Enzo Maresca is hopeful that Cole Palmer will be fit to face Arsenal on Sunday in what comes as a major boost to Chelsea.

Palmer sustained a knock in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United after a challenge by Lisandro Martinez which Blues head coach Maresca called out as “unacceptable”.

The 22-year-old has picked up where he left off last season, registering seven goals and five assists in Chelsea’s first 10 league games of the campaign. The only league game Palmer has missed since the start of 2024 came through illness against Arsenal at the Emirates towards the end of last season, when Mauricio Pochettino’s men were hammered 5-0.

Chelsea’s chance of a positive result against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal at Stamford Bridge will be weakened if Palmer cannot feature, but Maresca has indicated that the Englishman could be cleared to play late in the day.

He did not take part in Chelsea training on Wednesday but watched on as the Blues beat FC Noah 8-0 in the Europa Conference League on Thursday and was seen walking normally.

“He is better,” Maresca said. “He is getting better. We still have two days, tomorrow and Saturday, to prepare the game, and hopefully we can have him for the session at least on Saturday. Then we will take the decision.”

Chelsea and Arsenal are level on 18 points in the Premier League table, but Maresca acknowledges that his side are still a few stages behind the Gunners in terms of their development.

“Arsenal in this moment is the closest one to the best team in England, which is [Manchester] City,” Maresca explained. “We are going to try to do our game, prepare in the best way we can, and try to win.

“In this moment, the feeling from us is that we can compete and win against any team. And if you don’t take seriously, also you can lose to any team.”