Enzo Maresca has revealed he will make a decision on Cole Palmer around 24 hours before Chelsea welcome Arsenal to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.

Palmer is yet to train with the Blues this week after he was the recipient of a dangerous challenge from Lisandro Martinez in stoppage time of the draw with Manchester United last weekend. The 22-year-old was then spotted limping out of Old Trafford.

However, Maresca, speaking after Chelsea thrashed Noah 8-0 at Stamford Bridge with Palmer watching on, is hopeful last term’s Player of the Season can train on Saturday, which would leave him in contention to face the Gunners 24 hours after.

Palmer was spotted in the media lounge at one point on Thursday night grabbing himself some dinner, leading to this answer from Maresca: “He’s better. He’s getting better. If he can walk and have dinner, that doesn’t mean he is completely fit.

“He’s getting better. Hopefully we can have him for the session at least on Saturday and then we can take a decision.”

Arsenal come into Sunday’s London derby without a win in the Premier League in over a month. The Gunners have slumped down the table in recent weeks and actually come into the Chelsea game below the Blues, but is there more pressure on Mikel Arteta and his side?

“I don’t know,” said Maresca. “I also like to get pressure from these kinds of game. The pressure is also for us. For sure, they are the closest one with City. Both, I consider them better than the rest.

“The reason why is because one club is working with the same manager for nine years, and the other one is working with the same manager for five years, and this is a big, big, big advantage compared to the rest. So for me, that’s why they are better than the rest. But we’re going to try on Sunday to make life difficult for them. We’re going to try our best.”

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