Drogba and Cole missing for Blues

Ashley Cole did not return to face his former club this afternoon as there was no place for the full-back in Chelsea’s side at Arsenal.

Should the Blues fail to win, then Manchester United would be crowned Barclays Premiership champions.

Cole had been reportedly carrying an ankle problem, and Wayne Bridge came in to the defence.

Striker Didier Drogba was also missing, presumably injured, as manager Jose Mourinho made three changes from the side beaten on penalties by Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final.

Youngsters Ben Sahar and Scott Sinclair were on the bench.

Arsenal, meanwhile, were looking to climb to third in the table. Midfielder Tomas Rosicky was still not fit, so Denilson came into the starting XI in place of Alexander Hleb.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue, Gallas, Toure, Clichy, Diaby, Fabregas, Silva, Denilson, Adebayor, Julio Baptista. Subs: Almunia, Senderos, Hleb, Djourou, Hoyte.

Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira, Boulahrouz, Terry, Bridge, Mikel, Essien, Lampard, Wright-Phillips, Joe Cole, Kalou. Subs: Hedman, Makelele, Diarra, Sahar, Sinclair.

Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire)