Arsene: show Cole respect

ARSENE WENGER hopes Arsenal fans will give Ashley Cole a positive reception rather than subject the former Gunner to abuse when he returns to face his former club for the first time tomorrow.

England left-back Cole came through the Arsenal youth ranks and played in the 2006 Champions League final against Barcelona.

However, he left Arsenal for Chelsea that summer following a protracted transfer saga which eventually ended with now Gunners captain William Gallas heading for Emirates Stadium in a part swap deal.

The manner of Cole’s departure following his involvement in the tapping-up scandal and criticism of the club in his book over wages still sits uneasily with some Arsenal fans.

Injury forced Cole, 26, to miss last season’s showdown in north London, but the full-back maintains he is “not scared” of facing the boo-boys – with sections of the travelling supporters having waved fake bank notes in his direction during the game at Stamford Bridge.

Wenger has, though, called for common sense to prevail. “I want our fans to be behind our team and not to especially have resentment with Ashley Cole because he has done well for the club as long as he has been here,” the Arsenal manager said.

“Ideally, you want everybody who has played for you to be respected. Usually we have players that come back here and get very good treatment — Patrick Vieira came back with Juventus and they still chanted his name. It depends on the circumstances. The difference is that people didn’t accept the way Ashley Cole left.

“Ashley wanted to leave, so the only way we could act was to get somebody else in compensation and we are happy with what we’ve got.”

Wenger continued: “What is over is over, and you have as well to take a distance with that. Ashley has been educated here, he has done well for us and overall we want him to get a fair reception, then of course basically be 200% behind the team. That makes a difference. In the big games your fans and your team have to be one.”

Arsenal host north-London rivals Tottenham next weekend to kick off their hectic festive schedule.

Wenger added: “We want the fans to be loud, but also respectful. That is the way we do things at Arsenal.

“Our fans have an important role to play in the next few games, and we want them to be extremely supportive in a manner that people expect from Arsenal Football Club.

“They have always made the club very proud.”

Wenger feels the race for the Premier League title this season is the “most exciting” he has known.

“Since I have been here you have never had four teams as this after 15 or 16 games,” he declared.

“It is very difficult to pick one out of the three contenders. For me all three are the same – but for different reasons. Chelsea because they have the quality, the experience and have done it. Liverpool because they have invested a lot and are keen to win it. And Manchester United because they have the individual potential to score goals at any moment and have done it before.”

Wenger knows his side could strike a major psychological blow with victory to take into the hectic festive schedule.

“We have a good opportunity to strengthen our lead again because at least one of

Liverpool and Manchester United will drop points, maybe both,” he said.

“For us victory would put us in a very strong position again.”