Mikel Arteta handed Cole Palmer injury truth ahead of Arsenal clash vs Chelsea

Enzo Maresca says Cole Palmer faces late fitness tests ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash between Chelsea and Arsenal with the playmaker still recovering from a knock.

The 22-year-old - who has seven goals and five assists in 12 matches this season - was seen hobbling in stoppage time during last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Manchester United following a rough challenge from Lisandro Martinez.

He was always guaranteed to miss the 8-0 Europa Conference League thrashing of Noah having not been included in Maresca’s squad submission to UEFA ahead of the group stages. He has been omitted for game-load management purposes.

Palmer has been named in Lee Carsley’s final England squad ahead of this month’s Nations League fixtures in the hope he will have shaken off his issue by Thursday’s visit to Greece. The superstar was spotted walking around in the Chelsea media lounge eating some food earlier in the week.

When asked about that, Maresca said on Friday: "He's better. 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."

Jadon Sancho is the only other concern for Chelsea, after the winger missed the clash with former club United due to a knock. Meanwhile, Arsenal have a number of injury worries to contend with.

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Mikel Arteta says Declan Rice has yet to train since picking up a problem in last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United while Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino’s inclusion this weekend is in the balance having both suffered head injuries in Wednesday's loss to Inter Milan.

Arsenal will certainly be without loanee Raheem Sterling, who is facing his parent club, and Riccardo Calafiori, who is sidelined with a knee problem. Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are also unavailable through injury.

However, Martin Odegaard is expected to make another appearance having made his return from ligament damage to gain a cameo against Inter in midweek. Arteta has stayed coy on whether his captain is ready to start at Stamford Bridge.

"Everybody in the squad will be fit and available to start the game, then it will be a decision on whether to start the game.," he said.