Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has hailed his side's mentality ahead of their Premier League clash with Arsenal at home on Sunday (November 10).
Both sides will look to return to winning ways after dropping points in their last league match. Chelsea are ahead of the Gunners in the standings, in fifth, on goal difference.
Mikel Arteta’s men, though, go into the encounter as the top dogs due to their better form in recent seasons. Since Maresca took over the reins at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have been in decent run of form, coming off an 8-0 drubbing of Armenian side Noah in the UEFA Europa Conference League in midweek.
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In a pre-game press conference, Maresca said about whether Chelsea’s current position suggests they’re on a more level playing field with Arsenal:
"I don't know the last two years, what the feeling was. In this moment, the feeling from us is that we can compete, and we can win against any team.
"If you don't take it serious and if you don't do the right things, also, you can lose against any team. But for sure, we have the right feeling that we are going in the right direction. Hopefully, on Sunday, we can give our fans a good day."
Enzo Maresca on fitness of Chelsea attacker Cole Palmer
Enzo Maresca also provided a fitness update of Cole Palmer during the pre-match conference. Chelsea were handed an injury scare in their 1-1 draw at Manchester United, as their talisman Palmer hobbled off following a nasty challenge from Lisandro Martinez.
He didn't feature against Noah in the Conference League, having not been registered for the league phase of the competition. However, Palmer and the rest of the squad will reconverge at Cobham on Friday as they prepare to face Arsenal.
Maresca hopes that Palmer will be involved in the Friday or Saturday training sessions.
"He's better. He's getting better. If he can walk and have dinner, that doesn't mean he is completely fit. He's getting better. Hopefully we can have him for the session at least on Saturday and then we can take a decision."
Cole Palmer has scored the most goals for Chelsea this season, notching up seven strikes in 12 appearances.
