Palmer problem, Gusto replacement wildcard, Sterling over Mudryk – Chelsea XIs to face Arsenal

Mauricio Pochettino has some very big decisions to make ahead of Chelsea's trip to Arsenal on Tuesday night.

Cole Palmer is a doubt for the trip to the Emirates Stadium with the Premier League's joint-top goal scorer suffering with illness. Pochettino said he and his coaching staff would make a decision on Tuesday morning if Palmer is fit enough to play but he will certainly be cautious with his star man.

Meanwhile, Malo Gusto and Ben Chilwell are struggling with injury problems following Saturday's defeat to Manchester City at Wembley Stadium. Gusto has a "minor problem" with his knee ligaments, Pochettino confirmed, while Chilwell is struggling with an ongoing issue he picked up during the most recent international break with England.

In what is set to be one of Chelsea's toughest challenges of the season thus far, Pochettino has some unwanted problems regarding his team selection. With that said, Bobby Vincent, Joe Doyle and Jake Stokes discuss what they would do if they were in the Chelsea head coach's shoes.

Bobby Vincent

Djordje Petrovic was superb against Man City and will need to be so again to keep a dangerous Arsenal attack out in north London. With Gusto injured, why not throw Josh Acheampong in?

Now that might seem a tad hasty, but the 17-year-old has been doing so well for the academy this season. He has trained with the first-team on numerous occasions and has even been selected for the odd match day squad.

READ MORE: Every word Mauricio Pochettino said on Cole Palmer, Gusto and Chilwell, Arsenal vs Chelsea

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Trevoh Chalobah and Thiago Silva the back-two – and for me, there should be no question about that after recent performances. Marc Cucurella to continue at left-back, and he will have a really difficult job on his hands trying to contain Bukayo Saka.

Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez in the middle. That seems an absolute certainty at this point, but ahead of them is more up for debate.

Personally, I would have brought Noni Madueke out of the side but with Palmer set to be out, he might stay in there. Conor Gallagher in the middle and I believe the time is right to recall Raheem Sterling to the lineup. Nicolas Jackson to lead the line.

Bobby's lineup: Petrovic; Acheampong, Chalobah, Silva, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Gallagher, Sterling; Jackson.

Joe Doyle

The problems continue to mount for Pochettino in regards to injuries and illnesses, but at least there's one position with a simple decision: Petrovic starts in goal. But in defence, there's yet another reshuffle with Gusto out for the season.

While Disasi has slotted in at right-back previously, I'd be tempted to give Alfie Gilchrist a go in this London derby - whoever starts is likely to be targeted, and Gilchrist hasn't disappointed yet in his cameo roles. Thiago Silva and Chalobah start in the centre of defence, with Cucurella at left-back in a fairly straightforward decision for the rest of defence.

Fernandez starts alongside Caicedo in the centre of midfield, giving the Ecuador international a chance to silence some of the critics this season up against the team who tried to buy him in January of last year.

In attack, Palmer's absence is a huge issue even if he takes a place on the bench, there's no getting away from it. I think a game like this is a chance for others to step up and prove themselves, and Sterling is the type to do just that when his back is against the wall. He starts on the left, with Madueke on the right and Gallagher in the middle, while Jackson has a chance to redeem himself up front after Saturday.

Joe's lineup: Petrovic; Gilchrist, Thiago Silva, Chalobah, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Gallagher, Sterling; Jackson.

Jake Stokes

While Robert Sanchez has recently returned to training, Petrovic has rarely put a foot wrong in his absence. The Serbian shot-stopper will have been disappointed with the number of goals that Chelsea have conceded recently, keeping just two clean sheets in the Premier League this year, but he's offered a little stability.

Since the reintroduction of Silva and Chalobah, the Blues have looked much better at the back. Pochettino may be inclined to operate the latter at right-back, with Reece James and Gusto ruled out, and play Axel Disasi at centre-half. Instead, the Chelsea boss should give Acheampong a chance.

It'd be nice to see Cesare Casadei given some minutes too with Cole Palmer ruled out. Either Caicedo or Fernandez should be given a rest.

As for the frontline, Mykhailo Mudryk needs to end the season with a consistent run of games – as does Jackson despite his woes in front of goal. The former Villarreal striker may not always find the net but his general link-up play is excellent, bringing other players into the game.

Madueke should also be given the chance to redeem himself to Chelsea fans following his incident after the FA Cup semi-final, rather than letting the problem simmer. Ultimately, there should not be three centre-halves on the pitch this weekend.

With only Europa League qualification – at best – left to play for, Pochettino must fully commit to implementing a progressive brand of football in the final games of the season. A philosophy which excites supporters – just like he did during pre-season...

Jake's lineup: Petrovic; Acheampong, Chalobah, Silva, Cucurella; Caicedo, Gallagher; Madueke, Chukwuemeka, Mudryk; Jackson.