Cole ‘still laughs’ at Arsenal; they ‘disrespected’ him

Matt Stead

Ashley Cole says he “still laughs” about Arsenal’s lack of success to this did, and insists that the club showed him “a lack of respect” in the lead up to his departure.

Cole joined Arsenal as a youth player in 1997, before making his first-team debut in 1999.

He established himself as the club’s first-choice left-back thereafter, winning two Premier League titles, three FA Cup and two Community Shields in seven successful years.

But he left the club in acrimonious circumstances, departing for Chelsea for just £5million in 2006 after “trembling with anger” at Arsenal’s offer of a new contract worth £55,000 per week.

He won nine trophies on a less-rage-inducing wage of £90,000 a week at Chelsea, yet his relationship with the Gunners does not appear to have thawed over the years.

Speaking on ITV’s Play to the Whistle show, the 36-year-old did at least say that he had no regrets about his time at Arsenal.

“I had a great time there and of course I miss the old players but I moved on and I won every trophy I could, so I wouldn’t say I look back and regret it, no,” said Cole.

Asked by the panel show’s host, an Arsenal fan, whether he found the club’s lack of success (a whole two FA Cup wins) since his departure humorous, Cole replied: “If I’m honest, yeah, I still laugh to myself to this day.

“I had a lot of history there and of course the way I left was maybe dodgy, but I think they showed me a lack of respect, too.

“I have to blame myself too. Perhaps I did things in the wrong way. But when I look back on it now I could blame a lot of parties and it’s now 10 years ago.”