Arsenal handed huge boost as Chelsea star misses training ahead of key title race clash

Arsenal could be handed a huge boost ahead of their Premier League clash against Chelsea.

On Tuesday, Mikel Arteta will be hoping to further extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table with a win against Chelsea.

The Gunners are currently one point ahead of reigning champions Manchester City due to Pep Guardiola's team's involvement in the FA Cup.

If Arsenal are to win against Chelsea, they could extend their lead to four points before City return to Premier League action at Brighton and Hove Albion on Thursday night.

Ahead of the match, Arsenal could be handed a huge boost.

As reported by The Athletic’s Simon Johnson, who wrote on social media: “Cole Palmer not been training ‘due to illness’ ahead of #CFC’s game at #AFC.”

Palmer started and played the full 90 minutes as Chelsea fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against City in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday afternoon.

Since joining the Stamford Bridge club from City in the summer transfer window, Palmer has arguably been Chelsea's most important player.

So far in the 23/24 season, Palmer has registered 25 goals and 13 assists in 42 appearances across all competitions for the Blues.

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Speaking last week, City boss Guardiola was asked whether letting Palmer leave the club was a mistake.

The Spaniard replied: “In pre-season I said stay because Riyad [Mahrez] has gone and he said 'no, I want to leave’. After two seasons, what could I say?

“He was asking for two seasons to leave. I said 'no, stay'. What could we do?”

Guardiola continued: “I said many times, I didn't give him the minutes that he maybe deserved and wanted, the minutes he now has at Chelsea.

“I understand that completely. I am happy for him because he is a lovely guy. He is playing good and is an incredible threat.”