By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 09:58 EST, 28 November 2025 | Updated: 09:59 EST, 28 November 2025
LONDON (AP) - Cole Palmer is back for Chelsea's top of the table clash with Arsenal on Sunday after making a sooner than expected return from a toe injury.
The England forward sustained the injury following what was described as an accident at home. But Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca confirmed he was in contention to start the game against Premier League leader Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
"Having Cole back is good news and everyone is happy," said Maresca. "He can help us a lot. He is arguably our best player and we are happy he is back. Now we have to give him time to be 100% fit. He has done fantastic in the past and no doubt he is going to do very good things for this club in the future."
Chelsea is second in the standings and can close the gap on Arsenal to three points with a win.
Palmer has been out since September with a groin injury. He was close to a return before hurting his toe, which ruled him out of the wins against Burnley last weekend and Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Leandro Trossard faces tests to see if the forward will be available for Arsenal after being substituted in the first half of the midweek win against Bayern Munich.
FILE - Chelsea's Cole Palmer celebrates after scoring his side's second goal before it is disallowed after a VAR review during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Chelsea at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, on Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
Defender Gabriel is still recovering after picking up an unspecified injury for Brazil earlier this month.
"I´m quite confident, especially the way Gabi takes every injury and the way he´s going to push everybody, that it´s not going to be that long," manager Mikel Arteta said.
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James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Arsenal's Leandro Trossard runs with the ball during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Arsenal and Bayern Munich in London, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)