Didier Drogba backs Arsenal to win Premier League because 'they have got Petr Cech', not Chelsea

Cech signed for the Gunners from Chelsea for £11m during the summer

Didier Drogba now plays in the MLS for Montreal Impact (Getty Images)

Didier Drogba has tipped Arsenal to win the Premier League title this season.

"I think Manchester City will be as strong as they have been in the last few years," Drogba told Sky Sports News HQ at the launch of his new book, 'Commitment'.

"Unfortunately Chelsea are too far [behind in the title race], so I will go for my friend Petr Cech at Arsenal."

When prompted if he thinks the Gunners have enough strength in depth to win the title, Drogba simply said: "They have got Petr Cech!"

The 37-year-old won his fourth title with the Blues last season but has watched his old club struggle since leaving to join Major League Soccer side Montreal Impact in the summer.

Jose Mourinho's men are just three places above the relegation zone after losing seven of their opening 13 games, with a 12-point gap to Arsenal in fourth.

"I don't like to compare things to when I was there but there are some facts that you can't hide," Drogba was quoted as saying by The Sun at the launch event.

"During my time at Chelsea we had a lot of leaders in the team, not only last year but during the previous seasons.

"There was Frank Lampard, Petr Cech, John Terry, myself, Michael Ballack, Michael Essien, Andriy Shevchenko, Claude Makelele - big names, big players and big characters.

"We could take responsibility for a result and change the situation in bad moments such as when there was a change of manager or when we had bad results.

"There was always someone to step up and say, 'Guys, we need to do something' and everybody would follow.

"JT is still there but on your own it is very difficult, so other players have to come up with this mentality.

"But it's not something you are born with - you build it within you.

"You have to make sure that it is the right moment to talk and to take the lead and, most importantly, the rest of the team has to accept you as a leader.

"When you stand up and say, 'Let's go and win' you have to make sure that you produce yourself - you can't be a leader if you are not the first to show that you have the determination to want to win.

"I think there are some leaders in this current squad and hopefully you will soon see that."