Chelsea have suffered a huge blow ahead of their visit to Arsenal as they will be without the services of striker Didier Drogba, who now joins the injured strikers list at Stamford Bridge.
The Ivory Coast star was in the starting lineup as the Blues went on to defeat Manchester United 1-0 at home, courtesy of Eden Hazard’s only goal. For the clash against Louis van Gaal’s side, Jose Mourinho was without the services of Diego Costa and Loic Remy.
The injuries to Brazil-born Spain international and the former Newcastle United striker forced the Portuguese tactician to start Drogba against United. Now the African striker confirmed on Twitter regarding his latest injury.
“Disappointed not to be able to play the #MAP2015 because of an ankle injury but still supporting #EbolaResponse,” Drogba tweeted.
Disappointed not to be able to play the #MAP2015 because of an ankle injury but still supporting #EbolaResponse: http://t.co/EjFWTDLiVr
— Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) April 20, 2015
The former Real Madrid manager confirmed that Costa will return to training this week in his pre-match press conference for United clash.
“Our target was for Diego to play the last four matches and Arsenal is the sixth match from the end. He starts training with the rest of the squad next week,” Mourinho said.
It should be seen whether the former Atletico Madrid striker, who is suffering from hamstring problem will recover on time for Chelsea’s trip to the Emirates later this weekend. In addition to this, Remy has been struggling calf injury and it is still not sure if he will make himself available for Arsenal clash.
With Drogba’s latest injury, he joins Remy on the treatment table as Costa looks to recover from hamstring injury. Dominic Solanke was on Chelsea’s bench for United clash and he is the fourth choice striker in the squad.
The 17-year-old could start against Arsenal, if Costa, Remy and Drogba are all unavailable for the clash or even if the trio are not fit to start the match. With just two more wins required to win the title, Mourinho could take a chance of deploying Solanke in the playing XI against the Gunners.
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