Injured Palmer could be out for Chelsea until after March break

Cole Palmer was not even on the bench as Chelsea announced the starting lineup picked out by Enzo Maresca for the London derby at Arsenal. The English midfielder is said to be out with an injury suffered in training, with the Italian head coach having to make a late call on the player.

Maresca had already spoken on Palmer's fitness concerns midweek ahead of the Blues' 1-0 win over Copenhagen in the Conference League last 16. "For Cole, Reece and Christo, today has been the first session [of the week]. We will see tomorrow if we can use some of them," he had told reporters.

Speaking after the 1-0 defeat at the Emirates, Maresca told 'the Daily Mail': "He needs a scan. It is planned for tomorrow. I hope (he can be back after the international break). But we need to wait for the scan." Palmer therefore joins injured duo Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke on the sidelines.

The blow adds to his ongoing struggles after he missed a penalty against Leicester last week, losing his perfect record from 12 yards in the Premier League. The 22-year-old has gone seven games without a goal or assist in the Premier League, his last dating back to January.