- Cole Palmer was caught by a rash challenge from Lisandro Martinez on Sunday
- Palmer limped out of Old Trafford after applying ice to the affected area
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Enzo Maresca has admitted Chelsea could be without their superstar Cole Palmer for the Premier League visit of Arsenal this Sunday, as the head coach revealed it would be a risk to use him in that showdown.
Palmer has not trained since their 1-1 draw with Manchester United after he was the subject of a sore challenge from Lisandro Martinez. He iced up the area immediately after full-time and limped out of Old Trafford.
Maresca said that tackle was ‘not a normal one’ in his Conference League press conference ahead of facing Noah on Thursday, and added: ‘Cole didn't train yesterday. We will see today. We need to see and then decide.’
Palmer is not eligible to play Noah as he has been excluded from Chelsea's Conference League squad.
Asked if it would be a risk to start him against Arsenal, Maresca said: ‘For sure. We said he didn't train the last two days. We'll see. The tackle was not a normal one. Hopefully he can be back.’
Cole Palmer was a caught by a wild challenge from Lisandro Martinez on Sunday
Palmer was left in agony on the pitch and later limped out of Old Trafford
Enzo Maresca has admitted Palmer is now a doubt to face Arsenal on Sunday
Palmer’s absence would be a huge blow for Chelsea as they prepare to face Arsenal. Maresca’s team are currently locked on the same points as Mikel Arteta’s men before the international break.
It also remains to be seen whether Palmer will be fit enough to go away with England.
Maresca has already warned Palmer that he needs to get used to being targeted by opponents, with Martinez taking him down immediately after he fooled the defender with a piece of skill. Only Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes has been fouled more than Chelsea's main man.
