Arsenal vs Chelsea: Will Arsene Wenger match Antonio Conte’s formation and should Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez start? Five big questions for the London derby

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Chelsea travel to Arsenal on Wednesday evening with second place in their sights and the chance to leapfrog Manchester United acting as an incentive, while Antonio Conte's side would also move 10 points clear of Arsenal with a victory.

Arsenal, for their part, must win to revive their prospects of a top four finish. Arsene Wenger's side are six points behind fourth placed Liverpool, seven behind Chelsea and nine behind Manchester United.

The two teams meet on Wednesday night and here Sportsmail answers some of the key questions..... 

This fixture last season led to Antonio Conte adopting to the successful three-man defence

Will Wenger match Conte’s formation by deploying 3-4-3 again?

In the equivalent Premier League fixture last season, Arsenal tore Chelsea to ribbons, winning 3-0 and provoke Antonio Conte to introduce the three-man defensive system that catapulted his side to the title and many sides have since imitated the formation. Arsene Wenger reverted to a 3-4-2-1 system at the back end of last season and although his faith has wavered of late, we might expect him to go toe-to-toe with Chelsea in the same system this evening.  

Should wantaway stars Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez both start despite the January transfer window opening?

Two players, two very different approaches. Mesut Ozil has sparkled this season and produced his finest form for quite some time. He appears to be stepping up his form as speculation over a move to Manchester United intensifies, whereas Alexis Sanchez is too often taking the opposite approach, whereby he drifts through games ahead of a transfer to Manchester City. Sanchez has assisted or scored a goal every 141.7 minutes this season, compared to every 94.8 minutes during the last campaign. We know Arsene Wenger is not scared to leave him out - Sanchez was dropped for the visit to Anfield at the start of the season - but with three goals in his last two games, the manager may be inclined to start the Chilean. Ozil will start if he is adjudged to have overcome a flare-up to a minor injury. 

Mesut Ozil has sparkled this season but Alexis Sanchez is drifting in games before he leaves

How has Antonio Conte fared in match against the other managerial heavyweights?

Antonio Conte has won only two away matches against the established top six sides since joining Chelsea last summer. Those victories came at Manchester City last season and Tottenham at the start of this campaign. Last season brought away defeats at Tottenham, Manchester United and Arsenal, while Conte has seen his side draw twice at Liverpool.

Conte may fancy his chances this evening, as although Arsenal's home record has generally been excellent this season, flaws have emerged in the last month with a 3-1 defeat by Manchester United and 3-3 draw against Liverpool. Arsenal did, however, comprehensively dismantle Tottenham at their own ground. 

Antonio Conte has won twice away against the established top six sides since joining Chelsea

Who will win the battle of the summer signings – Alvaro Morata or Alexandre Lacazette?

Twelve goals by the turn of the year is a handsome return for Alvaro Morata. Although he has only scored five goals in his last 18 appearances, Morata's approach play remains sharp and several of those were as a substitute. Lacazette has made a slightly slower start, although goals against both Manchester clubs suggest he merits a starting opportunity tonight, even in light of a run of six games without a goal. 

The club's respective summer signing Alvaro Morata and Alexandre Lacazette will be key

Why Eden Hazard will be raring to go after being rested against Stoke?

Antonio Conte has shuffled his pack intelligently in recent weeks. He rested Alvaro Morata for a couple of game earlier in December and the Spaniard has returned in bright form, while Eden Hazard was substituted after 73 minutes in the 2-0 victory over Brighton and neither he nor Cesc Fabregas came off the bench in the 5-0 win over Stoke. Chelsea, therefore, arrive into this one with their creative talents primed and ready to shine. 

Chelsea arrive into the game against Arsenal with Eden Hazard primed and ready to shine