Chelsea can’t escape injuries at the moment with Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto the latest duo to drop out of the squad for this evening’s league game in North London against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
Palmer has been sick all week and Pochettino admitted in his pre-game press conference that the 21-year-old was not going to be fit for the game tonight. Gusto started and impressed against Manchester City at Wembley but disaster struck and he had to be replaced late in the game with Manchester City going on to win the tight FA Cup semi-final game.
The latest injuries have placed the Blues in a difficult situation with seven players who missed the game against Manchester including captain Reece James still not ready to be involved.
There is an increasing likelihood that captain Reece James might not be able to play again with Pochettino’s side left with only six games after tonight. James had been forced into a hamstring surgery after persistently breaking down during games.
He adds to both Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia who were already confirmed absentees for the season. Pochettino would have loved to rotate his team tonight, but there is just little space to do that with injuries with securing European football still the target for what has been an incredibly challenging season.
Chelsea could move above West Ham and land a damaging blow to Arsenal’s Premier League title aspiration with a win at the Emirates tonight. So with the stakes high, this is the team Pochettino has named for the all-important game tonight.
9. Noni Madueke
Not many gave Noni the chance to have a fair crack at this Chelsea team but here we are. Stars in a massive game again. | Getty Images
10. Nicolas Jackson
Missed three good chances against Manchester City and will hope to get back to scoring against Arsenal tonight. | AFP via Getty Images
11. Mykhailo Mudryk
Gets to start in a high-profile game. | AFP via Getty Images