Ashley Cole has explained why he declined the offer to appear in the book celebrating Arsenal's 'Invicible' season of 2003-04.
Cole
made a controversial switch to west London rivals Chelsea in 2006 - a
move which angered Arsenal's fans, many of whom still refuse to forgive
him...Continue..
The
book, released last October, featured interviews with a host of stars
from that season, including Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick
Vieira, but not Cole - who has now explained why.
Cole celebrates with the Premier League trophy with Sol Campbell, Jens Lehmann and Kolo Toure
Cole said in a series of Tweets that he will never forget his time at Arsenal
Members of the Invincible side Ray
Parlour, Lauren, Robert Pires, Sol Campbell, Jens Lehmann and Martin
Keown gathered in London for a preview screening of 'Invincibles'
documentary on Sky Sports
He
said on Twitter: 'People asking why I'm not in the Invincibles book I
thought it would be for the best. I didn't think fans would want it.
'But I will never forget my times at Arsenal and the amazing achievements I accomplished there with great people.'
The
book was written by journalist and life-long Arsenal fan Amy Lawrence.
She tracked down and spoke to all members of the squad and management to
talk about the unbeaten season.
Cole,
who was still playing for Chelsea at the time, turned down the chance
to be interviewed for the book, and Lawrence thought it was due to the
manner of his controversial switch from North to West London.
Cole moved to Chelsea from Arsenal on transfer deadline day in 2006
Arsenal fans made mock £20 notes to wave at Cole when Arsenal played Chelsea as they accused him of moving for money
Cole and Arsenal fans never really made up following his departure in 2006
Cole was offered a new contract by Arsenal on wages of £55,000 per week, but in his own book, My Defence,
the left back said the offer left him ‘trembling with anger’ as he had
asked for £60,000 per week and felt the club were not that keen on
keeping him if they were prepared to haggle over £5,000 .
Cole
moved to Chelsea on transfer deadline day with the Blues offering a
deal worth £90,000-a-week and the move left a bad taste in the mouth for
all concerned.
Manager
Arsene Wenger described the whole Cole saga as one of the regrets of
his career. Cole had been earmarked by Patrick Viera to replace him as
Arsenal captain and spend the whole of his career at the club.
Wenger says in the book that Cole left due to a misunderstanding between his agent and the club.
In an interview with www.the42.ie,
Lawrence said: ‘When he left and went to Chelsea, there was a lot of
bad feeling on Arsenal’s part and on his part. I don’t think he feels
like he was treated well, and obviously Arsenal don’t feel as if they
were treated well. It was like a very messy divorce.
‘You’d
like to think with a bit of time, he could look back on that period and
be proud of it. I’m not sure he’s ready to do that yet — he certainly
wasn’t ready while he was a Chelsea player.
‘Perhaps
in a few years’ time when his career is over and he has a bit more
distance, maybe he can recognise what he achieved. I wouldn’t be
convinced it’ll happen, but certainly the players spoke fondly of him
and had a lot of affection for him as a person as well as a player. But
there’s obviously still a bit of a problem there.’
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