Wednesday’s briefing: Palmer going nowhere and Arteta promises fun ride

Cole Palmer was the subject of transfer speculation with reports linking him to a shock Chelsea departure and joining his boyhood favourites Manchester United.

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior shut down what he called “unrealistic” reports, while Mikel Arteta urged Arsenal fans to “jump in the boat” and enjoy the rest of the season.

Wednesday’s big night of Champions League action sees five English clubs hoping to finish inside the top eight after the group phase and secure automatic progress to the last 16.

Rosenior dismisses Palmer reports

Liam Rosenior has shut down speculation over reports that Cole Palmer wants to leave Chelsea and join Manchester United.

It has been suggested the 23-year-old England international is unsettled at Stamford Bridge and open to the idea of moving to the club he supported as a child.

“There’s no reason for assurance,” Rosenior said ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League tie at Napoli.

“It’s so unrealistic. It’s come from nowhere. There’s nothing in it. Cole is very happy. I’ve had numerous conversations with him.”

Palmer, who joined Chelsea from Manchester City in an initial £40million deal in 2023, has had an injury-disrupted campaign in which he has scored only four Premier League goals.

Meanwhile, two Blues fans were being treated in Naples for what the club described as “non-life-threatening injuries” after an incident on Tuesday evening.

Arteta tells fans to ‘jump on the fun boat’

Mikel Arteta has pleaded with Arsenal’s anxious fanbase to “jump on the fun boat” after losing to Manchester United.

Arsenal’s Premier League title tilt was dealt a blow following a 3-2 loss to United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, and some frustrated Gunners fans reacted by booing at the final whistle.

Arteta said: “We have earned the right to be in a great position in four competitions, and in the next four months we’re going to live and play with enjoyment, with a lot of courage and with the conviction that we’re going to win it.

“That’s why I encouraged them (fans) to jump in this boat because it’s going to be fun, because the excitement, that conviction, that energy, that will, is the way you have to live when you want to achieve a dream.

“We’re going to give absolutely everything.”

Dorgu delivers injury blow to Man Utd

Manchester United have been dealt a blow with Patrick Dorgu set to be sidelined for a number of weeks due to a hamstring injury.

The in-form 21-year-old Denmark international limped off late on in Sunday’s 3-2 Premier League win at Arsenal.

Some reports suggested Dorgu could be out for 10 weeks, but sources close to the club stressed that the timescales were unclear at this stage and that the injury was still being assessed.

Dorgu has scored in both of Michael Carrick’s two games in charge of United – Premier League wins against the top two, Arsenal and Manchester City.

Guardiola takes aim at referees again

Pep Guardiola doubled down on his criticism of referee Farai Hallam following Manchester City’s clash with Wolves last weekend.

Guardiola accused Hallam, who was taking charge of his first Premier League game, of attempting to make the story about himself after sticking by a decision not to award City a penalty.

Hallam had been advised to review an appeal for handball against Wolves’ Yerson Mosquera on the pitchside monitor but did not change his original verdict.

Although he did offer an apology to Hallam for any offence, Guardiola said: “I was incredibly respectful, in 9-10 years, with the referees. Never ever – with defeats – I never comment on absolutely anything.

“When I do it, it’s because I believe it’s fair enough to tell.”

What’s on today?

The final round of group matches in the Champions League will see a dash to make the top eight and earn a direct ticket to the last 16 of the competition.

First-placed Arsenal are already secure of automatic progress before their final game at home to Kazakhstan’s FC Kairat.

Liverpool (home to Qarabag), Tottenham (away to Eintracht Frankfurt), Newcastle (away to Paris St Germain) and Chelsea (away to Napoli) currently sit inside the top eight.

They still need results to secure their spots while Manchester City hope to make a decisive jump from 11th at home to Galatasaray and avoid next month’s play-off round.