1st and 2nd go head-to-head this weekend as Chelsea aim to close down the 6 point gap that Arsenal have created over the first 12 games. Both teams won in midweek, with the Blues picking apart Barcelona and the Gunners beating German champions Bayern Munich.
Palmer is back!
Chelsea have also won just one of their last 11 Premier League fixtures versus Arsenal and must win this weekend if they are to forge a title run. Maresca first provided some huge news to his side, who will see the return of Cole Palmer.
“He is available to start and to play.”
"Yes, 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."
On Palmer linking up with Brazilian wonder kid Estevao:
“They can play together. It depends. It depends on the game plan, but for sure they are excited, the fans are excited.”
Arsenal's set pieces could be deadly
Arsenal are unbeaten on their last six visits to Stamford Bridge and have only lost three of their last 40 London derbies. They enter the game as set piece kings with with goals from free kicks and corners becoming their absolute forte. Maresca spoke on the challenge against manager Mikel Arteta and how it compared to La Liga giants Barcelona.
"We try to defend in the best way we can. They score goals in set-pieces against every team. They score goals against any team, they have a system in place that works very well and we will try to do our best to prepare in the best way.
"It's another big game. We finished the Barcelona one and we won, it's a good feeling. If it's bigger than the last one, I don't know. For me, they are all important games. For sure, beating Barcelona and if we are able to beat Arsenal, it's a nice feeling, it's three points.
"For sure, they defend fantastically. Any teams struggle to score goals against them, even to create chances. They have weapons when they attack. They are top in the Champions League and top in the Premier League."