Chelsea’s ‘Best Player’ Palmer Fit to Face Arsenal  Today

•Man City survive Leeds late rush to close up Arsenal lead

Cole Palmer is fit to play for Chelsea against London rivals Arsenal in Sunday’s Premier League game at Stamford Bridge.

The 23-year-old forward fractured his toe when stubbing it on a door last week and subsequently missed the wins over Burnley and Barcelona.

The England international has struggled with injury this season and featured only five times across all competitions.

“He is available to start,” said Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca confirmed yesterday.

“Everyone is happy, the team-mates are happy, we are all happy and the most important thing is Cole is happy because a footballer wants to play games and make the sessions every day.

“He is our best player, we are happy he is back. We need 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 for this club in the future.”

Last week Maresca suggested that this Sunday’s game, which kicks off at 16:30 GMT might come too soon for Palmer.

His absence would have been a major blow for the Blues who are second behind the Gunners and will close the gap at the top to three points with a win.

Palmer last featured in a 2-1 defeat at Manchester United on 20 September, with Chelsea playing 13 games since across all competitions since then, winning 10, losing two and drawing the other.

Yesterday, Phil Foden scored twice as Manchester City made up ground in the Premier League title race after almost blowing a two-goal lead against strugglers Leeds.

The 3-2 result moves City up to second in the table after Saturday’s 3pm kick-offs, four points behind leaders Arsenal, while it is a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches for Leeds.