Chelsea XI vs Arsenal: No Palmer - Starting lineup, confirmed team news and injury latest for Premier League | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca restores the big names after Conference League win - but Cole Palmer is absent

Blow: Cole Palmer

Getty Images

Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Malik Ouzia

Sign up

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Cole Palmer misses out for Chelsea against Arsenal this afternoon.

Palmer started Thursday’s Conference League win Copenhagen on the bench following illness, and was expected to feature at the Emirates Stadium in an attempt to end his run of 10 games without a goal.

However, he is not in the matchday squad in a huge blow for the Blues.

Enzo Maresca confirmed in Friday’s press conference that Robert Sanchez would start in goal ahead of Filip Jorgensen.

Sanchez started the season as Chelsea’s No1 goalkeeper and, after losing his place to Jorgensen last month, has regained his spot as first-choice in the Premier League.

“It will be Robert playing against Arsenal,” said Maresca.

Enzo Maresca will start in goal for Chelsea against Arsenal

Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Maresca made six changes for Thursday’s 1-0 win over Copenhagen, which booked Chelsea a place in the quarter-finals.

The defence is revamped for the trip to Arsenal, with Marc Cucurella, Reece James and Wesley Fofana all returning, though the club captain looks set for a midfield role.

In attack, Pedro Neto fills in as the No9, again, with Nicolas Jackson still out injured and not due back until after the international break.

“We are trying to find solutions,” said Maresca. “Pedro, since we start, I think is doing very well in that position.

“We will see on Sunday if we use Pedro there or we change something. We are going to see. All the clubs during the season, they have moments where they have injuries, so they need to adapt, they need to be flexible and they need to find solutions.”

Chelsea starting lineup

Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Fofana, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella, James (c), Caicedo, Neto, Enzo Fernandez, Sancho, Nkunku

Subs: Bettinelli, Jorgensen, Tosin, Chalobah, Acheampong, Gusto, Lavia, Dewsbury-Hall, George