Chelsea return to action this midweek following their frustrating FA Cup elimination against Manchester City. However, things will not get easier for the struggling London giants as they will face Arsenal this Tuesday.
Not only that, but the Blues could be without one key player for their trip to the Emirates Stadium. That player is Cole Palmer, the 21-year-old attacker who has been the club's player of the season so far.
The Englishman started in Chelsea's FA Cup semifinal against former club Manchester City and completed the whole 90 minutes. However, Pochettino revealed in his pre-match press conference for the Arsenal clash that the attacker is ill and could miss Tuesday's trip.
"We will see tomorrow," the Argentine tactician stated, as per Evening Standard's Nizaar Kinsella.
"We need to assess tomorrow morning. Today, no. I don't believe he can be involved but we will assess him tomorrow morning. Even if he is good tomorrow, he may not be able to play."
Pochettino on whether Palmer's illness rules him out of Arsenal: "We will see tomorrow. We need to assess tomorrow morning. Today, no. I don't believe he can be involved but we will assess him tomorrow morning. Even if he is good tomorrow, he may not be able to play." #CFC
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) April 22, 2024
Chelsea will want to bounce back immediately from their FA Cup defeat, having outperformed Manchester City only to lose 1-0 due to their profligacy in front of goal. Unfortunately, they might have to make do without their best-performing player of the campaign.
Palmer has 29 goal contributions in the Premier League alone this season, scoring 20 and assisting nine. As a result, he is competing with Erling Haaland and Ollie Watkins for the Golden Boot and is being touted not only for the league's Young Player of the Season award but also for the Player of the Season prize.
The Manchester City academy graduate scored against Arsenal when these two London giants met at Stamford Bridge earlier this season, converting a first-half penalty in the thrilling 2-2 draw.
Pochettino's men could go level on points with sixth-placed Newcastle with a win at the Emirates Stadium, though that would require defeats for the Magpies as well as Manchester United and West Ham. However, beating Arsenal on their turf is a feat Manchester City and Liverpool failed to achieve.
The Gunners will welcome this news as they look to pick up momentum between now and the end of the season. Mikel Arteta's men could go four points clear of Guardiola's side with a win over Chelsea but having played two more games than the reigning champions. Haaland and Co. resume their title defense on Thursday with a tricky trip to Brighton.
