Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has thrown down the gauntlet to his players, demanding they prove they are more than just a one-man team when they face Arsenal on Tuesday night. With 21-year-old talisman Cole Palmer ruled out of the crucial Premier League clash due to illness, Pochettino is calling on his squad to step up and show their mettle at the Emirates Stadium. Palmer has been a key figure for Chelsea since his £40 million move from Manchester City last summer, missing just one league game all season. His absence is a significant blow to the Blues, but Pochettino is adamant that his team can cope without their star forward. ‘We will see if Palmer is available tomorrow,’ said Pochettino. ‘It is a good challenge for his teammates or those in a similar position. If I were them, I would be motivated to go there tomorrow and show that this is Chelsea Football Club, not Cole Palmer Football Club.’ The stakes are high for Chelsea in this London derby, as they look to maintain their push for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification. Arsenal, meanwhile, are fighting for a place in the Europa League, so both teams will be desperate for victory. Kick-off at the Emirates is scheduled for 8pm, and talkSPORT will have exclusive live coverage of the game.
Pochettino Challenges Chelsea Players to Prove They’re More Than ‘Cole Palmer Football Club’ Against Arsenal
