Arsenal vs Chelsea combined XI: Alexis Sanchez and Eden Hazard make the cut but who else misses out alongside Alexandre Lacazette?

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Arsenal welcome Chelsea to the Emirates Stadium for their Premier League clash on Wednesday.

The Blues have had a better start to the Premier League season than their London counterparts, sitting seven points ahead of them in the table.

Here, Sportsmail selects a composite XI from both sides ahead of the eagerly anticipated semi-final. 

Sportsmail's composite XI before Arsene Wenger's Arsenal clash with Antonio Conte's Chelsea

Goalkeeper

Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea) 

It's no real surprise that Courtois gets the nod in goal, but make no mistake, his Arsenal counterpart — and predecessor at Stamford Bridge — Petr Cech is still a classy performer.

However, the Belgian has proven himself time and again to be among the top handful of shot-stoppers currently plying their trade in world football.

Thibaut Courtois has proven himself to be among the top handful of shot-stoppers in the world

Defence

Right back – Hector Bellerin (Arsenal)

Bellerin has made huge strides since last season — which was a poor one by his standards — and is beginning to get back to his best form.

The Spaniard would also add some much-needed pace down the flanks.

Centre back – Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea)

Mr Reliable at the Bridge, Azpilicueta would make it into most, if not all, Premier League teams on the right-hand side of defence.

The Spaniard has made the shift into the centre of defence and is always a solid option, so the Blues man is a shoo-in.

Centre back – Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)

Koscielny has steadily built his reputation since moving to north London in 2010 and is now one of the finest in England's top flight.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, however, has said he has only a '30 per cent' chance of playing against Chelsea after limping off against West Brom on New Year's Day.

Laurent Koscielny has been consistent and reliable for Wenger's side since moving in 2010

Left Back – Marcos Alonso (Chelsea)

A surprise package in Chelsea's title-winning campaign last season, Alonso makes the cut at right back.

Arsenal counterpart Sead Kolasinac has also been ruled out with injury for two weeks after he was substituted with injury at The Hawthorns.

Midfield

Centre midfield – N'Golo Kante (Chelsea)

Arguably the first name on the team sheet. Kante's invaluable work in the engine room makes him a nailed-on starter in this composite XI.

He was the Blues' player of the year last season and has continued to prove his worth in this.

N'Golo Kante's industry in the heart of midfield makes him invaluable to this Chelsea side

Centre midfield – Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea)

Another former Gunner makes it into this team. Although Jack Wilshere's return to the fray has prompted some excitement, Fabregas continues to churn out silky performances in the middle of the park.

A reliable and consistent option.

Attack 

Right attacking midfield – Eden Hazard (Chelsea)

Kevin De Bruyne aside, there aren't many more exciting footballers in the Premier League than Hazard right now.

Lightning quick, peerless in his creativity and an eye for goal – the Belgian flies into this team every day of the week.

Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard has evolved into one of the most exciting players in England

Centre attacking midfield – Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)

Ozil has his critics, but on his day he has the key to unlock any defence. Before missing the West Brom game through injury, the German was threatening to discover his very best form with four goals and five assists this term – and he is in line to make a return against Chelsea.

An honourable mention for Pedro, however. The Spaniard is another reliable option in the creative third, but Ozil gets the nod due to his X-factor when he hits his straps.

Left attacking midfield – Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)

Pound-for-pound, Sanchez is Wenger's most valuable asset – a match-winner.

He is Arsenal's joint-top goalscorer this season — as he was last term — with eight goals and is just as deadly from the set-piece as he is in open play. An unstoppable attacking threat when he gets it right.

Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez is the club's joint-top goalscorer in all competitions this season

Striker – Alvaro Morata (Chelsea)

A £70million summer signing from Real Madrid, Morata has already started to repay at least some of his hefty fee with 12 goals so far this season.

And while Arsenal's big transfer in July Alexandre Lacazette has also impressed, netting eight times, Morata's sizeable contribution in front of goal has helped put Chelsea seven points in front of Arsenal in the league. 

Alvaro Morata has started to pay back the heft £70m fee Chelsea paid for him last summer