Chelsea vs Arsenal team news: Alexis drops to bench, Morata starts for Blues

The London clubs go head-to-head in the first leg of their semi-final Carabao Cup tie at Stamford Bridge, with the Chilean making the matchday squad

Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez has been named as a substitute for the Gunners’ Carabao Cup semi-final tie against Chelsea on Wednesday.

The Chile international is closing in on a transfer to Manchester City, as previously told by Goal , but has been named in Arsene Wenger’s squad for the semi-final clash against the Blues.

Jack Wilshere will captain the Gunners, while Danny Welbeck, Alexandre Lacazette and Alex Iwobi lead the line. Mesut Ozil has not been included in the travelling squad.

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Elsewhere Chelsea have named both Alvaro Morata and Eden Hazard in their starting XI. The pair were rested for the FA Cup match against Norwich City, with Andreas Christensen, Victor Moses, Cesc Fabregas, N’Golo Kante and Cesar Azpilicueta also returning. 

Azpilicueta captains Chelsea who are without Gary Cahill from their match day squad. Danny Drinkwater is a surprise inclusion in midfield. 

David Luiz makes Chelsea’s bench after coming back from injury in the FA Cup third round on Saturday. 

Chelsea XI:  Courtois; Azpilicueta (c), Christensen, Rudiger; Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Drinkwater, Alonso; Hazard, Morata

Chelsea subs: Eduardo, David Luiz, Zappacosta, Bakayoko, Willian, Pedro, Batshuayi

Arsenal XI:  Ospina; Chambers, Mustafi, Holding; Bellerin, Wilshere, Xhaka, Maitland-Niles; Welbeck, Lacazette, Iwobi

Arsenal subs: Macey, Mavropanos, Mertesacker, Elneny, Nelson, Walcott, Alexis