Chelsea have no fit strikers ahead of trip to face Arsenal as Didier Drogba pulls out of Match against Poverty with ankle injury 

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Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has been forced to withdraw from a charity match after picking up an ankle injury that leaves the Barclays Premier League leaders with no fit strikers ahead of their game against Arsenal on Sunday.

Drogba has withdrawn from Monday's 'Match against Poverty' in St Etienne to add to the Blues' injury woes upfront after Diego Costa and Loic Remy both missed Saturday's 1-0 win over Manchester United.

The Ivorian centre forward played the full 90 minutes in Chelsea's last two games, wins over Queens Park Rangers and United, but is now a potential doubt for Sunday's trip to the Emirates Stadium with the ankle problem.

Chelsea's Didier Drogba has been forced to withdraw from a charity match after picking up an ankle injury

Drogba has withdrawn from Monday's 'Match against Poverty' after playing against Manchester United

Ander Herrera is tackled by Drogba during an all-action performance in the 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge

Drogba posted on Twitter: 'Disappointed not to be able to play the #MAP2015 because of an ankle injury but still supporting #EbolaResponse.'

When one follower claimed Drogba was pulling out to avoid an injury before the end of the season, the 37-year-old replied: 'I'm already injured if you can read well my friend.' 

Costa returns to training with the first-team squad this week, but Chelsea may be reluctant to throw him in from the start against Arsenal, given how he broke down with the hamstring problem that has troubled him for much of the season against Stoke City.

Remy was not even on the bench against United despite manager Jose Mourinho saying he had a better than 50/50 chance of appearing at Stamford Bridge.

Dominic Solanke, a 17-year-old with just one first-team appearance, was the only recognised striker among the substitutes.

The Blues need nine points from their remaining six games to guarantee a first Premier League title in five years, although they could be celebrating as early as April 29 if they win at Arsenal and then against Leicester City.

Diego Costa returns to training with the first-team squad this week but may not be thrown in against Arsenal

Loic Remy (right) has also suffered from injury problems and was not ready to return against United

Dominic Solanke, pictured with the UEFA Youth League trophy, was the only striker on the bench on Saturday

After the win over United, when asked if Chelsea were celebrating winning the title early, Drogba said: 'You should never celebrate too early. You must respect the championship, respect the other teams. Until we are champions and even then, we respect the other teams.'

Aside from their three forwards, Chelsea are without any other injuries heading into Sunday's game.