As rumours of his Arsenal exit intensify, the Chilean was named on the bench for the game after German playmaker Mesut Ozil was ruled out through injury.
Conte opted for a strong side including Alvaro Morata and Eden Hazard in attack, with Danny Drinkwater coming into the midfield in place of Tiemoue Bakayoko, who was ineffective against the Gunners last week. Defender Gary Cahill didn't make the squad.
Ozil joined a growing injury list, with Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal, Sead Kolasinac, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud all currently sidelined.
The injury crisis has not forced Wenger's hand, with the Frenchman expected to field wantaway striker Sanchez, despite the club having received a £20m bid from runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City for the star.
City have been trying to sign Sanchez for some time now, having originally seen a £60m deadline day move collapse in the summer when Arsenal failed to secure a replacement.
However, with Sanchez now into the last six months of his contract and with talk of a £250,000 per week contract waiting for him at the Etihad, it appears City may finally get their man.
What should we read into his absence from the starting lineup in such a crucial fixture for the Gunners?