Ashley Cole

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Lore & Background

Cole's journey with Arsenal began after joining his local club, which he had supported as a child. At age 18 on 30 November 1999, he made his first-team debut in the League Cup fourth round against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium; the match ended 2–2 after extra time, with Arsenal losing 1–3 on penalties. Before fully establishing himself, he spent part of the 1999–2000 season on loan at Crystal Palace, playing 14 league matches and scoring one goal—a long-range half-volley against Blackburn Rovers. His Premier League debut followed on 14 May 2000 against Newcastle United in an experimental side that lost 4–2. Cole seized his chance when established left-back Sylvinho suffered an injury in the autumn of the 2000–01 season, becoming first-choice and remaining there even after Sylvinho's recovery. He won the Premier League twice (2002 and 2004) and three FA Cups (2002, 2003, and 2005). In the 2005 final against Manchester United, he scored in the penalty shootout to secure the trophy despite being injured for much of the season.

In Their Own Story

The 2004–05 season showcased Cole's resilience and attacking prowess. Despite competition from Gaël Clichy, Cole remained a regular at left-back for both club and country. His first goal of that campaign came in the seventh game during a difficult trip to Manchester City, where he scored the opening and only goal to deliver an important win. He added his second goal shortly after in a 3–1 away victory against Aston Villa, netting Arsenal's third in just the 28th minute. However, tension brewed as the season progressed. Cole was found guilty of contacting Chelsea without informing Arsenal, resulting in a £100,000 fine by the Premier League on 2 June 2005 for a meeting at a hotel in January 2005. On 18 July 2005, he signed a one-year extension but left acrimoniously a year later. By 15 July 2006, Cole publicly attacked the Arsenal board in his autobiography, claiming they treated him as a 'scapegoat' and 'fed him to the sharks.' The club insisted they were legally obliged to punish his illegal contact with Chelsea. When offered a longer contract with wages of £55,000 per week, Cole was left 'trembling with anger,' a stark contrast to the £120,000-a-week deal he later signed at Chelsea.

Reader's Guide

Ashley Cole's time at Arsenal spanned from his debut in November 1999 until his departure in August 2006. During this period, he made 228 first-team appearances and scored nine goals. He was a pivotal figure in the 'Invincibles' squad of 2003–04, which went unbeaten in the Premier League. Cole also appeared in Arsenal's first UEFA Champions League final in 2006, where they lost 2–1 to Barcelona. His playing style evolved from a loan spell at Crystal Palace, where he scored one goal in 14 matches, to becoming the undisputed first-choice left-back after Sylvinho's injury in 2000–01. He won two Premier League titles (2002, 2004) and three FA Cups (2002, 2003, 2005), scoring a crucial penalty in the latter final's shootout. His exit was marked by controversy; after a £75,000 fine for tapping-up, he moved to Chelsea on 31 August 2006 for a fee of £5 million, with William Gallas moving to Arsenal as part of the deal. Fans dubbed him 'Cashley,' and he was deliberately omitted from the 2006–07 team photograph.

Did You Know?

• Cole spent part of the 1999–2000 season on loan at Crystal Palace, scoring one goal against Blackburn Rovers.
• He was left out of Arsenal's 2006–07 team photograph following his controversial transfer to Chelsea.
• Cole scored in the penalty shootout of the 2005 FA Cup Final while playing for Arsenal.
• Arsenal offered Cole wages of £55,000 per week before he moved to Chelsea, where his wage rose to £120,000 a week.
• He was part of the 'Invincibles' team in 2003–04 that went the entire Premier League season undefeated.