Cole Palmer Omitted from Chelsea's Squad for Arsenal Match, Martinelli Returns to Arsenal's Starting XI
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Synopsis
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has made six changes to the squad for the upcoming match against Arsenal, with Cole Palmer notably absent. Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli returns to the starting XI, enhancing their attacking options.
Key Takeaways
- Cole Palmer is absent from Chelsea's squad.
- Six changes made to Chelsea's lineup.
- Gabriel Martinelli returns for Arsenal.
- Robert Sanchez continues as Chelsea's goalkeeper.
- Arsenal makes several tactical adjustments.
London, March 16 (NationPress) Enzo Maresca has made six adjustments to the Chelsea lineup for the upcoming Premier League showdown against Arsenal, with the exclusion of Cole Palmer being the most significant alteration. Palmer, Chelsea's leading scorer this season, has struggled to score in the last seven league matches. The last league game where the English player did not start for Chelsea was the 5-0 loss at the Emirates Stadium in April 2024.
The Italian manager has chosen Robert Sanchez as the goalkeeper for the second consecutive league match. In defense, Marc Cucurella returns to the left-back position, and Wesley Fofana is set to occupy the right side. Levi Colwill partners with Benoit Badiashile in central defense.
Captain Reece James will team up with Moises Caicedo in midfield, as he did in the away game against Aston Villa, while Enzo Fernandez takes on a more advanced role. With Cole Palmer absent, Jadon Sancho, Pedro Neto, and Christopher Nkunku form the attacking trio selected by Maresca.
On the Arsenal side, Mikel Arteta has once again made significant adjustments after rotating his squad in the recent Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven.
The manager has brought back six players into his starting lineup to face Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium, including Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli, who returns to the starting XI for the first time since February 5 after two appearances off the bench.
Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard, and Leandro Trossard also make their return, while Mikel Merino is set to play his sixth consecutive match up front.
Ethan Nwaneri is listed among the substitutes, but Raheem Sterling is excluded from the matchday squad entirely, as the on-loan forward is not eligible to compete against his parent club.
Squads:
Chelsea: Sanchez, Fofana, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella, James (c), Caicedo, Neto, Enzo Fernandez, Sancho, Nkunku
Chelsea substitutes: Bettinelli, Jorgensen, Tosin, Chalobah, Acheampong, Gusto, Lavia, Dewsbury-Hall, George
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Gabriel, Saliba, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard (c), Trossard, Merino, Martinelli
Arsenal substitutes: Neto, Tierney, White, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Calafiori, Butler-Oyedeji, Nwaneri
