Chelsea and Arsenal may head into Sunday’s showdown with possible absences of crucial players, as both clubs are still awaiting final updates on Cole Palmer and Declan Rice.
Palmer was injured in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United last weekend, following a challenge from Lisandro Martinez.
Chelsea’s head coach, Enzo Maresca, has expressed optimism yet remains cautious, noting that while Palmer can walk, it doesn’t guarantee he’ll be ready to play.
Maresca hinted that a late fitness test on Saturday could determine Palmer’s availability for the highly anticipated match.
On Arsenal’s side, the status of Declan Rice is equally uncertain.
Rice sustained a foot injury during Arsenal’s recent loss to Newcastle, causing him to miss their Champions League match against Internazionale.
Manager Mikel Arteta has kept updates on Rice’s injury vague, sharing that Rice hasn’t yet resumed training, and the timing of his recovery remains up in the air.
When asked specifically about rumors of a broken toe, Arteta avoided providing a definitive answer, leaving the evaluation to Arsenal’s medical staff.
Both Palmer and Rice have quickly proven invaluable to their respective teams since joining this season.
Palmer, who transferred from Manchester City, has been a standout for Chelsea, leading the squad in goals, assists, shots on target, and chances created.
His presence has been crucial to Chelsea’s attacking momentum, and his performance across the Premier League ranks just behind Erling Haaland in terms of goals since the start of the season.
If he’s unable to play, Chelsea’s offensive capabilities could be significantly impacted in this important fixture.
Similarly, Declan Rice has established himself as an essential player for Arsenal since his move from West Ham.
He leads the team in tackles, interceptions, and distance covered, showing his ability to anchor the midfield effectively.
Rice’s performances have made him a core figure in Arteta’s lineup, and his absence would be a major setback for Arsenal.
Without Rice’s defensive coverage and midfield presence, Arsenal could struggle to control the game as they usually do.
The potential absence of either player could be a deciding factor in the outcome of Sunday’s high-stakes clash at Stamford Bridge.
Both clubs will undoubtedly feel the impact if their star players are sidelined, with Chelsea losing Palmer’s creative edge in attack and Arsenal missing Rice’s stability in midfield.
