Alexis Sánchez on the bench, Mesut Özil injured for Arsenal as Chelsea name strong starting XI | OneFootball

Amid speculation that he is set to join Manchester City this month, Alexis Sánchez finds himself on the bench against Chelsea in tonight’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.

The Chilean was reportedly the subject of a £20m pound bid from Manchester City and is believed to be very keen on the switch.

Mesut Özil, who also could leave the club in the January window, has a slight knee injury, according to the club, and is not in the 18.

Arsène Wenger is set to watch the match from the press box as he serves the second match of a three-match touch-line ban, and he names an otherwise strong XI.

Jack Wilshere captains a side that includes six changes from the weekend’s FA Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Alexandre Lacazette comes back in to lead the line, while both Shkodran Mustafi and Granit Xhaka are deemed fit enough to start.

The Gunners’ new signing, Greek defender Konstantinos Mavrapanos, is included in the squad as well.

For Chelsea, Antonio Conte has gone for the strongest XI available to him.

Eden Hazard is fit and he will play up top next to Álvaro Morata, who is among nine changes made by Conte from the side that drew with Norwich City in the FA Cup.

César Azpilicueta is the man with the armband in what looks to be a return to a 3-5-2 formation.

Danny Drinkwater, Cesc Fàbregas and N’Golo Kanté form the midfield trio.

It’s worth noting that it’s not just the players who could provide the excitement tonight.

We could witness history tonight as VAR will be in effect.

Although it made its debut in English football during Brighton’s FA Cup third round victory over on Monday, it was not actually used to change any decisions.

If the referee judges that a replay could help him clarify a decision, he will be able to call on his VAR assistant for guidance.