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Enzo Maresca and Mikel Arteta are expected to welcome a couple of big names back to their matchday squads this afternoon when Chelsea host Premier League leaders Arsenal
As many as eight players could yet be forced to miss the London derby this afternoon. Chelsea will be determined to slash Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premier League table when they lock horns at Stamford Bridge.
Following Manchester City's win over Leeds United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, the Gunners head into the highly anticipated clash with a four-point cushion. The Blues could climb back into second place and reduce Arsenal's advantage to just three points with a win on Sunday.
The west Londoners may be in great form, winning five of their last six games across all competitions, but they've failed to beat Mikel Arteta's side in each of their last seven meetings. The Gunners aren't in bad form either, having not lost a game since the end of August.
Enzo Maresca will be determined to transform Chelsea's fortunes this afternoon, and, fortunately enough, he could welcome Cole Palmer back to the matchday squad. Shortly after recovering from his groin injury, the 23-year-old midfielder fractured his toe.
He hasn't featured for the Blues since he aggravated his muscle issue at the end of September. Speaking to reporters at Cobham on Friday, the Chelsea boss provided a promising update on Palmer.
When asked if the England international is available to start and feature against Arsenal, Maresca said: "He's available for both. His team-mates are happy, we are happy, and the most important thing is that Cole is happy."
Estevao Willian appeared to suffer a knock during the Blues' win over Barcelona on Tuesday night. The 18-year-old winger seemed fine when he left the field, and he trained as usual in the build-up to the Arsenal clash.
Palmer and Estevao look set to make the matchday squad, but Romeo Lavia will have to watch the game from the sideline. The 21-year-old midfielder was forced to come off in the opening minutes of Chelsea's draw against Qarabag earlier this month due to a muscle injury.
Dario Essugo suffered a thigh injury, which required surgery, while on international duty with Portugal's Under-21s in September. The 20-year-old midfielder has recently returned to training, but he's not expected to return to action until January.
Chelsea will, of course, also be without Levi Colwill. The 22-year-old defender ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament shortly after reporting for pre-season training.
He underwent surgery in early August, and he's currently enrolled on a rehabilitation programme. As for Arsenal, they could welcome a few big names back to the matchday squad this afternoon.
Leandro Trossard was forced to come off during the first half of the Gunners' clash against Bayern Munich. Speaking to reporters at the Sobha Realty Training Centre on Friday, Arteta confirmed that the 30-year-old winger, who felt something in his calf, was due to undergo a late fitness test.
Gabriel Magalhaes suffered an adductor injury during the international break. The Arsenal boss has confirmed the 27-year-old defender will undergo another scan on Wednesday to learn the severity of the issue.
Gabriel Jesus, who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in January, recently featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly as he steps up his recovery. While Arteta described the 28-year-old striker's progress as 'very positive', the Chelsea clash could come too soon.
Fortunately for the Gunners, they could welcome back two other frontmen to the matchday squad: Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres. The former hasn't played since the opening weekend of the season after a minor procedure on a knee injury.
As for the latter, he didn't train ahead of Arsenal's win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday night. However, Arteta has suggested that neither are far from a return.
When asked about Gyokeres and Havertz on Friday, Arteta said: "We have another day tomorrow, so let’s see how everybody has come on. They are getting closer and closer. So, we are very positive with both of them - and let’s see."
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