I agree with your choice of players but suspect it might be a 343 formation.

Also we're allowed 9 "Uboats" as you call them so add Rak-Sakyi and Kelly.

The weak links on Saturday were the 2 full backs unable to stop the balls down the channels and our midfield was overrun, plus Ayew didn't seem to understand his role and was unable to adapt. I favour a 4-3-3 and a plan to deal with the high press mentioned. I like the suggestion from Andy0629. Definitely would consider Rak-Sakyi starting as well in place of Schlupp, provided he can cover back as required, which I think he can. I am also concerned that last week's players night have a bit of a confidence issue as well if Brentford score first and we go on the back foot.

Butland Tompkins. Andersen. Guehi Clyde. Gallagher Kouyate McArthur. Schlupp Benteke. Zaha

Butland
Guehi Tomkins Andersen
Clyne Gallagher Milivoyevic Riedewald Schlupp
Zaha Benteke

Whoever makes the bench merely illustrates the shallowness of the squad at present.

I just can't see Tomkins starting when he wasn't fit enough to make the bench on Saturday. Likewise Luka hasn't been involved and can't be fit to start. I see Andersen, Benteke, Gallagher and Rak-Sakyi in for Kouyate, Mateta, Ayew and Schlupp as our only changes but would love to see Butland given a chance.
Sadly unless we get more crosses into Benteke we'll be lucky to scrape 1 nil probably from Zaha.

They let Salah, De Bruyne and Lukaku go, so they don't always get it right (and in Lukaku's case, they're paying the price literally).

So the consensus (not universal) is to bin the formation we have been trialling with success in preseason on the back of a defeat to what is quite possibly the best team in Europe?

Puzzled.