Is Cole Palmer fit to play for Chelsea vs Arsenal? Latest injury news and FPL update

Enzo Maresca is going to be far from the only manager keeping an eye on Cole Palmer's fitness this weekend. Not only is the Chelsea star an injury doubt which puts his side on edge ahead of a key match against Arsenal, but there are millions watching on with their Fantasy Premier League teams also at stake.

Only Erling Haaland is a more popular pick than Palmer, owing to his incredible goalscoring and assisting form across not just this season but pretty much ever since he joined Chelsea in August 2023. However, both players are among the top four most transferred out players for Gameweek 11.

Haaland's relatively poor form - just one goal in his last five matches - and the struggles of Manchester City to match their early season pace have left plenty with big issues. Palmer now being far from certain to feature against Arsenal for Chelsea doesn't make this any easier.

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The 22-year-old was on the receiving end of a late, high challenge in Chelsea's 1-1 draw to Manchester United last weekend. He was able to finish the game with just minutes to play but appeared to be in great pain after Lisandro Martinez scraped his studs down the top of his leg, close to the knee.

Here, football.london has the latest on Palmer's fight to be fit for Chelsea vs Arsenal and the impact it could have on Fantasy Premier League managers.

Maresca update

Maresca revealed that Palmer had been using ice as a precautionary injury method after the game against United. He was then left out of the midweek side that beat FC Noah 8-0 in the Conference League. That was always going to be the case, though, with Palmer out of the squad for the group phase due to load management.

On Friday, Maresca didn't have too much of an update ahead of the Premier League clash with Arsenal. "He's better," the Italian started before backtracking slightly. "He's getting better. If he can walk and have dinner, that doesn't mean he is completely fit.

"He's getting better. Hopefully we can have him for the session at least on Saturday and then we can take a decision." Referencing Palmer being spotted walking into the press room twice on Thursday to help himself to some of the food laid on by the club, Maresca refused to give too much away.

Palmer hint

On Friday, Palmer posted online suggesting that his work towards making a return to the side is well underway. He put an image onto his Instagram story with a wrap on his left leg at Cobham.

The Chelsea forward, who has seven goals and five assists from 10 matches so far this season, has not been seen in training yet this week. He was included in the England squad that Lee Carlsey selected ahead of Nations League games against Greece and Ireland later in November.

Chelsea plan

As Maresca explained, Chelsea will train ahead of the game on Saturday. It will be the last chance for Palmer to get a workout into his legs on the pitch before Sunday's blockbuster meeting with Arsenal.

If he is not part of the group on the grass at the Surrey-based training complex then it would be unlikely to see Palmer starting at Stamford Bridge just 24 hours later. For this reason, over 250,000 FPL managers have already taken Palmer out of their teams.

Haaland has been transferred out more than 500,000 times himself. Palmer is still owned by over 50% of managers and is the second most in form player in the league, according to FPL data whilst only Mohamed Salah can boast more points per game.