'New era' may tempt Cole to stay at Arsenal

Cup success could encourage left-back to continue his 16-year association with club despite a troubled season. By Jason Burt

Tonight could be Ashley Cole's final match for Arsenal. After 16 years, an association going back to when he was a nine-year-old boy growing up in Bow, east London, and 232 appearances, he appears to be about to take his leave. Or maybe not.

"It could be the start of a new era at Arsenal," Cole said when discussing what it would mean to lift the European Cup in Paris. "To go into the new stadium as European champions would be a great boost for everyone and it would give us great confidence."

The club's supporters will cling to the "us" in that statement just as they have done a remark made earlier this season by Thierry Henry when he said he "dreams" of leading the side out at the Emirates Stadium. But then Patrick Vieira said the same.

The prospect of losing both Henry and Cole doesn't bear thinking about for Arsenal and has, unnecessarily, clouded preparations for this most eagerly anticipated of contests with Barcelona even if manager Arsène Wenger insists he is relaxed about what is happening and will deal with it when the season is over.

It wasn't that long ago that Wenger was privately discussing whether or not Cole could be elevated to the club's captaincy. And given the debate over the thin English representation in his team it would have been a smart move to eventually anoint the 25-year-old whom Liam Brady, head of the club's youth development, describes as a "shining light".

It is an honour Cole would like. "I have played under Vieira and Tony Adams and I have taken things that they have done on board," he said. "I would love to do it one day."

That one day may have to come after a spell away. Following the tapping-up inquiry involving Chelsea, and his acrimonious dispute with Arsenal last season, Cole was fined £100,000 by the Premier League. It still rankles. "The fine has been at the back of my mind," he acknowledged. "That's why I have lawyers. I have put all that behind me now."

Indeed, Cole fought and fought the issue - even threatening to go to the European Court of Human Rights - while it is understood he still feels an antagonism towards the club's vice-chairman, David Dein, and despite signing a contract extension last year there is believed to be a £16m release clause.

Chelsea wanted to activate it, but hold out little hope of getting Cole, who has since been strongly linked to Real Madrid as Roberto Carlos's replacement with the Brazilian, quite possibly, moving to Stamford Bridge.

But that, as Wenger said, is for another day. First there is Barcelona and Cole, after a season plagued by injuries to such an extent that he admits he "wrote it off", will start tonight having assumed the left-back spot ahead of stand-in Mathieu Flamini.

"I feel sorry for Flamini and I know how he feels," Cole said. "It's a dog-eat-dog world though. I never received any assurances from the manager that I was first choice. It isn't all about me. He has other things to think about. To be honest, I was so grumpy he was probably sick of my face."

It wasn't just the prospect of not playing for Arsenal that concerned Cole. There was also the World Cup. "It was on my mind," he said. "I did think that my season was over. I wasn't playing for Arsenal and that meant I wouldn't be involved with England. I wrote my season off at one stage. I had already been out for three months with a foot problem and then I did my thigh and then my ankle. I thought I was finished."

It is the worst run of injuries he has had since breaking into the Arsenal team aged 20, although Cole is correct in adding: "I have come back at the right time."

There was also praise for the England manager, Sven Goran Eriksson, who has kept in constant contact and watched Arsenal reserve team games. "I spoke to Becks as well and it's nice to know the others want you to be there," Cole added. He is, he says, now "raring to go".

But his most fulsome praise is reserved for Wenger and Henry who, understandably, he rates above Ronaldinho. "You would like both in your team but for me I would always go for Thierry," he said. "He doesn't get the credit for how many goals he sets up. And the ones he scores are always special."

As is Ronaldinho - although Cole is not daunted. "I have played against Ronaldinho before at the last World Cup," he said. "He did one of his step-overs and nearly put me on the floor. He is an amazing player but I think playing against the best in the world brings out the best."

As for Wenger there is an even richer tribute. "What he has done for the club has been nothing short of unbelievable," Cole said. "For him to lift the Champions' League would be the icing on the cake."

Arsenal will hope his words, and helping Wenger to fulfil that aim, are not a farewell present.