I think Ashley Cole is the best left back in the world…
When he’s playing for ARSENAL, and playing alongside THIERRY HENRY.
Under Wenger, Arsenal has an unique playing system. I believe this system makes many players look better than they really are.
First of all, FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION. Wenger encourages his players to EXPRESS THEMSELVES on the pitch. Therefore we saw Tony Adams pushing up all the way to the opposition half from time to time. It’s something that was unthinkable under George Graham.
Ashley Cole is an attacking-minded full back. He’s at his best when given freedom to push forward. Under a different manager, a more tactical minded and disciplinary minded manager, would he be as effective?
Secondly, Thierry Henry likes to operate down the left flank. With Titi’s presence drawing markers it leaves a big path wide left for Cole to explore.
But there is only one Thierry Henry, and he’s playing with Arsenal. Ashley Cole is skillful, but he’s not that skillful to dribble past a few defenders and deliver a cross down the left byline.
Just look at the way he played with England. He didn’t really look that “world-class” did he?
52 Responses to “Playing elsewhere, Ashley Cole will be nothing more than an ordinary LB”
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July 19th, 2006 at 5:19 pm
Cole’s attacking capabilities are overated - he’s not exactly Roberto Carlos and never has been. But he is a superb defender, he has lightning pace and good recovery, his timing of the tackle is exceptional. He’s much better than Clichy or Flamini - and initially he will be badly missed - in a defence that is already shaky with Senderos, never mind unprovens like Djorou and that clown Cygan. If Cole goes, Arsenal are likely to ship more goals, fact.
Let’s not pretend that Cole is anything other than a fantastic full back, and wherver he goes or what he does for another team is pretty much irrelevant - all that matters is that ARSENAL will be losing one of their best players.
July 19th, 2006 at 5:40 pm
Nice angle Andez.
With fullbacks the thing that catapults them to a higher level is what they offer in addition to their defensive competence. It?s their ability to combine with and contribute to the attacking side of their teams play.
Ash is very good at this.
As you point out would he standout the same in a defensively minded team - Chelsea for example?
At Arsenal everything is intended to contribute to attack. That?s why often our fullbacks are ex-midfielders. Soooo?.a guy like Cole is going to thieve in our environment. If you follow that thinking Real Madrid would be a better option for him than Chelsea.
I wouldn?t be prepared to stick my neck out and say he will be ordinary?.perhaps less of a stand-out.
July 19th, 2006 at 5:43 pm
Damn Andez, I just finished writing that on the other page. I was just saying Zambrotta or Cole would be totally wasted playing at Chelsea. They would be bound by tactics that would restrict their multi-faceted game, making them only half the player they would be at Arsenal.
Cole and Sol both have phenomenal quickness in the tackle and if they leave it will be missed. We could find somene with Ash’s pace but that quickness in the tackle is another animal. I hope Cole reads your post and thinks about how restricted he would be at Chelsea compared to Arsenal. I’ve got to agree with DannyT with there are very few world-wide with Cole’s quickness.
July 19th, 2006 at 5:47 pm
What do you think of the pending Return of Anelka to the EPL?
This is one guy who I can?t help but feel?.if only.
But even now when you read his comments he still has this phenomenal chip on his shoulder and an ability to alienate the public. Nic you need to generate some public goodwill when you are in a high-profile position!!
Hard to believe he is only 27?.he?s been through so many clubs. Yet even still he is whining saying that it is all Gerard Houlliers fault
Some folk just can?t understand the law of cause and effect.
Ash would do well to study Nic?s worldview and learn?.if he can.
July 19th, 2006 at 5:49 pm
Your first statement is wrong. The recent world cup has thrown up 2 names in Lahm and Grosso (3 names if u include the ambidextrous Zambrotta) as the best left back in the WC. Besides setting up goals for others, both Lahm and Rosso shoots well and score goals as well.
July 19th, 2006 at 5:50 pm
There’s no comparison. Anelka is completely bonkers.
July 19th, 2006 at 5:50 pm
Heinze is a better left back than Cole in my opinion too.
July 19th, 2006 at 5:56 pm
I might agree with you. But Arsenal is need for Ashly Cole not for LB like Clichy. Cause our systems also needs him.
We need an English presence, we need home grown players, ….
July 19th, 2006 at 6:36 pm
I think Cole has been average for about two years, both defensively and offensively. When he first broke through he was tremendous but I think injuries have interrupted his momentum.
When was the last time Cole attacked and something happened? Aston Villa goal a year and a half ago? He seems to be bluffing attacks the more time goes by, a bit like Reyes. I’ve completely given up on his one-two’s just outside the area. The goal keeper always pips him to the ball.
Fabio Grosso looked a different class in the world cup, attacking wise anyway.
Cole is a very good left back, and my aforementioned opinion of him is probably due to injuries, but I wouldn’t be too bothered if we sold him and replaced him with someone like Magnin. He is a very good left back and seems quite a character. You can never have enough of them to create a camraderie. If we bought him we would nearly have the whole Swiss back line.
July 19th, 2006 at 6:37 pm
We need home grown players that act home grown. Not chav twats like Cole.
July 19th, 2006 at 7:32 pm
Ashley Cole is an ordinary left back playing elsewhere?
Are you having a laugh, or what?
We have those that think he’s the “best in the world”… and others that think he’ll be ordinary or average if he plays elsewhere?
RIDICULOUS.
He’s one of the best left backs in football… and he will be wherever he plays. His team might not be as successful, and Arsenal might not be without him, but Ashley Cole will be far from ordinary.
Gotta get the Arsenal blinkers off… or stop drinking the Arsenal “Kool-Aid”.
Next up… Theirry Henry, average if he plays for anyone else…??????!!!!
Good Grief.
July 19th, 2006 at 7:59 pm
I have to agree, some of you might feel better if Cole leaves and does f*ck all, but I can assure you, Arsenal won’t feel better.
July 19th, 2006 at 8:13 pm
Like the majority of people here, I like Ashley. However, if he doesn’t want to play for Arsenal, let him go. Frankly, I’d rather have a player that wants to play for us, even if he is a lesser player than Ashley. At least I’ll know that he’ll give everything that he has for us out on the pitch.
I’m not going to say that Ashley would intentionally not play well, but he’s not going to play his hardest if he doesn’t want to be here.
I’d hate to see him go, but get rid of him if he doesn’t want to be here. Let Clichy have an extended look once he’s healty. Or maybe we can bet Zambrotta from the money that we can get for Ashley. I’m not going to pretend that I have the slightest clue as to what we should do, but I’d like to think that Arsene has a plan in place just in case.
July 19th, 2006 at 8:18 pm
I?m with Stag133 and DannyT on this one. Cole will do well wherever he goes. If as rumored it is Chelsea, they have enough talent there to make him flourish.
The only reassuring thing is that given a little time, once the honeymoon is over, he?ll turn on them to: ?The devil made THEM do it and while my hands may be covered in blood, I?m innocent. Before they corrupt me with even more money I must go elsewhere.? Potential excerpt from ?Tweedy and Pushy Cat? confessions book written by the then X Ms. Tweedy Cole in commenting on Cashleys stay at Chel$ki. She?s going to have to write it soon to, if you?ve ever heard the dribble her band puts out as music ? her 15 minutes are almost up!
I guess as well as being a very good LB he has a nasty wrong way of seeing the world.
I respect his talent but think very little of him as a person just now. I hope he stays for Arsenal FC but he?s not a member of my cult of personality, I am able to divorce the two. I?ll be thinking, at least that arsewipe can play when I watch him and you all know he can play. In other words, I’d still piss on him if he was on fire.
Who?s going to buy his book anyway? Arsenal fans — not very likely.
July 19th, 2006 at 8:18 pm
Agree with Stag and Danny, Ash Cole will be brilliant wherever he plays - his record for england already proves it.
If he does go though, at least we’ll get a decent fee, meaning we can strengthen at CB and CM.
Will wenger spend the money though?
July 19th, 2006 at 8:31 pm
I think it?s a far stretch to pin Cole as likely an ?ordinary? back anywhere but at Arsenal. He has so many great qualities: pace, temperament, and wonderful, creative on the ball skills. His finishing has been in and out, but he is not too wanting in ability to put the ball in the back of the net.
If there is a knock on Cole, I think it is that he has proven highly injury prone the past few seasons. He seemed back to his full self in Germany, but will he stand up to a long domestic campaign and varied cup competitions wherever he goes. I?m not so sure.
At the end of the day, if Ash is so unhappy (as his book certainly reveals himself to be) then I echo the sentiment of many Gooner fans: Ciao. Get the hell out of here and let us get down to business. And in my book, that business better be bringing in some more teeth and experience at the back.
How can we not grab Thuram? It would be insane not to do so.
July 19th, 2006 at 8:37 pm
I believe that if we lose Cole, that our already weakened defense will go down the drain. Wenger has stated he is willing to keep Cole, but its all on him. Like mentioned above, we have only unproven defenders that will in no way match up to Cole’s experience or play. We need to keep him. I believe his transfer will get us about 15 million pounds, which is going to be a nice amount, but the club has stated it doesnt have money to spend in the transfer market. So, if Cole is sold, does Arsenal spend that money, or save it? Either way, I think Cole is a vital part to our defense that will hard to replace.
July 19th, 2006 at 8:59 pm
It’s simple, he is worldclass and will be great anywhere in any team. And don’t look at his offensive skills, witch are really good, just look how many goals he saved from the goal line or with a late tackle like the one against Ecuador. He will be missed if we are not going to replace him with a decent LB. I read that Zambrotta is off to Barca, along with Thuram, and Cannavaro and Emerson are going to Real Madrid. So at the end looks like Wenger was right when he said that he is not going to sign players from Italian clubs. I hope he saved the money to get Buffon
July 19th, 2006 at 9:21 pm
Wengerology is at work.
Where other managers would ?try? and take command of the situation by heaping the pressure on their player to stay (or go) Wengerology ?passes? the decision on to the player (which is exactly where it already is). He affirms the obvious ? the player?s value to the club and the part the club has played in developing him.
No chest thumping, no talk of rights, no implied threats.
The corporate word of ?empowerment? comes to mind?.Wenger doesn?t talk it he practices it.
His underlying belief appears to be that more often than not the player will make the right decision. And if he doesn?t then that?s the way it is.
Trying to control the situation with coercion or undue pressure isn?t sustainable in Wengerology.
And when you look at the outcomes of his approach?.the results back him up.
Generally Arsene has managed to keep his best performers whilst they are in their prime. Anelka being a notable, yet foot-shooting, exception.
How many ex-Arsenal players have surpassed their Arsenal achievements?
Let?s think of the higher profile ones: Suker, Overmars, Petit, Anelka, Silvinho, Kanu, Jeffers, Wright, Parlour, recently Vieira, Edu,…
From memory only van Bronkhurst and Wiltord have enjoyed success with their new clubs yet neither, despite working hard, really found a niche at Arsenal. Despite their success I wouldn’t want either back.
So whilst Wengerology cuts across the grain of human nature (which likes to feel in control) it is pretty smart, works with the tide and generally achieves a good outcome.
Re the 16m we may get for Cole?.it will be paid off our debt. There is money available if Wenger wants it, if and when he sees someone he likes at the right price.
July 19th, 2006 at 9:59 pm
I thought he played well in the World Cup-saved the day for England against Ecuador. Having said that, he is a cancer and needs to go, so long as Wenger buys a couple more defenders. Preferably a couple of young Englishmen or even Trabelsi. Just anyone. Take the money and run with Cole.
July 19th, 2006 at 10:30 pm
Interesting news on BBC.
Cannavaro and Emerson to Real Madrid for 13.7m pounds.
Aged 32 and 30 respectively.
Solid signings to say the least.
The breakup of Juventus has begun.
July 20th, 2006 at 12:18 am
Simply Cole has to stay if we realy want to win something.
Again its not cause its Cole, its because when u sell the likes of Cole, then u are a selling club not a winner. .. same as being Everton ..
We need the likes of Henry, Cole, … We need a solid proven CB .. NOW.
July 20th, 2006 at 12:54 am
Wenger would never do that. That’s why he sold Vieira when he realised that Juve were ready to pay 13-14m for a 29-year old. Wenger spends big money only on young talent and potential - Henry, Reyes and Walcott.
July 20th, 2006 at 1:08 am
There are really two questions here
1. How well will Cole do without Arsenal?
I think he is a world class left-back. Not only does he offer a lot offensively, his defensive skills are also very good. He showed it in Euro2004 and again in WC2006. So I think he will do well. Of course, at Chelsea, his offence might be stifled a little bit. In that sense, Real Madrid could be a better choice for him, but that club comes with its own set of problems.
2. How well will Arsenal do without Cole?
When Anelka left, there was Henry. When Overmars left, there was Pires. When Adams left, there was Campbell. When Petit, there wasn’t anyone and we struggled for two seasons. Who do we have for Cole? I am afraid, the answer is no one.
Don’t get misled by Flamini and the CL record. Defensively he is fine. And he was helped by the 4-5-1. If we revert to 4-4-2, he will struggle, even Senderos (who will play next to him) does.
Clichy gets injured too often. Hoyte did well at Sunderland but we don’t know how well he will do for us. So I think we will miss Cole.
July 20th, 2006 at 2:16 am
Oh Dear, another load of crap from ArsenalAmerica ! Ash is world class, and Thierry Henry isn’t in the England team is he ? World class players can play with anyone, and anywhere … Stick to base-ball ! … Cheers … Tony … (London, England & Arsenal till I die)
July 20th, 2006 at 4:23 am
It’s certainly the adult way to conduct the affair, not like Ash and his ‘hung out to to dry’ ‘ fed to the sharks’ routine. I have no idea to the terms of his ’secret deal’, but I guess some normal rules apply, ie if Cole puts in a transfer request he loses his 25% of the ?16m fee. So it makes sense for Ashley to try and put the club in a position where they feel they have to sell him, Arsene is just being as canny as you say.
Wouldn’t you love to be a fly on the wall in Wenger’s office when Ashley returns from honeymoon? I still say we impose the maximum fine possible, but Arsene is much smarter than that.
July 20th, 2006 at 4:35 am
Oh Dear, another load of crap from tonyrogers! Stick to the BNP sites tony, with your incredible wit you’ll fit right in chump!
July 20th, 2006 at 5:16 am
Ashley Cole leaving would mean no English players in the first XI.
This is a big thing.
Clichy might come in and do a job, but we dont have anyone in the squad who could make the impact he has.
Remember he was in the first team as an 18 year old, there might be someone out there that we dont know.
IN AW we trust.
I’ll say it again if we get Curtis Davies and Hargreaves I will be happy and reckon we could win the Prem.
The real debate is where will Ash go. If he goes to Chelsea it will impact us, Madrid wont be to bad for us.
July 20th, 2006 at 5:40 am
Capello wanted Emerson, Cannavaro, and Zambrotta but has only signed Emerson and Cannavaro, not Zambrotta. That’s a big deal. Zambrotta said on Tuesday that if he didn’t sign for Madrid he would talk to Chelsea.
This is a perfect time for Wenger to do some gamesmanship. Wenger simply mentioning an intrest in Zambrotta and saying we could offer him good football at Arsenal would get Zambrotta’s attention; if his intrest is playing good football. If money’s his intrest, he’ll go to Chelsea. Wenger could talk of him not as a Cole replacement but as a world-class player who can play anywhere on the pitch and how very few players have that class.
To be able to put one over on Mourinho is too good of an opportunity to pass up. If Zambrotta wants to play good ball he would atleast talk to Arsenal before signing for Chelsea. It’s not beyond Wenger as he’s publicly expressed admiration for many players without persuing them to include Wayne Rooney, Darren Bent, and GiGi Buffon.
If Zambrotta to Chelsea were to come up Wenger could simply say he believes Zambrotta is too dynamic to play for a team like Chelsea, but they have a lot of money. What’s important is what the player believes.
July 20th, 2006 at 5:56 am
There appear to be a few doubts about Clichy’s ability compared to Ashley Cole. Why? When has Clichy not performed well for the first team? Whenever Cole has been out, Clichy has come in and been excellent. Extremely soft penalty aside, he came on in the Villareal game and did a great job - a CL semi-final, away when he wasn’t even expecting to play after X months out. Clichy has talent, the right temperament and a good attitude.
The only I doubt I have is his injury record, but then Cashley has been quite injury prone too.
July 20th, 2006 at 5:56 am
When Anelka left, Henry CAME IN. When Overmars left, Pires CAME IN. When Adams left, Sol CAME IN. When Vieira and Petit left no one CAME IN. As long as someone comes in for Cole, we’ll be fine.
I agree Flamini’s not a LB. He and Senderos leaned on and depended on each other. It made them strong. Hoyte played LB for a year but he also learned how to lose every week. Ash came back from a loan and showed he was ready, essentially moving Silvinho to the bench. Maybe Hoyte is ready. Perhaps he and Jose can be the new Bobby and Ash.
July 20th, 2006 at 6:06 am
Ash has only been injury prone as of late. Clichy has been injury prone his entire career. Wenger was able to steal him for cheap from Cannes because he was injured forever. Everyone knew his quality but had forgotten about him because he was out injured for so long; for over a year. We can’t depend on Clichy.
July 20th, 2006 at 7:10 am
Clichy was injured at Cannes? I thought we got him cheaply because he was on a trainee contract at Cannes.
July 20th, 2006 at 8:11 am
You mean like Sol?
Please. Wenger’s been hung out to dry by enough of them, and the club can’t afford to have such wonderful homegrown players prance around like they’re the be all end all.
By regulations, you’re absolutely correct, though. Which is why I think Wenger continues to buy young and qualify them through the youth ranks. Let’s face it: All the good English players are taken, and the others are for Spurs, not Arsenal.
July 20th, 2006 at 8:14 am
As good as he may or may not be, we broke a CL record without him. Did pretty good elsewhere, too, save a few newbie mistakes by our young back four. He’s a year away from playing 20 games a season.
Ash wants a payday and to begin to play the role off the pitch. We don’t need that. We need someone who understands how to be a real man.
Bad mouth the club all you want, Ash. No one will buy your sad ode to victim mentality.
July 20th, 2006 at 8:19 am
Yes he was on a trainee contract but he was still broke and Arsenal had no competiton for his signature. Everyone knew he could play but just forgot about him, everyone except Wenger.
Maybe others didn’t forget about him but wanted him to prove his fitness first. Wenger didn’t wait for that.
July 20th, 2006 at 10:19 am
Davies and Hargreaves and Hildebrand !!!
Davies and Hargreaves and Hildebrand !!!
Davies and Hargreaves and Hildebrand !!!
i?m hoping if i say it enough it will happen …
Hoyte to back up till Clichy is fit.
Ribery only if Reyes cant fit.
July 20th, 2006 at 10:19 am
By the way, I just thought this article was spot on in so many ways. It was from back in 2004, and the Roy Keane statement at the end I think explains United’s current dominance of us in head to heads.
July 20th, 2006 at 10:20 am
It would help if I posted the link!
http://tinyurl.com/ojllg
July 20th, 2006 at 10:22 am
Wow someone on the same wave length.
I have not seen Hildebrand so I would have to say Issakson but yeah the first two would be key to our squad and lead us to the Prem title.
July 20th, 2006 at 10:35 am
Positional play is his weak area.
He has bags of energy, bags.
He gets up and down the wing really well but he commits himself too quickly at times.
July 20th, 2006 at 11:14 am
Mental strength is not something you can expect in 18-22 year olds unless you are someone like Rooney.
July 20th, 2006 at 11:46 am
same criticims of ahsley cole up to 2004.
July 20th, 2006 at 11:53 am
Of course he will . . .if he finds the right player at a fair price.
July 20th, 2006 at 12:11 pm
On Member’s Day at the new stadium, Wenger has said -
“It’s a fantastic stadium and it needs a fantastic team. We believe we have a great team here and we want to challenge for the title and the Champions League.
We also want to add one or two players.”
I think he is serious this time. Of course, we can’t expect big names, but we will surely see a CB and hopefully a DM.
July 20th, 2006 at 12:24 pm
But, in 3 years time, who knows? The team, if it sticks together through thick and thin, could become a lot like Fergie’s fledglings.
Just noticed the age groups in the team
over 30 -> Lehmann, Poom, Cygan
26-30 -> Gilberto, Lauren, Ljunberg, Henry
22-25 -> Rosicky, Cole, Toure, Hleb, Eboue, Aliadiere, van Persie, Reyes, Adebayor, Flamini, Hoyte
17-21 -> Senderos, Larsson, Clichy, Diaby, Djorou, Lupoli, Gilbert, Fabregas, Song, Connolly, Bendtner, Muamba, Stokes, Walcott
Only Lehmann, Poom, and Gilberto need replacing in the next 3 years.
July 20th, 2006 at 12:26 pm
If Ash does go, who do we bring in? I read an article (AP) that said Gianluca Zambrotta and Lilian Thuram are off to Barca (what a scary thought), so there go two quality defensive reinforcements gone from the market. If Arsene is serious about not upping his Davies bid, where does that leave us. No Senderos, no Clichy, no Djourou, all injuried and no Ash (if sold). I’m not liking the options that I am seeing. Someone like Lahm would be nice, but are we willing to pay the cash to bring in someone of that caliber…And to compound mattes further, I also read that Yaya Toure may be inline for a switch to Monaco (SkySports)…
Someone please remind me of the positive side that I mush be missing b/c I’m one concerned gooner…
July 20th, 2006 at 12:43 pm
There’s the caveat right there: “Let Clichy have an extended look once he’s healthy.” WHen was the last time that happened? Yes, he’s an excellent player but he cannot be counted on. If Cole goes then someone else needs to be brought in.
July 20th, 2006 at 12:49 pm
Tony Rogers, did you come up with those clever lines by yourself, or did you need to get together with a bunch of your mouthbreathing friends to gahter enough brain power to put together coherent sentences? Oh, wait, you didn’t even do that correctly - Thierry Henry in the England team? What the hell?! If you don’t like what you read here, then go away, I’m pretty sure no one will miss you.
July 20th, 2006 at 3:30 pm
London, England & Arsenal til you die, eh?
Who will you support after your death?
Bye… Corey (New Orleans, USA, Arsenal for eternity)
July 21st, 2006 at 6:56 am
Forget Ashley Cole for the time being. He is away on honeymoon and so you wont actually hear what he wants to do for a couple of weeks.
So now that Gilbert has gone on loan, I think AW is saying that he has someone lined up to bolster the defense.
Over half of the Juve back line has now left. Does Buffon really want to be playing behind a completly different back four in the second division?
Did anyone else notice Kovac in the World Cup for Croatia. I thought he looked good. I presume he would want a way out. He is very big, and would be a natural replacement to Sol. I also dont think Juve can ask 8 mill for him so a straight race for him or Davies, I am thinking he would be better, and cheaper.
July 21st, 2006 at 1:17 pm
It really is a shame to lose out on Zambrotta and Thuram. These are two players Arsenal could have brought in and not lost money, esp if Cole leaves. Zambrotta is a world class player, nevermind fullback. He’s so good and could play anywhere on the pitch. He wants to play more attacking football and that’s why he didn’t sign for Real Madrid or Chelsea. All Wenger had to do was mention his name. For 9.5 million, Barcelona got a sweet deal and they’re going to be so good.
Kovac did still look good in his first year at Juve but I think Distin wants to come to us without actually announcing it. He’s been stripped of the captaincy at Man City for his refusal to agree a new deal. He’s waiting for Wenger to swoop. He’s quality and would be cheap. The writing’s on the wall for us to bring him in before he signs a new deal. If we don’t bring in someone or overpay for Davis I’m going to be so pissed.