Cole Palmer could miss Chelsea’s clash with Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
Mikel Arteta insists Chelsea are far from a one-man team and boast players of ‘quality’ all over the pitch, with Cole Palmer a doubt the club’s trip to Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Palmer – Chelsea’s top scorer this season with 23 goals in all competitions – was pictured with strapping around his left thigh ahead of the side’s FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester City and appeared to be nursing an injury at Wembley.
However, the Blues have confirmed that an illness could keep Palmer out of Tuesday’s top-flight clash at the Emirates, with the in-form attacking midfielder yet to return to training in the wake of the side’s cup defeat.
Facing the media this afternoon, Mauricio Pochettino said that Palmer’s fitness would be closely assessed, though the England international may not be able to return in time for the London derby.
Quizzed on Palmer’s chances of featuring in north London, the Chelsea head coach told reporters: ‘We will see tomorrow. 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.’
Chelsea, who are languishing down in ninth place in the Premier League table, could also be without Marc Gusto and Ben Chilwell, with both defenders going down with knocks at Wembley at the weekend.
Arteta’s Gunners sit top of the Premier League table on goal difference (Picture: Getty)
Speaking at his pre-match press conference this afternoon, Arteta stressed that Arsenal were preparing for a ‘tough match’, irrespective of the team the Chelsea are able to field on Tuesday evening.
Asked for his reaction to news that Palmer is a doubt for the match, the Arsenal boss replied: ‘I don’t know… we have no control over their availability. We only have control over ours.
‘Whatever they put out, when you look at the squad, the quality that they have, it’s great.
‘I think they are doing very, very well and much better than people say. It will be a tough match, for sure.’
Pochettino compared Chelsea’s current situation to that which Arsenal found themselves in not so long ago, but Arteta argued that the two clubs were on ‘very different’ journeys.
‘I think the journey of the clubs are very, very different. Nothing to compare in my opinion,’ the Spaniard added.
‘I have huge admiration for Mauricio because I’ve known him since 23 years ago and I really wish him all the best.
‘He’s an incredible manager, he’s a huge leader and he will inspire that club to get where they want to get, that’s for sure.’
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