ASHLEY COLE - THE FALL AND RISE
I know I'm lucky admits Chelsea defender
HE FIRST thing you notice is the smile. Full wattage, main beam, constant.
Then there's the tone of voice. Quiet, philosophical, accepting.
No snarl, no swagger, no excuses. Just complete honesty in an attempt to state his case, not change anybody's perceptions of him.
The world's finest full-back content to let people make their own judgements of him without any hint of rancour.
This is Ashley Cole.
There are ground rules. No questions about Cheryl - "the missus" - and no air-brushing.
If, after this interview, Cole is still demonised, so be it.
There's still a bit of work to do, of course.
Yet there's also lighter side to Cole, his face illuminated by memories of jousting with Cristiano Ronaldo, those special moments that afforded him sanctuary from the madness.
Still he constantly returns to a theme of acceptance, of knowing there will always be somebody out there who refuses to acknowledge that there may be more to Cole than the suggestion of football's excesses.
"I will be retired in five or six years and then the people who hate me can move on to someone else," is his shoulder-shrugging take on it.
He has made mistakes, he knows that and yet it is only now that he has set about restoring his reputation.
"Getting arrested last March was my lowest point," he admits. "It was like a domino effect, with one thing after another.
"When I was in the police cell for five hours I could see the headlines and it was like I was the devil man."
He was arrested by police when he emerged from The Collection nightclub in Kensington, handcuffed after swearing at preying paparazzi.
Then he was plastered all over newspapers for all the wrong reasons.
He was fined £80 for a public order offence after his brush with the law. "I swore at the paparazzi, but the policewoman took offence," he adds.
"I wasn't drunk - I was about to get in my car - but I made a mistake.
"As soon as she put the handcuffs on I realised I shouldn't have sworn at the paps again.
"People talk so much about players being detached and I agree with that, but can you imagine what it feels like to be in a restaurant with people taking pictures on their phones?
"People expect us to be nice all the time - and we try - but there are always some who try to turn us over."
At times he still feels like a prisoner, trapped in his own home because a night out is just one misplaced word away from trouble.
He accepts his salary and the lifestyle that goes with being married to the nation's favourite pop star has its downfalls.
Again, he smiles: "I'm a 28-year-old 'old' man. I can go out, but when I do I don't feel it's worth it.
"I go to restaurants with the missus, but there's always the paparazzi outside.
"It's hard to go out and enjoy myself, and sometimes I can't be normal. That's the way it is and I've come to accept it.
"Instead I spend most of the time at home with the missus watching some DVDs.
"I accept that we are paid huge amounts of money for doing a job we love and we are the luckiest people in the world.
"I never had money when I was a kid. I was brought up by my mum on a council estate in east London.
"I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth but the moment I got money I made sure my mum was sorted. I do things for charity and yet I'm embarrassed to even mention it.
"It's my private life. I don't actually want any publicity or go looking for it, I just want to play football and quietly get on with my life."
At 28 years old he accepts that he will never win a popularity contest, admitting that his much-publicised book My Defence was not received in the way he had intended.
Then it was personal, with Ashley Cole against the Arsenal supporters following his move to arch-rivals Chelsea.
At first it was entertaining, with Cole laughing at a section of away fans when they waved wads of money at him. Then it got really personal.
"I'm not stupid. Some Arsenal fans will never like me and some will never appreciate me or respect me.
"The first time we played Arsenal it was funny - they were throwing notes at me and it was a laugh.
"They take it too far, but it's not just me. What they say about our wives, our mums our families is nasty. We have to put up with that.
"It affects me. I can hear them and I will think 'How can they sing that?'
"There are times when I want to turn around and say 'Do you actually understand what you're saying?' but if you do that you let them win.
"That's why there is a perception that we are detached from the fans. We feel powerless."
He wasn't powerless in that Invincibles team of 2003-04, part of a team that went on a record-breaking run of 49 games unbeaten.
Cole was one of the emerging stars in a team that boasted Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry and Robert Pires.
"I watched Arsene Wenger's Arsenal XI recently and it was only then, when he picked me at left-back, that I realised how much I achieved there.
"In my heart I know I did a great job for them. The team I played in was something special. They liked to get down and play.
"I have moved on, but I know the fans will never love me."
Fearless
Instead his affections are with the game that gave him the platform to become one of the most accomplished players in the Premier League.
He's a fiery character, fearless in the tackle and almost impenetrable at left-back.
He's proud of his record, but then he winces when he's reminded about his run-in with Mike Riley at White Hart Lane in a 4-4 Premier League draw with Tottenham in March last year.
He escaped with a yellow card when he brought down Alan Hutton and then apologised to the referee for his petulant response.
Again, no excuses: "That was a time when things in my life were hard. There was a lot of needle, but I was bang out of order.
"It's hard for players in that environment, we have to carry on as if nothing is wrong
"When I do something it's always 'Oh, it's Ashley Cole'. That gets on my nerves a bit but I deal with it."
His determination and his dogged defending are hallmarks of his game, striking fear through opposition wingers.
He loves talking about his battles with Ronaldo, finally explaining the moment he infamously showed the United winger an imaginary pocket in his shorts at Old Trafford.
"I miss playing against Cristiano Ronaldo, I really do," Cole beams with almost child-like enthusiasm.
"Manchester United don't seem the same without him - he's the best player in the world.
"I used to love our battles. If I'm concentrating, on my day I can do well against anyone, but he was something else.
"I love his skills, but I nearly ripped my groin when I was first playing against him because he did a trick and I did the splits.
"My mates were killing me after and I thought 'Right, he's never embarrassing me again'.
"A couple of years later at Chelsea I showed him the imaginary pocket in my shorts and their fans were lapping up the banter.
"They were battering me at Old Trafford as usual when I did it and I thought it was funny but they were calling me a w***** - as usual!"
He enjoys the tests against technical opponents, proving that he is capable of psyching out even the very best players.
His verbal confrontations with the former United star were part of their battles, full-blooded affairs for 90 mesmerising minutes.
"I am an emotional guy, but I try to keep my feelings to myself - but on the pitch it's different," he adds.
"On the pitch I'd kick Jermaine Pennant and he's one of my best mates.
"Don't talk to me on the pitch. With Ronaldo I'd try to wind him up by saying 'Get up, you're always diving' and he'd give it the 'Who me? No, no, no'. If he tried to run at me, I'd be saying 'You're not quick enough.'
"Sometimes I don't like how competitive I can be on the pitch, but I can't help it because I want to win the game so much.
"Every season I start by saying I am going to change on the pitch and I can't."
It is those performances and that mentality that have earned him 77 England caps, just 10 short of eclipsing Kenny Sansom's national record for a full-back.
Cole has been a fixture in the team since his debut against Albania in 2001, and is guaranteed to be in the squad for his third World Cup finals next summer.
He loves representing his country and yet he is still coming to terms with bitter experience at the hands of England fans last October.
Then, he was booed after making a mistake that led to Kazakhstan's goal in a World Cup qualifier, a poorly weighted back pass that eventually found its way past David James.
He says: "I was upset, I'm human, I have feelings and I was upset that my own fans turned on me.
"Everyone makes mistakes, but I have always given 100 per cent for my country and have never let them down. I have made a few mistakes, but that was hard to take.
Booing
"At the time it was just nice to get back to Chelsea and to people who supported me.
"There were 90,000 people booing - you can't expect me to be happy. You'd have to ask them why they did it.
"Some say it's because of what they thought happened with my wife, some say it was the football.
"In the past there have been times when it's been difficult playing for England but to have the fans behind you it so important.
"Now it's a different atmosphere. If the players stay fit we have a chance of winning the World Cup."
Winning trophies is the be all and end all for Cole, preparing for the day when he can start a family and show off some silverware.
He has already won two Premier League titles with Arsenal, three FA Cups with the Gunners and two more with Chelsea in a very successful playing career.
He wants more of that, focusing on his first Premier League title with Chelsea and another crack at Champions League.
"When players are young, they don't really understand what's happening to them. You play for fun.
"You think it's a dream and it's brilliant but now it's about pressure and we can't enjoy it as much.
"We have to win every game at Chelsea. The demands are greater and the motivation is to win trophies.
"Chelsea's strengths are all about power and aggression, a different philosophy to Arsenal but the ambitions are exactly the same.
"There is no better feeling than the end of the season, celebrating on the pitch with a trophy.
"I want to show my kids what I've achieved when we start a family and that means winning more Premier League titles.
"What Ryan Giggs has done at Manchester United is amazing, he is the ultimate.
"Of course everyone wants to be loved and respected like that, I
"I hope that that can happen for me. If people respect me for winning things then great, but I don't expect it."
He knows he will have to earn it. This is a pretty good start.
This article has 51 comments
Asley Cole is a human being with blood in his veins and can make mistakes just like any other human beings including those crucifying him right on this board.
I can tell you Mr Cole remains one of the finest players on earth and a lot of kids adore him for what he does as a professional and not his bedroom antics which I believe is personal.If the wife did not condemn him then who are you to do that.Please leave this guy alone many of us love him and the wife.
By mark smith. Posted October 31 2009 at 9:14 AM.
People need to grow up, im an Arsenal supporter. I loved it when A.Cole was in Arsenal, our team was solid, he did the best for the team and i thank him for the amazing record he brought to the club. Now he's in Chelsea and we all know that they are our rival team, but that has nothing to do with A.Cole. I will always respect A.Cole, a true legend, with a great personality. I hope him the best of his future and will always consider him as one of the best players in the world. A.Cole your a true idol, number 1 for ever!
By Arsenal4eva. Posted October 28 2009 at 12:14 AM.
Come on! The guy is good. The best left back i've seen in a long time. and probably the only guy who can man Christiano Ronaldo, give him a break!
By pundit. Posted October 27 2009 at 5:07 AM.
Keep playing like that Ashley you're amazing, the best left back in the world! And don't worry about the haters they are just jelaous of your achivements, but we Chelsea fans love you
By jana. Posted October 25 2009 at 11:41 PM.
Ashley is amazing player, for me the best left back in the world. I can't understand how can some of you hate him so much, I'm not from England and I can tell that he's very popular all over the world. It's stupid how Arsenal fans can't acept that he went to another team, where he feels better and that his private life has nothing to do with football. And for all the words that some people are saying about him and his family they should really be ashemed. I wish him all the best!
By sara. Posted October 25 2009 at 11:34 PM.
I have never seen so much drivel written by so many heartless,bigotted and self-centred so called football fans in my life,and perhaps I hope one day these pathetic examples of Arsenal supporters will grow up.Why do most of us go to work?...to earn money, and if somebody offers us a higher rate of pay,we move to that firm.Ashley hasn't done any wrong,not even as much as William Gallas who did the dirty on Chelsea,but you don't hear Chelsea fans bleating about that..so grow up show some signs of maturity...or is that too much to ask?
By barry. Posted October 25 2009 at 11:11 PM.
Riki the Gooner, the reason some of arsenal players who left the Club in the past gets clpped when they visite, is bcose was Arsenal who got riof them whem they where no longer needed. So is ok 4 you 2 force players 2 leave (Pires, Lyumberg, Peti, Kanu The list goes on like you said), but not when they try 2 find a better place? Remember, Foot career is short.
By Erick. Posted October 25 2009 at 11:09 PM.
Good god, why do you chavs look up to this waste of space. He is no hero or role model.
By CJH. Posted October 25 2009 at 5:40 PM.
Awww. This interview will build up so much respect for him. This is the real ashley cole. nt sum maniac image dt evry1z mde ov him. At the end of the day he is human n humanz mke mistakes. Js cuz hez a celeb duznt mean he cnt mke ny mistakez. gd on u ashley n u luk so sweet smilin.
By Ruby. Posted October 25 2009 at 3:28 PM.
Ashley i think your a great player i love to watch you play just give you life to god, and he will take care of you,your not the first to leave one club for the next, just keep on being your self and god bless you brother.
By shide. Posted October 25 2009 at 2:09 PM.
all mighty people!get over it let him leave his life.u's haters.bet majority of u would've done same thing if u's were on he's shoes.
By nas. Posted October 25 2009 at 1:29 PM.
People seem to forget that not only did Ashley leave Arsenal for more money he also left to play for a better team.
He makes mistakes , obviously a result of his upbringing.
But he is a great player and I think Chelsea got the best of that deal.
By Nuneaton Blue. Posted October 25 2009 at 1:26 PM.
Can't believe he cheated on Cheral with a tramp!
By cherie. Posted October 25 2009 at 1:11 PM.
Arsenal fans boo there own players and have them getting subbed crying, dont forget you got another money grabber gallas from the deal. Arsenal fans are a disgrace not ashley your like spoilt kids so put your dummies back in and grow up.
By darren bromfield. Posted October 25 2009 at 12:51 PM.
Ashley Cole is my hero but i wish he would give up the trying to get people to like him lark. He is much more of a legend when he doesnt give a toss
By Derek. Posted October 25 2009 at 12:36 PM.
scott
He may well have been offered 60k a week by Arsenal but to write a book and say he nearly crashed his car when they only offered 55k is rank stupidity and shows how out of touch he is with real football fans
He even denied he met Mourinho and Kenyon when he was still an Arsenal player.
Adebayor and Cashley cut from the same cloth
By stephen. Posted October 25 2009 at 12:06 PM.
COLE IS ARROGANT AND EXTREMELY UNINTELLIGENT. WISH HIS WIFE WOULD SHOW HIM THE RED CARD. MOST OF THE COUNTRY DISLIKE HIM.
By sammy. Posted October 25 2009 at 11:54 AM.
God leave the guy alone, we are all human and make mistakes, thank god I'm not in the limelight I would be burned at the stake for messing up royaly a few times x Move on for gods sake x and trust wee Cheryl's judgement she is a clever girl and seriously wouldnt be with someone who doesnt have good qualities and think about it none of you actually know this guy in person, your all all just being judgemental xx
By Denise Giblin. Posted October 25 2009 at 11:51 AM.
Where is the bit where he talks about cheating on Cheryl?
No matter how many puff pieces the papers do, fans know that this man is the personification of everything bad with modern football.
By james churchill. Posted October 25 2009 at 11:38 AM.
ashley quote 'i do things for charity yet im embarrased to even mention it'....... just about says it all.....
By lagospaul. Posted October 25 2009 at 11:19 AM.
By reg.
Reg you just don't understand what Cole was upset about and it seems most don't.
It wasn't the fact that he was being offered £55k, it was that he was already promised £60k by the club and then the club went back on their word.
Now you would say what is £5k when earning that much money but its the principle of the thing. You would feel the same if you were promised £500 a week but then they offered you £450, even if you could live on it.
There are too many people who just don't get it, then again im not surprised at that.
I read people say he moved for money and not success, what success have Arsenal had since he moved ?
By Scott. Posted October 25 2009 at 11:16 AM.
So nobody can leave a job? How do most people get new and better jobs? They go behind the backs of their employers. When they quit, their employers may be cross, but get over it and move on. Shame fans cannot. Guys, its just a job. It pays for a comfortable future.
I am impressed by the way he has handled the crap spread his way, by this paper as well. He lives his life the way he wants and is a good role model, now, for how young players should behave.
Learn from your mistakes - life is too short to be bitter all your life.
And lets be honest, its not even your club anymore, is it?
By baldfatlimey. Posted October 25 2009 at 10:11 AM.
The real reason Arsenal fans hate cole can be found on a clip on you tube. Find the clip of the last game at Highbury when, at the final whistle, cole runs to the fans and hands his boots to a kid in the crowd. Look at the total and utter joy on the face of that kid and yet within weeks cole was slagging off the club that gave him everything, going behind their backs before finally scurrying away to pocket his 30 pieces of silver.
In The Times cole was recently listed as number 1 of the 50 people that have ruined football. That is what he will be remembered for and frankly he deserves it!
By Ian Arnold. Posted October 25 2009 at 10:11 AM.
Really? CR used 2 beat u no problem, Ashley.
By sharath. Posted October 25 2009 at 10:29 AM.
All those who give this guy stick after so long are idiots! He plays for our country and does a very good job. There are players out there that try to do best by their future and leaving a club to build that future for him and his family. Yeah you should give him stick at first, but not after this long! There are players that have done worse than him and are not treated this way. Joey Barton for example. Good luck to you Ashley, keep up the good work. All you bitter Arsenal fans need to grow up! Its only cause Chelsea are better and than you
By Tiffany Iball. Posted October 25 2009 at 9:58 AM.
How arrogant do you have to be to say you nearly crashed your car when you employers "only" offered you 55k a week.
He cheated on Arsenal behind their backs by meeting up with Chelsea officals and he cheated on his wife.Dont believe a word he says
By reg. Posted October 25 2009 at 9:09 AM.
I cannot deny the man is a quality player and to be realistic, one we still miss today. But the thing that will always stick with us Gooners is the way he went behind the back of everyone at the club to have his meeting with Chelsea.
In terms of the abuse, he gets some stick, but that was of his own making. The only other former Arsenal player who gets stick is Anelka and will extend to Adebayor come May. Again, it is of their own making. Thierry Henry was at Ashburton the other week and got nothing but a fantastic reception and his name was sung all through the match, Sol Campbell, despite his acrimonious exit, still gets clapped on his return, Manu Petit, Pires did last season, Kanu always, Ljungberg, Wright, the list goes on. Maybe Cole should analyse that situation and should hold up his hands and say that he was stupid instead of skating over his role in it.
By Riki The Gooner. Posted October 25 2009 at 9:14 AM.
I was annoyed the way he left arsenal, as any working class person was when he announced that £55k was an insult so he could have handled that better, and maybe a statement about how grateful he is for his EDUCATION at The Gunners. But there i think people are over doing it now. England football fans boo him...How comes people like Alan Shearer, Michael Owen dont get stick....Dont tell me they aint mercenaries.....At the fact he cheated on his wife aint nothing to do with anyone...loads of people have done it, and will continue to do it.....To make him the most hated man in Britain stinks of something else from where i'm standing....I think if he was a lighter shade he would have been forgiven long time
By ricky broomfield. Posted October 25 2009 at 8:56 AM.
There are many evils which cause problems in this life which include letting down associates for money and going with other women when married. Cole has committed both. So Arsenal fans dislike is justified.
By fred. Posted October 25 2009 at 8:50 AM.
I was annoyed the way he left arsenal, as any working class person was when he announced that £55k was an insult so he could have handled that better, and maybe a statement about how grateful he is for his EDUCATION at The Gunners. But there i think people are over doing it now. England football fans boo him...How comes people like Alan Shearer, Michael Owen dont get stick....Dont tell me they aint mercenaries.....At the fact he cheated on his wife aint nothing to do with anyone...loads of people have done it, and will continue to do it.....To make him the most hated man in Britain stinks of something else from where i'm standing....I think if he was a lighter shade he would have been forgiven long time
By ricky broomfield. Posted October 25 2009 at 8:49 AM.
To be honest i meet &servet Cole years ago and his mates.. He`s exatly what he says , quiet, polite and very kind person.. Moving to chelsea did the right thing and Arsenal supporters should respect Cole same as Thiery Henry and many other players who left Arsenal club.. Ashley, keep up the good work mate and bring this cups home... My best regards to you Cole ...
By Marin. Posted October 25 2009 at 8:32 AM.
just to correct you neil, Patrice Evra is the world's finest full back....and by some distance!
By jordan last. Posted October 25 2009 at 8:30 AM.
As a Chelsea fan I would say that Evra is a better player attacking the last third and Cole is probably the hardest to beat in one on one's. As for being the best full back thats very debatable,one of the two best left backs but what about right backs like Alves and Maicon. We seem to expect our stars to all be bland colourless types but all the great players had an incredible desire to win. As for the mug who calls Cole and Terry big time Charlies,without big hearted fighters like those two it would be pointless going to the world cup. Rio Ferdinand has so many outside interests that his football is going down the pan,prime example of someones ego getting out of control
By Bob. Posted October 25 2009 at 8:30 AM.
I have plenty of friends who have left employers acrimoniously. Plenty of them have cheated on their wives, too. I might not always approve, but they remain friends all the same. When I see them later working hard to be the best they can, at work and with their wife, then I feel reassured. This is what Ashley has done and is doing, so far as I can see.
He is far from the worst footballer around. He is not a racist coward like Woodgate and Bowyer, a bullly like Bellamy or a lunatic like Barton.
The Arsenal fans need to try to put it into perspective. When their ex-girlfriends left them, did they stalk them forever and never more on?
By Roger Smith. Posted October 25 2009 at 8:27 AM.
Just admit you handled the whole thing badly and was ill-advised and maybe things will start getting better between you and the Arsenal fans. No one doubts your ability nor questions that you had a right to move, but remember you got found meeting Chelsea long before the transfer and then tried to justify it in that ridiculous book of yours. I totally agree that friends and family should be kept out of the abuse you get, but maybe an apology to everyone who helped you at Arsenal and got you where you are today might be in order
By Deano. Posted October 25 2009 at 7:35 AM.
Guys, am also an Arsenal fan, well! When the guy went to Chelsea, financially and careerwise, it was perhaps a wise decision for him as an individual and completely opposite the fashion he did it in, how do we forgive him for such behaviour, that he was still young at the time, he sounds an adult now, mature sound all he says
By Bafano. Posted October 25 2009 at 6:48 AM.
same old drivel from arsenal fans..what one of u would not change there job for better money and conditions,,get real u fools and much respect to mr cole
By johnd1234. Posted October 25 2009 at 4:17 AM.
ashley cole said he was arsenal fan then he went behine their back and talk to chelsea so dont be suprise that arsenal fan hate you so much. and your statment about nearly crashing your car because ofter you 55 and not 60 people hate you because you said that
By brendamccory. Posted October 25 2009 at 3:06 AM.
ilove Ashely cole i think he is amazing not just as one of the best defenders in the world (which he is) but as a person, ilove him, i am a huge chelsea fan and i was buzzing when ashers came and he havent let us down..love you ashers :) <3
x x
By Danielle Miller . Posted October 25 2009 at 1:43 AM.
Doesn't have a clue does he. Nothing to do with the fact he went to Chelsea because he saw the pound signs flash up, it is the manner and complete and utter lack of respect he showed the club that made him. Still, just goes to show hes general attitude and arrogance that he has about himself. Give it 10 years, he won't be a legend thats remembered, thats for sure!
By goooner for life. Posted October 25 2009 at 1:32 AM.
I LOVE YOU ASHLEY COLE
By debbie. Posted October 25 2009 at 1:03 AM.
they dont come any more big time charlies than ashley cole and his mate john terry both money grabbers that chase the pound coin and think there billy big boots got no time for people like that they do nothing for the game
By jim,london. Posted October 25 2009 at 1:00 AM.
Ashley Cole, the man who doesn't like to mention what he does for charity. Is this the same man who, when asked to appear at his old primary school for a charity fund raiser asked for a £5k appearance fee?
Maybe that's why he doesn't like to talk about his "charity work".
By Tom. Posted October 25 2009 at 12:58 AM.
I am a United fan and I respect you as with Evra you are the two best left backs in the world.
I do not like the hate fans give you, but your actions have not helped you. But I agree some of that stuff they say about your family is way out of line!!!!
By Rory. Posted October 25 2009 at 1:52 AM.
OK, so Ashley Cole has decided to pay some kind of consultant to change his public image?
No amount of spin can hide the fact that Ashley Cole is an arrogant, petulant cretin.
By Mark . Posted October 25 2009 at 1:48 AM.
The most hated footballer I think. Just about shades it against Adebayor!
By Michael. Posted October 25 2009 at 12:47 AM.
As a lifelong Arsenal fan, i was upset with the way Ashley left us. He was, and still is, one of the best full backs in the world and he deserved better than the treatment we gave him. He was young when he went and probably could have handled things better, but it takes two to tango in this business.
Hopefully one day you can come back Ash, i know i would applaud you if you did.
By Top Gooner. Posted October 25 2009 at 12:33 AM.
I can never keep tabs on how many ex-Arsenal players who were blamed of being greedy when they left. Doesn't take a genius to see a pattern here.
Fan(boy)s can be so ignorant sometimes. What's important is for Ashley to move on and live his life the way HE wants it because only he knows what he has been through to make that decision.
By Hikki Morisato. Posted October 25 2009 at 12:24 AM.
Oh dear, the first few sentences are worrying. No swagger - come on, its Ashley Cole.
World's finest left back - why, are there no other left backs then?
Oh, and "I'm not stupid" - well that's open for debate. How did he manage to string more than one sentence together?
And winning trophies is the be all and end all, says it all. Makes me appreciate those one-club loyal men, even though they earn half of what he does. They are better men and more loyal, and its those players that we love not money-grabbing idiots like him. Have to agree with the post above totally even though he's a gooner.
By Jan. Posted October 25 2009 at 12:10 AM.
he left because he wanted to join an english dressing room get over it mon ami.
By george. Posted October 25 2009 at 12:03 AM.
Ashley,
I was'nt born with a silver spoon either but i know the right and wrong of being greedy.If you earn as much as you do what does 5 grand a week mean?.
You are the worst example of being a professional i know,regardless of your trade.You wanted a move away from Arsenal for money not for success.Don't moan that us Arsenal fan's hate you for this reason or that reason.You left us because of greed and greed only nothing else.Your right you will be finished in 5 or 6 years and you will be forgotten.I hope it was worth it.If you were a man in the street you would of had you justice by now.
By jason singleton. Posted October 24 2009 at 10:59 PM.