The six players who could miss Chelsea v Arsenal as Enzo Maresca and Mikel Arteta hope for boosts

The London pair are on level on 18 points after 10 games each, with the two teams winning five games apiece while losing two and drawing the other three. The Gunners were beaten in their last Premier League outing as they lost 1-0 at Newcastle United in the 12.30pm kick off last Saturday. They lost again in the Champions League on Wednesday as Inter Milan claimed a 1-0 win at the San Siro.

Chelsea drew 1-1 at Old Trafford against Manchester United as they went behind from Bruno Fernandes’ penalty before Moises Caicedo fired in a brilliant volley to haul the Blues level four minutes later. They are in action on Thursday evening against Armenian side Noah in the Europa Conference League. Ahead of the derby clash on Sunday, the two sides have a handful of injury concerns to contend with as we run through the latest from both sides.

Arsenal injury news

There was a boost for Arsenal in their Champions League visit to Inter Milan on Wednesday night as Martin Odegaard was named on the bench at the San Siro. He was not introduced but was spotted warming up on the touchline as he returned to full training earlier in the week. However, Declan Rice was absent after picking up a foot injury against Newcastle last weekend.

Speaking earlier this week, Arteta said: “Declan unfortunately has picked up an injury against Newcastle. He was able to finish the game but he wasn’t feeling good in the last few days so we have to assess him on Thursday to understand whether he will be fit or not for the weekend. It was a knock so it’s a problem with his foot. He wasn’t comfortable with it so at the moment he’s not fit.”

Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), Kieran Tierney (hamstring) and Riccardo Calafiori (knee) have all been absent in recent games, with the former two players facing longer-term injury problems.

Arsenal outs: Tomiyasu, Tierney, Calafiori. Arsenal doubts: Rice

The biggest news on the injury front for Chelsea is the availability of Cole Palmer. The midfielder would have been rested regardless in midweek as he has been left out of the Blues squad for the first phase of the Europa Conference League. However, he will be assessed ahead of the weekend along with Jadon Sancho.

Enzo Maresca hopes the pair will both be available. He said on Wednesday: “We hope [Palmer will be available for Sunday]. We need to wait and see and then decide. Jadon is recovering from illness but he also had a knock in a session. Tomorrow he is out but we will see if he can be available for Sunday’s game, otherwise it will be after the international break for him. That is it, the rest are all available apart from those players not involved in the Conference League squad.”