Cole Palmer injury latest as Chelsea face nervous wait on star's scan results ahead of Arsenal

Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer is set to undergo an injury scan on his knee following a challenge from Lisandro Martinez in their 1-1 draw with Manchester United last weekend.

The England international had to come off during the game after a challenge where Martinez dived in for what many believed was a red card-worthy tackle which resulted in a knee issue for the 22-year-old.

He was seen limping out of Old Trafford and was reportedly still in pain once the Chelsea team got back to London. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was clear on his position that Martinez should have been sent off rather than just shown a yellow card. After the game, he told the Standard: “It’s quite clear for all of us but the referee is there to make a decision and he took a different decision.

“I said, for me, when there’s no intention to go for the ball and you go for the player, it’s a red. When there is no intention to go for the ball, and you go for the player, for the legs, there is no doubt about the decision. It’s quite clear it’s a red.”

Speaking about Palmer’s injury following the game, the Chelsea boss seemed positive about his chances of getting back to full fitness quickly as he doesn’t believe that it was a major injury problem. He said: “Cole was in the changing room with ice, so we are waiting now. Hopefully, it is nothing important.”

Could Cole Palmer miss Sunday’s game against Arsenal

The injury could come in bad timing for the Blues as they host title challengers Arsenal on Sunday afternoon. Chelsea currently sit on the same number of points as the Gunners after earning 18 in 10 matches.

Arsenal are in somewhat of a poor patch of form as things stand as they are winless in their last three Premier League games - including two defeats to Bournemouth and more recently a 1-0 loss to Newcastle last weekend.

However, if Palmer was to miss the game, it would make the game that bit harder for the Blues who have relied on the midfielder for both goals and assists this season - he has seven goals and five assists in the 2024/25 Premier League campaign so far.

Palmer isn’t in Chelsea’s Europa Conference League squad so won’t feature in Thursday’s game against Armenian side FC Noah, but only time will tell if he’ll be available for Sunday with Enzo Maresca desperate for him to return against their London rivals.