Chelsea may have to face Premier League leaders Arsenal without their leading goal scorer, Cole Palmer. The 21-year-old is currently dealing with an illness and it is uncertain whether he will be able to recover in time for the game.
Mauricio Pochettino, the manager of Chelsea, expressed his doubts about Palmer’s involvement in the match, stating that he does not believe Palmer will be able to participate.
Even if Palmer does feel better on Tuesday, Pochettino is concerned about his fitness level and whether he will be in a condition to play. The team is hopeful that Palmer will be able to recover and join them on the field.
Chelsea currently sit in ninth place in the Premier League, just three points behind seventh place. The absence of Palmer would certainly be a setback for their chances of securing a spot in European competition.
Conversely, Palmer’s absence could work in favor of Arsenal, who are aiming to win the Premier League title for the first time in two decades. Despite a recent setback with a 2-0 defeat against Aston Villa, the Gunners bounced back with a similar scoreline victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Arsenal will be playing their fourth match in a span of 10 days on Tuesday, but manager Mikel Arteta remains confident that the team is not being negatively impacted by the busy schedule.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining focus on the upcoming game, preparing diligently, and continuing with the same approach that has served them well so far.