Drogba skips Ebola charity match with Zidane & Ronaldo to be fit to face Arsenal

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has withdrawn injured from featuring in a charity game in a bid to be fit to face Arsenal on Sunday.

Drogba has started up front in the Blues' last two matches with Diego Costa battling a persistent hamstring injury, while Loic Remy is sidelined with a muscular problem picked up shortly before the 1-0 win over QPR at Loftus Road earlier this month.

The Ivorian veteran was also due to participate in a charity 'Match against Poverty' on Monday alongside legends Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo in France, with the proceeds donated to the fight against Ebola.


But Drogba has revealed he will sit out the match to spend the week allowing his ankle to heal as his absence could cause Jose Mourinho a selection headache in attack.

"Disappointed not to be able to play the #MAP2015 because of an ankle injury but still supporting #EbolaResponse: http://on.undp.org/LrmEA," Drogba tweeted.

Drogba has a prolific scoring record against Arsenal over the course of his career, netting 15 goals in as many games.