Didier Drogba injury leaves Chelsea facing striker crisis ahead of crucial Arsenal match with Diego Costa and Loic Remy also doubts

Drogba has pulled out a charity game because of an ankle injury

(Getty Images)

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is facing an injury crisis ahead of the crucial match against Arsenal on Saturday.

The 37-year-old Ivorian lead the line in the 1-0 wins against Queens Park Rangers and then Manchester United.

Diego Costa, who has 19 goals this season, last played in the 3-2 win against Hull where the Spanish striker suffered another hamstring injury. Loic Remy scored the winning goal in that game and in the next one against Stoke but picked up a calf injury and has not played since.

Drogba, a United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador, on Monday withdrew from featuring in the Match Against Poverty in St Etienne.

He wrote on Twitter: "Disappointed not to be able to play the #MAP2015 because of an ankle injury but still supporting #EbolaResponse."

It is not the first time Drogba has had an ankle problem this season.

He has made five Premier League starts this campaign, but could be displaced in Chelsea's starting line-up at the Emirates Stadium anyway if Costa or Remy is fit.

"Our target was for Diego to play the last four matches and Arsenal is the sixth match from the end," Mourinho said last Friday.

"He starts training with rest of the squad next week."

Diego Costa has not played since the win against Hull on 22 March (GETTY IMAGES)

Mourinho also reported Remy had a better than 50 per cent chance to play against United, although teenager Dominic Solanke was on the substitutes' bench, with the France striker ruled out.

Chelsea are 10 points clear of the second-placed Gunners and victory against Arsene Wenger's men will mean the Blues can wrap up the title at Leicester three days later.

Additional reporting from PA