The Stamford Bridge side is still awaiting the availability of their key attacker, Cole Palmer.
Palmer, who is 23 years old, has been unavailable for selection for the London team since September. His most recent game for Enzo Maresca’s men was in the 2-1 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Will Cole Palmer participate in the match against Arsenal?
Having only played in four games for Chelsea this term, Palmer will be eager to get back onto the pitch, particularly with the limited time left for him to assert himself in Thomas Tuchel’s thinking regarding the England national team.
The national team manager has indicated a preference for players who are consistently playing for their respective clubs, and the 23-year-old needs to be performing well if he wishes to be considered for the squad that will travel to the United States in the summer.
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During a press conference on Monday, preceding the Blues’ 3-0 victory over Barcelona, manager Maresca suggested that Palmer’s participation against Arsenal later in the week might be premature.
“We are unsure of the exact timeline, but it will definitely be soon,” Maresca mentioned during the conference on Monday. “He is already training on the field, making contact with the ball, and he feels positive about it.
“We are focused on the Champions League match tomorrow, and after that, we will turn our attention to Arsenal.”
When directly questioned about Palmer’s potential involvement, Maresca responded: “I don’t believe that will be possible at this time.”
It has been over two months since the former Manchester City player last appeared for Chelsea in a game, but his colleagues have performed reasonably well in his absence.
Estevao’s goal against Barcelona during the week has led many to compare him with Lamine Yamal, while Liam Delap also managed to score, which should alleviate some of the pressure surrounding his recent performances.
Alejandro Garnacho is also beginning to make a name for himself, and Pedro Neto has also been consistently delivering when called upon, as the Blues prepare to host a crucial match against Arsenal in the Premier League this weekend.
Who will prevail in that encounter? Will Chelsea secure a crucial victory, or will the Gunners increase their advantage at the top of the league standings? Share your thoughts in the comments below…
