Cole Palmer is unlikely to play in the match against Arsenal due to illness, as Mauricio Pochettino provides an update.

Chelsea’s top scorer, Cole Palmer, could potentially miss their upcoming clash against Premier League leaders Arsenal. The 21-year-old has been in sensational form this season, scoring 25 goals in all competitions. Unfortunately, Palmer has fallen ill after Chelsea’s 1-0 FA Cup semi-final defeat against Manchester City.

Blues manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed doubts about Palmer’s availability for the match at the Emirates Stadium. Pochettino stated that he doesn’t believe Palmer can be involved in the game, but they will assess his condition the following day. Even if Palmer is deemed fit, there is a possibility that he may not be in a condition to play. Pochettino hopes for a speedy recovery for Palmer so he can rejoin the team.

Palmer’s absence would be a significant blow for Chelsea as they try to salvage their disappointing campaign. Currently sitting in ninth place in the table, the Blues are fighting for a spot in European competition next season. However, Pochettino remains confident in the squad’s ability to cope without Palmer. He believes that they can win with or without him, emphasizing the importance of the team’s collective effort.

In addition to Palmer, Malo Gusto and Ben Chilwell are also being assessed ahead of the Arsenal clash. Arsenal, who currently top the table on goal difference from Liverpool, suffered a setback with a 2-0 home defeat against Aston Villa earlier this month. However, they bounced back with a victory over Wolves in their last outing.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta acknowledges the challenge that Chelsea poses. He believes that Chelsea deserves a higher position in the league based on their performances and achievements in recent games. Arteta praises Pochettino’s impressive work and is aware that Chelsea will be a tough opponent.

When asked about facing a Chelsea side without Palmer, Arteta admits that they have no control over the availability of Chelsea’s players. He focuses on controlling their own squad and acknowledges the quality and strength of Chelsea’s team. Arteta believes that Chelsea is performing better than people give them credit for and expects a tough match.

The Arsenal v Chelsea match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 19:00 UK time on Tuesday, April 23, ahead of kick-off at 20:00. Fans can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.