Thierry Henry's exit has ruled Arsenal out of the Premier League title race, according to Chelsea's Didier Drogba.

The Blues striker believes the Gunners will find it hard to find an adequate replacement for Henry following the Frenchman's £16m move to Barcelona.

"Arsenal have a serious problem because Henry's absence is a very complicated issue to resolve," Drogba told the News of the World newspaper.

"It means it will be us and Manchester United fighting for the title again."

Henry helped Arsenal to two league titles and three FA Cups and led the Gunners to the finals of the 2000 Uefa Cup and 2006 Champions League.

In February 2006, he became the first Arsenal player to score over 200 goals for the club, with a strike against Birmingham, and has bagged a club record 226 goals in 364 appearances for the Gunners.

His consistency in front of goal ensured he finished as the Premier League's top scorer on four occasions.

Meanwhile, Ivory Coast forward Drogba has denied reports linking him with a move to European champions AC Milan.

"Milan? What a good club, they are the champions of Europe. But I have spoken to nobody," he added.

"I only know what I read in the press but there is no problem with my contract with Chelsea. My deals are clear and no bother to me."