Cole Palmer has not been named in Chelsea’s 20-man squad for today’s Premier League clash with Arsenal.
Palmer’s absence ends his record of starting every league game for the Blues this season.
The 22-year-old has been Chelsea’s best player this term, producing 14 goals and six assists in 28 top-flight appearances.
He has also scored two goals in his last three games against Arsenal.
But he will not be able to add to his tally this afternoon after failing a fitness test.
Palmer had been struggling with illness earlier in the week before experiencing muscle pain, believed to be in his hamstring, upon his return to training.
Cole Palmer will miss Chelsea’s Premier League game at Arsenal after failing a fitness test
Palmer, pictured in action against Arsenal in November, had been an ever-present this season
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca spoke to Sky Sports about Palmer’s absence before kick-off
Speaking ahead of kick-off on Sunday, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca told Sky Sports: ‘He’s not in the toilet, for sure!
‘He had, or 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.’
Without Palmer, Maresca opted to name a three-man attack consisting of Christopher Nkunku, Jadon Sancho and Pedro Neto.
Arsenal and Chelsea go into Sunday’s game second and fourth respectively in the Premier League table.
A win for Chelsea would see them move to within three points of the Gunners, who started the day 15 points behind leaders Liverpool.
