Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is hopeful Cole Palmer will be available to play against Arsenal on Sunday.

The 22-year-old suffered a knee injury against Manchester United last weekend but was seen walking unassisted in Chelsea’s Conference League match against Noah on Thursday.

“It’s getting better,” Maresca said. “(Just because) I can walk and eat dinner doesn’t mean I’m completely fit, but we still have two days to prepare for the game.

“Hopefully we can have it at least for Saturday’s session and then we will make a decision.”

It will be the first time that Maresca faces Mikel Arteta in his coaching career after both have worked as Pep Guardiola’s number two at Manchester City.

“I learned a lot of things from Pep,” Maresca said. “If I’m here today, it’s probably because of everything I was lucky enough to learn with him.

“Mikel also has his own ideas. We probably both have to be grateful because we work alongside what I consider the best coach in the world. We have both been very lucky to work with Pep.”