Chelsea's Champions League match winner Didier Drogba has been ruled out of tomorrow's Premier League clash with Arsenal.
The Ivorian forward, who scored Chelsea's goal in the 1-0 surprise win over European champions Barcelona on Wednesday, has been struggling with a knee injury and manager Roberto Di Matteo confirmed his absence.
Di Matteo added that defender David Luiz would also miss out against the Gunners but refused to comment on whether in-form Drogba would be fit for the return leg in Barcelona on Tuesday.
Drogba's agent recently revealed that the 34-year-old has been in talks over extending his current deal at Stamford Bridge.
Three points are vital for Chelsea against Arsenal if they are to keep alive realistic hopes of Champions League qualification as a win would see the Blues, perhaps only for a brief period, go above Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United to fourth.
Pascal Lemesre
