Maresca sends Arsenal warning amid Palmer injury worry

Enzo Maresca has warned Arsenal that Chelsea are capable of winning “against any team” as his side prepare to host the Gunners on Sunday afternoon.

The Blues are currently fourth in the Premier League table, ahead of Arsenal on goal difference, and they thumped Armenian minnows FC Noah 8-0 in the Europa Conference League on Thursday.

Chelsea’s only league defeats so far this season have come against Manchester City and Liverpool, and Maresca has insisted that his team are ready to challenge the very best teams in Europe.

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“I don’t know the last two years, what the feeling was,” Maresca told reporters during his pre-match press conference. “In this moment, the feeling from us is that we can compete, and we can win against any team.

“We have the right feeling that we are going in the right direction. Hopefully on Sunday, we can give our fans a good day.

“Arsenal is the closest one to the best team in England, that is [Manchester] City. I would like to win this kind of game.

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“But since we started, I’ve always said the same – that for sure I analyse the result but first of all, I analyse the performance. And do you think we deserved to lose against Liverpool?

“It’s football. Hopefully we can win Sunday, we can win that kind of game,” Maresca continued. “If I can decide, I would like to win against Arsenal, no doubt.

“But, also, Liverpool away, the performance was very good, we didn’t deserve to lose. Even City. The good thing is that we are there.

“We are there, and you cannot see a big difference when we play these kinds of games. This is the most important thing.”

He added: “I don’t have any doubt if it’s Sunday or if it’s the next game but for sure, we’re going be there and win this kind of game. No doubt.”

Cole Palmer injury update

Maresca also provided an update on Cole Palmer, with the England international currently a doubt for the game after picking up a knee injury against Manchester United last weekend.

“He’s better. He’s getting better,” Maresca admitted. “If he can walk and have dinner, that doesn’t mean he is completely fit.

“Hopefully we can have him for the session at least on Saturday and then we can make a decision.”

Palmer has seven goals and five assists in 10 Premier League appearances so far this season, while his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) now stands at a whopping €79.4 million.