Ashley Cole has blamed David Dein for 'forcing me out of the club I love' and says he feels betrayed by Arsenal.
'He treated me like a little kid and didn't show me any respect,' says Cole. 'This is a broken bridge that may be impossible to mend. I blame David Dein for trying to force me out. 'I am convinced a section of the Arsenal board do not want me. They've left me feeling there is no way back. I can't help feeling they want me to go, and it's all over. I feel betrayed, confused and badly let down. It's hard to forgive.'
'I won't sign for another Premiership club because I can't imagine myself playing against Arsenal. I would only want to play abroad.' Cole, arguably the best left-back in the world, is also critical of Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager. 'I wish I'd had more support from him,' he says. 'He should have been on my side more. 'The Arsenal board, and Dein in particular, have hung me out to dry. If there's no future for me at Highbury, it's all down to them. Of course I would be heartbroken to go, but I shouldn't have been dragged through a Premier League inquiry by a club I've given so much to. I'm left feeling bitterly disillusioned. It's not about money, it's about decency and the principle of treating people fairly.
'Even though I knew many of my team-mates were earning much more than me I never demanded equal pay. I can look at myself and say, "Ashley, you loved Arsenal and you never let them down." Can the board say the same? I don't think so.'
Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy eh?