DERBY DOUBT: PALMER, TROSSARD INJURIES PLAGUE CHELSEA VS ARSENAL CLASH
Up to 10 players could miss Chelsea vs Arsenal, with Cole Palmer (toe) and Leandro Trossard major doubts. Get the latest team news and injury updates.
Before their big game, both London teams are dealing with a lot of player injuries and fitness problems. About 10 players from both teams might not be able to play.
Chelsea's Cole Palmer has had a groin injury for most of the season. To make matters worse, he apparently broke a toe at home last week.
Even with these problems, Chelsea hopes Palmer can play against Arsenal somehow. Coach Enzo Maresca isn't sure if Palmer will be ready for the Barcelona game before or the Arsenal game.
Arsenal also has an injury problem. Leandro Trossard had to leave their Champions League game against Bayern Munich early. Coach Mikel Arteta said it was just a precaution because the player felt something, so it's not clear if he'll play this weekend.
Arsenal’s defence will be missing Gabriel Magalhaes because of his injury. He’s the only confirmed player who will be out, but there is a chance for others on the injury list to return. The Gunners aren't trying to bring others back from long-term problems.
A few other important Arsenal players, like Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus, also have fitness issues. They might be able to play against Chelsea.
Chelsea has said that a few players will definitely miss the game because of long-term injuries. Romeo Lavia, Levi Colwill, and Dario Essugo will not be playing against Arsenal.
CONOR GALLAGHER CONFIRMED AS "VITAL" STARTER FOR SPURS FOLLOWING BENTANCUR’S INJURY LAYOFF
Conor Gallagher proved the doubters wrong against Man City. Discover why his €40m move to Tottenham is finally paying off for Spurs.
Chelsea and Atletico Madrid both decided Conor Gallagher wasn’t worth the trouble. At Chelsea, he had his moments—Pochettino liked him, but the fans never really warmed up. When Chelsea shipped him off to Atletico, it made sense. Enzo Fernandez stepped up, took over Gallagher’s role, and fit in perfectly next to Caicedo, with Cole Palmer adding that extra spark up front.
Things didn’t get much better for Gallagher in Spain. He barely got a chance at Atleti, lost his spot in the starting eleven, and pretty much ended up on the transfer list before anyone had time to blink. Interest was lukewarm at best until the winter window rolled around. Aston Villa wanted him and went after him pretty aggressively, but then Tottenham swooped in late. Spurs needed someone to patch up the midfield after Bentancur’s injury, so they just paid up—40 million euros, no hesitation.
His start at Tottenham? Rough. Honestly, that was to be expected. He’d played well at Palace before, but after his struggles at Atleti, he needed time to adjust. Sitting on the bench in Spain didn’t do him any favours.
Then Gallagher showed up. People doubted whether he could really add creativity and move the ball forward for Spurs, so his early struggles got people worried. But then came the 2-2 draw against Manchester City. He suddenly looked like the player both Ange Postecoglou and Thomas Frank were so desperate to sign.
Against City, Gallagher flipped the script. He set up a crucial assist, drove play forward on the dribble, and kept drawing fouls—everything the Spurs needed. Defensively, he was all over the place in a good way: two tackles, three interceptions, a full 90 minutes, and a huge part of the Spurs clawing their way back into the game.
Tottenham fans loved it. They saw the effort, the attitude, and the hunger to win. Gallagher just wouldn’t quit, and in that second half, he, Xavi Simons, Pape Matar Sarr, Destiny Udogie, and Dominic Solanke ran the show. Four of those guys have been carrying Spurs lately, so Gallagher is fitting right in with them. That’s a pretty good sign he’s going to work out just fine in North London.
AC MILAN MEDICAL FAILURE: THE HIDDEN KNEE INJURY THAT CRUSHED MATETA’S £30M MOVE
Jean-Philippe Mateta's £30m move to AC Milan is OFF. Discover why a failed medical has put his France World Cup dreams in jeopardy.