Mikel Arteta says he has 'all the sympathy' in the world for Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino.
Mauricio Pochettino has challenged his side to put in a collective effort to win against Arsenal without Cole Palmer and show them they are Chelsea FC and not Cole Palmer FC.
The 21-year-old was set to miss the clash against Arsenal after suffering illness and was also absent from training. Palmer’s absence will be a massive headache for the Argentine manager, as he has been making a massive difference for the Blues in every game.
Palmer’s 20 goals in the league this season underline his importance for the club and how he has scored half of Chelsea’s goals this season. Pochettino will have two options to play on the right wing, which could be either Noni Madueke or Raheem Sterling.
However, despite Palmer’s absence, Pochettino has urged his side to be extra motivated and put in a top performance to scrape out a win. Speaking to the media ahead of the game, he said via Fabrizio Romano:
“It’s a good challenge if Palmer is not available vs. Arsenal. If I were them, I would be motivated to go there tomorrow and show that this is Chelsea Football Club, not Cole Palmer Football Club.”
Pochettino is totally correct when he says that in order for us to win, we must work together as a team; we simply cannot rely on one player to carry us through every game. Palmer has been incredible for us and in some matches he has singlehandedly dragged us to a victory, against Manchester United his two goals in dying minutes help us secure an entertaining win.
However, it is unfair and instils the incorrect mindset in players to rely on a single individual to perform when the team as a whole should be working together. Despite everything that has happened to us this season, we have persevered in every game, so regardless of who Pochettino starts against Arsenal, they should be fully prepared and aim to win.
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