Cole left out of Arsenal squad for opener
The 25-year-old England left-back has been linked with a move to Premiership champions Chelsea but the clubs have yet to agree a deal, meaning Cole could be forced to remain at the Emirates Stadium until January at least.
Cole criticised Arsenal in the promotional material for his autobiography and was tipped to receive a hostile reception from Gunners fans if he were to play for the club again.
However, he issued a statement through his Stellar Group representatives, reading: “I have made myself available for selection this weekend and it is now up to the manager whether he decides to play me.
“I maintain I have no problem with the fans and the manager: they have both been very supportive of me throughout my career, in particular I hope the fans understand where my grievances lie.”
However, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has not seen fit to pick him for today’s clash with Villa, though insists he could work with Cole if his move away does not come off.
“He has permission to go somewhere if he wants to, but if there is not an opportunity for him and the club, he will stay.”
Wenger insisted that a hasty conclusion to the Cole saga was of paramount importance both to the player and his club.
Wenger added: “He has permission to leave if he can agree with any other club but he has not done that so he is available for us.
“But of course the situation has to be stopped very soon because it is not good for him. And it is not good for us as well because we do not really know if we can rely on him or not.
“I feel if I include him today then he could be transferred tomorrow. But when I give somebody the promise that he can leave I do not renege on my word and we have given him that promise.
“Of course I would have to stop that very, very soon because we could not go on like that. It must be resolved quickly one way or the other.”
Meanwhile, Wenger is unhappy with Real Madrid in their pursuit of Gunners forward Jose Antonio Reyes.
He added: “Real Madrid create unrest everywhere. You see the same situation at Lyon and you see the same situation here. They come up with nothing. They just destabilise the players and that is why we are not very happy.”
Summer signing Tomas Rosicky (groin) misses the game with Villa, but midfielder Freddie Ljungberg has been rushed back from an ankle problem.
Captain Thierry Henry should return to the side, having played in midweek for France. Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was suspended for Arsenal’s European tie, and is expected to feature despite needing treatment for hypoglycaemia while on international duty this week.
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