Cole Palmer is ill and could miss Chelsea’s trip to Arsenal on Tuesday night, according to manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Chelsea’s star performer this season is undoubtedly summer signing Cole Palmer, but the winger may not be available to face Arsenal on Tuesday night.

Palmer won’t be involved in training with Chelsea on Monday due to illness, and Mauricio Pochettino has suggested he could miss the Arsenal match even if he recovers on Tuesday.

“We will see tomorrow (Tuesday),” Pochettino said. “We need to assess tomorrow morning. Today, no. I don’t believe he can be involved but we will assess him tomorrow morning.

“Even if he is good tomorrow, he may not be able to play.”

Palmer has made 39 appearances for Chelsea since his summer transfer, scoring 23 goals and providing 13 assists.

With his team floundering at ninth in the table, Palmer has been a rare positive for his new fans, and he’s in the running to win the Golden Boot after 10 league goals in his last five games.

On top of that, the 21-year-old has already scored twice against Arsenal this season, once for Manchester City in the Community Shield, and once for Chelsea from the penalty spot at Stamford Bridge.

Given Chelsea’s struggles this season and Arsenal’s fight for the Premier League title, the Gunners will hope to win Tuesday’s encounter regardless of Palmer’s presence in Pochettino’s team.

But it would undoubtedly be a boost to see the away side lining up without their star man.

Chelsea will be without a number of other players against Arsenal, including the injured Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Christopher Nkunku, Levi Colwill, Malo Gusto, and Robert Sanchez.

Ben Chilwell has been available from the bench for Chelsea’s last couple of games, but he’s also a doubt for Tuesday’s match.