Why Cole Palmer isn’t playing for Chelsea against Arsenal in Premier League | Football

Chelsea will be without England star Cole Palmer for their Premier League clash against Arsenal on Sunday.

Palmer has endured a frustrating period following another impressive start to the season, failing to score in his last ten appearances in all competitions.

During that run Palmer missed his first-ever penalty against Leicester City, with Enzo Maresca revealing after the match that he asked to play despite struggling with illness in the days before.

Given Palmer’s bout of illness, he was expected to miss the Europa Conference League last-16 tie against Copenhagen on Thursday night but came on as a half-time substitute in the 1-0 win.

Chelsea expected to see Palmer at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal on Sunday following his cameo against Copenhagen but the 22-year-old was left out of their matchday squad.

It was reported a few hours the game that Palmer could miss the London derby due to fatigue and a tight hamstring and Maresca gave an update on the player in his pre-match interview.

Asked to explain Palmer’s absence, Maresca said: ‘[It is an] injury, we hope to have him back after international break.

‘Last week as we know he has some problems. Yesterday he has a very small problem and we think he will be back after the international break.

‘He had an injury yesterday during the session. It was a very light session so we don’t think it’s a big problem. We have to see but we think he will be back after the international break.’

Palmer was named in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad last week but now looks set to be withdrawn from international duty, though there has been no confirmation from the FA.

Chelsea travel to north London hoping to boost their Champions League hopes after top-four rivals Manchester City dropped points at home to Brighton earlier in the weekend.

Maresca’s side briefly threatened to mount a title challenge earlier in the season but their aspirations have now turned to Champions League qualification following a poor run since Christmas.

Chelsea made six changes for their trip to Arsenal, fielding a front-three of Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho.

Arsenal, meanwhile, will aim to record their first league win in four games, having seen their title hopes all but ended in recent weeks.

Midfielder Mikel Merino continues as a striker for the Gunners and Myles Lews-Skelly and Gabriel Martinelli both return to Arsenal’s starting line-up.

Mikel Arteta is without Raheem Sterling – who is not permitted to face his parent club Chelsea – and a host of injured players, including ex-Blues forward Kai Havertz.

Revealing his prediction for the London derby, ex-Premier League striker Chris Sutton told BBC Sport: ‘There won’t be many goals in this game – one goal might be enough to win it, and I am going with Arsenal to get it.

‘Declan Rice was very lively in his new attacking role against Manchester United and I can see him scoring again here.

‘Chelsea have flattered to deceive in recent weeks. They have won their past two league games, but they were against Southampton and Leicester. This is a much bigger test.’

The Gunners are unbeaten in each of their last six Premier League games versus Chelsea, winning four and drawing two of their most recent clashes.

Neto earned Chelsea a 1-1 draw when the two teams last met in November with a 70th-minute equaliserafter Martinelli broke the deadlock on the hour mark.

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