The full-back has been described as a disruptive influence at Stamford Bridge over the past fortnight, could a very unlikely switch back to North London be on the cards?
Every club has a traitor or two that fans do not want to forgive.
For Tottenham fans it is Sol Campbell, for Barcelona it is Luis Figo, over at the Emirates, the man they love to hate is Ashley Cole.
They way he walked out on the club, over being ‘insulted’ over a new contract offer always sticks in the throat of Gooners, who dubbed him ‘Cashley’ in response.
Cole will point to the Premier League titles he has won with Chelsea, and the FA Cup medals, as justification in making the right move.
But with the wheels falling off the Chelsea side in recent weeks, Cole has been singled out as one of the troublemakers in Chelsea’s dressing room, unhappy with Andre Villas-Boas management.
A report in the Sun last week stated that owner Roman Abramovich wanted to kick Cole out of the club, but since then his backing for Villas-Boas has remained silent.
Our thoughts are that if Cole was sold, surely a move abroad, say, to Real Madrid, would be more appealing for him, allowing him to escape the hectic bubble that his private life has created.
But how would Arsenal fans feel about a shock bid?
After all, Cole is a proven winner, and a member of Arsenal’s invincibles side.
Arsenal have had their issues at full-back in recent weeks, with Kieran Gibbs remaining injury prone and the soon-to-return Andre Santos still an unknown quantity in English football.
If Cole was to be transfer listed, Arsenal should at the very least consider the option.
He would have to win over the fans, and that may be an impossible task, but surely his on-pitch performances could slowly help turn it around.
The question is, would Arsenal fans be willing to give him a chance?
image: © p_a_h
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
