitute played at right-back in a four-man defence, and Calvert-Lewin joined Rooney and Sandro in a three-man forward line.
• What we learned: Koeman once again displayed his liking for changing tactics mid-match, and that may continue, making it difficult to predict the exact make-up of the Everton starting XI. The Toffees’ trip to Manchester City a week tonight could be suited to the three-man defence, although a more defensive player, such as Martina or Mason Holgate, looks better suited at right wing-back for that particular match-up. Tom Davies is a viable alternative to Davy Klaassen in central midfield after replacing the Dutchman on the hour-mark.

Current Status: Slightly Unsettled
Risk Areas: Right wing-back/right-back, central defenders

Huddersfield Town

Starting XI: Lossl; Smith (Williams 57), Jorgensen, Schindler, Lowe; Mooy, Billing; Kachunga, Palmer (Quaner 72), Ince; Mounie (La Parra 86). Subs not used: Coleman, Malone, Depoitre, Hefele.

• What we saw: Terriers head coach David Wagner rolled out his favoured 4-2-3-1 system against Palace, with Philip Billing preferred as the holding midfielder in the double-pivot alongside Aaron Mooy. Kasey Palmer, Tom Ince and Elias Kachunga were chosen in the attacking midfield positions.
• What we learned: The eye-catching 3-0 win at Selhurst Park means it’s probable Wagner will opt to name the same side to face Newcastle United on Sunday. Tommy Smith, up against the tricky Wilfried Zaha, was booked on Saturday, which perhaps explains why he was replaced by Danny Williams in a straight swap before the hour-mark.

Current Status: Very Settled
Risk Areas: None

Leicester City

Starting XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Maguire, Fuchs; Ndidi, James (Iheanacho 82); Mahrez, Okazaki (Amartey 70), Albrighton (Gray 88); Vardy. Subs not used: Chilwell, King, Hamer, Slimani.

• What we saw: Craig Shakespeare opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation against Arsenal, with Matty James chosen as Wilfred Ndidi’s partner at the base of midfield. Shinji Okazaki was preferred to Kelechi Iheanacho in the support striker role behind Jamie Vardy.
• What we learned: With the Foxes hosting Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, Shakespeare appears likely to stick with the same attack-minded system. He could consider handing Iheanacho a start in place of Okazaki, while Danny Drinkwater (thigh) and Vincent Iborra (groin) could replace James if fit.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central midfield, support striker

Liverpool

Starting XI: Mignolet; Alexander-Arnold (Gomez 90), Lovren, Matip, Moreno; Can, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah (Milner 86), Firmino (Origi 81), Mane. Subs not used: Karius, Klavan, Grujic, Solanke.

• What we saw: Jurgen Klopp rolled out his favoured 4-3-3 formation, with Alberto Moreno preferred at left-back ahead of James Milner and Andrew Robertson. Milner warmed the bench as Emre Can got the nod in central midfield.
• What we learned: After being named among the subs, the short-term prospects for Milner don’t appear particularly bright. Should Nathaniel Clyne remain out with a muscle problem, Trent Alexander-Arnold looks in line to keep his place at right-back for Saturday’s home meeting with Palace. Philippe Coutinho (back) remains a major doubt for Gameweek 2 amid growing doubts over his future at the club.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Full-backs, central midfield

Part Two of Line-up Lessons, covering the remaining ten teams, will be published tomorrow.