Cole relishing chance to silence Arsenal fans

ASHLEY COLE believes the derision meted out to England’s players over the weekend will be child’s play compared to the venom he is certain to face at Arsenal next month.

“Compared to what happened to the England guys, I am sure I will get much worse when I go back to Arsenal (on December 16),” Cole said.

“But I am used to it, and I am looking forward to the game. I want to go there and play them because I did not get to play there earlier this year.

“I will go there and front up. I am a grown man. They (the Arsenal fans) threw money at me at Stamford Bridge, and that was bad, but I get that every game. I love it.

With Cole conceding “it would be nice to go there and shut some people up,” that will only further enrage the Gunners fans. “I don’t think I have anything to prove to them,” added Cole. “They know how good I was when I was with them and what I did for the club. It is not about that. Of course Arsenal still means something to me. I don’t hate the club or the players.

“I love the club, but it has finished for me there now. I need to look at myself and Chelsea and do as well as I can and win as many things as I can here.”

Despite the five-point gap to current leaders Arsenal, who also have a game in hand, Cole insists the Blues can again become champions this season.

“Arsenal are the team to beat in the Premier League at the moment and hopefully it could be us that does it,” said Cole.

“But we have to be closer to them before we play them. We need to win all our games before then. If we can do that and beat Arsenal as well, we are right back in the title race and anything can happen.

“This is a crucial period for us now, especially with Manchester United dropping points. It is still possible we can win the league.”