Cole: I feel Arsenal career is over

Updated: 2005-06-06 09:11

Ashley Cole has given the clearest indication yet that he will be leaving Arsenal.

The agent for Ashley Cole, seen here, Jonathan Barnett, has vowed to clear his name and that of his client as the Arsenal defender's legal team finalised an appeal against his record Premier League fine. [AFP]

The England left-back, fined ￡100,000 for making an illegal approach to Chelsea, feels certain members of the Arsenal board want him to go.

He is aggrieved by what he sees as a lack of support from manager Arsene Wenger and admitted: "I can't help feeling it's all over."

Arsenal were ￡5,000 short on Cole's wage demands of ￡60,000 a week to sign a new contract, but Cole insists his grievance is not now about money but a matter of "decency and the principle of treating people fairly".

If Cole does leave Highbury it will not be to move across London to Stamford Bridge, however, with the player preferring a move abroad.

"I think it is a broken bridge that might be impossible to mend," Cole said of his position at Arsenal. "I blame (vice-chairman) David Dein for trying to force me out of the club I love. He didn't show me any respect and treated me like a little kid.

"I am now convinced a section of the Arsenal board don't want me. They have left me feeling there is no way back, that they don't want me to ever put my beloved Arsenal shirt ever again," said Cole, who has two years left on his current contract.

"I get the impression they want me to go and I can't help feeling it's all over. I feel betrayed, confused and badly let down. It's hard to forgive. It's no exaggeration to say they have broken my heart."

Cole feels let down by Wenger, and told The News of the World: "I wish I'd had more support from Arsene. He should have been on my side more and I was upset at what he said in the papers.

"I won't sign for another Premiership club because I can't imagine myself playing against Arsenal. I would only want to play abroad."

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