Goodbye Ashley Cole

Arsène heard the chants at Barnet. You might not have been that far away but I'm sure you didn't.

Now fair enough, you were at the World Cup (but not at Bolton I seem to remember) and were never expected at the match, and no doubt the date of your wedding was a coincidence. I've no intension of making jokes about your wedding because whatever anyone might think so long as you and your bride were happy with it that's what maters.

But.

There's always a 'but' with you Ashley.

Quite often it's after a 'he could have been...'

This time it's your book.

And loyalty.

Didn't this start with you meeting with another club behind Arsenal's back and then denying it ever happened? Then when it was obvious it happened you denied it was your fault. So it happened. But you said it didn't.

Loyalty. Hmmm. Rhymes with honesty.

So you dumped on the club you claim to love. You destabilised the team at a vital time. And nasty Arsenal decided to complain! You weren't 'hung out to dry' – you were caught bang to rights and then lied to your employer about it. And to us.

Slavery? Behave. That was an abhorrent comment.

Ash, I adored you when you broke through. Firmly in the see ya Silvinho camp when you appeared in the first team. And in the first summer of stories about Paddy leaving I put you forward as captain 'if Paddy stayed a couple of years'.

Mate, you blew it.

I wrote that 'Open Letter' last summer. I know your p.a. read it and talked to Arsenal about it. There was going to be a comment. Then silence.

Again, fair enough. We're just an independent fan site so we're not exactly Fleet Street in terms of expecting comment, and no comment (as opposed to a quotable 'no comment') was all I ever expected. But I took the trouble to email it to you and your agent.

So you didn't talk to Arsenal-Mania, but you explained why we should support you to...no-one. Whilst you spent most of the season injured until the World Cup pops up.

Then you ask for our support because you always give 100% on the pitch. Well let me tell you giving 100% is nothing to boast about, it's the LEAST we expect as the poor mugs who pay your wages.

A few times there were quotes that almost seemed to be asking us to support you over the club! Wake up kid, The Arsenal were there a long time before you and still will be a long time after. In terms of Arsenal history you're little more than a (sour) footnote.

Ash, without wanting to sound like a b movie, you're gone to me.

Goodbye. And good riddance.

User Comments

Shahram Shirazi

Posted on 21 Jul, 2006 at 02:52 PM - Reply

He's got a great foundation for chelsea material... that is, a dirty, cheating, diving little ****.

I've always said that we need some players like that, but he's know way up his own.

Laters A.

Clock end Gooner

Posted on 20 Jul, 2006 at 11:40 AM - Reply

he is a greedy pillock. And he is very suited to chelsea. Get rid of him quick. And move on.

Ben Thomas

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 10:40 PM - Reply

Well said that man! Bring on Gael Clichy!

Andy

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 07:13 PM - Reply

Great article. The sooner the greedy and ungrateful Cole goes the better. He has shown no loyalty to Arsenal. It will destabilise the team if he stays. To keep Cole now will show no real loyalty to Flamini and Clichy. I was a real Cole fan prior to the Chelsea incident. Now I despise him. Good riddence, and I hope he reads this!

jon

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 06:26 PM - Reply

Au revoir Cashley Cole

nana

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 04:25 PM - Reply

It's disgusting when a football player says 'I gave my all', what do you think you are expected to do? We work in the warehouse and we give our all and pay to come watch you play for 90 minutes and get fat salaries and you moan as giving your all, that is the essence of keeping a job. This is a teaser for you Ashley and Henry, we dont care about what you little something years boys think, if you wanna be paid well then its your job so dont complain please

tris

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 03:39 PM - Reply

someone mentioned Sol Campbell. Well, it might be true that he left Sp*rs to come here but he was OUT OF CONTRACT when he moved. Ashley was flouting rules by talking to Kenyon. When he got found out, he threw a right fit because he was in the wrong.

Bubbye Cashley.

MikeA

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 03:39 PM - Reply

I would suggest that your comments represent what 99.x% of Arsenal fans feel today. I must admit I felt Ash did not exactly rush himself back to fitness last season when the team was struggling ... it felt to me like a CL final and WC may have been a reason why he made a strong late receovery.

I would also ask do we really need one of the world top players in his position at LB? ... can decent committed players like Clichy and Flamini do the job? ... I would suggest last seasons performances say yes to the latter .... take the 16mm and go buy Yaya Toure and Curtis Davis and it will result in a better squad and team .. & for sure a better group of human beings!!

mish

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 03:34 PM - Reply

Well put

rd

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 02:45 PM - Reply

Excellent article. I hope Ashley is reading.

Like most Gooners, I want him to go now and I want the club to get the full £16 million for him. I see today chelsea are trying to knock the price down - I'd rather he rots on the bench for two seasons than be mugged AND see him go to a major rival.

Tom

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 02:36 PM - Reply

Too right mate, totally agree with you. So long Cashley.

Anandaman

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 01:28 PM - Reply

What a let down, to claim to love the club and give your all then go to their rivals over apparently 5k? The difference with work is that its impersonal with Arsenal its a dream come true.

So long Ash as much good as he has done my memory of him will be as a huge let down

Soran Hourami

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 12:54 PM - Reply

Finally, someone who agrees that Cashley Cole is solely to blame for this mess. I can't believe the number of 'fans' who are blaming Arsenal for this situation. Arsenal are totally blameless in this as they did what anyone else would do and took action against their less than loyal employee.

Also, it has been said that Cashley will get away with it because he is an English player and if he goes we will be down to one. I would rather have a loyal foreigner than a disloyal Englishman.

Good riddance.

jobby

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 12:18 PM - Reply

Excellent summation of the feelings of nearly all arsenal fans.

Rae

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 11:55 AM - Reply

Reading the article initially I was like the rest of ye - good riddance. But it's like when your kid does something horrorably wrong, isn't it. Yeah your very angry initially but at the end of the day he is your kid. Ash was born & rared a gooner, if he wants to throw it away let him, but I for one will never boo a player in the famous red & white, & I don't believe anyone else should either. When a player walks onto the pitch wearing an Arsenal shirt he should be given the respect that the jersey deserves. Leave the booing to our lesser neighbours.

I will be sorry to see Ash go, he is the best left back in the world, & I think, hand on heart, most, if not all, of you will be too. I know he hasn't done himself any favours if press reports are to be believed. I'm soory this is against the general tone of the article but whever you play your football next season....

Best of look son

Zeguyz

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 10:48 AM - Reply

Thank you very much for this wonderful article, I thought I was going crazy when I read baout Ashley Cole blaming Arsenal FC for his secret meeting witht Chelsea which he boldly denied. You know what Ashley Cole you are a lucky spoil boy because if you do what you are just doing to Arsenal under Ferguson at Manchester United your career would have been dead. Just have it in mind that ARSENAL FC is bigger than any superstar and you're not even one yet.

Zeguyz, London
Arsenal for life

Rob Flack

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 10:46 AM - Reply

Great piece. I've never understood why Cole felt so hard done by over how he was treated in the tapping up scandal when he was the one who went behind our backs. He was the one who met with on eof our biggest rivals without permission then lied about it. I was a big fan of him at one point but, like the article says, I won't be sorry to see him go after all this. The club's got a good track record in dealing with these situations and I'm 100% confident they'll do what's best for the team and us fans.

Exiled In Newcastle

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 10:42 AM - Reply

Just to answer a couple of specific points.

1. AC was/is under contract. Sol was not. The difference is obvious.

2. As for people commenting Arsenal stiffed him over his wage rise - not true. He wanted 60k. Arsenal offered 60k. Cole said ok. When it came to signing his agent demanded 5k on top. Arsenal said no. That is what Cole is complaining about - having to pay his agent himself!

3. Not based just on the Sun story - it's based on putting up with his 'I did nothing' bull for over a year. Call it a last straw on a very strained camel's back.

JayJay

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 08:45 AM - Reply

As per your comments we loved you Ash but you betrayed us and if you don’t want to play at the Grove then don’t. When all this with TH was going on we said the same. Of course we wanted TH to stay but again, if he wanted to go, let him go and we move on.

So go if you want to go, God bless and remember what Arsene said, “Arsenal has done a lot for Ashley Cole”.

Sajit

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 08:31 AM - Reply

Fantastic article. Cole had repeatedly said that he would not leave the club and now making all the wrong noises, leaves the fans gutted. As much as I feel the frustration and anger of the fans, I somehow wish there is a happy-ending to this story. Somehow.

Ghunter_sax

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 07:55 AM - Reply

I must say since the whole story came to light I have noiced that Ashley hasn't been the same player again. Maybe the whole thing got into him and little by little he's been loosing his confidence. and I don't think there is another team out there that can get the best out him the way Arsenal did in the past. I can only see him loosing his talent, not really improving!

Charlie George

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 07:53 AM - Reply

If we want to develop loyalty then perhaps we should look at how we obtained Sol. He betrayed his club to come to us, so how can we complain if Cole wants to do the same. A tad hypocritical. I'd stay in Geordie-land if I was you. It's about your level.

Yusuf Sulaiman

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 07:30 AM - Reply

Ashley is a very good player. But I think he has his own dream. Not in an Arsenal shirt I guess. Let him go if he wants to leave

Gooner for 59 years

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 06:37 AM - Reply

I like neither the way that Ashley has wriggled since getting 'caught' nor his apparent slamming of the club in public. Having said that however, ask yourselves what you might have done if your own boss had 'promised' you, say, a 20% rise, but not delivered. Then your main oppo phones and suggests doubling your money?

Fabregas_fan

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 06:37 AM - Reply

MMmmm. Ashley has been quite a remarkable player in that position. Arguably the best left full back in the world. But after the Chelsea ordeal, I guess its time for him to move on - it doesn't look like he's commited enough.

Thierry Henry on the other hand ... 1000% and that's the kind of players Arsenal wants as players! Sorry Ashley, we'll meet again in a match one day.

rice_money

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 06:19 AM - Reply

I was a huge fan of Ash but a part of me is denying what is happening. 'Say it ain't so' is at the back of my mind but reality is it's inevitable that Cole is outty. If Ash thinks what he thinks than good ridance, go jump on Chelski's money or go ahead and join the bastards at White Hart Lane or whoever else. I don't want him to turn his back but I support Arsenal over any individual player. By the way, we still have Clichy. Once healthy, we probably won't even miss Ash when he leaves other than the fact we have one Englishman less.

ashburrn

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 06:17 AM - Reply

I think this article summed up what a lot of Arsenal fans are feeling for Ashley at the moment. Even so, I am reserving judgement until I read the book myself, but I'm not expecting much.

It's been so long now and we haven't even had an apology from Cole for even meeting with Chelsea, which he was rightfully found guilty of and fined accordingly.

Chris

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 01:54 AM - Reply

honesty and loyalty dont rhyme, loyalty and royalty rhyme. No doubt we will be struggling for defenders without Senderos, Campbell and Cole if Cole leaves. He is the worlds best fullback and whichever club get him are not going to care about the fuss he caused here with Arsenal.

Donjohnni

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 01:38 AM - Reply

I have to say this article is a bit silly - why address it to Ashley when he's clearly never going to read it?

Well said though. Good riddance you idiot. This is what happens when you give Pikey's too much money. I've never seen someone make such a tit of themselves in public with such hypocritical statements.

CanadianGunner4life

Posted on 19 Jul, 2006 at 12:12 AM - Reply

Goodbye Ashley Cole Indeed. When you leave you'll look upon this period and regret it. Beckham Wannabe

Terry Harry

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 11:33 PM - Reply

Well said mate. Its reached the point where there is hardly any support for Ash amongst Arsenal fans. He might be a good player today but he should never forget that the fans helped him establish his name, when you were doubted as a good left back, Arsenal fans sung your praises.

bonsix

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 11:10 PM - Reply

Enough and goodbye

Boquist

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 10:29 PM - Reply

i agree with you one that one ... bye bye Cole!

Allan

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 09:45 PM - Reply

Talk about melodramatic. All of this based on revelations by The Sun?

Jason

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 09:02 PM - Reply

When i say to my non-Arsenal friends, that Cole has to go - after what he has said and done - they all reply with statements like 'You can't afford to lose him, he is the best left back in the world etc etc'. Well as you correctly said - no one is bigger than Arsenal - after what he did with Chelsea - you have to question his loyality. If he had said to Arsenal - i want to leave, then fair enough. But he went behind Arsenal's back - and behind our backs (ie us the fans). I couldn't care less if he goes now. How about a transfer to Juventus!

tom

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 09:01 PM - Reply

Good article and true as well. I hope he goes

Sav

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 08:49 PM - Reply

This is a fantastic article, and I agree with everything, he's blown it with me as well

jimbo14

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 08:16 PM - Reply

Still arguably the best Left Back in football though. Good article, but I'm still undecided about Ash.

pha2er

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 08:08 PM - Reply

Well said. There was a time last season when I could 'forget' what had happened the summer before as long as the smarmy git played well for us; and he did (when he wasn't injured). But this slimy little clunge just couldn't forget and instead has decided to milk this episode for everything he can get.

An autobiography? You moist fool, are we to believe you would still have released this waste-of-good-wood if you hadn't backstabbed Arsenal?

Ashley Cole, you are a c*nt.

Good luck (break a leg) at your new club.

Ashisokay@yahoo.com

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 07:04 PM - Reply

This article is unfair, I for one hope Ash stays!

gybolar

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 07:02 PM - Reply

Yeah, let him go if he wanna go, who gives a damn about him. He was nobody when he was brought to the first team, he went to meet our old rival at our back and was caught, then denied it and was confirmed. So what does he want Arsenal to do, shake him and wish him well? Sorry Mr Ashes you can go. Just know one thing that we the supporters and the team will never miss a bit of you. Like I said before you there was a great left defender and after you there will be.

GoonerKit

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 06:51 PM - Reply

Damn straight!

arsenal best fan

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 06:36 PM - Reply

Please stay Ashley Cole please

arsenal_fan_atic

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 04:48 PM - Reply

Agree with you, mate! Nicely said

Vanity

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 04:15 PM - Reply

Very good letter. You really got the point. Cole is the best left back in the world but he has no good nature. Goodbye Ash!

Dave

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 04:12 PM - Reply

Well said mate

Slippery when wet

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 04:00 PM - Reply

Nice loyalty like telling the world 'who said I'm leaving' and 'I'm staying' just before the Champions League final and the all important World Cup.

At the same time you must have been writing your pikey book! Great loyalty that!

Goodie

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 03:49 PM - Reply

Go Ash. Go. Get the money and buy Curitis.

Singapore Gooner

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 03:49 PM - Reply

Well said. Remember Ashley, without Arsenal, you are nothing. The club is and will always be bigger than you. Good riddance to you and please don't ever come back to the club.

Dean Cole

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 03:34 PM - Reply

Absolutely bang-on. I couldn't agree more. Furthermore, I believe that he will go the way of Anelka, Petit, Overmars, Vieira et al. All those that left have gone on to bigger, better things..... I don't think. The way Arsenal play under Wenger makes players world class, the way we play with like players thinking alike. He won't get that anywhere else. He will be exposed as the suspect defender he is without Wenger. It's no coincidence that he's never looked world-class with England (that tackle aside). We'll get £16-20m and Clichy will be better than Cole anyway. Who does he think he is?!

Dammy

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 03:30 PM - Reply

Harsh words mate. But I couldnt agree more.

Saville

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 03:27 PM - Reply

What a stupid article! He is Arsenal through and through! who came up with that rubbish!?

Apollo

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 03:26 PM - Reply

Mate!! , that was really really harsh , but thumbs up , I liked it! I wish that Cashley Cole would see this , he would see how much he had lost when made that meeting with Chelski , he lost so many and some of them went back to love him when he declared he's going no where, and now he just showed that he's a self-absorbed , materialistic when he posted those stab-in-the-back comments ... I just can't stand him anymore , Arsenal exists whether you like it or not and you can go whereever you want to go, we're Arsenal fans and we'll always love this club...

Gav

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 03:26 PM - Reply

Harsh but fair I think. Lets hope Matt F has been training hard, it was only Lennon who turned him inside out and to be fair I'm not sure Ash would have done much better. I hope Ash stays, but now I not that bothered if he goes. I just hope its not a drawn out saga...bit like his book!

Herbie

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 03:21 PM - Reply

I couldn't agree more, and it's what has been going through my mind since he mentioned being hung out to dry. I too remember fondly watching young Ash bursting on to the scene wearing 29 I think. I remember shedding no tears as Silvinho went on to pastures new, but he's acting like a child who's been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

You were caught, and punished rightly Ashley. It hurt to find out that Ashley had been tempted by Roman's money. As far as I'm concerned Ashley needs to follow Arsene's advice from Barnet, play football and leave writting to the likes of Melvin Bragg because you bet your life he'd never swap his loyalties for another club. Ashley could have been that rarity of a one club man and Captain in the footsteps of Tony Adams.

If this is the Club you love Ashley then prove it, because we do every week!

Charlie

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 03:12 PM - Reply

Hear, hear.

Lee

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 03:10 PM - Reply

Great article could not have put it better myself. & he has to go.
But did the board messed-up here as well, after all they must have realised they were dealing with a greedy player?

Rocky

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 02:58 PM - Reply

Well said ...

Sam

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 02:58 PM - Reply

What were the chants that Wenger heard on Saturday at Barnet?

Bonesy

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 02:56 PM - Reply

I totally agree with you Exiled in Newcastle. I'm very glad you brought up the comparison he drew with being a slave. What a dispicable human being Ashley Cole is. Usually I believe where there is smoke there is often fire and its common knowledge that Arsenal's board aren't the most generous when handing out deals. Ashley had two full years remaining on his contract when he met Mourinho and in that time the lowly (lol) £55k per week could have easily reached £60k per week. Stop lying Ashley we all know you and Johnathan Barnett were chasing the stolen Rubles.

Throw out the garbage!

Bonesy

robinvp

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 02:50 PM - Reply

Why is CASHLY COLE looking for sympathy for what was his own doing? if he wanted to leave because he wasnt being paid enough he should have waited till the end of the season and put in a transfer request. there woiuld have been no problem. Arsenal would have sold him as Wenger has never kept players that WANTED TO LEAVE. Overmars Anelka Petit are players who came outright and asked to leave.

adam

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 02:45 PM - Reply

Well said mate. I for one wouldn't like to see Cashley with an Arsenal top again.

Dhruv

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 02:44 PM - Reply

Some places harsh, but true... so very, very true...

alromeb

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 02:43 PM - Reply

Well said! Wish Cashley can read it.

Hypo

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 02:39 PM - Reply

Not sure I agree with all the harsh comments that you posted, because I'd like to read the book myself before I form an opinion. But should Cole leave it won't matter that much for Arsenal, atleast not in my opinion. Flamini did a wonderfull job as left back last season and Clichy is a carbon copy of Cole except that he isn't as money grubbing.

mazuri

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 02:37 PM - Reply

I wouldnt had put it more clearly. All Arsenal fans should boycott and not purchase his pathetic book. We can sell him and let Clichy have a chance. The money can be used to strengthen other areas.

On the transfer front What does Wenger mean by saying he has no funds? Last season there were transfer funds and we have only spent £8million on Rosiky. I would hate the likes of Torres and Curties Davies to slip through our net. Otherwise we are in for another dissapointing season fighting for 4th place.All other teams including spurs have significantly recruited.Sometimes I really do wonder what the Arsenal board and Wenger are thinking!

mazuri

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 02:36 PM - Reply

I wouldnt had put it more clearly. All arsenal fans should boycott and not purchase his pathetic book.

On the transfer front What does Wenger mean by saying he has no funds?Last season there were transfer funds and we have only spent 8million on Rosiky.I would hate the likes of Torres and Curties Davies to slip through our net. Otherwise we are in for another dissapointing season fighting for 4th place. All other teams including Spurs have significantly recruited.Sometimes I really do wonder what the Arsenal board and Wenger are thinking!

Shehu Muhammad Mansoor

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 02:22 PM - Reply

For Ash, I feel we are disappointed in him. There has always been Arsenal and it shall continue to be! we really need commited players who love the team and love to play GOOD football. Adieu Mr Ash!

Davey b

Posted on 18 Jul, 2006 at 02:16 PM - Reply

Here Here

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