Chelsea’s ‘battered’ striker Didier Drogba out of Arsenal game – and could miss Barcelona return leg
Didier Drogba has been ruled out of Chelsea’s Premier League game at Arsenal and is doubtful for the Champions League return leg against Barcelona.
The striker picked up a knee injury in Wednesday night’s first leg win over Barcelona and will be reassessed ahead of Tuesday’s second leg. Drogba’s absence will clear the way for Fernando Torres to start in what is a crucial London derby in the chase for Champions League qualification.
Drogba excelled against Barcelona in midweek, holding the ball up as the lone striker, winning free kicks, unsettling the Spanish defenders and scoring the goal in Chelsea’s 1-0 victory. His theatrics, however, earned widespread criticism, but the Ivorian has been supported by Di Matteo.