Apology earns Drogba place against Gunners

Didier Drogba has retained his place in the Chelsea side for this afternoon’s Premier League clash at fourth-placed Arsenal.

The Ivory Coast striker was at the centre of controversy for his furious reaction following Chelsea’s midweek Champions League exit to Barcelona, which could yet land him with a disciplinary charge from UEFA.

Interim Blues head coach Guus Hiddink makes just one change to the starting XI as Jon Obi Mikel comes in for Michael Ballack.

Arsenal also crashed out of Europe in midweek, losing to defending champions Manchester United.

Manager Arsene Wenger has opted to hand goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski some more Premier League experience, with youngster Vito Mannone on the bench.

Mikael Silvestre comes into defence, while Abou Diaby also starts as Emmanuel Adebayor drops to the bench.

Russian Andrey Arshavin, who was cup-tied in midweek – is missing because of a virus.