November 10th 2024.
Chelsea and Arsenal recently faced off in a highly-anticipated match at Stamford Bridge, resulting in a 1-1 draw. However, former Chelsea midfielder Glenn Hoddle had some concerns about Enzo Maresca's tactics, particularly when it came to stifling their main attacking threat, Cole Palmer.
The Blues have been searching for their first Premier League win against Arsenal since 2021, but things didn't go as planned when they went behind to Gabriel Martinelli's second-half strike. However, Maresca's side bounced back and managed to secure a point thanks to a long-distance finish from Pedro Neto.
The London derby was a tense affair, with both teams struggling to find their usual rhythm. This was especially evident for Palmer, who seemed to have trouble making an impact for Chelsea. It was later revealed that he had only trained twice during the week due to a knock he sustained in their match against Manchester United.
Hoddle, who was speaking on Stadium Atsro after the game, pointed out that Maresca's tactics may have played a role in Palmer's lackluster performance. He noted that Cucurella, who was tasked with stopping Arsenal's threat, was successful in his job and even earned player of the match. This meant that Palmer was unable to get on the ball in dangerous positions.
The former Chelsea midfielder continued to analyze the game, stating that Gusto was brought into midfield from the right-back position, which further limited Palmer's involvement. Hoddle believed that Palmer should have been given more freedom to play in his preferred position as a number 10, rather than being confined to the inside forward position.
Despite his struggles, Palmer's lack of fitness was not a concern for Maresca, who assured that no risks were taken in playing him. However, the Italian did seem to have doubts about Palmer's ability to play for England during the upcoming international break.
Maresca praised Palmer's performance, noting that he had multiple opportunities in the first 10 minutes of the game. However, Arsenal soon adjusted their tactics and Partey began marking him closely, making it difficult for Palmer to make an impact. Despite this, Maresca was happy with his overall performance and stated that his injury did not seem to be serious.
Unfortunately, Palmer's potential absence during the international break would be another setback for interim England manager Lee Carsley. Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Anthony Gordon also picked up knocks in the match, making it a challenging situation for the Three Lions as they prepare to face Greece and the Republic of Ireland.
The match between Chelsea and Arsenal was undoubtedly a tense and highly-anticipated one, and both teams were eager to secure a win. However, Maresca's tactics may have hindered Palmer's performance, and it remains to be seen if he will be able to play for England during the international break.
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