Chelsea can’t escape injuries at the moment with Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto the latest duo to drop out of the squad for this evening’s league game in North London against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
Palmer has been sick all week and Pochettino admitted in his pre-game press conference that the 21-year-old was not going to be fit for the game tonight. Gusto started and impressed against Manchester City at Wembley but disaster struck and he had to be replaced late in the game with Manchester City going on to win the tight FA Cup semi-final game.
The latest injuries have placed the Blues in a difficult situation with seven players who missed the game against Manchester including captain Reece James still not ready to be involved.
There is an increasing likelihood that captain Reece James might not be able to play again with Pochettino’s side left with only six games after tonight. James had been forced into a hamstring surgery after persistently breaking down during games.
He adds to both Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia who were already confirmed absentees for the season. Pochettino would have loved to rotate his team tonight, but there is just little space to do that with injuries with securing European football still the target for what has been an incredibly challenging season.
Chelsea could move above West Ham and land a damaging blow to Arsenal’s Premier League title aspiration with a win at the Emirates tonight. So with the stakes high, this is the team Pochettino has named for the all-important game tonight.
1. Djordje Petrovic
Chelsea's number one at the moment.
2. Alfie Gilchrist
Gets an opportunity to impress massively.
3. Marc Cucurella
Another of the Chelsea players who is playing so well without really getting the credit he deserves.
4. Axel Disasi
Gets back into centre half after both Silva and Chalobah were dropped.