Chelsea defender Ashley Cole finally looks to have had
the last laugh on Arsenal and his critics. Since the England
left-back joined Chelsea in a deal which saw William Gallas and
£5million going the other way in August 2006, Arsenal supporters
have claimed their club got the better of the deal. Yet while the
Gunners brace themselves for another trophy-less season, Cole has a
great chance of winning the Premier and Champions League this
term.
The 27-year-old, who progressed through Arsenal's junior ranks,
has already received one honour this term after Roberto Carlos
asked for his shirt following the win over Fenerbahce on Tuesday
which put the Blues in the semi-finals. It is a sign the World Cup
winner still regards Cole as one of the best left-backs in the game
and his form in the last few weeks has begun to justify that
tag.
His performances have been all the more impressive because he
has beaten off the challenge of Wayne Bridge, while having to cope
with problems in his personal life and the criticism he received
for his behaviour towards referee Mike Riley during the Tottenham
match last month.
Cole, who has struggled with an ankle injury for the majority of
his time at Stamford Bridge, feels the key in his renaissance is a
return to the kind of fitness levels he enjoyed when at
Arsenal.
Cole is relishing the chance to get Chelsea to the Champions
League final in Moscow even though Arsenal's defeat to Liverpool
means he has been robbed of the chance to truly haunt his former
club by knocking them out of Europe.
Cole said: "I had no preference between playing Arsenal or
Liverpool, we knew it would be tough whoever won that tie. We will
go to Liverpool in the first leg with a lot of confidence.
"It is vital we get a goal away from home and hopefully keep a
clean sheet at Stamford Bridge."