Welcome home: Ashely Cole (centre) celebrates Kolo
Toure's own goal with Frank Lampard (left) and Didier
Drogba
Ashley Cole added insult to
Arsenal's injured pride by
claiming a trip to the Emirates was just what
Chelsea needed after crashing
out of Europe. The Blues inflicted Arsenal's worst home league
defeat for 32 years with the 4-1 thrashing, bouncing back from
their fiery Champions League exit to Barcelona in
midweek.
The club are set to be charged by UEFA this week for failing to
control their players during and after last Wednesday's semi-final,
and Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack and Jose Bosingwa face charges
over their treatment of referee Tom Henning Ovrebo.
Chelsea's playing style was also heavily criticised in
Spain after their negative approach in the goalless first leg at
the Nou Camp.
But Cole, a none-too-popular former Gunner, believes the defeat
of Arsenal shows they are not the enemies of football.
'Against Arsenal we showed how good we are. We didn’t get in too
many battles or too many fights this time. The lads have done
well.
Head boy: Alex rises above Mikel Silvestre to score
for Chelsea
'A lot of people would have thought we’d all be down and
out, but we showed a lot of character. At times we defended really
well and now we’ve clinched third spot.'
Cole said the 'mood was down' during training on Thursday and
Friday and added: 'Everyone’s disappointed when you lose in the
semi-final of the Champions League. It’s life and there is nothing
we can do about it.
'The players here have got great character. I have played with a
lot of big players, but at Chelsea they seem to be able to motivate
themselves very quickly. It showed against Arsenal and it had to
show.'
The 28-year-old is never likely to be warmly received at Arsenal
after the nature of his departure to Chelsea three years ago. But
Cole taunted the Emirates boo-boys for helping him to recover from
the crushing disappointment of defeat against Barcelona.
Asked if he found it hard to play so soon after the European
exit, he said: 'It was easy for me but I have different reasons for
that. Coming back to my old club, I hate losing to Arsenal so it
means I’m more motivated.'
Referring to the abuse from fans, he said: 'It is always there —
I don’t blame them. I just want to play my game and win for
Chelsea.'
