Didier Drogba: Chelsea victory could end Arsenal's title hopes

Didier Drogba believes Chelsea can shatter Arsenal’s title hopes today – and send out a message to their other rivals that the Blues are the true champions-elect.

The Ivory Coast striker is desperate for the West Londoners to leave the other Big Four teams trailing in their wake before he goes off to the African Nations Cup.

Carlo Ancelotti’s high-fliers will establish an 11-point edge over the Gunners if they beat them in the Emirates showdown today.

Drogba said: “It is difficult to come back from so many points behind. It would be great to have that gap between us and Arsenal.

“We have already beaten Manchester United and Liverpool, so beating Arsenal would be a big statement.

“There is a lot at stake. We really want to win the league this year.”

The 31-year-old hitman has been on fire this season, his 11 Premier League goals helping Chelsea to be runaway leaders.

But, along with Salomon Kalou, Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel, Drogba will be on international duty in January.

“This is what is spurring me on,” he said. “I want to be part of this because I know Chelsea are going to miss all these players.

“This is the beginning of a lot of important matches for us. Before the players go to the African Nations Cup it would be good for us to win all our games.

“If we all stay till the end of the tournament, the team will have to cope without us.”

The Stamford Bridge outfit, who beat Arsenal at the Emirates 4-1 last season, have won their last four league games, keeping clean sheets in all of them, and scoring 14 goals.

But Drogba sounded a cautionary note following skipper John Terry’s recent claim of invincibility.

The Blues, who visit Manchester City next week, have twice come unstuck away from home, losing at Wigan and Aston Villa.

“I don’t want to talk about invincibility,” said Drogba. “Last season we were playing well then lost three games, and we had to start again from the beginning.

“We feel strong and that’s the most important thing. Arsenal are playing very well at the moment. They look strong and they don’t concede.

“I think that’s where they’ve improved a lot this season. They score goals and now they don’t let them in.

“Against Tottenham, they didn’t play really well. But they managed to win 3-0.

“Of the top three teams, I still think Manchester United are the most difficult to play against. They are not the champions for nothing. They deserved the title. But I think Arsenal have improved.

“Even when we are losing or conceding goals, we still keep believing in our chances. Like against Porto a few days ago, we didn’t play our best game but we still won.

“The difference with last year is that we can get a result now even if we don’t play well.

“Arsenal also have this kind of spirit – it’s going to be a good game to watch.”