Why Cole Palmer didn't play for Chelsea against Arsenal on Tuesday

Cole Palmer has not been included in Chelsea’s matchday squad to face Arsenal despite playing in their FA Cup loss to Manchester City at the weekend.

As the Blues fell 1-0 to City in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley on Saturday, the England international played his full ninety minutes. But he’s not even in Chelsea’s starting lineup for their trip to the Emirates on Tuesday night—not even on the bench. Why, therefore, is he not playing in this London Derby?

Mauricio Pochettino, the manager of Chelsea, disclosed on Monday that the 21-year-old had been ailing ever since that game. Due to this, he hasn’t participated in team training. The Argentine said that he would decide late on the former City player. It is now certain that Chelsea’s leading scorer, who has scored 20 goals in the league so far this year, will not be able to recover in time for the match.

On Monday, the former Tottenham boss said on Palmer: “We need to assess tomorrow (Tuesday) morning but today I don’t believe he can be involved. We need to assess tomorrow and then decide. Even if he is feeling better tomorrow, maybe he is not in a condition to play. We hope he recovers from this situation and can be involved again as soon as possible. With or without Cole we always believe we can win. The most important thing is the team and the collective. He is an important part of the team and is doing fantastic for us, but we are Chelsea and we have plenty of players that can perform and do the job.”

Palmer has been one of Stamford Bridge’s rare bright spots in a season that offered so much yet so little. Without the £42.5 million ($53 million) acquisition from City, they would not even be in the running to make it to Europe. He has scored 23 goals and provided 13 assists in all competitions. Actually, they would have been in the bottom seven instead of the relegation zone. Consequently, against Arsenal, who are vying for the Premier League crown, his absence can be greatly felt.

Chelsea have named a starting XI with an average age of under-24 for the seventh time in the Premier League this season, with only Leeds United in 1999-2000 having more in a single campaign (10).

Chelsea, currently in ninth place in the Premier League, will be hoping Palmer is well and ready for their next match on Saturday night, which is an away journey to Villa Park to take on Aston Villa, a team vying for the Champions League.