Cole Palmer absent from Chelsea training in huge blow ahead of Arsenal clash

Cole Palmer missed training on Monday ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Premier League title challengers Arsenal.

Palmer has undoubtedly been Chelsea’s best player this season, with the 21-year-old scoring 23 goals and providing 13 assists across all competitions. He is also the Premier League’s joint top scorer alongside Manchester City’s Erling Haaland with 20 strikes.

However, the Blues could be without Palmer when they face Arsenal on Tuesday evening after it was revealed he had been absent from training with an illness. “We will see tomorrow,” Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino said when asked about Palmer’s chances of playing.

“We will assess him in the morning. Today, no I don’t believe he can be involved but we will assess him tomorrow. Even if he is good tomorrow, maybe he’s not in a condition to play. Hopefully, he can recover as soon as possible.”

Full-backs Ben Chilwell and Malo Gusto are also doubts after the pair picked up knocks in Chelsea’s 1-0 FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City on Saturday. “Malo suffered a minor injury of the ligament on his knee,” Pochettino explained.

“I’m not a doctor but I show respect trying to translate what is going on. Chilly after the national team it is the same problem he suffered in the last few weeks.”

Chelsea currently sit ninth in the league and have found some much-needed form in recent weeks, having gone unbeaten in their last eight games. And with just seven more matches left to play, Pochettino is desperate for his side to finish the season strongly.

Mauricio Pochettino

“The circumstances are completely different but now is the end of the season, they are playing for the Premier League,” he added. “We need the three points to be in another position in the table.

“We are two or three games behind all of the teams above us and it is important to try and win games like this to be close to European competition next season. We are confident in one day getting (to) the same level (as Arsenal), of course.

“We are positive and always in football the most important thing is to believe. Arsenal a few years ago, they were in a different situation than today. But in time, with confidence and trust in him (Arteta), they are there. Here, it is not a different thing.”

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