Why Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto aren't playing for Chelsea vs Arsenal as absences explained

Chelsea are without both Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto for their trip to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal on Tuesday. The pair were both major doubts for the match having been named on the club's injury list following FA Cup semi-final heartbreak against Manchester City.

Palmer has scored 20 times for the Blues this season including ten in his last five league games. He wasn't passed as fit enough to make the matchday squad in north London, though.

"Today [training], no," Pochettino said on Monday when asked about his star man. "We need to assess him tomorrow [Tuesday] morning. But today, no, I don't believe he can be involved, but we need to assess him tomorrow and then we can decide.

"Even if he will be good tomorrow, maybe he is not in a condition to play. I hope he can recover from this situation as soon as possible and be involved again with the team."

As for Gusto, he had to be taken off against City late on. "Malo suffered a minor problem in his knee ligaments," explained Pochettino "I am not a doctor, but you asked me and I respect trying to translate what is going on. I hope it is not a big issue."

Chelsea will be keen to have both players back as soon as possible with some big tests left to come against Aston Villa and Tottenham. Ben Chilwell and Rob Sanchez were also left out of the squad.

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"It is difficult," Pochettino said of being without Palmer. "It is not easy to replace a player that is doing really well for us. He's a creative player for us and links the team. He's a playmaker who makes the team better."

Chilwell picked up yet another knock in Saturday's defeat whilst Sanchez is yet to return to the team despite being back in partial training. Thiago Silva and Trevoh Chalobah both dropped out in defence, being replaced by Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile.