Cole Palmer was omitted from the Chelsea matchday squad to face Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.
The surprise decision was revealed when Enzo Maresca’s starting XI was published 75 minutes before kickoff at the Emirates Stadium with the star playmaker not even making the bench.
The Italian tactician made a number of changes to his lineup from Thursday’s win over FC Copenhagen in the Europa Conference League.
Robert Sanchez replaces goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen while Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella return to the backline.
Reece James comes in to captain the side as Christopher Nkunku starts in attack. Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, Josh Acheampong, Tyrique George and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall drop to the bench.
Why Cole Palmer was left out of Chelsea squad vs Arsenal
Palmer was due to be assessed with a late fitness test ahead of Sunday’s London derby after struggling with illness for the past week.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the game, Maresca explained that his star player has been sidelined by an injury, although he did not specify what the injury is. It is hoped he will be back after the international break.
Maresca said: “He’s not in the toilet, for sure! He had, as we know, last week some problems [with illness]. And unfortunately yesterday he had a very small problem. We think, after the international break, he will be back with us.
“He had an injury yesterday during the session. It was a very light session. That’s why we think it is nothing important. But we wait and the feeling is he will be back after the next international break.”
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Palmer played 72 minutes of last week’s narrow win over Leicester City, missing a first-half penalty after dealing with a bout of diarrhea. He came on at halftime of the 2-1 victory over Copenhagen.
The England international has never played a game at Arsenal’s home ground, missing last season’s fixture, which the Gunners won 5-0, with a cold.
Arsenal are unbeaten in each of their last six Premier League games versus Chelsea (W4, D2), their longest run without a league defeat against them since a run of 19 matches between 1995 and 2005.
Chelsea starting XI vs Arsenal: Sanchez, Fofana, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella, James, Caicedo, Neto, Enzo, Sancho, Nkunku.
Subs: Jorgensen, Bettinelli, Tosin, Chalobah, Gusto, Acheampong, Lavia, Dewsbury-Hall, George.
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