Team News: Alvaro Morata, Eden Hazard paired in attack for Chelsea

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has paired Alvaro Morata and Eden Hazard in attack for his side's EFL Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal this evening.

Conte makes nine changes in all from the Blues' goalless draw with Norwich City at the weekend, including returns for first-choice stopper Thibaut Courtois and former Gunners ace Cesc Fabregas in midfield.

Antonio Rudiger and Danny Drinkwater are the only two players to retain their places in the side, with the likes of Willian, Pedro and Michy Batshuayi watching on from the bench.

Hazard will therefore start just off 12-goal striker Morata in an expected 3-5-2 formation, having shaken off a minor calf injury.

In terms of the visitors, who claimed a 2-2 draw when the teams faced off in the Premier League a week ago, boss Arsene Wenger has made a total of seven changes following his side's shock FA Cup exit at the hands of Nottingham Forest.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Rob Holding, Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi - the latter of whom has been embroiled in off-field controversy this week - keep their spots in the starting lineup for this London derby showdown.

There are starts for fit-again duo Shkodran Mustafi and Granit Xhaka at Stamford Bridge, but key man Mesut Ozil misses out with a knee injury and Alexis Sanchez is only among the subs.

CHELSEA: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Drinkwater, Alonso; Hazard, Morata Subs: Eduardo, David Luiz, Zappacosta, Bakayoko, Willian, Pedro, Batshuayi

ARSENAL: Ospina; Chambers, Mustafi, Holding; Wilshere, Xhaka; Bellerin, Maitland-Niles; Iwobi, Welbeck; Lacazette Subs: Macey, Mavropanos, Mertesacker, Nelson, Elneny, Walcott, Sanchez

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